LANSING - State Rep. Gary McDowell, D-Rudyard, recently called for additional federal funds to protect the Upper Peninsula from the spread of emerald ash borer damage, after the state announced that it had found the devastating and invasive species in the U.P.
"The ash borer has devastated entire regions and it's important that we do everything in our power to prevent it from devastating our region," McDowell said. "We must increase awareness of the problem to keep it from spreading, but we need additional funds to contain and eradicate these pests. From Chippewa County, the beetles could spread further in the Upper Peninsula."
On Monday, Sept. 12, Michigan's Department of Agriculture announced that an infestation of emerald ash borer had been found at Brimley State Park along Lake Superior.
In August, 20 Michigan counties, as well as counties in Ohio and Indiana, were placed under emerald ash borer quarantine, meaning the trees cannot be moved outside the areas. A native species of Russia and northeast Asia, the emerald ash borer was first found in the United States in 2002. In Michigan, it has killed more than 15 million ash trees, which are crucial to the nursery, landscaping and timber industries. Federal funds are used to research ways to combat emerald borer infestations, identify infected areas and remove infected trees.
"For years we have warned the public of the danger of moving hardwood firewood throughout Michigan," said Michigan's Department of Agriculture Director Mitch Irwin. "The presence of these beetles in Chippewa County is more proof that we need to follow those rules. It is critically important that residents do not move hardwood firewood in Michigan, or the result could be disastrous. Protecting Michigan's trees from the spread of these beetles is a priority."
