WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2005--Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the availability of an additional $7.8 million in emergency funding for the emerald ash borer (EAB) eradication program.

"The emerald ash borer is a significant threat to the environment and our economy," said Johanns. "This additional funding will enable Ohio, Michigan and Indiana to proceed with containment and eradication efforts to safeguard our nation's urban, suburban and rural forests."

USDA will provide this emergency funding to the states with EAB quarantines and eradication programs. Ohio will receive $4 million, Indiana $1.8 million, and Michigan $2 million. Michigan will also receive an additional $100,000 from another USDA source.

EAB is an invasive species of wood boring beetles, native to China and eastern Asia that targets ash trees in North America. It was first detected in July of 2002 in southeastern Michigan and has since been found in Ohio, Indiana, Maryland and Virginia. More than 14,000 square miles are currently quarantined due to the presence of the beetle. EAB quarantines restrict the movement of all hardwood species of firewood, nursery stock and green lumber, among other items.

EAB larvae feed in the phloem and outer sapwood of ash trees eventually killing the branches and entire trees. Trees can die within 2 to 3 years of becoming infested. Currently, the only method to achieve 100 percent eradication of EAB is tree removal. To date, approximately 610,000 ash trees have been removed to stop the spread of the pest in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.

Ash trees are critical to wildlife species because of their seed production and are important to the nursery, landscaping, timber, recreation and tourism industries. USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has been working cooperatively with state agencies, universities, green industries and the international scientific community to develop strategies for the detection, control and eradication of EAB.