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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2008-11-13, Page 13Representatives of the CanadianFood Inspection Agency brought thebad news to the Nov. 5 meeting ofHuron County council — the emerald ash borer is here and no amount of money will get rid of it. Brian Hamilton, program specialist with CFIA, said that there have been three confirmed finds nearthe river and campground inBayfield that probably moved inwith wood transported from otherareas. “It’s pretty well established here and we’ll have to deal with it.” The EAB, which has been confirmed in areas of Bluewater, is a highly destructive insect of ash trees, native to eastern Asia. Hamilton said the beetle was first discovered inNorth America in 2002 and haskilled millions of trees in south-western Ontario, Michigan andsurrounding states since then.The metallic green insect is about a centimetre long and, said Hamilton, “fairly robust.” Unlike other beetles its body is not segmented and resembles a small bullet. It is, however, the larvae which are the real problem. An inch long at their largest, Hamilton said they bore under the bark creating galleries that essentially choke the tree. “The galleries are typically serpentine, but once there is a higher population they meander more and eventually coalesce.” Hamilton notes that the larvae do not disturb the actual wood. “If the tree has white or blond wood with galleries it could be other insects. Emerald ash kills. You won’t see just a few darkened galleries.” Hamilton said when they receive a call regarding a suspected infestation of EAB they have to check it out, but it often turns out that it’s a different problem. Winter, he said, is a good time to find damage. “There will be woodpecker damage. They are somewhat successful in controlling the population, but ultimately they can’t get them all.” Another sign will be epicormic shutes, “little branches coming out, trying to keep the tree alive.” While EAB can’t be eradicated, detection is key, then delimination to determine the extent of the infestation. “The challenge is, it’s difficult to detect. It’s probably been in Bayfield for years. There are no traps or lures that work to date and we know we won’t discover every tree with EAB in the area.” The CFIA believes there is merit in slowing the spread of EAB through research, surveillance, communcation and regulation. When EAB is found on properties any ash or firewood of all species cannot be moved off the property. If someone violates this they could be fined up to $20,000 or face a prison sentence of up to a day less than two years. In a large area, boundaries are defined, said Hamilton and articles can move within that space. Information can be found at http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/news/590 Following Hamilton’s presentation, Huron East councillor Bernie MacLellan asked if finished ash products could be moved. Hamilton said there is an inspection component that ensures a product is “in effect finished”, before it could be moved. Hamilton said there is some thought to the idea that some trees are naturally resistent to the bug. “There is going to be genetic diversity that allows some resistance.”Also, the population of wasps thatfeed on the beetles is increasing.“That’s why we have to slow thespread so science and nature cancatch up.” South Huron councillor Ken Oke wondered why eradication couldn’t be done if the regulated area is small. Hamilton explained, “When we think we’ve found them all it is always found beyond the area the next year.” There is also, he said, no chemical that can be used. The registration on an organic pesticide has expired. “They will be applying again, but it’s injectable. There is no broad-scale insecticide that is registered.” Asked if other trees were in danger, Hamilton said that in tests that did not seem to be the case. “We threw the beetle in with other species and they couldn’t establish so at this point the EAB is specific to ash. No other trees showed mortality.” From late May to the middle of August is the highest risk of spread in flight. “They do like to stay on a tree, but they are a good flying insect,” said Hamilton saying it’s known that the bugs can fly up to 10 km a time. In winter the beetle is in it larval phase. Director of planning Scott Tousaw wondered if the county should be looking at a change to the forestry bylaw or if tree markers would be handled on a woodlot to woodlotbasis. Hamilton said that as the EABbores just under the bark, there isprobably no need to remove a treethat isn’t dying. “The information we have recommends we don’t need to be hasty.” The county is currently in the process of placing signs warning people not to move firewood or ash logs into Huron County. “This is consistents with CFIA’s slow spread strategy,” said Tousaw. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2008. PAGE 13. Do you have a heavy foot on the gas pedal? Better ease up on Huron County roads for the next several weeks. For the month of November, the newly-formed Coalition for Huron Injury Prevention, or CHIP, is setting up progressive speed traps in various speeding hotspots around the county. The group is encouraging drivers to keep to the posted speed limit. Over the next few weeks, a speed sign will be set up on Huron County roads showing you how fast you are going. When you see this sign, it’s your ‘Day of Grace’. Within a week, local police will be enforcing the posted speed limit in that area with zero tolerance. According to the Huron OPP, road safety is a serious issue in the county. In 2007, there were 13 fatal and 226 personal injury collisions in Huron County, and speed was a factor in most of these collisions. CHIP chairperson, Murray Nesbitt, says the rewards for drivers who keep to the postal speed limit are numerous. “Observing the speed limit saves fuel, avoids speeding tickets, possibly a collision, higher insurance premiums, injury or even losing your life. It’s worth it.” Last year the provincial government introduced new legislation to curb excessive speeding. Street racers and those who drive 50 km/h above the speed limit now face licence suspension and vehicle impoundment for seven days, fines up to $10,000 and six demerit points. So far this year, 39 motorists in Huron County have been charged under this law. CHIP’s message is simple: Drive the posted limit. It’s the law. Help keep the roads safe for everyone. Financial assistance for this campaign has been provided by the Ministry of Transportation. OPP give drivers a ‘Day of Grace’ Watch your speed Murray Nesbitt, North Huron councillor and chairman of the newly-formed Coalition for Huron Injury Prevention (CHIP) stopped on Blyth’s main street to see how one of the early stages of a progressive speed trap was doing. With the participation of Radford Fuels, a radar screen was set-up to show motorists how fast they are going. OPP are working with CHIP on this initiative, telling motorists the day they see this sign, it is their “Day of Grace” and that officers will be enforcing the speed there within a week. (Shawn Loughlin photo) County council gets info on emerald ash borer Can’t decide what to give for Christmas? FOR A BOOK A gift certificate lets the recipient choose the book they want. We have shelves of books to choose from. Everything from books on trains to gardening to cookbooks. The Citizen 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114 404 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 Give us a call 519-887-9061 Fax 519-887-8734 Cell Phone 519-357-6547 R.R. 2 Bluevale John CONSTRUCTION LTD. • Licensed Septic Installations • Screened & Field Topsoil • Bark Mulch • Sand • Gravel • Fill • Backhoeing • Bulldozing • Excavating• Loading & Hauling Salvation Army Christmas Hamper Registration WHERE: Salvation Army Centre Food Bank Office, 205 Josephine St., Wingham (door off back parking lot) WHEN:During Food Bank Hours in the month of November & December until Dec 11th Tuesday 1:00 –4:00 pm & Thursday 10:00am-1:00pm *(except Nov 11th & 13th )*** Evening Appointments can be made for November 17th December 4th & 10th between 5&7pm LAST DAY TO REGISTER FRI DEC 12 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Call Thrift Store 519-357-3757 and talk to Debra to book your evening appointments. The County of Huron Planning and Development Department is moving from the Court House in Goderich. As of November 18, 2008, the Planning and Development Department will be on the second floor of the Assessment Office (MPAC) at 57 Napier St., Goderich N7A 1W2 (beside the Huron County Gaol). The phone and fax numbers remain the same: Phone 519-524-8394 ext. 3 / Fax 519-524-5677. Please note the office will be closed for moving on November 14. 2008 and November 17, 2008. By Bonnie GroppThe Citizen