Mar 15, 2006- Kaptur Pushes USDA for Additional Funds for Emerald Ash Borer Control in Ohio
"The U.S. Department of Agriculture is the federal agency charged withresponding to problems created by invasive species, such as the Emerald AshBorer, and has not followed Congressional directives," said Kaptur. "Ihope the Bush Administration's approach to this crisis will not be the same asto the hurricane-ravaged Gulf: denial of what really is needed to get the jobdone, and denial that what has been thus far has been too little too late."
In a session before the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, Kapturpressed Dr. Chuck Lambert USDA Undersecretary for Marketing and RegulatoryPrograms, to use all sources of funding to deal with the Emerald AshBorer. Funding for controlling invasive species comes from two sources:appropriated dollars provided in annual appropriation bills, and otheremergency authorities granted to USDA.
She obtained the agreement of the USDA officials responsible for control tomeet with key Ohiostakeholders. Kaptur also read aloud from a letter she received from OhioDepartment of Agriculture Director Fred Dailey in which he wrote; "...we are onthe verge of an ecological disaster. ... This is a ticking time bomb for citiesand municipalities that will be strapped with the costs of ash tree removal andproblems associated with disposal of such a large quantity of ash material."
Kaptur added "The Subcommittee provided $10 million for Emerald Ash Borercontrol in the fiscal 2006 appropriations bill with committee directions thatthis money be considered a supplement to and not in lieu of CCC EmergencyExpenditures. Undersecretary Lambert acknowledged this fact, andcommitted to continue to work to secure the release of emergency funds toeffectively deal with the pest."
She also pointed to the fact that since treatment for EAB first began in2003, 91% of the money spent on control efforts has come from this emergencyfund with Michigan having received $44.6 million while Ohio has received only$20.9 million through fiscal 2005. The Ohio Department of Agriculture hasestimated that it needs $50 million this year to effectively deal with theproblem, but has so far received assurances of receiving only a portion of the$10 million appropriated, with no word about the emergency funding.
Kaptur stressed the need to develop treatments to control the insect that donot require the cutting down of all Ash trees within a half-mile radius ofinfestation, as is currently the protocol. "There are neighborhoods thatlook like they have had massive haircuts with all of the trees removed. Many people question why there isn't an alternative control strategy. Iagree and urged USDA to expand research to develop alternative control methods.
"Toledo holdsthe distinction of having the most trees of any urban area in Ohio. The Emerald Ash Borer poses a critical threat to such precious assets as thecampus of Lourdes College,our metroparks, wildlife refuges, and our shorelines. Ineffective action by thefederal government is not an option," Kaptur concluded.