October 30, 2008

LANSING - Michigan’s Cooperative Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Response Project partners today confirmed an EAB infestation in Schoolcraft County in the Upper Peninsula (U.P.). The infestation was discovered by Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) staff during inspection of ash trees located immediately adjacent to the most recent EAB find in Delta County. The Schoolcraft County infestation is located in Inwood Township near the Village of Cooks, south of U.S. Highway 2.

“Due to its close proximity to the Delta County infestation, the discovery of EAB in Schoolcraft County was not unanticipated, however, it is still disappointing,” said Ken Rauscher, MDA’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Director. “We are currently reviewing the Schoolcraft and Delta County infestation and are considering quarantine and management options for the entire State of Michigan.”

The other known EAB infestations in the U.P. are located in Mackinac, and Houghton, Counties. In 2005, an EAB infestation at Brimley State Park marked the first time EAB had been found in the U.P. The Brimley infestation was eradicated through removal of all ash host material in the area.

Individuals or businesses 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, as well as all species of hardwood firewood.

Residents are encouraged to continue to report suspect EAB infestations in the U.P. by calling the toll-free EAB hotline at 866-325-0023.
For more information about EAB, please visit www.michigan.gov/eab or www.emeraldashborer.info. Residents may also contact their regional MDA office or their local Michigan State University extension or conservation district office.