The Michigan Department of Agriculture (http://www.michigan.gov/mda) has amended the state’s Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) quarantine, based upon extensive survey efforts and recommendations of the national science advisory panel. (Click here to see the map(s).)“Effective today, the state added seven new counties as well as including each ‘outlier’ site to the EAB quarantine as part of the overall EAB response strategy,” said MDA Director Dan Wyant. “Amending the quarantine demonstrates the aggressive approach Michigan is taking to prevent further spread and minimize the economic/environmental damage this pest can cause.”
EAB is an exotic insect native to Asia that attacks ash trees and was previously unknown on the North American continent until its discovery in Michigan in the summer of 2002. The borer has already impacted approximately ten million ash trees in southeast Michigan and continues to damage or destroy others in isolated areas in the Great Lakes state. The state has an active, multi-agency Emerald Ash Borer task force working collectively to detect, contain and respond to EAB in order to minimize its damage.
Today’s amendment adds the following seven counties to the EAB quarantine:
Branch
Calhoun
Clinton
Eaton
Gratiot
Hillsdale
Saginaw
Additionally, it now also prohibits the movement of ash materials and firewood in “outlier” sites or isolated pockets of infestation apart from the known generally infested area. The “outlier” infestations are believed to be the result of artificial spread of the insect (movement of infested ash material). Eradication efforts are currently underway in “outlier” sites to eliminate the beetle. For a detailed description of the locations and boundaries of the “outliers,” please visit the MDA web site at www.michigan.gov/mda and click on “Emerald Ash Borer” in the spotlight section.
“This is a vital step to help halt the artificial spread of EAB and will aid in the battle against the beetle,” said Wyant. “A key component to our overall success, is the support and cooperation of every Michigan resident and tourist by not moving firewood.”
Under the quarantine, it is illegal to move ash trees, branches, untreated lumber, deciduous firewood and any other materials from these areas unless chipped to one inch or smaller. Additionally, the movement of all ash nursery stock is prohibited within, into, and from the entire Lower Peninsula.
For more information about EAB or Michigan’s response efforts, visit the MDA web site at www.michigan.gov/eab or visit www.emeraldashborer.info. You can also call the MDA Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division at 517/373-1087 or contact your regional MDA office.