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<DIV>Dear forest pest mavens and others,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Last week it was announced that the goldspotted oak borer had been detected
at a small town north of the city of Los Angeles. I attach the official
press release for those who can receive attachments.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>This new find represents a long "jump" from previously known populations of
the insect. Authorities are pretty sure it occurred as the result of the
movement of firewood. Other outbreaks detected earlier near
Idyllwood (Riverside County) and Weir Canyon (Orange County) were also
probably established by firewood movement. Indeed, the initial San Diego
County population was probably established as the result of movement of firewood
from southern Arizona.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>While many Californians have made strenuous efforts to educate people not
to move firewood, several key players have, in my view, failed to
take much-needed actions. The California Department of Food and
Agriculture has considered but refused to adopt regulations governing the
movement of firewood. The National Park Service and USDA Forest Service
have not adopted nation-wide policies on firewood. And APHIS' efforts to
develop a firewood-industry certification program has not yet produced
results.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I ask all of you to help bring about the necessary regulations - which I
see as essential backup to the outreach efforts. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Faith</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>You can read this most recent blog at <A
href="http://www.cisp.us">www.cisp.us</A> .... earlier blogs posted at
that site also address the failure to act by California and National Park
Service. </DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>