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<br />Step #14: Advocate <br />When the devastation from OED was at its peak in the late 1970s, public demand <br />resulted in state assistance to municipalities. Tens of millions of dollars were <br />made available to help with removals and replanting. Rather than wait for the <br />arrival of EAB to spur a similar response, the ideal approach would be to have <br />state assistance in place ahead of time. Steps in this direction have been taken <br />by MPRB lobbyists aUhe state level. <br /> <br />In. 2007 the Forestry Division participated on the ForestProtection Plan Task <br />Force (FPPTF) which was created by the Minnesota State Legislature. The <br />FPPTF was charged with developing a plan to prepare the state for early <br />detection, appropriate response, and educating the public regarding invasive <br />pests that threaten tree cover in Minnesota. The creation of the Forest Protection <br />Plan in 2008 outlines what is needed at the state level to help Minnesota's cities <br />and villages prepare for EAB. The MPRB will advocate for the.need to <br />implement this important plan. <br /> <br />Step # 15: Follow the leader <br />Once EAB is found in Minnesota, the MDA will implement it's EAB Response <br />Plan. A variety of options are laid out in the plan. These range from suppression <br />which limits the spread of EAB to eradication which seeks the total removal of <br />EAB. The extent of an infestation will determine which course of action will be <br />pursued. <br /> <br />The longer it takes EAB to arrive in Minnesota, the longer the MDA will be able to <br />learn from other states and municipalities where the insect has become <br />established. Procedures nationwide for dealing with EAB have already changed <br />dramatically since the initial discovery in 2002. As one of MDA's cooperating <br />partners, the MPRB Forestry Division will have an intimate knowledge of what to <br />expect when EAB arrives. <br /> <br />Links to Websites <br /> <br />U.S.D.A. Forest Service: <br />http://www.emeraldashborer.infolindex. cfm <br /> <br />Minnesota Department of Agriculture: <br />http://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanaQementleab.htm <br /> <br />Compiled by: <br /> <br />Ralph Sievert <br />Director of Forestry <br />MPRB Forestry Division <br />March 17,2008 <br /> <br />7 <br />