|
Regulatory Update
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has been busy with regulatory requests and renewals. Since the last Regulatory Review, 70 firewood inspections have been completed across the state with no violations found.
 | Wood Waste
(Photo By Liz Erickson)
|
During this same time, the MDA has started re-signing compliance agreements with tree care companies in order to meet city licensing requirements within quarantined Houston, Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.
The United States Department of Agriculture, which regulates quarantined areas in Minnesota alongside the MDA, conducted fifteen firewood inspections and eight big box store inspections. It also inspected a shipment of ash in quarantined Houston County. The shipment of ash delivered to a sawmill in Houston County had no apparent violations or signs of invasive species.
Inspections in Minnesota were completed because MDA was loaned wood heat-reading probes from Wisconsin's Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Minnesota is in the process of purchasing more probes by the end of the month. |
|
Media Attention Helps Draw Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
The media attention about the brown marmorated stink bug detection in the MDA lab building was successful in stimulating many citizens to submit suspect brown marmorated stink bugs to the MDA. Of the many insects submitted, two turned out to be brown marmorated stink bugs (one from Anoka County and one from Washington County). This suggests that there is likely a low-level established population of this pest in Minnesota. Survey work is being planned for 2011 to evaluate the magnitude of the infestation.
To help you determine if a suspect insect might be the brown marmorated stink bug, visit Rutger's website.
 | Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
(Photo By: David R. Lance)
|
Many people are finding a common look-alike insect called the western conifer seed bug and are assuming that they are brown marmorated stink bugs. After checking the before mentioned website, if you still think you have found a brown marmorated stink bug, please contact the MDA Arrest the Pest Hotline.
651-201-6684 (metro)
1-888-545-6684 (toll free)
|
|
My Minnesota Woods: Applications for Cost-share Demonstration Projects
PRINCETON, WVa- The U.S. Forest Service Wood Education and Resource Center (WERC) is accepting applications for cost-share demonstration project grants through February 1, 2011. The WERC grants support sustainable forestry and forest industry in the eastern hardwood region.
In previous years about $1 million has typically been divided among projects that help primary and secondary hardwood industries sustain the production of forest products. The final funding available will be determined once the Forest Service has received its official budget for fiscal year 2011. Please visit MyMinnesotaWoods website for more info
|
