Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that he secured $5 million in the Omnibus Appropriations bill to help control the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation in Michigan. This funding will be used to help contain the outbreak and replace damage or dead ash trees throughout the state. Kildee successfully secured all of the $5 million that he requested for the State of Michigan to combat the EAB infestation. Kildee worked with Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow to secure funding for this request during negotiations between the House and Senate.
“I am delighted that I was able to secure this federal funding for the State of Michigan to combat the Emerald Ash Borer infestation,” said Kildee. “This funding will help Michigan win the fight against the Emerald Ash Borer before the entire population of ash trees are destroyed by this harmful insect. We must also continue to work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the State of Michigan to develop a comprehensive strategy to combat EAB before it spreads to other parts of the country.”
The Emerald Ash Borer is a metallic wood-boring beetle indigenous to Asia that is destroying ash trees in thirteen counties in Michigan. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and the USDA have already placed a quarantine in 13 counties to reduce the likelihood of transporting the beetle outside the currently infested area. The EAB has destroyed roughly six million trees and will continue to do more damage and spread even further if stronger efforts are not made to control the infestation. The ash trees that have been infected by the EAB have also caused public health and safety hazards.
