House Passes $15.7 Million for Cormorant, Wolf and Emerald Ash Borer Control in Agriculture Bill
Last week, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Agriculture Appropriations Bill. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) helped earmark $15,725,000 for projects including funding to control cormorants, wolves and the emerald ash borer.
"A large part of protecting the environment and the agricultural industry in Michigan is controlling the damaging effects of overpopulated species and ecological changes," Stupak said. "I am pleased to announce this funding to help control many of these harmful elements that have been effecting farming, fishing and hunting in recent years. The House action is the critical first step in securing these needed funds."
Stupak announced $175,000 to help control the devastation the double-crested cormorant continues to cause to sport and commercial fisheries in northern Michigan. This is a $25,000 increase over last year's appropriations. In 2003, the US Fish and Wildlife Service granted new authority to USDA-Wildlife Services (WS) to manage cormorants causing damage to natural resources such as sportfish. In light of this authority, Stupak has earmarked funding in the past three years specifically directed to conduct cormorant control in Michigan. Control methods have included egg oiling, shooting and destroying cormorant nesting grounds.
The gray wolf population in northern Michigan has also been troublesome for farmers who have watched as their livestock are increasingly preyed upon each year. This bill contains $1.05 million for funding to control population growth. The Department of Natural Resources has had some success in controlling wolves but is seeking additional support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove the animal from the threatened species list to open opportunities for more control regulations.
The emerald ash borer has destroyed nearly 15 million ash trees in Michigan. Although many projects are in effect to stop the spread of this deadly beetle, funding continues to be a challenge. The bill earmarked $14 million to aid programs for control of the emerald ash borer. The final First District earmark in the bill was to control soil erosion due to sediment control problems in the Great Lakes Basin. Stupak announced $500,000 to aide soil erosion programs.
Stupak also designated soft earmarks, or projects that will be considered "first priority" if funding becomes available or if funding has not been used by the end of the fiscal year. These projects include:
* Township of L'Anse- Water and Sewer Improvements
* City of Menominee- Spies Field Renovation
* Northern Initiatives, Marquette, MI- Intermediate Re-lending Program Funds
* City of Munising- Water and Sewer Improvements
* Northern Lakes Economic Alliance- Establishment of a Rural Michigan Technology Center (RMTC) in Upper and Lower Peninsulas
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mi01_stupak/061405ag.html