AUGUSTA, Maine -- State and federal officials on Thursday announced the start of a statewide survey to hunt for an invasive insect that threatens to destroy Maine's ash trees.
Starting this month, a total of 955 distinctive, purple bug traps will be placed high up in the canopy of local ash trees at specified locations to see if the emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive insect that has destroyed millions of acres of ash trees in other parts of the U.S., is present in Maine.
The survey - the 2012 National Cooperative Emerald Ash Borer Survey in Maine -- is the collaboration of federal, state and tribal agencies, with funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is part of a national survey effort taking place in 46 states. Because of the insect's potential adverse impact throughout Maine, the survey also is supported by numerous private businesses and landowners.
Agriculture Commissioner Walt Whitcomb emphasized the importance of the survey, commenting that "we're heading off an invasion." He stressed the value of ash trees in Maine, describing the species as a "much-desired tree" that he personally has harvested around his farm.
Whitcomb also praised the collaborative survey effort, saying, "It's an example of how we work in the state." Preventing in Maine the kind of devastation that has occurred in other states "is worth the effort of all our agencies and the public," the commissioner said
The emerald ash borer (EAB) is a highly destructive insect not yet found in Maine that has destroyed millions of acres of trees in other Midwest and eastern states and Canadian provinces, including New York and Quebec.
The survey project in Maine is a combined effort of the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; Maine Department of Agriculture; Maine Forest Service (MFS), under the Maine Department of Conservation; and the Penobscot Nation Department of Natural Resources. The cost of the federally funded survey is about $90,000, with in-kind services provided by the three Maine agencies.
Earlier this year, MFS Forest Rangers found most of the sites, and all cooperating agencies will begin hanging the traps this month. The sites include trees at private businesses and lands, state parks, and campgrounds. A high proportion are being placed in Franklin and Oxford counties, determined by the USDA to be high-risks zones because they are within 100 miles of Quebec and the Catskill Mountains in New York, both infested areas.
The purple traps will be monitored in July and then again in September, when they will be removed. The analysis of the traps' contents should be completed by December, according to state entomologists.
Introducing Thursday's event, Colleen Teerling, Maine Forest Service forest entomologist, stressed the need for public awareness. "Having people look for [EAB] is great," she said. Pointing out that the Maine Forest Service welcomes public support and reports of possible invasive insect infestations, Teerling said that so far those reports have been of a harmless nature and just "look-alike" insects.
Terry Bourgoin, State Plant Health director, with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, also commented on the combined effort and noted the economic and cultural loss to Maine should the EAB become established in this state. In particular, he cited the loss to American Indian culture, as ash is used by Maine tribes to make traditional baskets.
Rick Abare, Maine Campground Owners Association (MECOA) executive director, said his organization, which includes about 200 members, was very supportive of the survey effort.
"Tourists love Maine, love the forests of Maine, and we want to keep them," Abare said, adding that protecting Maine's forests "is very important to our industry."
Some 35 traps will be placed at Maine campgrounds as part of the survey. Campground owners also have actively supported the Maine Legislature's ban on out-of-state firewood - one of the primary ways EAB is spread -- by providing local firewood to campers.
"This is an opportunity for the public-private partnership that is so important today," Abare noted.
To report suspected findings in Maine, call: (207) 287-2431 or 1-800-367-0223 (in state).
For more information on EAB, go to:
http://www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/InvasiveThreats.htm
http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/pi/pestsurvey/pestinfo/EAB/EAB.htm
http://www.purpleEABsurvey.info
No comments:
Post a Comment