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1668 Lincoln Road (M-40 North) Allegan, MI 49010 |
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Don’t Move Firewood! |
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The GATEWAY to Natural Resource Management |
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By Kelly Goward District Forester |
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Don’t Move Firewood!
Summer is here and that means that many of us, myself included, are gearing up to go camping. Something Michigan campers need to be aware of this year is the current restrictions on the movement of firewood. There is a statewide quarantine banning the movement of untreated deciduous firewood out of 39 quarantined areas in the Lower Peninsula. Additionally, no untreated deciduous firewood may be moved from any part of the Lower Peninsula into the Upper Peninsula, neighboring states or across the St. Clair River. Violations of this quarantine are subject to penalties.
This quarantine was imposed in an attempt to reduce the spread of the exotic emerald ash borer (EAB). EAB, native to Asia, was first discovered in southeast Michigan in the summer of 2002. Since then, approximately 15 million ash trees have been damaged or killed in Michigan. Many federal, state and local agencies have been working cooperatively to understand the nature of EAB, identify where it has spread, research control options, and try to stop its spread.
One important way that EAB has spread unnaturally is through human movement of firewood. According the Michigan Department of Agriculture, nearly all of the infestations outside of the core infestation in southeast Michigan have been traced to the movement of firewood. Many other woodland pests can also be spread to new areas by hitching a ride on firewood. Because of this and to ensure compliance with the quarantine, it is best to not transport any firewood around, into and out of Michigan.
When you go camping, buy firewood locally; do not bring it from home. Use all of the wood you buy; do not leave any behind unburned. If you have already transported firewood from another area, burn it immediately; do not dump it, leave it or take it home. By promoting awareness of EAB and how it can be transported in firewood, hopefully we will all do our part to help prevent the spread of this exotic pest to uninfested areas, which currently includes Ottawa and Allegan Counties.
For more information about EAB and the quarantine, visit http://www.michigan.gov/eab, http://www.emeraldashborer.info, or contact your local Conservation District: Allegan (269) 673-8965 x3, Ottawa (616) 846-8770 x5. Michigan Conservation Districts are local units of state government that promote the wise use and management of natural resources. |