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More Restrictions Sought On Firewood Hauling
Posted 10/09/2012
Officials are trying to limit the spread of invasive species by firewood transportation, most notably the ash tree-killing Emerald Ash Borer, which are making their way across Wisconsin. Firewood transportation is the most significant way to move pests around.
DNR spokesperson Andrea Diss-Torrence says they've found that closing the gap to 10 miles from a campsite to buy firewood significantly reduces the chances of spreading E.A.B. from infected areas to uninfested areas like the Northwoods. She says Wisconsin is the heart of where ash trees grow in North America, and the borer would have a devastating impact here....
"....up north where you are, black ash swamps are particularly important ecologically...if we lose the Black Ash, it will change the water table and a lot of these forests that are right now productive will turn into marshlands..."
Diss-Torrence says the dead ash areas are also inviting for invasive species which move into these types of areas with ease.
The proposal will be discussed October 24. She says if passed, it likely wouldn't go into effect until 2014.
