Schumer: New York Is On The Front Lines In Battle Against Ash Borer
Press Release
Schumer: New York Is On The Front Lines In Battle Against Ash Borer
With the recent discovery of the emerald ash borer (EAB) in 39 trees just next door in Cattaraugus County, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today unveiled a three-point plan to fight the spread of the invasive species that is threatening the forests and trees across Upstate New York and the Northeast region. The plan directs funding to organizations equipped with the resources to fight the insect as well as raise awareness about suppression, eradication, and control of the spread. Schumer's three point plan will increase funding available to New York from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Forest Service and raise public awareness of this emerging threat.
"Invasive species are a blight on our economy and our ecosystem, with the potential to wreck havoc for businesses in a number of industries, including furniture makers, lumber mills and sporting goods manufacturers," said Schumer. "Even our national past time itself is at stake; the border between Pennsylvania and the Southern Tier is home to millions of ash trees used to produce the high quality baseball bats used by major leaguers. Protecting our trees and forests from the Emerald Ash Borer is critical to the continued economic and cultural vitality of the region and it is imperative that we fund ways to fight it and raise awareness about how to control the spread."
The Emerald Ash Borer is a bright green beetle that kills trees by burrowing into their bark and destroying the trees' ability to bring water from the roots to upper branches. Infected trees usually begin to die within two to three years. Currently EAB has been found in Cattaraugus County in 39 trees, all of which have been destroyed.
Insects like the emerald ash borer threaten the health of forests and ash trees every year, which in turn threatens the livelihood of communities that depend on the forests. According to the state Department of Agriculture, New York has more than 900 million ash trees, representing about seven percent of all trees in the state. Since the beetle was first discovered in North America in Michigan in 2002, the emerald ash borer has devastated forests throughout the country and has the potential to decimate New York's ash tree population. More than 70 million ash trees in 13 Midwestern states and Pennsylvania, as well as many in southern Ontario in Canada have already been destroyed by this deadly pest.
The ecological and economic impact of EAB is a serious concern, especially to the hardwood industry. EAB defoliation can result in plant stress and possible death. Companies that make products from ash trees harvested in New York, such as the iconic Louisville Slugger bat, will be negatively impacted if EAB continues to spread throughout the state. According to the Empire State Forest Products Association, forest-based manufacturing employs over 49,000 people in New York, and generates payrolls of over $1.5 billion. In addition, ash trees account for over 10% of total wood manufacturing by volume in New York. Without drastic and immediate intervention, industries relying on New York for quality hardwood resources will suffer. In addition, EAB will kill trees and disturb the natural balance of New York's forests, which provide recreational opportunities to many and foster tourism.
According to the Western New York Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM), EAB is expected to cost $10.7 billion in treatment and removal costs in urban and residential areas in the US over the next 10 years. Without the proper funding, awareness or infrastructure, the EAB will have a devastating impact on the local economy. PRISM aims to work with towns and municipalities to create a level of awareness of invasive species and teach residents how to fight them. Getting the information about EAB out to non-professionals is critical, because they need to learn how they can engage in preventative measures.
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