Emerald Ash Borer: No More Quarantine?

**Updated September 20, 2018**

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (AHPIS) sent out a bulletin on 09/18/2018 regarding their proposed removal of domestic quarantine regulations for the emerald ash borer (EAB) and they are currently looking for input. See information that came from USDA AHPIS below. Information can also be viewed by clicking here.

APHIS is proposing to remove the domestic quarantine regulations for the emerald ash borer (EAB). Eliminating this regulation is in keeping with USDA’s goal of reducing regulations that have outlived their usefulness. The proposal would end APHIS’ domestic regulatory activities, which includes actions such as issuing permits, certificates and compliance agreements, making site visits, and conducting investigations of suspected violations, and instead direct all available resources toward managing the pest. APHIS remains committed to controlling this invasive pest and wants to conduct more research and release a greater number of biological control agents—tiny stingless wasps that are natural predators of the EAB—since biocontrol has shown the most promise for stopping EAB’s spread.

We would like input on the proposal from you. Your participation in this process is valuable.

The proposed rule is available in the Federal Register and open for comment through November 19, 2018. APHIS will review all comments received during the comment period. If APHIS receives no new information significant enough to alter the proposal, APHIS will announce the final regulatory decision. The text of the final rule and discussion of the comments will be published in the Federal Register. Comments regarding the proposed rule for deregulation may be submitted by either of the following methods:

1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0056.

2. Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2017-0056, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

Supporting documents and any comments APHIS receives on this docket may be viewed athttp://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0056 or in the APHIS reading room, which is located in Room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 799-7039.

We look forward to continued collaboration with you and if you have questions about the proposed regulatory change for EAB, please feel free to contact the National Policy Manager Robyn Rose at 301-851-2283 or robyn.i.rose@aphis.usda.gov.

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The federal government is looking to possibly lift quarantines for the invasive emerald ash borer. Currently, this quarantine restricts movement of firewood from ash trees across state lines from states that already have emerald ash borer. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) told news sources that “33 states have EAB infestations, and every year the insect continues to be detected beyond the quarantine boundaries.” Based on the beetle’s continuous spread with the quarantine, eradication is not possible according to USDA APHIS. Federal and state forestry officials say that the quarantine has most likely slowed the spread of the emerald ash borer, but it hasn’t done enough to stop the spread.

U.S. Department of Agriculture/Flickr

USDA APHIS will make a final ruling in about 60 days after a public comment period in July 2018. The Forest Service considers the emerald ash borer to be the most destructive pest ever seen in North America, with economic costs reaching billions of dollars. Other approaches, including studies on resistant ash trees as well as biological controls are also being researched and explored. Developing a resistant tree and cloning it may be the best answer, says Connecticut state Forester Christopher Martin. Offering a silver lining, Martin said “We don’t think all hope is lost.”

Click here to read the full article

Original Article Information:
Marc Heller, E&E News reporter. Published: Tuesday, May 15, 2018.

OISC Celebrates 10 Years of Invasive Species Hotline

The Oregon Invasive Species Hotline has been around for 10 years now! Since its launch in 2008, there have been over 2000 reports submitted either online or by phone. The OISC would like to say THANK YOU to everyone that has reported invasive species sightings around the state -- you have contributed to vital early detection and rapid response efforts that aim to stop the spread of invasive species.

Percentage of All Reports by Species Category

In their efforts to detect new outbreaks, invasive species experts in Oregon face the daunting challenge of tracking hundreds of potential new invaders across millions of acres of farms, forests, and waterways. They can't do it alone. They need the help of all Oregonians to be their eyes in the field. To report invaders using the Oregon Invasive Species Online Hotline and search past reports, go here. To call in a sighting, call our Invasive Species Hotline: 1-866-INVADER (1-866-468-2337).

Visit our Report an Invader webpage to learn about other ways to report an invader!

Meet the 2018 OISC Chair

Each year, the position of OISC Chair rotates between ex-officio members of the Council. This year, the OISC welcomed its 2018 Council Chair, Glenn Dolphin, from the Oregon State Marine Board. 

Glenn is the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Program Coordinator for the State Marine Board and has been with the agency for 11 years. He oversees and coordinates with program partners that the statewide AIS Prevention Program charged with protecting Oregon against the invasion of new aquatic species and managing existing populations to prevent their spread to new waterbodies.      

2018 OISC Chair, Glenn Dolphin.

Glenn came to the Marine Board after working for the Marion Soil and Water Conservation District for five years. While at the District, Glenn became a certified USDA Conservation Farm Planner and a certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control by the International Erosion Control Association. He primarily worked with private landowners in Marion County to provide technical environmental planning assistance to help solve environmental concerns and to design restoration projects. He moved to Oregon 19 years ago, after graduating from college with his Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science with a water quality focus from the State University in New York at Plattsburgh. He is an outdoor recreation enthusiast and enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, boating and camping.

Meet The Five New Council Members - 2018

Each year, the Oregon Invasive Species Council (OISC) sends out a request for nominations to fill empty Council seats that become available at the end of the year. Council members are drawn from government agencies, tribes, universities, industries, organizations, and individuals with an interest and expertise in some aspect of invasive species management and strong nominees have expertise in one or more of the following areas: environmental law; marine and estuary ecology; aquaculture, horticulture; weed control; small woodlands; parks and recreation; science education/K-12; pet industry; regional coordination; and seed or nursery industry. More recently, the council has also particularly interested in gaining representation from Eastern, Southern, or Central Oregon.  

In December 2017, five new Council members were selected for 2018. With many well-qualified nominations coming in, it was a difficult task to narrow it down to only five. Thank you to everyone that submitted a nomination or letter of interest.

The Council would like to congratulate the following 2018 members:

• Nicole Brooks, Customs and Border Protection

2nd term on the Council

As an Agriculture Specialist with Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Nicole’s main focus is invasive pests arriving aboard international vessels and cargo. In her first term on the Council, Nicole contributed valuable expertise and timely updates about pressing issues. She continues to support collaborative efforts such as the Don’t Pack a Pest campaign and outreach to international students about the risks associated with bringing agricultural items into the U.S.

• Michelle Delepine, West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District

2nd term on the Council

As the Invasive Species Program Coordinator for the West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District, Michelle coordinates the early detection, rapid response (EDRR) program. She is also a co-chair of the 4-County Cooperative Weed Management Area, which spans Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington and Clark counties. In her first term on the Council, Michelle has been an avid supporter of enhancing communication and collaboration between a diversity of stakeholders. Her enthusiasm for tackling complex problems has been an inspiration.

• Kris Crowley, Burns Paiute Tribe

1st term on the Council

Kris Crowley’s experience working on aquatic invasive species began in 2012 at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Princeton, OR, where his primary focus was on the control of common carp to enhance native fish and wildlife habitat. In Fall of 2013, Kris began working at the Burns Paiute Tribe where he currently holds the position of Fisheries Program Manager. Kris is also the coordinator of the Malheur River Bull Trout Technical Advisory Committee and is involved with other collaborative groups in Eastern Oregon.

• Dave Pranger, Morrow County

1st term on the Council

Dave Pranger has lived in Heppner, OR working with Morrow County as a Weed Supervisor for 28 years.  He previously worked for Chemlawn Corp. (now TruGreen Lawn Care) for 5 ½ years. He is a board member and past President of Oregon Vegetation Management Association and is currently President of Oregon County Weed Control Association.

• Karen Ripley, US Forest Service

1st term on the Council

Karen Ripley is a Forest Entomologist with the US Forest Service and she specializes in Forest Health Monitoring and invasive insect issues for the West Coast. She previously was an Entomologist and Forest Health Program Manager with Washington’s Department of Natural Resources, providing education and technical assistance to state land managers and private forest landowners for 23 years. She also serves as an interagency Public Information Officer during wildfires and similar incidents.

US Forest Service: Invasive Plants Program Accomplishments - 2017

The US Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region recently released their Invasive Plants Program Accomplishments for the 2017 fiscal year. Some of the invasive species causing the greatest adverse effects in the region, as noted in the report, include knapweeds, Medusahead, Ventenata, annual Bromes, houndstongue, hawkweeds, reed canarygrass, and Scotch broom. During 2017, the Pacific Northwest Region exceeded their target and completed over 52,000 acres of invasive plant treatment. Some regional highlights include:

• Over 600 acres in the Sandy River Delta has been restored to hardwood forests and native understory plants as a result of invasive plant treatments, recreational enhancements, and native species planting.

• Nearly eradicated Eurasian watermilfoil from Coldwater Lake in Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.

• Inspected well over 160 gravel pits, both Forest Service and commercial, to develop weed free rock and gravel sources.

• Developed new partnership with the Burns Paiute Tribe to treat invasive plants in ancestral- use territories on national forest lands.

• Provided invasive plant prevention messaging to the Information Center for the 2017 total solar eclipse. 3,357 total public contacts were made.

You can read/download the full report by clicking the image below: