SCHUMER: DANGEROUS INVASIVE PLANT THAT CAN CAUSE EXTREME BURNS AND EVEN BLINDNESS IS RUNNING RAMPANT THROUGH WESTERN NEW YORK; SENATOR CALLS ON THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO IMMEDIATELY BOOST ONGOING LOCAL EFFORTS TO ERADICATE HARMFUL PLANT; MUST ALSO INVEST FEDERAL RESOURCES TO PREVENT FURTHER SPREAD OF GIANT HOGWEED
Giant Hogweed, An Invasive Species That Can Cause Both Burns And Blindness When Touched, Has Spread Rampantly Through Wyoming County And Across Western New York
In Wyoming County, Schumer Sounds The Alarm On The Dangerous “Giant Hogweed”; Senator Calls On The Department Of Agriculture To Immediately Increase Efforts To Help Local Officials Continue Eradication Of Harmful Plant While Investing Federal Resources Into Educating Locals On The Ground On Risk Of Giant Hogweed
Schumer To USDA: Time To Nip Giant Hogweed In The Bud
Standing at Pine Tree Park in the Town of Bennington, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer today called on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to immediately increase federal investment towards the continued efforts to eradicate Giant Hogweed in New York State, while providing technical expertise and resources towards educating residents about the toxic and harmful invasive plant. Schumer explained that Giant Hogweed is an invasive species that presents major health risks such as blistering burns and blindness to people that come in contact with the weed. Schumer said that this particular invasive is spreading through Wyoming County and across Western New York.
“Giant Hogweed is a dangerous invasive plant that is spreading here in Wyoming County and throughout Western New York. The feds must direct all available resources to not only stopping the spread of this invasive species in our state, but educating locals as to the human health and environmental risks this invasive plant poses,” said Senator Schumer. “First and foremost, we must slow the spread of Giant Hogweed, and second, we must accelerate the spread of information regarding the public health, environmental and safety risks it creates. New Yorkers need to be aware of how to identify it and where to call it in to so that the correct authorities can eradicate it. This will protect those who work, play, or vacation outdoors, ensure that tourism dollars continue to flow into the region’s economy and protect New York’s pristine outdoor spaces for years to come.”
Schumer specifically called on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prioritize its research, monitoring, and eradication activities to give greater emphasis to Giant Hogweed as soon as possible. Additionally, Schumer urged the USDA to provide sufficient funding and resources to bolster ongoing work with New York State to manage and eradicate Giant Hogweed. Schumer applauded the work that USDA has done in conjunction with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to help contain the spread of Giant Hogweed up to this point, but urged the agency to prioritize the allocation of resources and technical expertise to help expand public education and awareness of the myriad risks posed by Giant Hogweed.
Schumer explained that in recent years, Giant Hogweed has run rampant throughout Upstate New York, and more specifically, throughout Western New York. Schumer said that according to the NYSDEC, there were only 497 active Giant Hogweed outbreak sites across New York State after the 2008 field season. Schumer said that according to that same report, after the 2017 field season, the number of active Giant Hogweed sites had spiked, coming out to a total of 1,753 across New York State. Schumer also said that in Wyoming County, there are currently a total of 41 outbreak sites with Giant Hogweed plants including five with over 1,000 plants. In the neighboring Erie County, there are 196 sites, which equals roughly 10% of the 1,349 active sites in the state. Schumer explained that Wyoming and Erie Counties are among the hardest hit counties by this invasive weed, with Erie County ranking 1st in total number of active outbreak sites in the state, and 5th in the number of sites with over 1,000 recorded Giant Hogweed plants. Schumer added that Wyoming County is home to Letchworth State Park, one of New York State’s biggest tourism attractions, and anything that jeopardizes safe recreation in Wyoming County could harm the vital tourism that Wyoming County depends on.
Schumer said that Giant Hogweed, formally known as Heracleum mantegazzianum, is native to the Caucasus Mountain Region between the Black and Caspian Seas, but has become established in the New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Northwest regions. Schumer added that Giant Hogweed poses environmental threats to New York by crowding out native species and producing toxic sap. Schumer explained that Giant Hogweed has been detected statewide, and is most prevalent in Central and Western New York.
A copy of Schumer’s letter to the Department of Agriculture appears below:
Dear Secretary Perdue,
I write to alert the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to an issue that could have devastating consequences in New York State, both to the health of our citizens and to the balance of the natural environment, if left unchecked. I have learned that the invasive species Heracleum mantegazzianum, commonly known as Giant Hogweed, is causing much damage as it spreads across multiple counties in the Rochester-Finger Lakes and throughout upstate New York generally. It is critical that USDA increase its research, monitoring, and eradication activities on noxious weeds to give greater emphasis to Giant Hogweed as soon as possible. Further, the Department should provide sufficient funding and resources to bolster ongoing work with New York State to manage and eradicate Giant Hogweed. I also urge USDA to continue developing best practices and communication strategies to alert New York State residents of the dangers of Giant Hogweed and actions they should take when these plants are sighted in the community. Taken together, these actions will not only help preserve New York’s pristine open spaces, but also will help protect the health of the New York residents and visitors who work, play, or vacation outdoors.
Giant Hogweed is an invasive species that is native to the Caucasus Mountain Region between the Black and Caspian Seas. This invasive plant was first introduced in the United States in the early twentieth century and has since become established in the New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Northwest regions. According to the New York State Department of Environment Conservation’s (DEC) most recent Statewide Distribution map, Giant Hogweed has been detected statewide, and is most prevalent in Central and Western New York. Giant Hogweed has been characterized by APHIS as a Federal Noxious Weed, and is known for crowding out native species and producing toxic sap that presents health risks such as painful burns or blindness to people who come in contact with it. I applaud the work that USDA, in conjunction with DEC, has done to help contain the spread of Giant Hogweed in New York State. I urge the USDA to build on this effort and to prioritize the allocation of additional resources and technical expertise toward efforts to not only contain and eradicate Giant Hogweed, but also to educate the public to the risks that this invasive species poses for public health and environmental damage.
Giant Hogweed is a threat to public health and safety and to the natural ecosystems in New York State. Therefore, I am asking you to direct all available resources to stop the spread of this invasive species in our state. I am also requesting that you continue to work with and provide technical expertise to local partners and communities to best educate citizens about detection, eradication, safety precautions, and (if necessary) treatment methods for burns caused by this truly noxious weed. I look forward to working with you to protect residents, visitors, and outdoor spaces in New York State. I appreciate your attention to this important request.
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