ORIGIN OF RESOLUTION: Northeastern Area Association of State Foresters

ISSUE OF CONCERN: Adopting "A Comprehensive Strategy to Address the Role of Firewood in the Introduction and Spread of Invasive Species" as a policy statement of the National Association of State Foresters.

BACKGROUND:
One of the most serious threats to the forests across the country comes from non-native, invasive insects and diseases. Some of these insects and diseases, such as the chestnut blight and Dutch elm disease, have nearly eliminated major tree species across the majority of their natural range, greatly altering forest ecosystems. States have recently been fighting the spread of the emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, hemlock woolly adelgid, Sirex wood wasp, gypsy moth, and others. It is even likely that new pests and diseases are moving around the country yet undetected.

A major vector for the spread of these insects and diseases is firewood. For example, in Michigan 75 percent of new infestations of emerald ash borer were associated with campgrounds, and 80 percent of outlier infestations were traced to firewood. A major focus on containing the recent outbreak of the Asian longhorned beetle in Worcester, Massachusetts has been on limiting the movement of firewood to points across New England and beyond.

The US Department of Agriculture currently regulates firewood as part of quarantines for individual insect or disease outbreaks, but there is no inclusive or coordinated policy on firewood movement. While some states have begun to address firewood movement on their own through regulation and other mechanisms, a consistent national approach - focused on firewood itself and not just individual pests - is needed to ensure consistency across state lines. In addition, this national model would serve as the necessary foundation for government agency (federal, state, and local) and private sector efforts to control the movement of firewood.

RESOLUTION:
The members of the National Association of State Foresters adopt the policy statement "A Comprehensive Strategy to Address the Role of Firewood in the Introduction and Spread of Invasive Species." It will be published separately.

NASF ACTION:
( x ) Approved

DATE OF ACTION:
September 23, 2009