2019-1-3_PR Comm Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULATORY NOTICE: NoRegulated Articles are legally allowed to move outside of a quarantine (untreated or treated), unless they are accompanied by a certificateor limited permit. Certificates and limited permits are only available when a compliance agreement is signed between the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the firm interested in moving the regulated article. Emerald ash borer (EAB) was identified in Wright County, Minnesota in the City of Clearwater off of I-94. An emergency quarantine was placed on Wright County immediately after receiving confirmation by USDA APHIS PPQ identifiers. No comments were received during the 45 day public comment period. The formal quarantine went in effect on November 1, 2018. Six (6) compliance agreements were renewed this reporting period. There are now ten (10) certified firewood producers in Minnesota. Wood Chuckers Firewood out of St. Cloud is the eighth (8) MDA certified firewood producer. Split Fire Inc. in Cannon Falls and Pro-Cut Firewood in Rochester are USDA certified firewood producers. There are three (3) active firewood quarantine violations or MDA certificate misuse cases being investigated. More information about those cases will be shared during the next forum after the cases are closed. USDA has proposed deregulation of EAB at the federal level. If that proposal proceeds, Minnesota will need to determine what to do at the state level. The MDA has prepared a set of three general options (see Emerald Ash Borer Regulatory Options) and is taking input from partners and stakeholders. The MDA is happy to meet with any interested groups on the issue. A meeting at the MDA has been scheduled for February 11, 2019 from 1- 3PM (with opportunities to join remotely) to discuss a draft plan of action. A formal comment period will follow the meeting through March 22, 2019. We anticipate having a plan in place by March 29, 2019. OUTREACH MDA Guidelines to Slow the Growth and Spread of Emerald Ash Borer are available on the MDA webpage: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/inline- files/EAB%20Management%20Guidelines%202018%20WEB.pdf A presentation on EAB was given to Golden Valley Parks and Public Works staff on 11/20/18 that was followed by a delimit survey of the city. Nearly the entire city was surveyed with only 2 new infested tree locations found that were within a few blocks of the original find. The city has a management plan in place, but is still deciding how to deal with private trees. th An EAB workshop and delimit survey is planned for Tuesday, December 18in Clearwater, MN. Staff from Wright, Sherburne and Stearns County along with the city of Clearwater are all participating. This year we contracted out with one advertising firm who is handling all of our EAB/ don’t move firewood outreach. This year we focused our messaging on two main areas: within the EAB and gypsy moth quarantined counties and high-risk areas for spread. The firm we hired had some interesting creative ideas that we are excited about: Icebox wraps at gas stations as well as the screens at gas station pumps. Since this outreach project began in May we have fielded 106 EAB calls, only a handful were positive. We have also received many EddMaps reports. Overall the quality of reports is going up in terms of accuracy. We are starting to plan our Forest Pest First Detector Trainings that will be happening in late February or early March 2019. rd Field workshops will likely be held in Clearwater and Duluth in March. A 3 location is possible.\\ Regional meetings are planned for February and locations are being identified. Last year’s meetings were held in St Cloud and Mankato. At least one meeting this year will be available for remote attendance. 23