More than 10,000 trucks carrying wood across the Mackinac Bridge have been inspected for emerald ash borer in the first year since the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) opened a permanent inspection station at the bridge. The station is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help stop the spread of the invasive insect, which can travel in infested wood. To date, MDA staff has inspected:

+ 10,008 trucks

+ 19,869,850 board feet of lumber (cubic measure equal to one foot square by one inch thick)

+ 124,114 cords of pulpwood and logs

+ 91,765 tons of chips and sawdust

+ 380 cubic yards of firewood

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm proclaimed the week of May 21 as "Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Awareness Week" to help increase awareness of the devastating effect EAB has on Michigan's natural resources.

"The Emerald Ash Borer is a problem we take seriously in Michigan," said Governor Granholm. "This pest has caused considerable economic and environmental damage to our natural resources. Let's all do our part to preserve Michigan's natural heritage by leaving our firewood at home as we kickoff the camping and travel season."

The proclamation highlights the need for the continued public support in order to contain the pest and protecting the more than 8 billion ash trees blanketing North America. Throughout the year, Michigan residents and visitors should adhere to the state's quarantine banning the transport of ash trees, ash materials, and all hardwood firewood from quarantined areas or out of the Lower Peninsula.

Quarantine violators face fines/penalties ranging from $1,000 up to $250,000 and face up to five years in jail if found guilty of transporting hardwood firewood out of the Lower Peninsula into the Upper Peninsula or surrounding states.

First discovered in 2002, the ash borer is responsible for the death or damage of approximately 15 million ash trees in Michigan.