Illinois Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey

FY 2007 Hot Zones Table of Contents

(click on a topic below to be taken to that section in this document)

Intermodal Distribution Centers

Campgrounds and Firewood Dealers

Rail/ Ocean Cargo and Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM)

Barge Traffic

Log Buyers and Log Yards

Hot Zone- Intermodal Distribution Centers

Definition

Distribution centers store and sort goods using warehouse space so that entire truckloads of merchandise can be sent to a single destination or to multiple destinations along a specific route. Intermodal is a combination of more than one mode of transportation and results in the interchange of goods/ equipment.

Supporting agencies and anticipated involvement

• PPQ

  • Identify and prioritize intermodal distribution centers based on cargo received and surrounding environs

  • Conduct site visits to visually assess distribution center activity and provide preliminary information to managers and collect information on surrounding environs

  • Recommend appropriate surveillance/ trapping programs as necessary (Center For Plant Health Science and Technology- CPHST)

  • Establish working relationships with facility management

  • Provide insect screening/ identification services

• Illinois Department of Agriculture

  • Identify intermodal distribution centers

  • Assist PPQ in maintaining database of distribution centers

  • Participate in site visits

• SITC

  • Provide information review assistance as needed

• DHS Customs and Border Protection

  • Assist in information review as needed

• Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey

  • Assist in implementation of trapping programs

  • Use information generated to enhance functionality of CAPS work plan

  • Record information in NAPIS

  • Use CAPS network as an additional information distribution vehicle

Additional Stakeholders

• PPQ Investigative and Enforcement Services

• PPQ Headquarters, ERO Staff and Program Managers

• PPQ Regional Staff or Program Managers

• Intermodal industry representatives

• Illinois State CAPS Survey Committee
  

Technology Requirements

• Geographic Information System to process geographic locations of points of interest

• Trapping equipment

• Digital camera to record field environs

• Portable GPS to capture site locations

• Database to maintain intermodal distribution center profiles

• ISIS or PDA data entry/ recording device
  

Pathway Analysis Justifications

Illinois is the hub of our nation's transportation system. Over the past five years, the rail industry has invested $1.2 billion in infrastructure improvements in and around the Chicago area. Chicago has been the crossroads of the American railroad industry for more than a century. One-third of our nation's rail and truck cargo moves to, from or through the Chicago region. Chicago is by far the busiest rail freight gateway in the United States. In addition to developments in Chicago, significant cargo facilities are operating and thriving in central/ southern Illinois. As the Illinois rail industry thrives, intermodal distribution centers increase in number. These distribution centers have not been investigated or profiled by regulatory personnel and their operations remain largely unknown. With foreign container cargo volume increasing yearly, the possibility of exotic pest introduction at one or more of these distribution centers poses a threat to Illinois agriculture.

Anticipated geographic area

• State of Illinois

• Emphasis on newly constructed sites in central and northern Illinois

• Risk areas in proximity to the intermodal area will also be included
  

Desired Outcomes

• Create and maintain a database profiling intermodal distribution centers located in the State of Illinois

• Develop and maintain communication with industry representatives

• Identify appropriate trapping/ monitoring programs to assist in early detection of exotic organisms

• Work with State Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey Program to design survey protocol around target risk points

• Develop standard operating procedure for assessing risk associated with the distribution centers

• Identify additional pathways of exotic pest introduction for future Hot Zone inclusion

• Provide a report on "Health of Industry" to industry representatives

Anticipated Challenges

• Large volume of intermodal distribution centers

• Newly constructed sites difficult to identify

• Access issues

Proposed Timeline

12/2006- Acceptance as official Illinois Hot Zone

1/2007- Data collection and identification of intermodal distribution center locations

4/2007- Site visits to record activity and profile environ

5/2007- Implement surveillance and trapping programs

Hot Zone- Campgrounds and Firewood Dealers

Background

On June 9, 2006 APHIS confirmed the detection of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Kane County, IL. Subsequently, EAB has been detected in Cook County in the Villages of Wilmette, Evanston and Winnetka. Campgrounds and firewood dealers are significant risk factors for the artificial movement of firewood, which can harbor EAB.

Supporting agencies and anticipated involvement

• PPQ

  • Identify and request personnel, supplies and technical guidance from the Michigan PPQ- EAB program office

  • Recommend appropriate surveillance/ trapping programs as necessary (Center For Plant Health Science and Technology- CPHST)

  • Establish working relationships with local/ county government

  • Provide insect screening/ identification services

  • Provide APHIS tree climbers for cursory field inspections

• Illinois Department of Agriculture

  • Manage and prioritize suspect EAB damage from hotline calls

  • Maintain database on suspect reports

• Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey

  • Assist in implementation of trapping programs

  • Use information generated to enhance functionality of CAPS work plan

  • Record information in NAPIS

  • Use CAPS network as an additional information distribution vehicle

• DHS Customs and Border Protection

  • Assist in information review as needed

Additional Stakeholders

• PPQ Investigative and Enforcement Services

• Cook County Forest Preserve District

• Kane County Department of Natural Resources

• University of Illinois Extension Services

• PPQ Eastern Region program managers and staff

• Illinois State CAPS Survey Committee

• Illinois Nurserymen Association

• City of Chicago- Bureau of Forestry

• Other counties or municipalities

Technology and Personnel Requirements

• Geographic Information System to process geographic locations

• EAB outreach materials for distribution

• Trapping equipment

• Database to maintain delimiting/ inventory survey

• PDA data entry/ recording devices

• Database of EAB violations maintained by IDA or PPQ

Anticipated geographic area

• Campgrounds and firewood dealers throughout the State

Desired Outcomes

• Develop criteria for "ranking" campgrounds based on risk factors

• Create and maintain campground/ firewood dealer survey database

• Develop and maintain communication with industry representatives

• Identify appropriate trapping/ monitoring programs to assist in early detection of EAB

• Work with EAB advisory teams (formerly known as EAB Readiness Team)

• Target ranked campgrounds/ firewood dealers for regulation compliance

Anticipated Challenges

• EAB "visual survey" is not reliable as a detection tool

• Previous attempts to contact firewood dealers and gain cooperation have been unsuccessful

• Need appropriate regulation

Proposed Timeline

1/2007- Update firewood and campground database

2/2007- Identify high risk sites

4/2007- Begin site visits and trapping protocol

Hot Zone- Rail/Ocean Cargo and Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM)

Definition

PPQ Western Region has recently identified two confirmed Asian Gypsy Moth captures including one in the Port of Long Beach, CA and another in St. Helens, OR. AGM populations have also been confirmed in Texas. AGM egg masses are tolerant of extremes in temperature and moisture and travel well on logs, pallets, shipping containers, and on the hulls and riggings of ships. Illinois maintains a direct link to West Coast ports through the nation's railroad corridor.

Supporting agencies and anticipated involvement

• PPQ

  • Provide personnel to conduct site visit and field inspections

  • Recommend appropriate surveillance/ trapping programs as necessary (Center For Plant Health Science and Technology- CPHST)

  • Establish working relationships with facility management

  • Identify Asian Gypsy Moth risk periods (CPHST)

  • Carry out trapping in concert with gypsy moth trapping

• Illinois Department of Agriculture

  • Assist PPQ in maintaining database of distribution centers

  • Provide State perspective in detection response

  • Carry out trapping in concert with gypsy moth trapping

• SITC

  • Assist in record review as needed

• DHS Customs and Border Protection

  • Provide ship traffic data for Calumet Harbor

• Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey

  • Submit all suspect Asian Gypsy Moth specimens to appropriate identifier facility

  • Assist in setting and monitoring of traps

  • Submit all verified determinations to NAPIS

Additional Stakeholders

• PPQ Investigative and Enforcement Services

• PPQ Eastern Regional Offices

• PPQ Headquarters Program Manager Staff

• CPHST/ OTIS Laboratories

• Forest Service

• University systems (forestry, identification services, etc.)

• Chicago Port Authority

Technology Requirements

• Geographic Information System to process geographic locations of points of interest

• Trapping equipment

• Digital camera to record field environs

• Portable GPS to capture site locations

• Laboratory capable of performing DNA-typing of suspect Asian Gypsy Moth Specimens

• ISIS or PDA data entry/ recording device

Pathway Analysis Justifications

PPQ has identified a list of ships from Russia and Japan that were in known Asian Gypsy Moth infested ports during the egg laying period. Ships on these lists are considered high risk for AGM. Since PPQ does not have a ship list for ports other than Russia and Japan, we must consider all other ships at risk for bringing Asian Gypsy Moth to U.S. ports. The Port of Long Beach, CA is currently conducting delimiting surveys for Asian Gypsy Moth and AGM has been detected in Texas and Oregon. Delimiting surveys will be implemented and an eradication program is planned for the 2007 season. The rail corridor between Long Beach and Illinois is one of the busiest in the nation. Robert Gallamore of Northwestern University's Transportation Center identifies Chicago as a natural transportation hub between the East and West. Over 4.3 million containers arrived to the Port of Long Beach last year and cargo volume continues to increase.

Anticipated geographic area

• Calumet Harbor, IL

• Rail cargo yards and harbors throughout the State

• Container storage facilities

• Container "grave-yards", or areas where containers are stored for extended periods of time

Desired Outcomes

• Develop and maintain an Asian Gypsy Moth trapping program

• Utilize DNA typing to identify suspect Asian Gypsy Moth specimens

• Establish a protocol to alert DHS/CBP of arrival of vessels from high risk ports

• Identify and document newly constructed container facilities

Anticipated Challenges

• Identifying appropriate Asian Gypsy Moth risk periods for target area/ hot zone

• Interpreting shipping and rail data to optimize available resources

Proposed Timeline

12/2006- Acceptance as official Illinois Hot Zone

1/2007- Analyze AGM risk period charts to determine optimal time period for trap setting

4/2007- Set Traps

Hot Zone- Barge Traffic

Definition

Barge Traffic is any shipment transported by way of an inter-coastal waterway that is in or borders the state.

Supporting agencies and anticipated involvement

• PPQ

  • Provide information gathering in locating companies involved with Barge Traffic.

  • Conducting site visits of loading and unloading docks and areas where regulated material is stored or disposed of.

  • Provide trapping and monitoring of areas where high risk Barge Traffic operates.

  • Provide monitoring of any required treatments.

• Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDA)

  • Provide information gathering in locating companies involved with Barge Traffic.

  • Act as a Liaison with other state agencies that regulate inter-coastal waterway traffic.

• SITC

  • Provide assistance during Blitzes at a Lock and Dock, should one be conducted.

  • Provide ATS assistance and data review.

• DHS Customs and Border Protection

  • Act as a Liaison with agencies within DHS that regulate Barge Traffic.

  • Provide reports on any Barge Traffic conveying material of international origin. Information would include the name of the importer, commodity, and origin.

  • Provide AMS assistance and data review as needed.

Additional Stakeholders

• State Plant Health Directors and state department of agricultures adjacent to IL

• US Coast Guard

• Local Port Authorities

• PPQ Eastern Regional program managers and staff

• PPQ Headquarters

• US Army Corp of Engineers

• Various state agencies

• PPQ Investigative and Enforcement Services

Technology requirements

• Access to ATS and AMS for the purpose of documenting Barge Traffic.

• Insect trapping and monitoring equipment for use at high risk loading and unloading docks and areas.

• Insect identification by PPQ or cooperating agency

• GPS unit to record high risk loading and unloading docks and trap placements.

• ISIS or PDA data entry/ recording device

• GIS mapping system

Pathway analysis justifications

Barge Traffic has been largely unmonitored as a means of introducing exotic plant pests in the Midwest. Cargo of foreign origin or from regulated interstate areas may enter Illinois ports. During the 2006 PPQ trapping season, exotic bark beetle traps were placed along several barge terminal facilities in the greater Peoria area. With the assistance of Dr. Fred Miller from the Morton Arboretum, we hope to increase our presence along the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal. By visiting high risk loading and unloading docks, we hope to prevent the introduction of any exotic plant pests that may be transported by Barge Traffic and through the use of a monitoring and trapping system, provide early detection of possible future infestations.

Anticipated geographic area included

• Illinois' inter-coastal waterways including the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers

• Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal

Desired outcomes

• Develop a risk profile of cargo entering Illinois via barge traffic

• Establish a PPQ presence along the Sanitary & Ship Canal

Possible challenges

• Tracking debris material moving into Illinois from regulated areas

Proposed Timeline

12/2006 Acceptance as an official Hot Zone for Illinois

2/2007 Develop list of and contact all stakeholders that work with Barge Traffic.

4/2007 Begin visiting docks where Barge Traffic is loaded and unloaded to develop list of high risk sites.

5/2007 Deploy insect traps at high risk loading and unloading docks and begin monitoring sites for insect damage.

Hot Zone Log Buyers and Log Yards

Definition

Log buyers are individuals or companies that purchase logs from multiple locations in various states for the purpose of re-selling them to a saw/veneer mill or foreign importer. Log Yards are locations where logs are held for an undefined period of time after being harvested until being shipped to the saw/veneer mill or foreign importer.

Supporting agencies and anticipated involvement

• PPQ

  • Provide information in locating Log Buyers and Log Yards that store high risk material.

  • Provide compliance training to Log Buyers that purchase logs from regulated areas

  • Provide trapping and monitoring of Log Yards that present high risk of exotic insect introduction

  • Provide monitoring of required treatments

  • Assist SITC in Weigh Station Blitzes for regulated logs entering the state

  • Provide insect identification assistance, as needed

• Illinois Department of Agriculture

  • Provide information in locating Log Buyers and Log Yards that buy and store high risk material

  • Assist in compliance training Log Buyers that purchase logs from regulated areas

  • Act as a Liaison with Illinois Department of Nature Resources and IDNR District Foresters

• SITC

  • Provide market research in the exotic lumber industry to find international log/lumber importers within the state to verify documentation and compliance with regulations

  • Provide ATS assistance and information research.

• DHS Customs and Border Protection

  • Provide timely information to PPQ and the Illinois Department of Agriculture about shipments of imported logs and lumber destined for Illinois

  • Provide AMS assistance and information research as needed

Additional Stakeholders

• Illinois Forestry Development Council

• Illinois Department of Natural Resources

• Additional State Plant Health Directors and state department of agricultures

• PPQ Headquarters, ERO Staff and Program Managers

• PPQ Headquarters

• Various state University Forestry Departments

• Center For Plant Health Science and Technology (CPHST)

• Investigative and Enforcement Services (IES)

Technology requirements

• Easy access to ATS and AMS for the purpose of locating international log and lumber importers (SITC)

• Training material for Log Buyers that purchase logs from regulated areas

• Insect trapping and monitoring equipment for use at high risk Log Yards

• Insect identification and resources by PPQ

• GPS unit to record Log Yard locations and trap placements

• Digital camera to photograph Log Yards and high risk material

• ISIS or PDA data entry/ recording device

• GIS mapping system

• Regulatory bias of Hot Zone personnel

Pathway analysis justifications

The logging industry is a changing and growing market in the Midwest. As the quantity of high quality hardwoods in the east decrease, the movement of logs in the Midwest will increase and high quality logs will be sold and moved from state to state. Many Midwest states have regulations that affect either multiple counties or the entire state. The movement of logs from regulated to unregulated areas can increase the risk of spreading regulated plant pests. International trade of logs and lumber also present a high risk of exotic plant pest introduction.

Many of the trucks and containers that travel from a regulated to unregulated areas travel unchecked for compliance. Because of this, a high risk of spreading regulated plant pests exists. By finding out where logs and lumber are coming from and going to, we hope to educate the Log Buyers of federal regulations and required compliance requirements while developing safeguards to prevent the possible spread of regulated pests. By learning which Log Yards are holding or moving high risk regulated logs and lumber, we hope to put in place a monitoring system to provide early detection of exotic plant pests.

Anticipated geographic area included

• Throughout Illinois

Desired outcomes

• Decrease in number of non-compliant log and lumber shipments entering the state

• Development of a comprehensive list of all Log Buyers that are buying and moving logs and lumber into the state from regulated states and areas, along with a list of the Log Yards that are holding the logs

• Compliance training from all Log Buyers that are purchasing regulated logs and signature into a Compliance Agreement

• Monitoring and trapping at the highest risk Log Yards

• Notification from DHS/CBP of all international shipment of logs and lumber destined for Illinois

• Notification to DHS/CBP of all monitoring and inspection information to improve its resolution of international shipping information

Possible challenges

• Industry may be reluctant to participate in compliance training

Proposed Timeline

12/2006 Acceptance as Official Hot Zone for Illinois

1/2007 Begin work to locate Log Buyers and Log Yards that deal with regulated logs and lumber.

2/2007 Begin Compliance training and issuing of Compliance Agreements for Log Buyers dealing with regulated logs and lumber.

4/2007 Develop list of high risk Log Yards where pest detection and monitoring program will be put in place.

5/2007 Deploy insect traps in high risk Log Yards.