Ash Borer Moving Rapidly Across Wisconsin, But Don't Expect Any Funding To Fight The Problem

[hatrack]

The emerald ash borer has flared up in unprecedented numbers this month in Wisconsin, underscoring the growing influence the destructive beetle is having on the state's landscape since first detected in 2008.

But as the invasive bug spreads, state funding has dropped sharply for the agency charged with looking for the emerald ash borer. State officials said that a state detection program could be largely eliminated in 2013 if federal funding is lost.

So far this month, authorities have made eight new finds, including two announced Tuesday - in Janesville and in the Richard Bong Recreation Area in Kenosha County.

The finding at Bong is the first instance that the insect has been detected on state property. The pest is responsible for killing tens of millions of trees in the eastern U.S. and Canada. Emerald ash borers have now been found in 12 Wisconsin counties: Brown, Crawford, Kenosha, La Crosse, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Rock, Vernon, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha.

EDIT

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/ash-borer-spreading-rapidly-while-funds-to-fight-pest-dry-up-dg5tgtv-160462815.html

[kestrel91316]

1. What do we care? Who needs ash trees?