Wood Restriction Information
This is the information that AAW has received about the wood restrictions from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture:
As you may be aware, certain restrictions have been placed on the movement of wood that is unprocessed, due to risk of regulated forest pests. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Plant Protection and Quarantine Program (USDA APHIS PPQ) and Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) are working closely with the American Association of Woodturners in order to have the least amount of impact on the symposium activities while protecting America’s forests from unintentional introductions. The following is a brief explanation of the requirements:
1. Ash and Emerald Ash Borer: A compliance agreement is required for ash in order to move it from a non-quarantined area to a quarantined area, and back out again. An example of a compliance agreement is attached. If you are intending to bring ash blocks to the St Paul symposium, please call David Ward at 952-853-1270 if you are from outside of Minnesota and Molly McGilp at 651-201-6244 if you are from inside Minnesota.
2. Unprocessed Walnut and Thousand Canker Disease of Walnut: Unfortunately, unprocessed walnut wood will not be allowed from the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington and Utah. From any other origin, the walnut wood must be accompanied by documentation stating the wood origin by county and state. Please call Kathy Kromroy at 651-201-6343 if you have questions about walnut and thousand canker disease.
3. If you are coming from a quarantine area (check all websites below to ensure that you are or are not), contact your local USDA APHIS PPQ office to request a permit for the wood to leave the quarantine area. Please understand that in light of the serious pest risk, it may not be possible for a permit to be issued.
Pine Shoot Beetle:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/psb/index.shtml
Sudden Oak Death:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/pram/index.shtml
Asian Longhorned Beetle:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/asian_lhb/index.shtml
Thousand Cankers:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/tcd/index.shtml
Gypsy Moth:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/gypsy_moth/index.shtml
Please be aware that any wood found in violation of state and federal quarantines may be seized by federal or state officials or ordered destroyed. In addition, violations of federal regulations are subject to criminal penalties with monetary fines in accordance with 18 USC, imprisonment for a period not to exceed one year, or both, or civil penalties of up to $500,000 (7UCS s7734 (b)). Violations of state regulations regarding the Minnesota Emerald Ash Borer quarantine are subject to civil and criminal penalties, including monetary penalties of up to $7500 per day.
We thank you for your cooperation and encourage you to contact us with any questions.
David Ward - Plant Protection and Quarantine Officer
United States Department of Agriculture,
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services
Plant Protection and Quarantine
Phone: 952-853-1270
Molly McGilp - Plant Health Specialist
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Plant Protection Division
Pest Detection and Response Unit
Phone: 651-201-6343