IDNR bans firewood from emerald ash borer quarantine areas         

Encourages on-site purchase of firewood, alternative fuels, 'Bring it and burn it'

[JULY 29, 2006]  SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced an emergency regulation Thursday that prohibits bringing to or using at department sites firewood from any area where a quarantine has been imposed due to the discovery of the emerald ash borer. The new regulation, which is effective immediately, is intended to help prevent the spread of the emerald ash borer, particularly to any state park, fish and wildlife area, conservation area, recreation area, natural area, or other property owned or managed by the department.

The new regulation also bans the sale or distribution of firewood at Department of Natural Resources sites unless authorized in writing by the department. Many state parks offer firewood for purchase through local vendors and concessionaires. Through these agreements, the department will be able to monitor and control the source of firewood. Visitors may be asked by site or campground personnel to forfeit firewood if it has been brought to state sites from emerald ash borer quarantine areas.

"Our message to campers, picnickers and other visitors to our state parks is clear: Do not bring firewood to our parks if you know the wood is from an area under quarantine due to emerald ash borer," said Sam Flood, acting director of the Department of Natural Resources. "Whether you're coming to a state campground or having a family gathering at a park shelter, make sure you buy or bring only firewood that is well-seasoned and can be totally burned during your visit. With firewood, if you bring it, we want you to burn it before you leave the site. Consider using alternatives like charcoal and prefabricated logs that are available at retail outlets."

Transporting firewood is one way the emerald ash borer can be spread from areas with infested trees. Quarantines are imposed to prevent infested ash firewood, logs or nursery trees from being transported and starting new infestations.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture recently established a quarantine zone in Kane County, site of the first emerald ash borer infestation in the state. Movement of ash trees and ash materials out of the 51-square-mile area is prohibited to control the spread of the invasive pest. The Department of Agriculture also is conducting a tree survey of an emerald ash borer infestation in Wilmette and will amend the boundaries of its quarantine to include this area of Cook County after the severity of the infestation has been determined. Areas of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio are also under quarantine for emerald ash borer.

"Prevention is the only way to contain the spread of the emerald ash borer because no treatments currently exist to cure infested trees," Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke said. "The insect can fly only short distances on its own, so limiting the movement of firewood and other potentially infested wood products is the single most important step we can take to prevent the introduction of the pest to new areas and protect our state's ash trees."

Emerald ash borer is an exotic non-native insect that was first discovered in the U.S. near Detroit, Mich., in 2002 and is thought to have been transported from Asia in wood packing material shipped to the U.S. Adult beetles cause some damage to ash trees by eating foliage. The most significant damage is the result of emerald ash borer larvae feeding on the inner bark of ash trees, eventually killing the affected trees. More than 20 million trees are dead or dying in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio due to the damage caused by the pest.

In addition to the ban on firewood from quarantine areas being brought to or used at state sites, the Department of Natural Resources is participating in an expansion of the search for emerald ash borers through stepped-up monitoring for the beetle at state sites throughout northern and central Illinois.

Citizens can also help in detecting emerald ash borers. The presence of the bug is difficult to detect in newly infested trees. Watch for beetles of a metallic-green color about half the diameter of a penny on or near ash trees that are showing signs of disease or stress. Signs of the beetles in ash trees also include "D"-shaped holes in the bark of the trunk or branches, and shoots growing from the base of the tree. Contact a local county Cooperative Extension Service office if emerald ash borer infestation is suspected.

For more information on the emerald ash borer, check www.emeraldashborer.info.

Emergency rule regarding firewood at state sites

Amendment to 17 Ill. Adm. Code 110: Public Use of State Parks and Other Properties of the Department of Natural Resources

"It shall be unlawful:
For any person to bring or possess on Department of Natural Resources properties firewood from any geographical area where wood exportation has been prohibited by either State or federal quarantine; or to sell or distribute firewood on Department properties without prior written agreement with the Department pursuant to 17 Ill. Adm. Code 150 -- Regulations for the Letting of Concessions, Farm Leases, Sale of Buildings and Facilities, and Demolitions. Department staff may confiscate any firewood brought onto Department properties found to be in violation of this Part."

The new rule takes effect immediately and will be in effect for 150 days while a permanent rule is developed.

[Illinois Department of Natural Resources news release]

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