Due to recent detections of emerald ash borer (EAB), the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) announced in an August 14 news release an expansion of the area regulated for EAB in Maine, effective immediately.

In July, EAB was detected in Jackman on a purple prism trap set by Maine Forest Service staff to detect spread of this insect. In early August, a Hancock County professional arborist reported EAB in the town of Surry. Both towns were outside the regulated area when they were confirmed to have EAB, according to DACF. As a result of the detections, areas in Franklin, Hancock, Oxford, Penobscot and Somerset counties have been added to the quarantine areas.

Specifically, the additions are:

In Franklin County: Beattie Twp, Chain of Ponds Twp, Coburn Gore, Coplin Plt, Davis Twp, Eustis Twp, Gorham Gore, Jim Pond Twp, Kibby Twp, Lang Twp, Lowelltown Twp, Massachusetts Gore, Merrill Strip Twp, Seven Ponds Twp, Skinner Twp, Stetsontown Twp, Tim Pond Twp, Wyman Twp. With the addition of these towns, all of Franklin County, except the Penobscot Nation’s Alder Stream Twp, is within the regulated area. Under state regulations, ash and hardwood firewood may not be moved into Alder Stream Twp from areas under EAB regulation.

In Hancock County: Amherst, Aurora, Blue Hill, Brooklin, Brooksville, Bucksport, Castine, Cranberry Isles, Dedham, Deer Isle, Eastbrook, Ellsworth, Fletchers Landing Twp, Franklin, Frenchboro, Gouldsboro, Hancock, Hancock County Island, Lamoine, Mariaville, Orland, Osborn, Otis, Penobscot, Sedgwick, Sorrento, Stonington, Sullivan, Surry, Swans Island, T10 SD BPP, T16 MD BPP, T22 MD BPP, T28 MD BPP, T7 SD BPP, T9 SD BPP, Trenton, Verona Island, Waltham, Winter Harbor

In Oxford County: Bowmantown Twp, Lower Cupsuptic Twp, Lynchtown Twp, Oxbow Twp, Parkertown Twp, Parmachenee Twp, Upper Cupsuptic Twp. With the addition of these towns, all of Oxford County is now within the regulated area.

In Penobscot County: The entire towns of Bradley, Clifton, Milford and the I-95 Corridor Only between the southern boundary of T1 R6 WELS and the northern boundary of Argyle Twp (Highway corridor within Chester, Edinburg, Howland, Mattamiscontis Twp, Medway, T2 R8 NWP, T2 R9 NWP). On the I-95 corridor, regulated materials can be moved without stopping between the regulated area around the recently confirmed Benedicta location and the larger regulated area to the south.

In Somerset County: Appleton Twp, Attean Twp, Bigelow Twp, Bowtown Twp, Bradstreet Twp, Caratunk, Carrying Place Town Twp, Carrying Place Twp, Dead River Twp, Dennistown Plt, Flagstaff Twp, Forsyth Twp, Hobbstown Twp, Holeb Twp, Jackman, Johnson Mountain Twp, King & Bartlett Twp, Lower Enchanted Twp, Moose River, Moxie Gore, Parlin Pond Twp, Pierce Pond Twp, Sandy Bay Twp, T3 R4 BKP WKR, T3 R5 BKP WKR, T5 R7 BKP WKR, The Forks Plt, Upper Enchanted Twp, and West Forks Plt.

The DACF has previously announced draft rules to eliminate the emerald ash borer quarantine due to the current distribution of this insect in Maine and the continued detections of isolated areas of infestation outside of quarantine boundaries. These rules are currently open for public comment. Public hearings will be held on Tuesday, August 18 in Presque Isle and Old Town. Public comment closes Friday, August 28 at 5 pm.

Maine DACF and its partners concerned with the health of Maine’s forests urge everyone to:

• Follow quarantine rules when handling ash tree materials and hardwood firewood originating in the regulated areas;
  • and follow best practices for movement of ash tree material within regulated areas;
• Use local or heat-treated firewood to protect our forests from further damage from emerald ash borer and from damage by other introduced pests and pathogens. Many pests and diseases can be moved on or inside firewood. It’s best to source firewood from within 10 miles of where it will be used.

"Thank you to our partners who continue to assist with tracking and mitigating the spread of emerald ash borer and other forest health threats," said DACF.