During the week of 16 July, the emerald ash borer was found in several locations in the towns of Beacon Falls, Bethany, Naugatuck, and Prospect, CT (all in New Haven County). This was the first find of this invasive and highly damaging insect within Connecticut.
In response to this discovery, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (Plant Protection and Quarantine Program) and the U.S. Forest Service, working together with local partners, are taking action both to define the extent of this infestation and to limit its spread beyond where the insect is already.
These actions include:
- a quarantine zone that would prohibit the movement of designated wood products (ash logs, hardwood firewood, yard waste, and ash nursery stock) out of New Haven County, the area in which EAB has now been detected;
- A ban on the importation of firewood into Connecticut through New York or Massachusetts – unless it is properly certified or has not come from an area of infestation;
- additional detection traps – known as “Barney” traps because of their purple color – in the Prospect area to monitor the presence of EAB and help assess their presence;
- a “delimiting” survey to help determine the area in which EAB is present and the extent of the infestation;
- suspension of all timber contracts and firewood permits for state forest lands in New Haven County; and
- a survey with federal agencies to determine how long the EAB infestation has been present in the state, information which will help determine best strategies for addressing it.
A previously imposed ban that has been in place against bringing any firewood into state parks and forests will continue. Wood is made available at these facilities for campers.
Media report:
Hartford Courant: Quarantine Takes Effect Thursday To Slow Spread Of Emerald Ash Borer (9 AUG 12)
Related information:
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Emerald Ash Borer Program Manual
Background information:
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
U.S. Forest Service Northeaster Area: Forest Health Protection - Emerald Ash Borer
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