Travelers are still urged not to move firewood to prevent the artificial spread of EAB and other invasive pests

November 10, 2008

LANSING - The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) today revised its Emerald Ash Borer quarantine to consolidate all 68 contiguous counties of the Lower Peninsula  into one quarantine level – effective immediately. MDA, however, is asking travelers not to move firewood to help prevent the artificial spread of other exotic and devastating insects like Gypsy Moth.  The ban on moving firewood across the Mackinac Bridge remains in effect.  As part of the amendment, Delta and Schoolcraft counties in the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) were also added to the EAB interior quarantine.

“MDA remains committed to protecting the ash resource in the U.P. from the artificial spread of EAB and this amendment simply allows us to focus our attention there,” said Ken Rauscher, MDA’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Director. “Although, travelers are now able to freely move firewood in the Lower Peninsula, we are urging them not to do so as there are several other invasive insects - such as Asian Longhorned Beetle and Sirex Woodwasp - that can hitch a ride on it.  Please continue to only use local sources of firewood, burn all you buy, and don’t take any unused firewood back home or to the next location.”

"Campers and hunters are reminded to purchase firewood locally when visiting state parks, recreation areas and state forest campgrounds,” Ron Olson, Parks and Recreation chief for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.  “Bringing ash firewood onto state forests, state parks, recreation areas, and state forest campgrounds violates state land use rules."

Prior to this revision, MDA’s EAB interior quarantine divided the Lower Peninsula into two quarantine levels: 21 counties in Southeast Michigan were Level I and the remaining 47counties were Level II. This revision effective merges the two quarantines and make the entire Lower Peninsula on level.

“Hardwood firewood is still prohibited from leaving the Lower Peninsula as it is the leading cause of spreading EAB and other invasives.  Quarantine violators can still face fines and jail time,” said Rauscher.  “The inspection station at the Mackinac Bridge remains in place and will continue to prevent hardwood firewood and other regulated ash material from entering the UP.”

The addition of Delta and Schoolcraft Counties to the EAB interior quarantine is a result of an EAB infestation discovered in the fall of 2008. 

The Delta County quarantine is divided into two levels; the townships of Garden, Fairbanks and Nahma are designated as Quarantine Level II, and the remaining portion of Delta County is Level III. 

The Schoolcraft County quarantine is also divided into two levels; the townships of Inwood and Thompson are designated as Quarantine Level II, and the remaining portion of Schoolcraft is Level III. The movement of hardwood firewood and other regulated material out of quarantine Level II and III areas is prohibited except regulated articles may move from Level III into Level II. 

EAB is an exotic insect native to Asia that attacks ash trees. In its larval stage, EAB feeds undetected under the bark of ash trees, disrupting water and nutrient flow - ultimately killing the trees in three to four years. First discovered in 2002, the borer is responsible for the death or damage of approximately 35 million ash trees in the LP.

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, including firewood.

Additional information about EAB, quarantine details, and a map of the quarantine boundaries are available at www.michigan.gov/eab or www.emeraldashborer.info.