An Adult Emerald Ash Borer
WASHINGTON – Emerald Ash Borers are continuing to threaten thousands of trees in New York State and across the country, but because of the forest fires out west, much of the money needed to fight the invasive species isn’t available.
That’s according to U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, who says federal funding that was supposed to be used to stop the spread of invasive species like ash borers, has to be redirected to pay for fighting wildfire emergencies. New York’s senior senator is calling on Congress to allow the national Forest Service to have the flexibility to apply for additional disaster funding to fight wildfires, so that federal funding intended to combat invasive species like the Ash Borer remains intact.
Currently, the forest service is not allowed to apply for additional money, unlike many other federal agencies that are allowed to do so when faced with a national disaster. But Schumer says without the necessary funding, the Ash Borers will continue to kill trees and disturb the natural balance of New York’s forests.
He’ll provide more details about his proposed Wildfire Disaster Funding Act of 2015 during a press conference on Wednesday.
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