August 30, 2007

LANSING - Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) inspectors will be positioned at the Mackinac Bridge ensuring no hardwood firewood is making its way out of the Lower Peninsula.

“The Mackinac Bridge is a critical pinch point for preventing the spread of EAB out of the Lower Peninsula,” said Ken Rauscher, Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division director. “Many infestations in Michigan and surrounding states are a direct result of people inadvertently moving infested firewood.”

EAB, an exotic beetle native to Asia, is responsible for the death or damage of millions of ash trees in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Maryland, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. 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 that may appear healthy could be carrying EAB larvae under the bark.

Michigan’s EAB quarantine states that no hardwood firewood, regardless of species, can be moved into the Upper Peninsula or into surrounding states. The movement of hardwood firewood is prohibited from leaving quarantined areas to help control and contain EAB.

“If your travel plans include camping, please help protect Michigan’s ash trees and leave your firewood at home,” said Rauscher. “Michigan is actively working to help contain this pest and minimize damage to the state’s ash resource. We will be out in force this holiday weekend ensuring travelers are not transporting hardwood firewood.”

It’s illegal to transport hardwood firewood out of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan or into other states. Those found violating the state’s EAB quarantine 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 firewood.

For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/eab or www.emeraldashborer.info, or contact your regional MDA or Michigan State University Extension Office.