Washington, DC (September 20, 2007)- Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the Emerald Ash Borer Municipality Assistance Act of 2007 (S. 1717) in response to requests for support from Illinois municipalities in the path of EAB. Senate co-sponsors include Senators Barack Obama, IL; Richard Lugar, IN; Carl Levin, MI; Debbie Stabenow, MI; Benjamin Cardin, MD; Sherrod Brown, OH; Robert Casey, Jr., PA. The funding bill is in the House is H.R. 2419.
This bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Deputy Chief of State and Private Forestry organization, to provide loans to eligible units of local government to finance contracts and purchases of authorized equipment to monitor, remove, dispose of, and replace infested trees that are located on land under the jurisdiction of the eligible units of local government and within the borders of quarantine areas infested by the emerald ash borer, and for other purposes.
It also establishes in the Treasury the Emerald Ash Borer Revolving Loan Fund.
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to use Fund amounts for loans to eligible local government units for purchases of equipment to monitor, dispose of, and replace infested trees on local government land within quarantine areas infested by the emerald ash borer.
If you live in a state where EAB hasn’t yet been found, you may not realize there will not likely be state or federal grants available to help you manage EAB. A dedicated loan program, managed through the USFS State & Private Forestry program is going to be a very important resource for communities.
Status
June 27, 2007- Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8619-8620)
Get Involved
Currently, sponsorship reflects most currently infested states. Broader support from states in the path of EAB is needed. Senators serving on the Agriculture Committee especially need to hear from you. Let your Senators know you are concerned about EAB and need help being prepared and eventually managing it when you find it. Please forward to urban forestry supporters in your state.
Related Resources:
H.R. 2419- Invasive Species Revolving Loan Fund
SUFC Letter of Support
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Congress.org
S. 1717