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“MDA remains committed to protecting the ash resource in the U.P.. from the artificial spread of EAB and
this amendment simply allows us to focus our attention there,” said Ken Rauscher, MDA’s Pesticide and
Plant Pest Management Division Director. “Although, travelers are now able to freely move firewood in the
Lower Peninsula, we are urging them not to do so as there are several other invasive insects - such as
Asian Longhorned Beetle and Sirex Woodwasp - that can hitch a ride on it. Please continue to only use
local sources of firewood, burn all you buy, and don’t take any unused firewood back home or to the next
location.”
"Campers and hunters are reminded to purchase firewood locally when visiting state parks, recreation
areas and state forest campgrounds,” Ron Olson, Parks and Recreation chief for the Michigan Department
of Natural Resources. “Bringing ash firewood onto state forests, state parks, recreation areas, and state
forest campgrounds violates state land use rules."
Prior to this revision, MDA’s EAB interior quarantine divided the Lower Peninsula into two quarantine levels:
21 counties in Southeast Michigan were Level I and the remaining 47counties were Level II. This revision
effective merges the two quarantines and make the entire Lower Peninsula on level.
“Hardwood firewood is still prohibited from leaving the Lower Peninsula as it is the leading cause of
spreading EAB and other invasives. Quarantine violators can still face fines and jail time,” said Rauscher.
“The inspection station at the Mackinac Bridge remains in place and will continue to prevent hardwood
firewood and other regulated ash material from entering the UP..”
The addition of Delta and Schoolcraft Counties to the EAB interior quarantine is a result of an EAB
infestation discovered in the fall of 2008.
The Delta County quarantine is divided into two levels; the townships of Garden, Fairbanks and Nahma are
designated as Quarantine Level II, and the remaining portion of Delta County is Level III.
The Schoolcraft County quarantine is also divided into two levels; the townships of Inwood and Thompson
are designated as Quarantine Level II, and the remaining portion of Schoolcraft is Level III. The movement
of hardwood firewood and other regulated material out of quarantine Level II and III areas is prohibited
except regulated articles may move from Level III into Level II.
EAB is an exotic insect native to Asia that attacks ash trees. In its larval stage, EAB feeds undetected under
the bark of ash trees, disrupting water and nutrient flow - ultimately killing the trees in three to four years.
First discovered in 2002, the borer is responsible for the death or damage of approximately 35 million ash
trees in the LP
Individuals or businesses found violating the state’s EAB quarantine are subject to fines ranging from
$1,000 to $250,000 and jail time of up to five years for moving regulated ash materials, including firewood.
Additional information about EAB, quarantine details, and a map of the quarantine boundaries are available
at www.michigan.gov/eab or www.emeraldashborer.info.
this amendment simply allows us to focus our attention there,” said Ken Rauscher, MDA’s Pesticide and
Plant Pest Management Division Director. “Although, travelers are now able to freely move firewood in the
Lower Peninsula, we are urging them not to do so as there are several other invasive insects - such as
Asian Longhorned Beetle and Sirex Woodwasp - that can hitch a ride on it. Please continue to only use
local sources of firewood, burn all you buy, and don’t take any unused firewood back home or to the next
location.”
"Campers and hunters are reminded to purchase firewood locally when visiting state parks, recreation
areas and state forest campgrounds,” Ron Olson, Parks and Recreation chief for the Michigan Department
of Natural Resources. “Bringing ash firewood onto state forests, state parks, recreation areas, and state
forest campgrounds violates state land use rules."
Prior to this revision, MDA’s EAB interior quarantine divided the Lower Peninsula into two quarantine levels:
21 counties in Southeast Michigan were Level I and the remaining 47counties were Level II. This revision
effective merges the two quarantines and make the entire Lower Peninsula on level.
“Hardwood firewood is still prohibited from leaving the Lower Peninsula as it is the leading cause of
spreading EAB and other invasives. Quarantine violators can still face fines and jail time,” said Rauscher.
“The inspection station at the Mackinac Bridge remains in place and will continue to prevent hardwood
firewood and other regulated ash material from entering the UP..”
The addition of Delta and Schoolcraft Counties to the EAB interior quarantine is a result of an EAB
infestation discovered in the fall of 2008.
The Delta County quarantine is divided into two levels; the townships of Garden, Fairbanks and Nahma are
designated as Quarantine Level II, and the remaining portion of Delta County is Level III.
The Schoolcraft County quarantine is also divided into two levels; the townships of Inwood and Thompson
are designated as Quarantine Level II, and the remaining portion of Schoolcraft is Level III. The movement
of hardwood firewood and other regulated material out of quarantine Level II and III areas is prohibited
except regulated articles may move from Level III into Level II.
EAB is an exotic insect native to Asia that attacks ash trees. In its larval stage, EAB feeds undetected under
the bark of ash trees, disrupting water and nutrient flow - ultimately killing the trees in three to four years.
First discovered in 2002, the borer is responsible for the death or damage of approximately 35 million ash
trees in the LP
Individuals or businesses found violating the state’s EAB quarantine are subject to fines ranging from
$1,000 to $250,000 and jail time of up to five years for moving regulated ash materials, including firewood.
Additional information about EAB, quarantine details, and a map of the quarantine boundaries are available
at www.michigan.gov/eab or www.emeraldashborer.info.
MUSKEGON CONSERVATION DISTRICT
| The mission of the Muskegon Conservation District is serving, educating, and empowering our community for natural resource protection by providing site-specific technical assistance and information to landowners in all aspects of natural resource management. |
| This site and content are the property of the Muskegon Conservation District |
Lansing - The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) today revised its
Emerald Ash Borer quarantine to consolidate all 68 contiguous counties of the
Lower Peninsula into one quarantine level – effective immediately. MDA,
however, is asking travelers not to move firewood to help prevent the artificial
spread of other exotic and devastating insects like Gypsy Moth. The ban on
moving firewood across the Mackinac Bridge remains in effect. As part of the
amendment, Delta and Schoolcraft counties in the Upper Peninsula were also
added to the EAB interior quarantine.
Emerald Ash Borer quarantine to consolidate all 68 contiguous counties of the
Lower Peninsula into one quarantine level – effective immediately. MDA,
however, is asking travelers not to move firewood to help prevent the artificial
spread of other exotic and devastating insects like Gypsy Moth. The ban on
moving firewood across the Mackinac Bridge remains in effect. As part of the
amendment, Delta and Schoolcraft counties in the Upper Peninsula were also
added to the EAB interior quarantine.
70 YEARS OF CONSERVATION! On November 13, 2008, the Muskegon
Conservation District praised local environmental leaders as part of their 70th
Anniversary. As part of a celebration event looking back at 70 years of
conservation, the Conservation District recognized that history is happening this
very moment; and that the future success of natural resource conservation
throughout the region is dependent on local environmental leaders.
Laurie Perham, a teacher at Steele Middle School, received the Educator of Year
award for her hard work, conservation ethic, and dedication in protecting
Muskegon County’s natural resources. Over the past five years Perham has
partnered with the Adopt-A-Stream program and Herman Miller, Inc. toimprove
students’ reading, writing, math, and science skills while instilling a respect for
the environment. Students looked at a variety of natural resource issues and
Conservation District praised local environmental leaders as part of their 70th
Anniversary. As part of a celebration event looking back at 70 years of
conservation, the Conservation District recognized that history is happening this
very moment; and that the future success of natural resource conservation
throughout the region is dependent on local environmental leaders.
Laurie Perham, a teacher at Steele Middle School, received the Educator of Year
award for her hard work, conservation ethic, and dedication in protecting
Muskegon County’s natural resources. Over the past five years Perham has
partnered with the Adopt-A-Stream program and Herman Miller, Inc. toimprove
students’ reading, writing, math, and science skills while instilling a respect for
the environment. Students looked at a variety of natural resource issues and
studied the water quality of Ryerson Creek, which runs behind Steele Middle School and through the
neighborhoods where students live and play. Ted Stojak, Plant Engineering Manager at Herman Miller who
also serves on the Board of Directors at the Muskegon Conservation District commented on Perham’s
work; “By looking at local environmental changes, Laurie is empowering students to seek options outside
of the mainstream and show how they can make a difference.” Stojak also praised the efforts of Sandy
Corrello from the Adopt-A-Stream program for her leadership and inspiration by engaging students in real
world experiences and projects.
Local environmentalist Tanya Cabala was also recognized at the meeting and received the Friend of the
District award. Cabala, the owner of Great Lakes Consulting, works for environmental interest groups and
agencies in the Great Lakes. She began her career twenty years ago as a full-time volunteer community
environmental activist and then served for 14 years as the Michigan Director for the Lake Michigan
Federation (now the Alliance for the Great Lakes). The District acknowledged Cabala as a true friend and
partner by working on projects, programs, and sharing a common vision that highlights the successes of
the District and encourages others to utilize the public services available throughout the region. Over the
past two years Cabala was instrumental to the District partnering with the City of Whitehall, Alcoa Howmet,
and the Chamber of Commerce on several conservation projects in the White Lake Area.
The District’s premier award went to Alcoa Howmet as Conservationist of the Year, praising the
significant effort local personnel have made to preserve and restore natural resources throughout the
community. Nearly a decade ago Alcoa Howmet began working with the Conservation District and
sponsored the White Pines Project which introduced elementary school students throughout the region to
Michigan’s State tree. The program taught about the historical significance of the tree, introduced concepts
in forest ecology, and planted thousands of white pine seedlings at schools and homes in Muskegon
County. This unique hands-on connection to the environment led to many other school and community
programs including acquisition of Alcoa Foundation monies to fund GVSU’s Annis Water Resources
Institute and the Muskegon Conservation District to complete a feasibility study on the White River
watershed. This initiative, which included a preliminary habitat assessment, water quality study, and a
public outreach program, led to the formation of the White River Watershed Partnership. Since that time
their partnership with the Conservation District has also included funding and support for the Youth and
Environment Summit, the Outdoor Investigations Program and construction of the Alcoa Outdoor
Investigations Classroom, the Slocum Hill Native Landscape Project, the Serene Tree / White Lake Bike
Path Native Landscape Project, and the White Lake Area Hike Series.
Most notable in the long list of community environmental projects is a recent enterprise by Alcoa Howmet to
convert 4.5 acres of traditional turf grass landscape to native prairie and oak savannah at their Plant 4 in
Whitehall. Jeff Auch, Executive Director of the Muskegon Conservation District lauded Alcoa Howmet’s
actions by saying; “The project highlights their dedication to the community and the environment by not only
increasing habitat and improving water quality, but also by rebuilding the local green infrastructure. This
proactive approach to environmental sustainability will be a great model for business, commerce, and local
municipalities.” As icing on the cake, Alcoa Howmet, sponsored the 70th Anniversary event for the
Muskegon Conservation District as a way to say thank you for everything the District has accomplished in
the last 70 years, not knowing originally that it was to receive an award at this same event.
__________________________________________________________________________________
neighborhoods where students live and play. Ted Stojak, Plant Engineering Manager at Herman Miller who
also serves on the Board of Directors at the Muskegon Conservation District commented on Perham’s
work; “By looking at local environmental changes, Laurie is empowering students to seek options outside
of the mainstream and show how they can make a difference.” Stojak also praised the efforts of Sandy
Corrello from the Adopt-A-Stream program for her leadership and inspiration by engaging students in real
world experiences and projects.
Local environmentalist Tanya Cabala was also recognized at the meeting and received the Friend of the
District award. Cabala, the owner of Great Lakes Consulting, works for environmental interest groups and
agencies in the Great Lakes. She began her career twenty years ago as a full-time volunteer community
environmental activist and then served for 14 years as the Michigan Director for the Lake Michigan
Federation (now the Alliance for the Great Lakes). The District acknowledged Cabala as a true friend and
partner by working on projects, programs, and sharing a common vision that highlights the successes of
the District and encourages others to utilize the public services available throughout the region. Over the
past two years Cabala was instrumental to the District partnering with the City of Whitehall, Alcoa Howmet,
and the Chamber of Commerce on several conservation projects in the White Lake Area.
The District’s premier award went to Alcoa Howmet as Conservationist of the Year, praising the
significant effort local personnel have made to preserve and restore natural resources throughout the
community. Nearly a decade ago Alcoa Howmet began working with the Conservation District and
sponsored the White Pines Project which introduced elementary school students throughout the region to
Michigan’s State tree. The program taught about the historical significance of the tree, introduced concepts
in forest ecology, and planted thousands of white pine seedlings at schools and homes in Muskegon
County. This unique hands-on connection to the environment led to many other school and community
programs including acquisition of Alcoa Foundation monies to fund GVSU’s Annis Water Resources
Institute and the Muskegon Conservation District to complete a feasibility study on the White River
watershed. This initiative, which included a preliminary habitat assessment, water quality study, and a
public outreach program, led to the formation of the White River Watershed Partnership. Since that time
their partnership with the Conservation District has also included funding and support for the Youth and
Environment Summit, the Outdoor Investigations Program and construction of the Alcoa Outdoor
Investigations Classroom, the Slocum Hill Native Landscape Project, the Serene Tree / White Lake Bike
Path Native Landscape Project, and the White Lake Area Hike Series.
Most notable in the long list of community environmental projects is a recent enterprise by Alcoa Howmet to
convert 4.5 acres of traditional turf grass landscape to native prairie and oak savannah at their Plant 4 in
Whitehall. Jeff Auch, Executive Director of the Muskegon Conservation District lauded Alcoa Howmet’s
actions by saying; “The project highlights their dedication to the community and the environment by not only
increasing habitat and improving water quality, but also by rebuilding the local green infrastructure. This
proactive approach to environmental sustainability will be a great model for business, commerce, and local
municipalities.” As icing on the cake, Alcoa Howmet, sponsored the 70th Anniversary event for the
Muskegon Conservation District as a way to say thank you for everything the District has accomplished in
the last 70 years, not knowing originally that it was to receive an award at this same event.
__________________________________________________________________________________
| Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 7:30am - 5:30pm Due to the nature of our work, the office may be closed during regular office hours as our staff are working in the field or attending appointments with landowners. Thank You! Phone: 231-773-0008 |
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