Michigan’s Cooperative Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Response Project partners today detailed the plan to eradicate EAB in the Brimley area and protect forest resource health. An EAB infestation was confirmed earlier this week in Brimley State Park located in Chippewa County along the Lake Superior shoreline.

Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) survey crews are conducting intensive surveys to determine the extent of the Brimley infestation. They will be marking all ash trees for removal within a half-mile radius of the infestation. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) also cautioned citizens about moving firewood from southern Michigan to northern Michigan, as the infestation at Brimley was likely caused by moved firewood.

“Vigilance is the key,” said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. “In addition to EAB monitoring, we need to stop moving firewood. Enjoy the great outdoors but keep it great by not moving firewood and pests. The need to stop moving wood does not end with the summer camping season. Hunters and private property owners who will be heading up North for the fall and hunting seasons should not move firewood from southern Michigan.”

MDA will hold public meetings on eradication strategies and work with affected landowners prior to any tree marking or eradication activities, Humphries added.

“Our enhanced partnerships with local, state and federal officials has led to a comprehensive plan to eliminate the imminent threat this find poses to ash in the U.P. and Canada,” said Patricia Lockwood, EAB policy director for Governor Jennifer M. Granholm.

DNR land managers are working with MDA, Michigan State University (MSU), Michigan Technological University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture on eradicating EAB at Brimley State Park. State park crews will begin removing ash in the control zone in compliance with MDA quarantine regulations. Wood will be utilized where possible or burned. The DNR will also implement an ash reduction strategy on state forest lands adjacent to the half-mile eradication zone. The ash reduction component will be incorporated into timber sales where possible.

“The half-mile removal protocol appears effective on EAB sites in the Lower Peninsula,” said MSU Forest Entomologist Dr. Deb McCullough. “With the size and location of the Brimley find, this approach should be effective.”

In addition to EAB detection trees around Brimley, EAB monitoring will be heightened throughout the Upper Peninsula. Forest inventory data will be used to show ash distribution and identify survey needs.

For more information about EAB, please visit one of these Web sites: www.michigan.gov/eab or www.emeraldashborer.info. You may also contact your regional MDA office, local MSU County Extension, local DNR office or conservation district office.