News Release: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Takes Important Steps to Safeguard Forests Against Invasive Threats

Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry sent this bulletin at 09/07/2023 02:53 PM EDT

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News Release

For Immediate Release
September 7, 2023

Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Takes Important Steps to Safeguard Forests Against Invasive Threats

Augusta, Maine - In an effort to safeguard Maine's forests from the advance of invasive pests, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has proposed expanding three forest protection quarantines. These  measures aim to curb the spread of the emerald ash borer, European larch canker, and hemlock woolly adelgid, which pose imminent threats to the state's woodlands.

This week State Horticulturist Gary Fish delivered a presentation outlining the rationale behind the proposed changes at public hearing. The public comment period for the proposed changes will remain open until 5:00 PM on September 22, 2023. Comments can be submitted to: Gary Fish, State Horticulturist Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 28 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0028, or by email at gary.fish@maine.gov.

EAB Proposed Quarantine Map Expansion into central Maine

The proposed changes to the emerald ash borer quarantine, Chapter 275, are designed to protect Maine's forest and timber resources to slow movement of the emerald ash borer to uninfested parts of the State. The proposal extends the quarantined area in the Northern Aroostook County area and into multiple new counties in southern Maine. These measures help protect over 60% of the ash resource that is still outside the current quarantine areas of Maine. Chapter 275 Proposed Rules Draft (DOCX) / Proposed EAB Quarantine Expansion Map
ELC Proposed Map

The adjustments to the European larch canker quarantine, Chapter 272, extend a state quarantine against the European larch canker to prevent its movement from Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, and Waldo Counties and parts of Androscoggin, Cumberland, Penobscot, and Washington counties to other parts of the State to protect Maine's forest and landscape tree resources. The European larch canker is federally regulated, and this rule fulfills the requirement that Maine must have a similar state quarantine in place because the state is partially regulated for European larch canker. Chapter 272 Proposed Rules Draft (PDF) /  Proposed ELC Quarantine Expansion Map
HWA Proposed Quarantine Map

The suggested changes to the hemlock woolly adelgid quarantine, Chapter 266, modify the existing hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) quarantine by extending it to additional counties and Minor Civil Divisions in southern Maine. This expansion is needed because HWA populations were discovered outside the existing quarantine area. Chapter 266 Proposed Rules Draft (PDF) / Proposed HWA Quarantine Expansion Map

Media contact: Jim Britt

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