For Release: Thursday, August 13, 2009
State Reminds Western New Yorkers of EAB Quarantine
Storm Debris May Contain Invasive Insects - Ash Trees, Firewood Remain Restricted from Being Moved Outside of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua Counties
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today reminded crews cleaning up the damage from devastating storms that hit Western New York this past weekend of the quarantine that is in place to prevent the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) - a tree-killing beetle recently discovered in the state. The quarantine, which encompasses Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties, restricts the movement of ash trees, ash products, and firewood from all wood species in order to limit the potential introduction of EAB to other areas of the state.
Commissioner Hooker said, "From the reports I've received, I understand that there are many trees down in the Southern Tier, many of which are ash trees. In order to avoid or reduce the likelihood of the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer, it is important that all wood debris is properly disposed of by homeowners, businesses, arborists and departments of public works. We ask everyone that is assisting in the clean up efforts to follow the restrictions of the quarantine."
Commissioner Grannis said, "We know that this is a difficult time for those affected by the storm, but ask their ongoing cooperation in following the rules put in place to help protect our state's forestry resources."
Governor David A. Paterson has declared a State Disaster Emergency to expedite assistance to Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Erie counties and contiguous areas that suffered loss of life and sustained extensive damage from severe thunderstorms and ensuing flooding which continues to threaten public health and safety.
On June 17, 2009, the state announced the first discovery of an EAB infestation in Randolph, Cattaraugus County. The EAB is a small but destructive beetle that infests and kills North American ash tree species, including green, white, black and blue ash.
To limit the spread of the EAB, the state issued a quarantine order on July 24 that prohibits the movement of regulated articles within and beyond Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties without certification or compliance agreements issued by the state Department of Agriculture and Markets (DAM). The order specifically defines regulated articles as:
- Entire ash trees of any size, inclusive of nursery stock.
- Any part of ash trees, including leaves, bark, stumps, limbs, branches, and roots.
- Ash lumber or ash logs of any length.
- Any item made from or containing ash wood.
- Any article, product or means of conveyance determined by USDA's Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), DAM or DEC to present a risk of spreading the EAB infestation.
- Firewood from any tree species.
- Wood chips and bark mulch from any tree species that is larger than 1 inch in two dimensions, whether composted or uncomposted.
The state order also restricts the movement of the regulated wood products into or through the quarantine district by requiring several provisions including, but not limited to documentation listing the origin and destination of shipments, and prohibiting transporters from unnecessarily stopping while traveling through the quarantine district. The full order is posted on the DEC EAB website, in addition to other information about the insect. For more information on the compliance agreements, contact the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (716) 938-9837.
New York has more than 900 million ash trees, representing about seven percent of all trees in the state, and all are at risk should this invasive, exotic pest become established. To watch a video which answers common questions about EAB, visit the DEC website.
