Federal Domestic EAB Quarantine Regulations Coming to an End

Photo credit: Dr. James E. Zablotny, USDA

On December 15, 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published the final rule that will remove federal domestic emerald ash borer (EAB) quarantine regulations. This rule will take effect next week (January 14, 2021) and will end APHIS’ domestic regulatory activities, including issuing permits, certificates and compliance agreements, making site visits, and conducting investigations of suspected violations. According to APHIS, the domestic quarantine has not proven effective in stopping the spread of EAB and they will now direct available resources toward non-regulatory management and containment options, such as biological control agents. APHIS is also working with the National Plant Board on firewood movement management strategies, which is one of the ways that EAB spreads. To learn more about how the movement of firewood can spread invasive species like EAB, please visit the OISC Don’t Move Firewood webpage.

The information above was gathered from the December 14, 2020 USDA APHIS Stakeholder Announcement.

USDA Declares August Tree Check Month

August is Tree Check Month! Everyone is encouraged to take 10 minutes to check their trees for signs of invasive pests, such as the Asian longhorned beetle. August is the best time to spot the Asian longhorned beetle as adults emerge from trees. The Asian longhorned beetle feeds on a wide variety of popular hardwood trees, including maple, birch, elm, willow, ash, and poplar. For more information about the Asian longhorned beetle, please visit www.AsianLonghornedBeetle.com.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can get involved in protecting our forests from invasive species, please visit the Oregon Forest Pest Detector program website. Oregon Forest Pest Detectors are volunteers that help prevent the damaging impacts of invasive forest pests by monitoring for and reporting potential infestations. The Oregon Forest Pest Detector program currently focuses on detection of the emerald ash borer (EAB), Asian longhorn beetle (ALB), and goldspotted oak borer (GSOB).

Always remember to report any potential sightings of invasive species and Don’t Move Firewood!

Choose Local Firewood This Winter!

The Oregon Department of Agriculture wants to remind everyone to buy their firewood locally and to Burn it Where you Buy it! 

Asian longhorned beetle (photo by Michael Bohne, USDA Forest Service)

Emerald ash borer (photo by Leah Bauer, US Forest Service)

“Firewood is still one of the bigger vectors for accidentally transporting diseases and insects from one state to the next,” says Helmuth Rogg, director of ODA’s Plant Protection and Conservation programs. “Buy your firewood locally and burn it where you buy it. That way, you reduce the risk of bringing in invasive species. You also support a local industry.” 

“We’ve been lucky,” says Rogg. “As more people move to and through Oregon, the risk increases– especially when they bring firewood with them.” 

To read the full news story, originally posted by ODA on 11/16/2017, click here. Also, don't forget to check out our Don't Move Firewood campaign page.

Don’t Move Firewood during the 2017 Eclipse

With the eclipse coming up this Monday (8/21/2017), the state of Oregon is expecting a large influx of tourists entering the state over the next few days, many of which will be camping. This is a good opportunity for the OISC to remind campers to Buy It Where You Burn It! Transporting firewood from other states, and even other counties, can potentially lead to new infestations of invasive insects and diseases. Check out the OISC’s Don’t Move Firewood webpage to learn more.