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New ALB Information
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Clermont Soil & Water Conservation
District Responds to Asian
Longhorned Beetle Outbreak
Immediate Release November 22, 2011
Owensville, Ohio. The Clermont Soil & Water Conservation District continues to offer assistance to agencies, local governments and landowners with the ongoing efforts to eradicate the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) pest from Clermont County. It is a resource issue of utmost concern to the District. While the District has no authority in the eradication effort, it has the authority and responsibility to assist landowners with all efforts relative to the conservation and wise use of local natural resources. The District has an obligation to look out for the interests of landowners and resources within the current ALB infestation zone, as well as those throughout Clermont County. As part of the Ohio and nation-wide conservation partnership, that obligation extends beyond County borders, particularly when faced with a resource issue with such far-reaching implications.
The District supports the immediate removal of all ALB infested trees, the USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Ohio Dept. of Agriculture (ODA) action currently underway. The District’s lack of inclusion in the eradication planning efforts precludes us from making a judgment on whether the removal of all host trees within the infestation zone proposed by APHIS is the best course of action. The District agrees it is a viable alternative, but supports further review of other alternatives which would achieve eradication goals, while minimizing potential tree loss. The District will continue to encourage improved collaboration and communication between state and federal agencies tasked with these ongoing efforts, and local agencies, officials, and landowners.
Below are a list of actions the District has initiated thus far, and some services offered to assist with the ongoing eradication efforts in Clermont County. Visit clermontswcd.org for a complete listing of conservation services and programs the District provides.
Actions
- Offering continued assistance to all parties with ALB detection, eradication, and reforestation efforts
- Helping provide community education/outreach; facilitating referrals, infestation reports to authorities
- Participating in local ALB trainings and community outreach meetings
- Working with ONDR Division of Forestry to provide assistance with reforestation efforts
- Will review and comment on APHIS’s supplemental environmental assessment (pending release)
- Working with ODNR, ODA, USDA APHIS, and elected officials to promote better local/state/federal collaboration and communication to address current and future outbreaks of ALB
Some SWCD Services Offered
- Provide assistance to state/federal agencies and landowners with planned reforestation activities
- Assist landowners with post-harvest resource issues (erosion, stormwater runoff, streambank stabilization, revegetation, invasive species control, etc.)
- Help identify funding sources and provide access to cost share programs to assist with above
For additional information, contact Paul Berringer, District Administrator, Clermont Soil & Water Conservation District at (513) 732-7075 or by e-mail at pberringer@clermontcountyohio.gov