APHIS Expands Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Regulated Area to include Twenty-Five Counties in Arkansas

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FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION

DA-2014-56

November 20, 2014

 

Subject:           APHIS Adds Twenty-Five Counties in Arkansas 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 the following counties in Arkansas to the list of regulated areas for the emerald ash borer (EAB):

 

 

      1.      Ashley

      2.      Bradley

      3.      Calhoun

      4.      Clark

      5.      Cleveland

      6.      Columbia

      7.      Dallas

      8.      Drew

      9.      Garland

  10.      Grant

  11.      Hempstead

  12.      Hot Spring

  13.      Howard

  14.      Jefferson

  15.      Lafayette

  16.      Lincoln

  17.      Little River

  18.      Miller

  19.      Montgomery

  20.      Nevada

  21.      Pike

  22.      Ouachita

  23.      Saline

  24.      Sevier

  25.      Union


 

APHIS is taking this action because of the:

 

  •   detection of EAB in six counties,
  •   proximity of the additional counties to known EAB infestations, and
  •  known patterns of movement of regulated articles. 

 

To prevent the spread of EAB to other states, the attached Federal Order outlines the conditions for the interstate movement of EAB-regulated articles from the quarantined areas in Arkansas. Specifically, the interstate movement of EAB-host wood and wood products from the quarantined areas in Arkansas 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 (CFR) 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 the spread of 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 the long-distance movement of firewood.

 

For more information about the EAB program and federal EAB regulations, please call EAB National Policy Manager Paul Chaloux at 301-851-2064.

 

 

/s/

Osama El-Lissy

Deputy Administrator

Plant Protection and Quarantine