NEWS RELEASE l Ohio Department of Agriculture
Governor Bob Taft Lieutenant Governor Bruce Johnson Director Fred L. Dailey		Communications Office 8995 East Main Street • Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068 Phone: 614-752-9817 • Fax 614-466-7754 ODA URL: www.ohioagriculture.gov • e-mail: agri@agri.ohio.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Firewood Movement Is Serious Pest Problem

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (May 20, 2005) – Ohio Governor Bob Taft has proclaimed May 22-28 Ohio Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week to remind citizens to refrain from moving firewood. Firewood is the major source of Ohio’s Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestations – an important message as the camping season opens over Memorial Day weekend.

“Every citizen has a stake and can share in the solution to saving our state’s valuable ash trees, which enhance our quality of life,” said Gov. Bob Taft. “Let’s all do our part to get the message out and avert an environmental disaster.”

State quarantines make it illegal to move ash-tree materials and firewood out of Michigan into Ohio and out of designated areas in northwest Ohio, including parts of Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, and Wood counties. Violators face fines up to $4,000. Ash trees, logs, branches, limbs, woodchips larger than an inch, other ash-tree materials, and non-coniferous (non-evergreen) firewood are prohibited from leaving quarantined areas.

To enforce the ban on firewood movement, state and federal officials will check vehicles at several northwest Ohio locations, Thursday, May 26 and Friday, May 27. Both federal and Ohio laws authorize such inspections to prevent the spread of invasive pests.

“Emerald Ash Borer is a serious problem, and the spread of this devastating pest should not be taken lightly,” said Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Fred L. Dailey. “Handing out fines is not popular but has to be done to halt the artificial spread of EAB. It only takes one piece of infested ash firewood to start a new infestation – a death sentence for nearby ash trees.”

For more information or to view maps of Ohio’s quarantined areas, go to www.ohioagriculture.gov/eab and look for “Facts About Ohio’s Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine,” or call the department toll-free at 1-888-OHIO-EAB.

-30-.

Media Contact: Melissa Brewer, EAB Communications, 614.728.6404