Rep. Stahl offered the following concurrent resolution:
House Concurrent Resolution No. 15.
A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide assistance in the effort to mitigate the infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer.
Whereas, With alarming swiftness, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an aggressive Asian insect, is threatening virtually all of the ash trees in the state of Michigan and surrounding region. In spite of the quarantine in 20 Michigan counties, this beetle has killed or damaged approximately 15 million ash trees in the state. Overall, the EAB, an invasive species, is causing similar devastation in the states of Ohio and Indiana, as well as the Canadian province of Ontario, threatening as many as 700 million ash trees in our state and 8 billion in North America; and
Whereas, Ash trees are very important to the ecology, economy, and environment of our state and the nation. Ash trees are used for many products in several sectors of business. Beyond these factors, the ash trees that grace our communities and neighborhoods are beloved shade trees that contribute enormously to the character and beauty of Michigan, the region, and the nation; and
Whereas, Governor Granholm is working to secure continued assistance from the federal government to deal swiftly with this devastating pest. Michigan needs sustained technical and financial assistance to face this emergency. The state has taken decisive actions to address this invasive species, but the magnitude of the problem and the immediacy of the issue make it clear we need the prompt assistance of Congress and the USDA; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we memorialize the Congress of the United States and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide assistance in the effort to mitigate the infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
R 0195 '05