Governor Baldacci Calls Attention to Asian Longhorned Beetle

Press Release

Governor Baldacci Calls Attention to Asian Longhorned Beetle

Governor John E. Baldacci today joined officials from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Maine Department of Conservation, United States Forest Service and Maine Forest Service to kick off an education campaign about the Asian Longhorned Beetle.

The Asian Longhorned Beetle attacks hardwood trees such as maple, birch, ash, poplar, willow, elm, horse chestnut and others. Damage caused by the beetle would impact hardwood lumber production, maple syrup production, landscape plants, tourism, street trees and more.

The beetle was first found in New York in 1996 and has since been found in other states, including Illinois, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Governor Baldacci said that Mainers should be on the lookout for Asian Longhorned Beetles, and contact the proper authorities if one is found.

"The Asian Longhorned Beetle poses a significant threat to our forests and our agricultural economy," Governor Baldacci said. "The pest may be spread through firewood, infested nursery stock, and other wood products such as logs and pallets. Most invasive insects are found by the general public, not by experts, so it is important to make people aware of the threat."

For more information on the Asian Longhorned Beetle in Maine, or how to issue a report, visit http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/pi/pestsurvey/pestinfo/ALB.htm

To help create awareness, Governor Baldacci also issued a proclamation naming August, 2009 as Asian Longhorned Beetle Awareness Month in the State of Maine. The text of the proclamation follows:

WHEREAS, Maine has 17 million acres of forested land and half is comprised of hardwood trees that enhance the state's air and water quality, natural landscapes, recreational destinations, wildlife habitats, property values, and the forest and agricultural economy through timber harvesting, maple syrup production and landscape tree sales; and

WHEREAS, many of the trees that beautify urban streets are hardwood trees. These trees help residents reduce heating and cooling costs by shielding homes from the harsh heat of summer and bitter cold of winter, and reduce air pollution and carbon emissions; and

WHEREAS, in August 2008, the Asian longhorned beetle, a destructive non-native invasive beetle, was discovered to be destroying hardwood trees in Worcester, MA, and had previously been found in New York,, Illinois and New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, the Asian longhorned beetle has already killed tens of thousands of hardwood trees in these four states, and damage may reach into the billions of dollars if the beetle is not eradicated; and

WHEREAS, efforts undertaken in Maine as well as in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont in partnership with private and nonprofit organizations, universities, and local, state and federal government, are helping to protect the billions of threatened hardwood trees in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Maine has been proactive in preventing the introduction of the Asian longhorned beetle, through outreach, education and surveys; and

WHEREAS, all Mainers have a responsibility to stop the introduction of the Asian longhorned beetle by remaining vigilant; halting transport of firewood, nursery trees, or logs from quarantined areas; and increasing their understanding and awareness of the Asian longhorned beetle and its severe potential impacts on the environment and economy,

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN E. BALDACCI, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim the month of August, 2009 as

ASIAN LONGHORNED BEETLE AWARENESS MONTH

throughout the State of Maine, and urge all citizens to recognize this observance.

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