Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

Forest Managers Close Gates to Protect Port-Orford-cedar

Contacts:

• Frank Betlejewski, Interregional Port-Orford-Cedar Program Manager, Southwest Oregon Forest Insect and Disease Service Center, (541) 858-6127
• Patty Burel, Public Affairs Officer, (541) 618-2113

MEDFORD, OR, September 23 , 2008 – As the rainy season approaches in October, forest managers across the Wild Rivers, Gold Beach and Powers Ranger Districts of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest will close gates to protect Port-Orford-cedar.

"By closing these gates, we are controlling the spread of Phytophthora lateralis, the pathogen which causes a fatal root disease for Port-Orford-cedar," said Joel King, Wild Rivers District Ranger. "Everyone can help prevent the spread of Phytophthora lateralis and the spread of noxious weeds by washing their vehicles clean of mud. The control of Port-Orford-cedar root disease depends on prevention of infection by vehicles and people transporting the pathogen into at risk areas," said King.

Phytophthora lateralis is a pathogen with spores that spread by water or soil movement and is easily carried in mud on earth moving equipment, vehicles, mountain bikes, boots and tools.

Long distance spread of the disease involves movement of spores in soil attached to equipment, vehicles, people or animals. Roads and trail facilitate the spread of the disease. When soil is infested with these spores it can be transported to areas that are not infested.

"The mud on vehicles can carry pathogen spores and weed seeds," said Frank Betlejewski, Interregional Port-Orford-Cedar Program Manager at Southwest Oregon Forest Insect and Disease Service Center. "Cleaning vehicles or equipment of dirt, mud and other organic material such as leaves or fine roots after traveling prevents the transport of these invasive organisms," he said.

Designated gate locations across the Forest will be shut and locked where Port-Orford-cedar are at risk. Before Forest Service personnel lock gates, the area behind the gates will be checked to ensure that no one is locked behind them.

The gates are meant to restrict vehicle access into these areas during the wet weather season which is a peak time for the spread of the fatal pathogen.

When traveling on the Forest, the public is asked to please pay close attention to any road closures and warning signs about the root disease that they encounter.

Gates will be locked beginning in the month of October as significant amounts of rain occur and the potential of pathogen transmission increases. The wet season is generally considered the first of October through the end of May each year.

The public is encouraged to report dead or dying Port-Orford-cedar to your local Forest Service office.

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