Regulating firewood in NY: "Are we just spitting into the wind??"

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1 Regulating firewood in NY: "Are we just spitting into the wind??" Presented by Bruce Williamson NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Lands & Forests Albany, NY To: CONTINENTAL DIALOGUE ON NON-NATIVE FOREST INSECTS & DISEASES SIXTH DIALOGUE MEETING October 5-6, 2010 Waltham, Massachusetts

2 Lands & Forests Goals: Protect New York s forests, trees and communities from invasive, exotic forest pests Slow the introduction and spread of these pests in and around New York State

3 U.S. Invasives Target Map

4 Michigan: 21/26 first Firewood 21/26 Firewood state with EAB infestations. Related Infestations Related Infestations In 2005, 21 out of 26 new infestations were firewood related.

5 Emerald Ash Borer Threat to NY

6 Potential Asian Longhorned Beetle Movement Firewood with campers

7 U.S Oak Wilt Distribution U.S Oak Wilt Distribution Oak Wilt in NY, 2009: More than 300 miles from other Infected Oaks. Most likely to have arrived via firewood

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13 Campground outreach activities were fun and popular

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15 New York s Firewood Regulations Adopted: March 18, 2009 Definitions Prohibiting imports Restricting intra-state movement NY-Approved Treated Firewood New York-Sourced Firewood Self-Issued Certificate of Source

16 Firewood shall mean any kindling, logs, chunkwood, boards, timbers or other wood, of any tree species, cut and split, or not split, into a form and size appropriate for use as fuel.

17 Source shall mean the geographic location (village, town or city), the firewood producer declares as the source of the firewood. All trees or logs that have been, or will be processed into firewood that is declared to be from the named source shall have been grown within 50 miles of the declared source, prior to being obtained by the firewood producer.

18 50 miles the 50-mile restriction shall be determined using the scale-bar on a New York State road map, atlas or gazetteer, from the village, town or city identified as the declared source of the firewood in question.

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20 Prohibition on Movement of Firewood into New York State The movement of firewood of all types and species into New York State is prohibited, unless it is treated and labeled according to the standards outlined in subdivision (d) of this section.

21 Restricting intra-state movement The movement, sale or possession of untreated firewood is prohibited unless its source is identified, according to the criteria Firewood that is not treated in accordance with section (d) may not be moved more than 50 miles from it s declared source.

22 NY-Approved Treated Firewood firewood must carry with it the producer s certification that it was heat treated to achieve a minimum wood core temperature of 71 C for a minimum of 75 minutes. certification, if provided by the producer, must indicate the producer s name, legal address and declared business location (village, town or city) on a label, bill of sale or lading, purchase receipt or invoice attached to or accompanying such firewood sold or to be sold.

23 Treatment specs heat treated to achieve a minimum wood core temperature of 71 C for a minimum of 75 minutes

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25 New York-Sourced Firewood designation may only be applied to firewood that has its source no more than 50 miles from the producer s declared place of business (village, town or city), and wholly within New York State.

26 Self-Issued Certificate of Source Persons desiring to move firewood, for personal consumption (not for sale), that is not treated or identified as to source must obtain and possess a Self-Issued Certificate of Source from the department. [Possessor] must specify the source from which the firewood is being obtained and transported Firewood that is not treated may not be moved more than 50 miles from it s declared source.

27 Steps along the way: 2005 Outreach and awareness 2008 Emergency regulations focus on education 2009 Permanent regulations focus on education and warning 2010 Ramped up enforcement, checkpoints, confiscation, tickets

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32 Typical reactions and our responses

33 You can t enforce this regulation.

34 2007 Data For Adirondack Campgrounds 2009 Data For Adirondack Campgrounds 35% 50 Miles or Less 27.3% 50 Miles or Less 65% More Than 50 Miles 72.7% More Than 50 Miles 2007 Data For Catskill Campgrounds 2009 Data For Catskill Campgrounds 10.3% 43% 50 Miles or Less 50 Miles or Less 57% More Than 50 Miles 89.7% More Than 50 Miles

35 We don t want to offend our customers.

36 So what s the penalty?

37 The bugs are everywhere. What s the use?

38 But are they really?

39 Our Forestry Goal: Save as many trees as possible, in as much of New York State as possible, for as long as possible, from loss due to non-native forest insects and diseases.

40 Questions? Search words: firewood and invasive insects