Emerald ash borer regulations in plain language

Emerald Ash Borer Regulations in Plain Language
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an exotic invasive pest of ash trees in Georgia. It is established in numerous other states and was first found in 2013 in two counties in Georgia (DeKalb and Fulton). EAB is highly destructive to ash trees and nursery stock and a serious threat to the ash component in Georgia s forests. To combat the spread of EAB a quarantine has been established to prevent human-assisted transport of EAB to counties where the beetle has not yet been detected.
Native to Asia EAB is a small bullet-shaped to inch long emerald colored beetle. In Georgia from March to November adult beetles emerge from ash trees and females search for and lay eggs on the bark of ash trees. The larvae burrow into and feed on the inner bark of ash trees until the following spring. It is difficult to determine if ash trees logs and products are infested because EAB larvae continue feeding under the bark and develop within ash logs long after they have been cut or processed. For this reason human-assisted transport of potentially infested ash must be regulated to slow the spread of EAB throughout our state.
The state has been divided into two different zones based on the year-round risk of EAB emergence. Southern portions of Georgia are at a risk for EAB emergence year round (flight zone) while emergence is very low from November 1 to March 1 in the northern part of the state (nonflight zone). See EAB Activity Map at http //www.gatrees.org/forest-management/foresthealth/eab/index.cfm .
Since its initial detection in 2013 ash materials from several counties have been placed under the EAB quarantine. As EAB is detected in new counties the quarantined areas will be updated. Please check the EAB Quarantine Map on the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) website to for the most up-to-date quarantine map www.gfc.state.ga.us/forest-management/foresthealth/eab/index.cfm
A few quick details about the EAB quarantine
Ash materials and products from EAB quarantined areas may be moved freely within quarantined areas.
Facilities shipping ash products originating inside a quarantined area or receiving ash materials from quarantined areas must obtain a Compliance Agreement. Each load of ash products must be accompanied by a Certificate.
In the northern region (non-flight zones) untreated ash materials from quarantined areas can only be moved outside of a quarantined area from November 1 to March 1 and each load must be accompanied by the appropriate documentation.
In the southern region (flight zones) untreated ash materials from quarantined areas must remain within quarantined areas year-round.
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Emerald Ash Borer Regulations in Plain Language
Compliance Agreements verify that a facility meets the criteria for the treatment of ash materials for EAB. (See Addendum to PPQ Form 519 for treatment processes that meet EAB Quarantine criteria.) A Compliance Agreement will be issued by a regulatory agent once a site inspection has been conducted and he verifies that your facility meets the criteria for treatment. To request a Compliance Agreement visit http //www.gatrees.org/forest-management/foresthealth/eab/index.cfm Information needed to complete the application includes
Contact name mailing address and phone number Physical location of receiving mill Type of ash material being treated (i.e. logs green lumber firewood chips) Type of treatment (i.e. debarking fumigation heat treatment chipping) Requests for Compliance Agreements will be taken on a first come first served basis and responded to as calendars allow. Limited Permits allow movement of untreated ash products from a quarantined area to a nonquarantined area. In Georgia Limited Permits will only be assigned on a load by load basis from November 1 March 1 and only in the northern region of the state. Certificates are attached to loads of ash materials or ash products to verify that they have been treated in a way that prevents the movement of EAB. Transporting untreated ash from quarantined to non-quarantined areas or knowingly selling ash products from a quarantined area in a non-quarantined area without an accompanying Certificate or Limited Permit violates federal and state regulations.
Thank you for doing your part to keep Georgia s forests healthy
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Emerald Ash Borer Regulations in Plain Language
Explanation of How to Handle Ash Logs Products and Waste Materials
Harvesting Ash Logs
Ash logs cut in non-quarantined counties may be moved throughout Georgia year round.
Ash logs cut within quarantined areas can be transported within the quarantined areas year round.
In the southern region (flight zone) ash logs cut within quarantined areas must remain in quarantined areas.
However in the northern region (non-flight zone) ash logs cut in quarantined areas can only be moved into non-quarantined areas from November 1 to March 1 and must be accompanied by a Certificate or Limited Permit. Processing facilities receiving those ash logs must have a current Compliance Agreement.
Once harvested ash logs in quarantined areas must be either loaded separately in ash only loads or if in mixed loads the butts of round ash logs must be painted in a manner that distinguishes them from the other logs. Loads containing ash logs cut from quarantined areas must also be accompanied by either
1. A Limited Permit to verify the untreated ash will only be transported to a receiving mill that has a Compliance Agreement. OR
2. A Certificate to verify the ash has been properly treated on site. Treatments include a. Chipped to 1 inch in two dimensions b. Debarked and removal of additional inch of wood
Ash materials must be assembled in a location and a manner to ease the inspection process so a Certificate or Limited Permit may be easily issued. Load sheets must state number of ash logs within load and the destination of the logs.
Both Certificates and Limited Permits are valid for 4 weeks extended dates are possible by approval of an EAB inspection agent. Limited Permits and Certificates are produced in triplicate with one copy remaining with the EAB inspector and two copies going with the load to the receiving mill. Once signed the mill keeps one copy and returns the second copy to the EAB inspector.
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Emerald Ash Borer Regulations in Plain Language
Receiving facilities must keep copies of Certificates and Limited Permits for 36 months. Each logger and facility will ensure the Certificates and Limited Permits are safeguarded from misuse unauthorized use and loss. No duplicates of Certificates or Limited Permits may be created without approval of a federal or state regulatory agent.
Ash logs brought from a quarantined area into a non-quarantined area between March 1 and November 1 that are not accompanied by the appropriate documentation must be immediately destroyed on site. An Emergency Action Notification (EAN) may be issued for mandatory destruction of the ash and the date by which the ash must be destroyed.
Processing Facility Outside Quarantined Areas
Facilities outside of quarantined areas must sign a Compliance Agreement to receive ash materials from quarantined areas. Processing facilities may only receive ash materials from the northern region (non-flight zone) quarantined areas from November 1 through March 1. Processing facilities outside the quarantined areas may never receive ash materials from southern region (flight zone) quarantined areas.
Untreated Ash Untreated ash shipments may only be received from quarantined areas between November 1 and March 1. Each untreated ash load must be accompanied by a Limited Permit when it is received at your facility. All ash materials must be stored separately from other materials until processed.
All ash from quarantined areas must be either 1. Debarked and removal of additional inch of wood 2. Kiln sterilized (maximum wood thickness of 3 inches) 3. Fumigated 4. Heat treated
See Addendum to PPQ Form 519 for specific treatment schedules.
Ash materials must be processed before March 1.
Processing facilities outside quarantined areas may receive treated ash materials accompanied by a Certificate year round.
A Certificate must accompany each shipment of processed ash products.
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Emerald Ash Borer Regulations in Plain Language
Each facility must keep copies of Certificates and Limited Permits for 36 months. The responsible representative at your facility will ensure the Certificates and Limited Permits are safeguarded from misuse unauthorized use and loss. No duplicates of Certificates or Limited Permits may be created without approval of a state regulatory agent. Ash materials brought from a quarantined area into a non-quarantined area between March 1 and November 1 that are not accompanied by the appropriate documentation must be immediately destroyed on site by the receiving facility. (See attached treatment schedules for more details.) An Emergency Action Notification (EAN) may be issued for mandatory destruction of the ash and the date by which the ash must be destroyed.
Processing Facility Inside Quarantined Areas Processing facilities inside quarantined areas may receive ash materials from any area of the state year-round. Facilities within quarantined areas must sign a Compliance Agreement for processing ash that will be transported outside the quarantined area. All ash from quarantined areas must be either
1. Debarked and removal of additional inch of wood 2. Kiln sterilized (maximum wood thickness of 3 inches) 3. Fumigated 4. Heat treated See Addendum to PPQ Form 519 for specific treatment schedules. A Certificate must accompany each shipment of processed ash products. Each facility must keep copies of Certificates and Limited Permits for 36 months. The responsible representative at your facility will ensure the Certificates and Limited Permits are safeguarded from misuse unauthorized use and loss. No duplicates of Certificates or Limited Permits may be created without approval of a state regulatory agent.
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Emerald Ash Borer Regulations in Plain Language
Pallet Stock
Facilities outside of quarantined areas which receive ash materials from quarantined areas to create pallets must sign a Compliance Agreement in order to handle transport or sell such products in non-quarantined areas. Ash pallets must be heat treated to meet ISPM-15 standards for wood packing materials. Heat treatments must achieve a minimum of 56oC (132.8oF) for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Since EAB larvae can survive within cut (non-kiln dried) ash boards pallets cannot have bark on them and must be heat treated to meet ISPM-15 Standards. See Addendum to PPQ Form 519 for details on heat treatment.
A Certificate must accompany each load shipped to non-quarantined areas which contain pallets made of or reconditioned with ash originating from a quarantined area.
Mulch or Waste Facilities
Ash materials cut in non-quarantined areas may be moved throughout Georgia year round.
Ash materials cut within quarantined areas can be transported within the quarantined areas year round.
In the southern region (flight zone) ash materials cut within quarantined areas must remain in quarantined areas.
However in the northern region (non-flight zone) ash materials cut in quarantined areas can only be moved into non-quarantined areas from November 1 to March 1 and must have a Certificate or Limited Permit. Processing facilities receiving those ash materials must have a current Compliance Agreement.
All loads containing ash materials must be stored separately from other materials until processed. Ash material received for mulch or waste must be
1. Chipped to 1 inch in two dimensions or 2. Composted See the Addendum to PPQ Form 519 for a more detailed explanation of treatment procedures.
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Emerald Ash Borer Regulations in Plain Language
A Certificate must accompany each shipment of processed ash products.
No ash waste or slab material from a quarantined area may be sold as firewood or moved outside of a quarantined area without a Certificate. Ash waste or slab material generated from a nonquarantined area may be sold throughout the state year round.
Both Certificates and Limited Permits are valid for 4 weeks extended dates are possible by approval of a state regulatory agent. Limited Permits and Certificates are produced in triplicate with one copy staying with the state regulatory agent and two copies going with the load and remaining at the receiving facility.
Receiving facilities must keep copies of Certificates and Limited Permits for 36 months. Each facility will ensure the Certificates and Limited Permits are safeguarded from misuse unauthorized use and loss. No duplicates of Certificates or Limited Permits may be created without approval of a state regulatory agent.
Ash materials brought from a quarantined area into a non-quarantined area between March 1 and November 1 that are not accompanied by the appropriate documentation must be immediately destroyed on site by the receiving facility. (See attached treatment schedules for more details.) An Emergency Action Notification (EAN) may be issued for mandatory destruction of the ash and the date by which the ash must be destroyed.
Firewood
All hardwood firewood leaving a quarantined area must
Be under a Compliance Agreement and be treated by one of the following methods
1. Debarked and removal of additional inch of wood 2. Kiln dried 3. Fumigated 4. Heat treated See the Addendum to PPQ Form 519 for a more detailed explanation of treatment procedures.
Firewood must be bundled and each bundle must have a unique Certificate to verify it has been properly treated.
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Emerald Ash Borer Regulations in Plain Language
Nursery Stock
There is no approved treatment / mitigation for ash nursery stock. Ash nursery stock within quarantined areas can only be transported within the quarantined areas.
Ash nursery stock within quarantined areas must remain in quarantined areas.
Ash nursery stock in non-quarantined counties may be moved throughout Georgia year round.
Treatment Procedures to Remove EAB from Ash Logs and Products
The following is a simplified list of treatment options for ash logs and ash materials. Review the Addendum to PPQ Form 519 - Treatment Options attached to your Compliance Agreement for specific details regarding the procedures listed below.
Ash Logs There are four different ways to treat ash logs
1. Chip to 1 inch in two dimensions 2. Debark and remove an additional inch of wood 3. Fumigate 4. Heat treat
Green/Untreated Ash Lumber There are four different ways to treat ash lumber
1. Debark and remove an additional inch of wood 2. Kiln sterilize 3. Fumigate 4. Heat treat
Pallets with Ash Boards Pallets with ash boards must be heat treated at 132.8 F core temperature for 30 minutes.
Ash Wood Chips & Mulch There are two different ways to treat ash materials
1. Chip to 1 inch in two dimensions 2. Compost
Hardwood Firewood There are four different ways to treat hardwood firewood
1. Debark and remove an additional inch of wood 2. Kiln sterilize 3. Fumigate 4. Heat treat
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Emerald Ash Borer Regulations in Plain Language
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