Symposium Wood Restrictions

[Cory Norgart]

Im sure everyone is aware of the wood restrictions bought upon by the MDA and the USDA. With the symposium being in a quarantined county, this is understandable. As a wood vendor, I do no want to break any laws, transfer any diseases, or distress our craft in any way. Thus, I would like to thank the MDA, USDA, and the AAW for there quick and imediate action on the matter. Remember, it took alot of hard work between these organizations to come to a happy medium so everyones needs are filled and suited properly. You must also remember, at any other time, there is no wood to enter or leave that county. They have come up with a special compliance to let this thing happen, just for us (AAW). 3 weeks ago, I was ready to back out of the symposium, but with the organizational efforts and the steps taken, I have changed my mind, and will be there with bells on. Once again, thank you everyone for your hard work, and may our craft live on. Cory.

 

[Todd Hartley]

Wood Restriction Information

This is the information that AAW has received about the wood restrictions from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture:

As you may be aware, certain restrictions have been placed on the movement of wood that is unprocessed, due to risk of regulated forest pests. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Plant Protection and Quarantine Program (USDA APHIS PPQ) and Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) are working closely with the American Association of Woodturners in order to have the least amount of impact on the symposium activities while protecting America’s forests from unintentional introductions. The following is a brief explanation of the requirements:

1. Ash and Emerald Ash Borer: A compliance agreement is required for ash in order to move it from a non-quarantined area to a quarantined area, and back out again. An example of a compliance agreement is attached. If you are intending to bring ash blocks to the St Paul symposium, please call David Ward at 952-853-1270 if you are from outside of Minnesota and Molly McGilp at 651-201-6244 if you are from inside Minnesota.

2. Unprocessed Walnut and Thousand Canker Disease of Walnut: Unfortunately, unprocessed walnut wood will not be allowed from the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington and Utah. From any other origin, the walnut wood must be accompanied by documentation stating the wood origin by county and state. Please call Kathy Kromroy at 651-201-6343 if you have questions about walnut and thousand canker disease.

3. If you are coming from a quarantine area (check all websites below to ensure that you are or are not), contact your local USDA APHIS PPQ office to request a permit for the wood to leave the quarantine area. Please understand that in light of the serious pest risk, it may not be possible for a permit to be issued.

Pine Shoot Beetle: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/psb/index.shtml
Sudden Oak Death: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/pram/index.shtml
Asian Longhorned Beetle: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/asian_lhb/index.shtml
Thousand Cankers: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/tcd/index.shtml
Gypsy Moth: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/gypsy_moth/index.shtml

Please be aware that any wood found in violation of state and federal quarantines may be seized by federal or state officials or ordered destroyed. In addition, violations of federal regulations are subject to criminal penalties with monetary fines in accordance with 18 USC, imprisonment for a period not to exceed one year, or both, or civil penalties of up to $500,000 (7UCS s7734 (b)). Violations of state regulations regarding the Minnesota Emerald Ash Borer quarantine are subject to civil and criminal penalties, including monetary penalties of up to $7500 per day.

We thank you for your cooperation and encourage you to contact us with any questions.


David Ward - Plant Protection and Quarantine Officer
United States Department of Agriculture,
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services
Plant Protection and Quarantine
Phone: 952-853-1270

Molly McGilp - Plant Health Specialist
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Plant Protection Division
Pest Detection and Response Unit
Phone: 651-201-6343

 

[Steve Worcester]

This applies to vendors and demonstrators, I think they have all been notified

 

[Mark Mandell]

This applies to vendors and demonstrators, I think they have all been notified

I won't be bringing any of that Jersey glow-in-the-dark walnut either.

It would be fun to run a 50 lb log through the scanners, "That's WHAT, sir? They don't have enough wood in Minnesota so you have to take them some? Please step over to the privacy room."

 

[Cory Norgart]

This applies to vendors and demonstrators, I think they have all been notified

As a vendor, I have received a copy of the actual compliance. This applies to vendors, demonstrators, and "buyers" must comply to this also, as far as leaving the county with wood products.

 

[davidwalser]

Cory,

This is the first I had heard of the wood restrictions. Thank you for sharing this info. I would also like to join you in thanking everyone involved from the government agencies and from the AAW for coming up with a workable solution.

 

[Choice Woods]

Wood Restrictions

It is amazing that the people that come to inspected my booth didn't know walnut from ash? That's what is wrong with todays organizations. They put people in positions that don't know what they are doing. But then again this is just my opinion. But it seems we see this more and more all the time....

 

[Mark Mandell]

It is amazing that the people that come to inspected my booth didn't know walnut from ash? That's what is wrong with todays organizations. They put people in positions that don't know what they are doing. But then again this is just my opinion. But it seems we see this more and more all the time....

Seems a bit harsh, Clay; everybody has to start somewhere. I'd also anticipate that a fair bunch of people who cruised both the IG and the trade show were "general public" folks or people looking into a new hobby with very little (or no) background or training.

Give'em a bit of slack, time, and information; they'll be back.

 

[Owen Lowe]

Seems a bit harsh, Clay; everybody has to start somewhere. I'd also anticipate that a fair bunch of people who cruised both the IG and the trade show were "general public" folks or people looking into a new hobby with very little (or no) background or training.

Give'em a bit of slack, time, and information; they'll be back.

Mark, I read Clay's post the same way the first couple times. I couldn't figure out why he'd be dissing customers. I finally realized that he's talking about the officials who came through to inspect the wood for compliance to the restrictions. At least it gives him the benefit of the doubt...

 

[Mark Mandell]

Mark, I read Clay's post the same way the first couple times. I couldn't figure out why he'd be dissing customers. I finally realized that he's talking about the officials who came through to inspect the wood for compliance to the restrictions. At least it gives him the benefit of the doubt...

Oh.

Never mind . . .

PS: A thought occurs that Clay should have left some leaves on 'cause them gob'ment fellers are used to lookin' at trees rather than wood.

 

[Steve Worcester]

I will bet those folks asked me 15 times if I had ash or walnut. They were from the FDA (sorry, USDA, that makes more sense), and I asked them "don't you guys inspect meat or something"?

 

[Pope Lawrence]

Symposium Wood Restrictions

Looking ahead to 2012 Symposium in San Jose, I think California has a lot of restrictions as well....You guys might do well to begin your inquiries soon.

 

[hockenbery]

The lack of trained people is a manifestation of the budget crisis.

Given a choice of training people to inspect a new item or firing an employee....

The consequences: No one gets trained. They attempt to comply with the law as best they can.
The inspectors probably aren't too happy about doing something for which they aren't prepared.

You want more government service? Writing Congress will get more action than posting here.
Would congress care?

Expect less government service....

 

[Mark Mandell]

Trained Reps

Consider what would have happened if Minnesota had "shut down" during rather than after the Symposium.

"There ain't no free lunch" in this area either. Government agencies are sorely pressed to meet their tasks without budgets that will allow for the extensive training required of personnel and demanded by the people they "serve." Everybody wants the services (or benefits) but don't want to pay for them in usage fees or higher taxes or both.

 

[AlanZ]

Incompetent personnel predate any current budget issues. They've always been with us.

Then again, it's not limited to government... just look around you on any given day <vbg>.