Improving Emerald Ash Borer Detection Efficacy for Control

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$360,000
Fund Source
Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund
Recipient
Dept. of Agriculture / U of MN
Recipient Type
State Government
Status
In Progress
Start Date
July 2013
End Date
June 2016
Counties Affected
Hennepin
Houston
Ramsey
Statewide
Winona
Hennepin
Houston
Ramsey
Statewide
Winona
Project Overview

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect that has been decimating ash trees throughout the Great Lakes states. It was first discovered in Minnesota in 2009 and is now found in four counties (Hennepin, Houston, Ramsey, and Winona). EAB poses a particularly serious threat to Minnesota because it is home to nearly 1 billion ash trees that occur throughout the state - the second most of any state. Loss of these trees would devastate ecosystems throughout Minnesota and have major economic impacts for the forest products industry as well as through the costs associated with treatment, removal, and replacement of lost trees. Much work has already been done to stem the spread of EAB in Minnesota, including education, quarantine, detection surveys, and biological control efforts. Effective detection remains a key obstacle, though, as current detection tools have not been calibrated to estimate population densities. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the University of Minnesota are using this appropriation to attempt to fill this critical information gap necessary for best determining how and where to implement control measures. The effort will evaluate a range of detection tools and measure their ability to detect EAB at different population densities in order to improve and implement better detection practices.

Project Details
Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2013, Chp. 52, Sec. 2, Subd. 06cB
Appropriation Language

$600,000 the first year is from the trust fund to evaluate and implement options for effective detection of the presence of emerald ash borer. Of this appropriation, $240,000 is to the commissioner of agriculture and $360,000 is to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$360,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$0
Direct expenses
$360,000
Number of full time equivalents funded
5.83
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on "Work Plan" under "Project Details".

Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on "Work Plan" under "Project Details".

Description of Funds
ENRTF
Project Manager
First Name
Brian
Last Name
Aukema
Organization Name
U of MN
Street Address
1980 Folwell Avenue
City
St. Paul
State
MN
Zip Code
55108
Phone
(612) 625-5299
Email
brianaukema@umn.edu
Administered By
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