Emerald ash borer impacts Iosco County

The Oscoda Press has a report on the movement of emerald ash borer (EAB) in the norther areas of Oscoda.

It is no secret that the Green Menace -- also known as the Emerald ash borer (EAB) -- has been discovered in Greenbush Township. What was not so well known is that this discovery is impacting lands in Iosco County, something some Oscoda residents found out just last week when crews hung fliers from their doorknobs and marched through their property painting trees. Furthermore, officials now suspect that the EAB may also be boring into trees on Harry and JoAnn Scullon's property on Lake-to-Lake in Oscoda.

If the field diagnosis is confirmed, MDA will establish a new half-mile circle around the victimized tree, taking in the northern portion of Lakewood Shores between Lake Huron and Cedar Lake Road.

MDA specialists and Michigan State University researchers report that the method being used by MDA is the most effective means of stopping the EAB. If not controlled, they say all of the state's ash trees will eventually succumb and liken the pest to Dutch elm disease, which devastated Michigan several decades ago.

Insecticide can not be used on a large scale and is not 100 percent effective, according to King. Thus, to halt the Emerald ash borer, it is necessary to remove its feed (ash trees) for a half-mile path and to assure the EAB is not transported outside this range. He said the ash trees cut down by MDA contractors are chipped and hauled to a Flint cogeneration plant. The state gets nothing for the product but Perreault said that the electric company provides the truck.

General information about the Emerald ash borer can be found on a multi-agency website: www.emeraldashborer.info or by calling the MDA hotline, 1-866-325-0023. Informational brochures are also available at the Iosco County-MSU Extension Office.

Work begins on Great Lakes cleanup plan

Booth Newspapers reports on a conference starting today in Chicago that focuses on efforts to clean up the Great Lakes:

Leaders from Great Lakes cities, states and Indian tribes will sit down today in Chicago with federal officials to commit themselves to protecting and restoring the Great Lakes, moving one step closer to a multibillion-dollar cleanup.

In an unprecedented move, officials will sign a declaration of their intentions and begin work on a blueprint for sustaining the long-term health of the lakes and staving off threats such as diversion, pollution and invasive species. The plan will be based on efforts used to successfully clean up other prized natural areas.

Some have pegged the cost of cleaning up the Great Lakes at $8 billion.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will lead much of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration initiative. The team members will break out into nine smaller groups to look at specific policy recommendations for areas such as invasive species, coastal health and habitat. A final document outlining a Great Lakes restoration and protection strategy is expected by December 2005.

In May 2004, President Bush signed an executive order recognizing the Great Lakes as a "national treasure" and created the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration initiative.

Good news for the lakes.