A spending bill in the U.S. House of Representatives offers the Upper Peninsula some financial help in dealing with pests of varying size.
The lion's share of funding—some $20 million is currently proposed—is aimed at controlling the emerald ash borer, an Asian beetle that has devastated lower Michigan's ash tree population and recently hopped a ride over the Mackinac Bridge to the Upper Peninsula.
A smaller sum of money is being eyed to study the impact of the double-breasted cormorant on fish populations. If that funding is approved, it could lead to future funding as the study is expected to outline a population-control program for the cormorant. Money is also included to control gray wolf populations, which have been growing steadily of late, and reportedly preying on cattle herds.
—Ronald A. Wirtz
