EAB Regulations and Quarantines
Changes made to EAB Quarantine effective May 19, 2016
As part of the State's on-going efforts to slow the spread of EAB, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM) and NYS DEC have revised their quarantine regulations by creating 14 Restricted Zones more tightly encompassing the current known EAB infestations. These Restricted Zones e replace the larger contiguous quarantine that spanned the state east to west, following the NYS Thruway.
- NYSDEC Section 192.7Control of the emerald ash borer. (leaves DEC website)
- Map of NYS infested areas and quarantine boundaries (PDF, 5 MB) (July 2016)
- List of towns within Restricted Zones (May 2016)
- NYSDAM Rulemaking (PDF, 320 KB)
What is a "Restricted Zone"?
A Restricted Zone is a quarantine around an EAB infestation, following town lines. If 30% or more of a town falls within the core infested area and/or the surrounding five mile buffer, it will be included in the Restricted Zone. Restricted Zones will be created or expanded through regulation amendments, as additional EAB infestations are found.
Regulated articles may not leave a Restricted Zone without a compliance agreement or limited permit from the Department of Agriculture and Markets, applicable only during the non-flight season (September 1 - April 30). Regulated articles from outside of a Restricted Zone may travel through a Restricted Zone as long as the origin and the destination are listed on the waybill and the articles are moved without stopping, except for traffic conditions and refueling. Wood chips may not leave a Restricted Zone between April 15th and May 15th of each year (when EAB is likely to emerge).
Regulated articles may be moved freely for disposal, treatment or utilization within the Restricted Zones at any time of year.
What is a "regulated article"?
The following are regulated articles:
- Ash wood
- Ash logs
- Ash firewood (untreated)
- Ash nursery stock
- Wood chips (only between April 15th and May 15th of each year)
In addition, 6 NYCRR Part 575 Prohibited and Regulated Invasive Species (link leaves DEC's website) prohibits the movement of emerald ash borer, in any life stage, unless for management, control, identification or disposal.
Regulated articles (ash wood, logs, untreated ash firewood, and ash nursery stock and EAB in any life stage) may not leave the restricted zones without a compliance agreement or permit from the Department of Agriculture and Markets. Because EAB does not travel far on its own, limiting human movement of potentially infested material will slow its spread.
How will this change slow the spread of EAB?
Emerald ash borer does not travel far on its own, as it has a fairly slow natural rate of spread. Human movement of infested materials, especially ash firewood and logs, is the biggest cause of spread of EAB to uninfested areas. Limiting human movement of potentially infested material will slow its spread and provide greater protection for uninfested communities and forests
How does this change in regulation affect me?
- Infested ash wood may be moved freely within a restricted zone for disposal or utilization.
- Bark and mulch are no longer regulated articles and may move freely.
- Chips of any size are not regulated except for between April 15th and May 15th of each year, when they may not be moved out of Restricted Zones.
Additional Resources
- Firewood Regulation (link leaves DEC's website) - Limits the movement of untreated firewood to 50 miles for the purpose of protecting forests from the spread of invasive insects and diseases
- Frequently Asked Questions - regarding the firewood regulation
- Don't Move Firewood - connecting the movement of firewood with the spread of invasive insects and diseases
Federal Regulations, Quarantines, Treatment Methods, and Compliance Agreements Relating to Emerald Ash Borer
- Federal Pest Response Guidelines (PDF, 2.58 MB) Full Document - US Department of Agriculture, Version 1.1 2/10/2009
The rest of these links lead OFF the DEC website. By clicking on them, you will leave the DEC website.
Ash railroad ties ready for shipment
out of the quarantine area under a
compliance agreement between
USDA APHIS and the manufacturer
- Information about NYS DAM compliance agreements relating to EAB
- Federal Regulations and Quarantine Notices
- Federal Regulatory Information - including compliance agreements and treatment methods for regulated articles
- Where is Emerald Ash Borer - this web page includes quarantine maps for states with EAB.
More about EAB Regulations and Quarantines:
- Towns Affected by the May 2016 EAB Quarantine - Towns in alphabetical order affected by EAB Quarantine.
