March 03, 2004
March 3, 2004
LANSING – Six counties in Southeast Michigan are being asked to thoroughly evaluate the damage done to millions of ash trees in their communities by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) exotic insect and consider declaring local emergencies if warranted. The local evaluations and emergency declarations will be used by the Granholm Administration to request federal disaster assistance to help fund the removal and disposal of millions of dead and dying ash trees that pose a threat to public health and safety.
"Controlling Emerald Ash Borer and its devastating consequences continues to be one of my Administration’s top priorities," Granholm said. "2004 signals a critical year for taking advantage of the opportunity to act now to stop this insect and minimize the threats it poses to Southeast Michigan, the rest of the state, and beyond."
Citing significant safety hazards, the state is asking Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties to consider declaring local emergencies by March 15. If the communities determine such action is necessary, Granholm said she is prepared through the Michigan State Emergency Management Division of Michigan State Police to aggressively pursue federal assistance for them.
The dead or dying ash trees present a significant danger to public safety because of their dry, brittle, and deteriorating condition and their close proximity to homes, businesses, schools, sidewalks, roadways, or utility infrastructure.
“This effort is a great step forward to help meet a critical need in Southeast Michigan communities that have been hit hard with the environmental and economic losses associated with this destructive insect,” said Dan Wyant, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA). The MDA is a member of the state’s active Emerald Ash Borer Task Force along with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in cooperation with local units of government and various industry groups, associations, and universities.
In the summer of 2002, scientists detected the EAB, an invasive species native to Asia and never before found on the North American continent. The pest causes great mortality in ash trees and, to date, has killed nearly six million ash trees in the southeast part of the state. Michigan is home to an estimated 700 million ash trees.
Granholm continues to urge the Bush Administration to release much needed federal funds for the state’s fight against EAB and the devastating economic and environmental losses caused by the invasive beetle. The current allocation of federal funds expires on April 30, just before the start of the insect’s emergence when EAB containment efforts are most critical.
State agriculture officials have quarantined all ash trees and timber products in the affected counties to help prevent and control the spread of this pest. Under this quarantine, ash trees, branches, logs, and firewood may not be moved outside the affected area unless certified for movement by the MDA. All area residents are urged to comply with the quarantine as it’s a critical component of the state’s overall EAB response and eradication strategy by helping prevent any further spread of the pest.
For more information on EAB and the state’s efforts, please visit www.michigan.gov/mda and click on "Emerald Ash Borer" in the Spotlight section.
