Ash borer quarantines apply to storm cleanup

7/5/2006

State officials said this week that those cleaning up from recent storms in northwest Ohio are bound by emerald ash borer quarantines and could face fines up to $4,000 for violations.

Officials said state quarantines are aimed at stopping the spread of the ash tree-killing insect. The restrictions make it illegal to move ash trees, parts of ash trees, and all firewood, excluding evergreen firewood, out of 14 Ohio counties.

Affected counties include Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Sandusky, Williams, and Wood counties.

They also include Erie County, except for Kelleys Island; Ottawa County, excluding Ballast, Green, Middle Bass, North Bass, Rattlesnake, South Bass, Starve, and Sugar islands, and the Hancock County townships of Allen, Cass, Pleasant, Portage, and Washington.

The Huron County townships of Bronson, Clarksfield, Hartland, Lyme, Norwalk, Peru, Ridgefield, Sherman, Townsend, and Wakeman also are included.