The EAB quarantine has not gone away

By News Team
ads@fillmorecountyjournal.com

Fri, Dec 4th, 2009
Posted in Agriculture

Comments

Jerrold Tesmer

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was discovered near Houston County earlier this year. At that time there was a tremendous amount of publicity, and a state quarantine that restricts the movement of firewood, ash trees, and ash tree products was implemented. Later, as EAB was discovered in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties, much of the attention was diverted to the metro area.

The question was recently raised about the homeowners who cut firewood for their own use. To paraphrase a successful ad campaign, "What grows in Houston County stays in Houston County!"

The quarantine which I mentioned earlier prohibits the movement of the following items out of Houston County:

• Entire ash trees

• ash limbs and branches

• ash stumps and roots

• ash logs

• ash lumber

• ash chips and ash bark ships

• Firewood of any non-coniferous (hardwood) species

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is very serious about trying to slow the spread of EAB. There are civil penalties of up to $7,500 per day per violation or misdemeanor or criminal penalties. However, businesses may enter into compliance agreements with the state to move prohibited items, but only if the items are treated or handled in accordance with state specifications.

For more information, visit the MDA website www.mda.state.mn.us/invasives/eab or call the Arrest the Pest Hotline at 651-201-6684 or toll free 1-888-545-6684.

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