Oregon oak disease fight faces federal aid loss

BROOKINGS, Ore. (AP) — In 2001, U.S. Forest Service plant pathologist Ellen Goheen took to the air to see if sudden oak death was in Oregon.

The disease, which in two years can kill an otherwise healthy oak tree, earlier that year was identified as the causal agent killing huge swaths of oak trees in northern California.

The leading edge of the infestation was more than 100 miles from the Oregon-California border, but Goheen thought it possible that sudden oak death had entered Curry County.

Moments after starting her aerial survey, Goheen's suspicions were realized.

"The 'oh, shoot' factor was pretty high," she said.

Her discovery set off what has become a decade-long, $10 million battle with the fungal disease that threatens much of the West's timber and nursery industries.

http://www.necn.com/12/07/10/Oregon-oak-disease-fight-faces-federal-a/landing_health.html?&blockID=3&apID=5150b7d10ce24702947c0dc2d42fdbb2