P. ramorum quarantine lifted at Tiffany Creek Preserve, NY (2/2007). (Adobe PDF)

FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION
DA-2007-03
February 15, 2007
SUBJECT: Phytophthora ramorum Quarantine Lifted at Tiffany Creek Preserve, New York
TO: STATE AND TERRITORY AGRICULTURAL REGULATORY OFFICIALS
The purpose of this SPRO memorandum is to provide notification that on January 25, 2007, APHIS rescinded the Federal Emergency Action Notification and State Quarantine of the Tiffany Creek Preserve, Nassau County, New York for Phytophthora ramorum. After 2 years of prescribed survey, sampling, and testing for this disease in and around this area, APHIS has determined that P. ramorum is known not to occur in the Tiffany Creek Preserve, Nassau County, or other parts of the State.
On June 29, 2004, a sample of red oak bark collected from the Tiffany Creek Preserve tested positive for P. ramorum. As a result, Tiffany Creek Preserve was placed under a Federal Emergency Action Notification and State Quarantine. The red oak tree in question was removed, and intensive monitoring for P. ramorum in and around the area was subsequently conducted. Vegetation, soil, and, water samples were collected for testing in May and September 2005 and 2006. The last of these four P. ramorum surveys was completed on September 19, 2006, more than 2 years after the initial positive-sample was obtained. No additional P. ramorum-positive samples were ever detected during these survey activities.
As a result of surveys, sampling, and testing, APHIS has determined that there is no P. ramorum infestation in the Tiffany Creek Preserve. Furthermore, the disease is known not to occur at any location within Nassau County or the State of New York. Therefore, the Federal Emergency Action Notification and State Quarantine of the Tiffany Creek Preserve are rescinded in accordance with these survey findings. APHIS will publish a formal notice to this effect in the Federal Register soon. Given that publishing a notice in the Federal Register can take some time, APHIS chose not to unnecessarily delay the deregulation of the Tiffany Creek Preserve until such a formal notice can be published. Accordingly, APHIS went forward with rescinding the quarantine on January 25, 2007.
If you wish for more details on the Federal regulatory program, you may contact the National P. ramorum Program Manager, Jonathan Jones at (301) 734-5038.
Paul R. Eggert for
Richard L. Dunkle
Deputy Administrator
Plant Protection and Quarantine