Reps. McMahon, Weiner Announce $33 Million to Fight Asian Long-Horned Beetle

Funding Encourages Eradication of Invasive Pest

October 8, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Today, Reps. Michael E. McMahon and Anthony D. Weiner, colleagues in the New York City Delegation, announce that $33 million in funds had been allocated to exterminate the Asian Long-Horned Beetle (ALB), an invasive pest that has destroyed tens of thousands of trees in the New York metropolitan area and is considered a serious threat to the city. The funding was awarded as part of the Agriculture Appropriations Act, which passed the House this afternoon.

Article continues below...

“Eradicating the Asian Long-Horned Beetle may not be a glamorous project, but these federal funds are necessary to prevent the potential, serious threat that these bugs pose,” said Rep. McMahon. “In the long run, current measures to exterminate these pests coupled with pre-emptive action means fewer trees will have to be removed and less money will be spent. This funding is an investment in our future and will allow us to preserve the beautiful parks and wooded areas throughout New York City so they can be enjoyed for years to come. As such, I would like to commend my colleague Rep. Weiner for his tireless advocacy on behalf of this important issue.”

Rep. Weiner said, “In New York City's battle against the beetle, we saw a clear pattern – less money and more beetles. This funding boost will go a long way to ensuring that trees will still grow in all five boroughs.”

On April 3, 2009, Reps. McMahon and Weiner led a letter urging for increased funding in the FY2010 Agriculture Appropriations bill. The letter, which requested $48 million for the ALB problem, was signed by almost the entire New York City delegation.

The $33 million in funding dedicated to the eradication of the ALB is a $13 million increase from the amount of funds dedicated to this serious problem in FY 2009. The funds will be used to remove infected trees, as well as those in danger of being infected. This is considered the most effective method for destroying the ALB and infestation.

In February, NYC Parks commissioner Adrian Benepe stated, “The ALB is the most serious insect threat the city has ever faced--one that if left unchecked could kill half of our trees. The beetle lays eggs on, bores into, feeds on and ultimately kills otherwise healthy hardwood trees. This recent discovery on Staten Island is a reminder that this persistent beetle will remain a real threat to the City’s landscape and ecological health unless we step up awareness, eradication efforts, and funding.”

The ALB, which is non-indigenous to the U.S. and was first identified in Greenpoint, Brooklyn on August 19, 1996, is believed to have arrived in shipping crates from Asia during the 1980s.

On Staten Island, which is in Rep. McMahon’s district, an infestation was found in the residential neighborhoods of Mariners Harbor and Graniteville in February of this year. In an effort to prevent further infestation, 13 maple trees needed to be removed and the state quarantined several hundred feet beyond where the trees were located.

In April 2005, Rep. Weiner responded to the first discovery of ALB larvae in Central Park in three years by helping secure $18.8 million to aid eradication. In 2004, Rep. Weiner also helped secure a boost of $18 million to fight ALB.

Source: Congressman Michael E. McMahon