Senators Clinton, Schumer And Menendez Call For Federal Funding To Fight Asian Longhorned Beetle Infestation In New York

Press Release

Senators Clinton, Schumer And Menendez Call For Federal Funding To Fight Asian Longhorned Beetle Infestation In New York

Following reports of new infestations of the devastating Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) in Queens and Staten Island, Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton, Charles Schumer and Robert Menendez, with the support of Senator Lautenberg, are calling for sufficient federal funding to help eradicate the beetle in parts of New York and New Jersey. In a letter to the Senate Agricultural Appropriations Subcommittee, the Senators requested $48 million in federal funds to help stop the infestation.

"Reports that infestations of the Asian Longhorned Beetle have spread across New York City and New Jersey demand that we act swiftly and effectively," said Senator Clinton. "The Asian Longhorned Beetle poses a severe threat to New York City, with a potential to wipe out nearly half our city's trees at a cost of more than $2 billion. It is essential that we provide adequate financial support for our efforts to eradicate this dangerous and costly infestation."

"Across New York City, we've already seen firsthand the devastating toll these voracious creatures can have on our city's trees and parks," said Senator Schumer. "With thousands of trees in the City and on Long Island already dead, and a new quarantine called on Staten Island, it is no exaggeration to say that if additional money is not secured to eliminate the Asian Longhorned Beetle, we run the risk of losing millions of trees in New York State that clean our air, cool our climate, attract thousands of tourists, and improve the overall quality of life. We must act swiftly to ensure that the USDA's elimination program is adequately funded, in order to provide it with all the weapons it needs to permanently eradicate this invasive species."

"Without proper action to combat them, these beetles have the potential to cause serious environmental and budgetary damage. They're killing our trees and hitting us in the wallet, and they should be stopped," Senator Menendez said.

First discovered in Greenpoint, Brooklyn in 1996, the beetle is characterized by its nearly endless appetite for hardwood, already destroying over 8,400 trees. The beetle puts 35% of American urban trees at serious risk, at a combined replacement value of $669 billion. The threat is even greater in New York City, with 47% of its 5.2 million trees susceptible to ALB infestation.

In their letter to the subcommittee, the Senators asked for $48 million to be included in the FY 2008 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations bills to be dedicated to the eradication of the ALB. The Senators also welcomed the support of Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ). Senator Lautenberg, who is a member of the Appropriations Committee, expressed his support for this funding and will work with the Appropriations Committee on this issue.

Although relatively easy to stop and eliminate once found, identification of infestations remains difficult with a limited number of inspectors available. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has been conducting programs to eradicate the ALB. With an annual appropriation of $48 million, sufficient resources would be provided to eradicate the ALB by 2014.

The full text of the Senators' letter to Chairman Kohl and Ranking Member Bennett is as follows:

Dear Chairman Kohl and Ranking Member Bennett,

As you move forward with the FY 2008 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations bills, we respectfully request that you include $48 million for the eradication by the Asian Longhorned beetle (ALB).

The ALB is a devastating pest of hardwood trees including maple, elm, willow, poplar, and birch. The ALB, first discovered in the New York City area in 1996 and subsequently in Illinois and New Jersey, is a local, regional, and national environmental threat. The ALB is active in nine counties in New York and New Jersey and has already destroyed over 8,400 trees. In the United States, 35% of all urban trees are at risk, at a combined replacement value of $669 billion. The need to increase resources to combat the ALB is paramount.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) program has been conducting programs to eradicate the ALB. The ALB has not been detected in Illinois since 2003 and while gains have been made in Illinois, the threat of the ALB in New York and New Jersey is severe. 47 percent of the 5.2 million trees in New York City are susceptible to the infestation of ALB with an estimated the replacement value of these trees at $2.2 billion. On the basis of forested areas, New Jersey could lose 25.4% of its tree cover or 250 million trees if the ALB is not eradicated.

An annual appropriation of $48 million will provide the resources needed for the eradication of ALB by 2014. Failure to provide the resources to eradicate the ALB will result in the extended duration of this eradication program and the loss of thousands of trees. A shorter duration of this program provides less opportunity for the ALB to spread naturally or through the movement of infested host material that would result in the need for additional resources.

We are pleased that our colleague, Senator Frank Lautenberg, who is a member of the Appropriations Committee, has also expressed his support for this funding and will work with the Appropriations Committee on this issue.

We thank you for the consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Charles Schumer
Robert Menendez

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