AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted to advance LD 1162 Tuesday, sponsored by Rep. Michael Brennan, D-Portland, which would provide funding to help towns meet their ash tree conservation needs and create a permanent entomologist position to provide statewide technical and educational assistance.
"The emerald ash borer is one of the most serious invasive species threatening our ash resources and forests," said Brennan. "With the loss of this resource, we can expect significant economic impacts to forest landowners and harm to our ecosystem."
Maine's ash tree population, with the exception of the mountain ash, has been subjected to disease and death due to the spreading of the invasive emerald ash borer, a beetle native to northeastern Asia that feeds on ash species. The emerald ash borer, present in Maine since 2018, now exists in 36 other states, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
The bill faces further votes in the Senate and House in the coming weeks.
Brennan is serving his third consecutive term in the Maine House, having previously served four terms in the House and three in the Senate. He represents House District 115, which includes a portion of Portland, and serves as House chair of the Legislature's Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Brennan], 305-965-2744