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USDA APHIS & FIREWOOD

USDA APHIS & FIREWOOD. NAASF Joint Committee Meeting Cooperative Forest Management and Forest Utilization Lake Placid, NY June 15-17, 2010. Paul Chaloux National Program Manager

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USDA APHIS & FIREWOOD

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  1. USDA APHIS & FIREWOOD NAASF Joint Committee Meeting Cooperative Forest Management and Forest Utilization Lake Placid, NY June 15-17, 2010 Paul Chaloux National Program Manager United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine National Program Manager Emerald Ash Borer Program

  2. Background and History • Pathway analysis for EAB • Many infestations located in or near campgrounds • Quickly became apparent that a variety of pests could move with firewood • All hardwood firewood regulated in ALB and EAB quarantines

  3. What Pests? Firewood can spread a number of forest pests and diseases: • ALB • Beech bark disease • Dutch elm disease • Emerald Ash Borer • Gypsy moth • Hemlock woolly adelgid • Oak wilt • Sudden oak death • Etcetera, ad nauseaum

  4. How Firewood Moves • Bundled firewood sold at retail outlets – can move from coast to coast • Cordwood sales – usually sold within 50 miles • Non-commercial movement • Camping trips • Second/vacation homes • Anything else you can think of

  5. Do People Really Bring Firewood with Them? • In 3.5 hours during a firewood stop on a road outside the quarantined area, 318 pieces of firewood were seized moving in violation of federal and state quarantines. • On a tip, all campers at a Michigan state park over a specified weekend were contacted and asked if they moved firewood in to the park. Of those that responded 75% brought firewood to the park, one man hauling it from his back yard in Kentucky to Michigan.

  6. More History… • Resolutions asking APHIS to publish National firewood regulations • National Plant Board • National Assoc. of State Foresters • Some States have established regulations or policies for firewood

  7. So, We Have a Problem… • Defining firewood • National and regional scale producers accessible for Federal regulation and enforcement • Small scale producers and private citizens are not • This is the higher risk class • Buyers for retail chains like “bright lines” • Certified firewood? • Lack of an industry organization

  8. Solving the Problem • Listening sessions to gather ideas • Needed – a comprehensive strategy • Regulations, State and Federal • Coordinated outreach and public education efforts • Voluntary measures, including BMPs • Multiple parties need to be involved in implementation • Private sector and governmental

  9. National Firewood Task Force • Multi-agency group • National Plant Board • National Association of State Foresters • U.S. Forest Service • National Park Service • APHIS • Charged with developing recommendations for the comprehensive strategy • Also asked to identify others who will need to be involved

  10. NFTF at Work • Met by phone and in person • Divided into three sub-committees • Regulations, Outreach, Voluntary • Specific recommendations from each sub-group • Report with recommendations is being finalized now

  11. Recommendations for Regulations • Best Management Practices • Treatment, labeling, record keeping • Pointers for consumers • Federal Regulations • Labeling and record keeping requirements ASAP • Treatment requirements to be added later if needed • States should base regulations they develop on BMPs

  12. Recommendations for Outreach • Consistent core message(s) • Focus on connection between firewood and the movement of invasives • Targeted audiences & outlets • TV and Radio PSAs to reach private citizens • Robust internet presence • Trade journals • Corporate buyers • Outdoors recreation industries • Messages to support regulations

  13. Recommendations for Voluntary Measures • Promote BMPs for the firewood industry • Encourage a voluntary certification program • Industry run if possible • Needs an industry organization • Follow standards in BMPs • Proprietary labeling device • Marketing advantages • Firewood exchange programs at campgrounds

  14. Questions and Feedback? Are there parts of this strategy you can assist in implementing? Paul Chaloux USDA APHIS PPQ National Program Manager 4700 River Road, Unit 137 Riverdale, MD 20737 301-734-0917 paul.chaloux@aphis.usda.gov

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