The Michigan Department
of Agriculture (MDA) is performing targeted firewood inspections and seizing
hardwood firewood being transported out of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) quarantined
areas or into the Upper Peninsula with the goal of halting the artificial spread
of the invasive beetle.
Movement of hardwood firewood
is the primary means of artificially spreading this exotic, highly destructive
pest. EAB larvae live and feed undetected beneath the bark of ash trees, making
any piece of ash firewood a potential vehicle for the accidental transport of
the insect. Even firewood appearing sound could be carrying EAB larvae under
the bark and wreak havoc on an area.
Regulatory teams monitoring
random rest areas and roadways around the quarantined area are performing targeted
inspections. Individuals violating the state’s EAB quarantine (20 counties
in Southeast Michigan and 19 outlying infestations) are subject to fines ranging
from $1,000 to $250,000 and jail time of up to five years for moving regulated
ash materials, including hardwood firewood.
“MDA is intercepting
potentially infested firewood and halting the spread of EAB into other areas
of the state,” said Patricia Lockwood, EAB policy director for Governor
Jennifer Granholm. “These unannounced blitzes offer greater assurance
that Michigan travelers are adhering to the state’s EAB quarantine and
preserving our natural heritage.”
Emerald Ash Borer is an
exotic, aggressive beetle native to Asia and discovered in Southeast Michigan
in 2002. To date, EAB has been responsible for the death or damage of approximately
15 million of the state’s ash trees.
For more information about
Emerald Ash Borer, please visit one of these Web sites: www.michigan.gov/eab
or www.emeraldashborer.info. You
may also contact your regional MDA office, local Michigan State University Extension
office or conservation district office.