Mountain Pine Beetle Invasive Threat to Minnesota's Pines

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$75,000
Fund Source
Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund
Recipient
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Recipient Type
State Government
Status
Completed
Start Date
July 2014
End Date
June 2017
Counties Affected
Aitkin
Anoka
Becker
Beltrami
Benton
Carlton
Cass
Chisago
Clearwater
Cook
Crow Wing
Fillmore
Houston
Hubbard
Isanti
Itasca
Kanabec
Kittson
Koochiching
Lake
Lake of the Woods
Mahnomen
Marshall
Mille Lacs
Morrison
Mower
Olmsted
Otter Tail
Pine
Polk
Ramsey
Roseau
Sherburne
St. Louis
Stearns
Todd
Wabasha
Wadena
Washington
Winona
Aitkin
Anoka
Becker
Beltrami
Benton
Carlton
Cass
Chisago
Clearwater
Cook
Crow Wing
Fillmore
Houston
Hubbard
Isanti
Itasca
Kanabec
Kittson
Koochiching
Lake
Lake of the Woods
Mahnomen
Marshall
Mille Lacs
Morrison
Mower
Olmsted
Otter Tail
Pine
Polk
Ramsey
Roseau
Sherburne
St. Louis
Stearns
Todd
Wabasha
Wadena
Washington
Winona
Project Overview

Native to the western United States and Canada, mountain pine beetle is considered the most devastating forest insect in North America. Trees usually die as a result of infestation and an unprecedented outbreak in the west is currently decimating pine forests there. While mountain pine beetle is not presently believed to reside in Minnesota, there are risks posed by an expanding species range resulting from warming climate and the potential for accidental introduction via lumber imports from infested areas. It is estimated that Minnesota currently has about 200 million trees that would be susceptible to mountain pine beetle if it should become established here and loss of those trees would threaten wildlife habitat, water quality protection, and recreation. Researchers at the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture are using this appropriation to survey state locations for the presence of mountain pine beetle and to characterize the risk posed by the insect to Minnesota pine species. If detected early enough isolated populations of mountain pine beetle may be possible to control and a better understanding of how Minnesota’s particular pine species might react to the insect would guide future management response strategies.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2014, Chp. 226, Sec. 2, Subd. 04e2
Appropriation Language

$175,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota and $75,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of agriculture to survey for the presence and characterize the potential risk of the invasive mountain pine beetle to Minnesota's pine forests to inform early detection and rapid response. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2017, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$75,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$0
Direct expenses
$75,000
Number of full time equivalents funded
1.26
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on Work Plan under Project Details.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on Work Plan under Project Details.

Project Manager
First Name
Mark
Last Name
Abrahamson
Organization Name
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Street Address
625 Robert St N
City
St. Paul
State
MN
Zip Code
55108
Phone
(651) 201-6505
Email
mark.abrahamson@state.mn.us
Administered By
Administered by
Location

625 Robert Street North
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651-201-6000
Email the Agency