Emerald Ash Borer Alert

July 27, 2012

Hartford, CT – As a member of the Regulation Review Committee, Senator Markley heard from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) experts about their emergency plan to combat an environmental threat that is attacking Ash trees in Connecticut.

The threat comes in the form of a destructive metallic green beetle called the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). The beetle was found in Prospect by environmental experts who were monitoring a wasp nesting area.

“I’m told this beetle is responsible for the destruction of tens-of-millions of ash trees in more than a dozen states across the Midwest and the Northeast,” said Sen. Markley. “Anything we can do to make sure the environment and business aren’t harmed here in Connecticut is important.”

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station (CAES) are now taking a series of strong, proactive steps aimed at preventing the spread of the invasive beetle. Including, an informational hearing in Prospect, scheduled for Wednesday August 8th at 7:00 pm at the Prospect Fire House, 26 New Haven Road.

Sen. Markley added, “I am very pleased DEEP officials will be coming out and talking with people affected. Residents in the Prospect area may also begin to see purple bags hanging from trees. They should not be alarmed. These are detection traps – a way for the environmental experts to trap the beetles and figure out what to do next.”

541 purple prism detection traps have been set across the state by The University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System.

“This is a disturbing discovery and one that has the potential for great environmental harm in the state,” said DEEP Commissioner Daniel C. Esty. “Connecticut has more than 22 million ash trees. The presence of EAB here could have a devastating effect on the wood product industries.”

WHAT THE STATE IS DOING:

A quarantine zone that would prohibit the movement of certain wood products out of New Haven County, the area in which EAB has now been detected.
A ban on the importation of firewood into Connecticut through New York or Massachusetts – unless it is properly certified or has not come from an area of infestation.
Additional detection traps – known as “Barney” traps because of their purple color – in the Prospect area to monitor the presence of EAB and help assess their presence.
A “delimiting” survey to help determine the area in which EAB is present and the extent of the infestation.
Suspension of all timber contracts and firewood permits for state forest lands in New Haven County.
A survey with federal agencies to determine how long the EAB infestation has been present in our state, information which will help determine best strategies for addressing it.
DEEP will also maintain a ban that has been in place against bringing any firewood into state parks and forests. Wood is made available at these facilities for campers.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

DEEP has put together additional information on this new environmental threat. You can click here to read their report. Meantime – here are some tips on stopping this bug:

Don’t move firewood that you believe to be infested. EAB larvae can survive hidden in the bark of firewood. Remember: buy local, burn local.
Inspect your trees. If you see any sign or symptom of an EAB infestation, contact your State Plant Health Director or State agriculture agency.

Dr. Louis A. Magnarelli, Ph.D., Dir. /The CT Agricultural Experiment Station
Phone: (203) 974-8440

Dr. Kirby C. Stafford III, Ph.D., Vice-Dir., Chief Scientist/State Entomologist
Phone: (203) 974-8485

For more information about EAB, visit www.emeraldashborer.info.