Reps. Milosch, Garfield, Brandenburg, Acciavatti, Tabor, Taub, Van Regenmorter, Hummel, Huizenga, Newell, Stahl, Nitz, Drolet, Vander Veen, Sheen, Palsrok, Ward, DeRoche, Palmer, Shaffer, Wenke, Caul, Farhat, Pastor and Hager offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 262.

            A resolution to urge the United States Department of Agriculture and the Michigan Department of Agriculture to expedite all efforts to prevent the spread of Sudden Oak Death into Michigan.

            Whereas, Several states, most notably California, are presently dealing with a serious threat to plant life known as Sudden Oak Death (SOD).  This disease, which is caused by a fungus-like pathogen called Phyophthora ramorum, represents a potentially devastating situation for many species of trees and shrubs important to Michigan and much of the country.  In addition to being found in several counties in California and in Oregon, the disease may also have spread to several other states.  This disease is also a notable concern in Europe; and

            Whereas, The SOD fungus-like pathogen prefers wet climates, and its spores apparently can be spread through the air or through water.  With these characteristics, Michigan and its forestlands would seem to be quite vulnerable to SOD.  This is an issue with ramifications that extend far beyond nurseries in our state; and

            Whereas, Nearly 60 plant species have been identified by the USDA as either associated with or confirmed hosts of Phytophthora ramorum, the fungus-like pathogen that causes Sudden Oak Death.  The federal government has initiated a variety of efforts to deal with this problem, including an emergency order (April 2004) restricting interstate movement of all California nursery stock and inspection and survey initiatives to monitor conditions.  The Michigan Department of Agriculture is actively involved in this work; and

            Whereas, With the diversity of Michigan's plant life, the seemingly favorable conditions of our climate, and the devastation that could result if this disease were to become established here, Michigan clearly needs to be extremely vigilant and take full advantage of all available federal funding to ensure that Sudden Oak Death does not become established in our state; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the United States Department of Agriculture and the Michigan Department of Agriculture to expedite all efforts to prevent the spread of Sudden Oak Death into Michigan; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the United States Department of Agriculture and the Michigan Department of Agriculture.

R 0509 '04 (H-1)