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State Representative Rick Hansen
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-6828
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
Press/News Releases
EMERALD ASH BORER CONFIRMED IN ST. ANTHONY PARK NEIGHBORHOOD
ST. PAUL, MN - Officials confirmed today that Emerald Ash Borer has been discovered in South St. Anthony Park. Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive species responsible for the destruction of hundreds of millions of trees in 10 states, including Wisconsin. State agencies and the Minnesota Legislature are working quickly to coordinate an effective defense against this very real, serious threat.
“This is what we’ve been preparing for, and working so hard to prevent," said State Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL - South St. Paul) who has championed nation-leading legislation to protect Minnesota from the threat of dozens of invasive species. “Finding Emerald Ash Borer in our backyard is certainly bad news. But Minnesotans should know we are ready. Because we are prepared, we have tools to fight it and the best experts in place to try and stop it.”
A provision introduced by Rep. Hansen and enacted by the legislature last year prohibited the use of any firewood from other states in an effort to prevent bringing wood contaminated with Emerald Ash Borer into Minnesota. Another measure included in this year’s House dedicated funding bill (HF1231) would fund further efforts to protect Minnesota from the spread of Emerald Ash Borer.
Emerald Ash Borer has also been found just miles from the Minnesota border in Wisconsin. State officials have been monitoring the situation closely in Houston and Fillmore counties in an effort to prevent the further spread of this destructive invasive species.
“This threat affects every corner of Minnesota - from the cities to the suburbs to rural portions of our state,” said Rep. Hansen. “There’s too much at stake to ignore the real threat facing tens of millions of trees in our forests and neighborhoods. If we let this thing get away from us, we won’t have any forest left to protect. Minnesotans need to take this very seriously, and act quickly to save our trees.”
Rep. Alice Hausman, who represents the South St. Anthony Park area in St. Paul, shares Hansen’s concerns and is calling on fellow lawmakers to do everything possible in the remaining days of session to respond quickly and appropriately to the threat posed by Emerald Ash Borer.
“Our neighborhoods and our quality of life are tied to the health and life of our trees,” said Rep. Hausman. “We need all hands on deck to save our trees, and prevent this invasive species from destroying the beauty of our neighborhoods, parks, and forests.”
More information can be found on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture website at: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/news/releases/2009/nr-2009-05-14-eab.htm.
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