MN HF2408

Establishes the Minnesota emerald ash borer suppression program under the Commissioner of Agriculture to be developed and implemented in coordination with state agencies.

Creates a matching grant component available to counties, cities, towns, school districts, park districts, and other municipal political subdivisions for eligible emerald ash borer suppression activities.

Eligible activities for state reimbursement include sanitation (removal of infested trees and stumps), protection of ash trees using low-risk treatments, and integrated pest management activities such as slow ash mortality strategies.

Eligible activities for local match funding (but not state reimbursement) include development of tree inventories and response plans, removal and replacement of damaged or lost ash trees, and public education.

Appropriates $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2017 and $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2018 to the Commissioner of Agriculture to develop and administer the program.