APHIS Adds Boulder County and Portions of 3 Other Counties in Colorado to Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Regulated Area

FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION

DA-2014-09

March 7, 2014

 

 

Subject:           APHIS Adds Boulder County and Portions of Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld Counties in Colorado to the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) Regulated Area

 

To:                   State and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials

 

Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is adding Boulder County and portions of Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld Counties in Colorado to the list of regulated areas for the emerald ash borer (EAB). APHIS is taking this action in response to the detection of EAB in Boulder County.

 

The attached Federal Order outlines specific conditions for the interstate movement of EAB-regulated articles from the quarantined area in Colorado to prevent the spread of EAB to other states. Specifically, the interstate movement of EAB-host wood and wood products from the quarantined area in Colorado is regulated, including firewood of all hardwood species, nursery stock, green lumber, waste, compost, and chips of ash species.

 

EAB is an invasive wood boring beetle that is native to China and other areas of East Asia. The beetle is present in some portions of the United States, and because of its continuing spread, APHIS has established regulated areas that are designated in the Code of Federal Regulations at 7 CFR 301.53-3 and the Federal Orders located at:

 

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/planthealth/eab_quarantine

 

The interstate movement of firewood from quarantine areas is an especially high-risk pathway for spreading EAB. Therefore, APHIS works with State cooperators and foresters to prevent the human assisted movement of EAB, develop biological and other controls for EAB, and raise public awareness about this pest and the potential threats associated with long-distance movement of firewood.

 

For more information about the EAB program and Federal EAB regulations, you may call EAB National Policy Manager Paul Chaloux at (301) 851-2064.

 

/s/

 

Osama El-Lissy

Deputy Administrator

Plant Protection and Quarantine