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moving regulated articles from currently un-infested areas. The level of monitoring needed to reassure these entities is not known at this time. Option 2: Create a new EAB regulatory program In this scenario, the MDA would continue to regulate EAB but with changes to the current regulations. For instance, there are some changes that could provide much of the benefit of the current program but with fewer constraints on the movement of materials. One such change would be to redefine the articles regulated for EAB. Currently, the articles regulated for emerald ash borer are: 1)Ash logs and lumber (excluding 4 cornered dimensional lumber) 2)Ash tree waste 3)Ash chips and mulch 4)All hardwood firewood (all hardwood firewood was included in federal and state regulations for EAB due to the inability of many users of firewood to discriminate between ash and other types of wood) These definitions could be edited to remove “All hardwood firewood” and broaden the ash logs and lumber to include any ash wood in any length, split or unsplit. This would reduce the regulated articles to only those that may actually move emerald ash borer. Although emerald ash borer has been documented to infest white fringe tree in Ohio, there is no risk of emerald ash borer infesting common non-ash firewood species such as oak, birch, maple, etc. This change would simplify emerald ash borer restrictions for firewood producers with the ability to exclude ash and aligns with the rules adapted by the Minnesota DNR for DNR managed lands to exclude ash firewood. Messaging around this change in regulations would emphasize that if in doubt, wood should be assumed to be ash and not moved. Also, the safest wood for consumers to use is MDA certified heat-treated firewood which should continue to be promoted as the best option for consumers. Another possible change would be to redefine the way that areas are regulated for EAB. Currently, emerald ash borer is regulated at the county level. This is a simple way to identify regulated areas. However, since infestations are not always found in the middle of a county, it is not a perfect way to define an infested area. For example, Wright County was quarantined after EAB was found in the Clearwater area. However, eastern Stearns County is much closer to the infestation and at greater risk than eastern Wright County. This change would rely on the MDA EAB online map to define areas regulated for EAB: www.mda.state.mn.us/eabstatus. It would be the responsibility of any entity moving articles regulated for EAB to insure the articles were not from an infested area. An opportunity for a new approach to EAB regulation unrelated to the current quarantine regulations is to transition the Tree Care Registry into a Tree Care Certification Program. This change would insure that tree care providers possess knowledge of best management practices to avoid spreading invasive species such as EAB. It would also provide the MDA with an opportunity to promote the importance of using a certified tree care service to the public. Some of the complications present in Option 1 also exist in Option 2. Again, an exterior quarantine would need to be put in place to replace the work previously done by USDA. Also, like in Option 1, it 27