MN SF3174

Establishes the Minnesota emerald ash borer suppression program under Minnesota Statutes section 17.855, to be developed and implemented by the commissioner of agriculture in cooperation with necessary state agencies.

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

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

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

Appropriates $13,000,000 in fiscal year 2017 to the commissioner of agriculture for developing and administering the program, with advice from the Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee.