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WASHINGTON
– U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) announced
the inclusion of $48,243,000 for 18 Michigan projects in the FY 2010
Agriculture Appropriations conference report which passed the Senate
yesterday. This appropriations bill provides funding for the Department
of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, rural development programs,
and related agencies. The bill will now be sent to President Obama for
his signature.
“This
critical funding will help make sure our beautiful lakes, wetlands,
and forests are preserved and protected from invasive species, so Michigan
residents and tourists alike can enjoy them for years to come,” said
Stabenow. “These important natural resources are an integral part
of our way of life, as well as our economy.”
“This
funding will help protect and restore Michigan’s cherished natural resources
and help spur economic growth,” Levin said. “From combating diseases
and eliminating invasive species, to funding enhanced economic opportunities,
Michiganders stand to benefit a great deal from this bill when it becomes
law.”
The
details of the projects can be found below.
| Organization
|
Project
Name |
Amount
|
Brief
Description |
| Ducks
Unlimited |
Invasive
Phragmites Control and Outreach |
$155,000
|
This
funding will be used to address the development of long-term controls
and management assistance as well as outreach and education efforts
to landowners, communities and other agencies for the destruction
of the invasive plant Phragmites australis. This plant has negatively
impacted wetlands throughout the United States. |
| Wayne
State University |
Center
for Renewable Transportation Fuel |
$500,000
|
This
funding will be used to create a center that will foster collaboration
between the University and agricultural industry to advance the
application of technology used for renewable transportation fuels
through research and development of fuels from alternative sources.
|
| Michigan
Research Institute |
Pasteurization
of Shell Eggs |
$935,000
|
This
funding will be used to develop a microwave process that is capable
of pasteurizing foods derived from animals which are encased by
an organic shell, thus helping to eradicate Salmonella and Avian
Flu. |
| Michigan
State University |
Apple
Blight MI, NY |
$346,000
|
This
funding will be used to combat a devastating and highly resistant
disease that affects apples in Michigan and other apple growing
regions of the Eastern United States. |
| Michigan
State University |
Armillaria
Root Rot |
$104,000
|
This
funding will be used to research the causes, distribution of the
pathogen in MI, and the changes of this disease, which affects
cherry and fruit trees and has a devastating impact on cherry
production. It will also be used to develop sustainable management
plans. |
| Michigan
Department of Agriculture |
Bovine
Tuberculosis Eradication |
$248,000
|
This
funding will be used for coordination and implementation of programs
nationwide to eliminate tuberculosis from cattle in the United
States. |
| Michigan
State University, University of Minnesota |
Bovine
Tuberculosis MI, MN |
$346,000
|
This
funding will be used to research this cattle disease that has
a negative impact on the livestock industry. |
| Michigan
State University |
Improved
Fruit Practices |
$147,000
|
This
funding will be used to develop dry bean breeding lines and varieties
with increased resistance to white mold infection, optimize sugar
beet production, and examine pest issues in search of reduced-risk
pest management tree fruits. This work will include laboratory
studies, field trials, and breeding and genetic enhancement. |
| Michigan
Biotechnology Consortium |
Michigan
Biotechnology Consortium |
$384,000
|
This
funding will be used for the research and development of bioprocesses.
|
| Michigan
State University |
Phytophthora
Research |
$346,000
|
This
funding will be used to manage Phytophthora capsici on vegetable
crops by developing resistant varieties and identifying the disease
in surface irrigation waters to limit the spread of Phytophthora
and give an overall economic benefit to vegetable producers. |
| Michigan
State University |
Sustainable
Agriculture |
$266,000
|
This
funding will be used to support research that enhances economic,
social, and environmental sustainability of our food and agricultural
systems and facilitate communication of the research results with
entities that can apply the findings. |
| Multiple
Organizations |
Wolf
Predation Management WI, MN, and MI |
$727,000
|
This
funding will reimburse farmers and other property owners for livestock
lost to wolves. It will ensure that a sound management and compensation
program is in place to address the problems that arise when wolves
move into agricultural areas. |
| Multiple
Organizations |
Great
Lakes Basin Soil and Erosion Control |
$404,000
|
This
funding will be used to protect and improve water quality in the
Great Lakes through financial incentives, education and professional
assistance. |
| APHIS
Michigan |
Cormorant
Control |
$139,000
|
This
funding will be used to control the cormorant population which
is affecting the Great Lakes fish supply and vegetation. |
| Michigan
State University and other universities |
Wood
Utilization |
$4,841,000
|
This
funding will be used to develop innovative technology for the
manufacture of products from eastern hardwood species in order
to enhance economic opportunities for rural and urban communities.
|
| Michigan
Department of Natural Resources |
Viral
Hemorrhagic Septicemia Research |
$150,000
|
This
funding will be used for surveillance, management, outreach, and
education activities to combat Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS),
an OIE reportable disease that has caused widespread fish mortalities
since 2005 and is detrimental to the Great Lakes ecosystem. |
| Battle
Creek Unlimited |
International
Food Protection Training Institute |
$1,000,000
|
This
funding will be used to train state and local food safety professionals
by providing first-in-class, career spanning curriculum. |
| Multiple
Organizations |
Emerald
Ash Borer Monitoring, Containment and Eradication |
$37,205,000
|
This
funding will be used to combat and contain the emerald ash borer
that is currently threatening 7.5 billion trees with an economic
value of over $300 billion. |
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