HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978 02-15 Vento bill asks $ for elm fight REVIEW c.e6 is, /,2g
Vento bill asks
$ for elm fight
Congressman Bruce Vento (D-Minn.) Minneapolis officials anticipate a 98 that must be replenished just as we would
has introduced a bill to provide $250 percent increase in spending for Dutch replenish any other resource.Eighty-five
million in federal funds to fight Dutch Elm disease in 1978, bringing the total to percent of St. Paul's trees are elms. St.
Elm disease. It is one of the most coin- nearly $10 million. Paul's problem with Dutch Elm disease is
prehensive federal tree bills ever in- The situation is so serious that the special, but it's not unique. Minneapolis
troduced. Matching grants will be mayors of St. Paul, Minneapolis and and other communities throughout the
available to states, cities, business and Duluth have joined together to plead for county and state need help too. The
private citizens and can be used for more state aid for their programs. And disease is so pervasive and the resource
removal of diseased trees, disposal, and not just government has suffered. so important that Congress has to provide
replanting. Citizens with diseased elm trees on their assistance for this major environmental
The bill also provides funds for propertyveagcostay also incof removing a diseased tree and financial catastrophe."
research and to set up a clearinghouse is more than$100 in the metro area and This is not the first bill to deal with the
among states to facilitate the exchange of slightly less in non-metro areas. Dutch Elm problem. Last year, in an
information about the disease. Vento said The Vento bill, a companion to a unprecedented move, Congress passed a
the bill could provide a big boost for cities measure introduced in the Senate by $6 million appropriation to help cities
like St.Paul which have been hardest hit. Senators Wendell Anderson and the late fight Dutch Elm. Vento, St. Paul Mayor
Fighting Dutch Elm disease and Hubert Humphrey, would cover a three George Latimer and State Senator Skip
replanting healthy trees is expensive. In year program. Funds would be funneled Humphrey all testified for the measure.
1977, St. Paul spent about $9 million for to states for distribution to public and Vento also personally uged Agriculture
sanitation and reforestation programs. private applicants. Secretary Bob Bergland to make urban
The city's proposed 1978 budget comes to Vento thinks the money would be wisely reforestation a top priority for his
nearly $12 million. spent. "Trees are a community resource department.