Schumer: With Tree Killing Invasive Species Now In New York State, Lewis County At Risk- Insects Could Have Devastating Impact On NY Forests And Upstate Timber, Maple Syrup And Tourism Economy

Press Release

Schumer Unveils Plan to Fund Suppression Programs, Raise Awareness About Threat to Prevent Spread of Insects

Emerald Ash Borer and Asian Long Horned Beetle Could Have Devastating Economic Consequences - Furniture Makers, Lumber Mills, Sporting Goods Manufacturers, Maple Syrup Producers and Others May Face Potentially Difficult Situation; Insects Must Be Kept Out

EAB and ALB Have Both Entered State From The South With Potential To Ravage Trees and Defoliate Acres of Forests; Local Officials Concerned About Insects Spreading - Lewis County Is The Heart of NYS Timber and Maple Syrup Industry

With Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and the Asian Long Horned Beetle now in New York State, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today unveiled a three-point plan to fight the spread of these invasive species that are threatening the forests and trees across the North Country and the Northeast region. The plan directs funding to organizations equipped with the resources to fight the insects as well as raise awareness about suppression, eradication, and control of the spread. Schumer's 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, in order to prevent the insects' spread to Lewis County.

“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 sporting goods manufacturers, and maple syrup producers,” 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 and Asian Long Horned Beetle 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 nearby Cattaraugus County in 39 trees, all of which have been destroyed.

The Asian Long Horned Beetle is believed to have arrived in North America in the wooden packing material used in cargo shipments from China. Isolated infestations have been discovered in Brooklyn and Amityville, New York, and in Chicago, Illinois. Trees favored by the beetle are predominantly maples, but infestations have also been discovered in horsechestnuts, poplars, willows, elms, mulberries and black locusts. Currently, there is no known chemical or biological defense against the ALB and, in North America, they have few natural predators. In all cases of infestation, the affected trees are cut down and the wood destroyed.

Insects like the emerald ash borer and the Asian Long Horned Beetle 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 (targeted by EAB), 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 and ALB 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.

ALB targets maple trees, which is particularly problematic in Lewis County, New York's biggest producer of maple syrup. The insect could wreck havoc on the county's 81 maple producers and 185,000 tapped maple trees.

To further the efforts of Lewis County and New York State and help prevent the spread of EAB and ALB in other areas in NY and around the country, Senator Schumer today unveiled a comprehensive, three-point plan to fight the two insects:

· Call on Congresses' Agriculture Appropriations Conference Committee to fully fund USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS) battle against Ash Borer and the Asian Long Horned Beetle. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) coordinates eradication and suppression efforts for emerging plant pests, including both emergency funding and technical assistance to states. APHIS can provide both funding and technical expertise in combating and treating these infestations. Fully funding the Asian Long Horned Beetle program would allocated $35 million to fight the infestation across the country and aid New York City in preventing it from spreading to Lewis County, where it would do millions of dollars of damage. If fully funded, APHIS would also receive $39.7 million to combat Emerald Ash Borer and halt it from gaining a foot hold in New York.

· Urge the Forest Service to approve and release funding to fight EAB. New York's DEC has applied for Economic Recovery funds made available through the United States Forest Service that can be used to fight the spread of EAB. DEC will use these funds for the Invasive Species Early Detection and Rapid Response Project and to protect New York's forest resources through firewood regulation, public education and campground infrastructure improvements. This project will utilize seasonal forestry personnel to conduct educate campers, hikers and other citizens to the danger and way ash borer spreads. It will also be used to recruit and train volunteers, expand survey and detection crews and for the development of rapid response teams within DEC to quickly address invasive species out-breaks. Schumer urged the USFS to provide the DEC with its full request of $3.1 million. This will put boots on the ground at local campgrounds and popular parks, as well as in the woods surrounding the current infestation. Actions to combat Ash Borer include removing infected trees, and treating uninfected trees that are near the infected area with chemicals and pest retardants.

· Support New York's efforts to educate the public on the threat of EAB. The DEC has also applied for funding from the USFS to help enforce current firewood regulations, enact public education campaigns and improve infrastructure at campgrounds to prevent the spread EAB. The DEC has embarked on an impressive public information campaign, putting up signs at campgrounds and parks and educating hikers, campers, and homeowners as to the dangers of ash borer, and the ways to prevent its spread. Schumer said that fully funding the DEC request for $2.5 million for these programs will put 74 additional people on the ground in NYS who will be dedicated to improving and increasing the effectiveness of these programs.

Senator Schumer has also led the fight against other invasive species like the Gypsy Moth and Southern Pine Beetle. The gypsy moth is especially dangerous to forests in Upstate New York where they feed on and defoliate hemlocks. Each year since 1980, the gypsy moth has defoliated close to a million or more forested acres.

Schumer noted that through proper funding and an aggressive campaign, the EAB, ALB and other invasive species can be controlled.

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