OLYMPIA, Wash.-The emergency quarantine boundaries for the invasive Japanese Beetle will become permanent on Sept. 15.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture announced the permanent extension of the emergency quarantine boundaries on Sept. 10.
The original quarantine area, established in 2022 included 49 square miles near Grandview, but was expanded to include Sunnyside, Outlook, Mabton, and additional areas in Benton County, due to subsequent beetle detections, according to the WSDA.
In addition to permanently expanding the quarantine boundaries, the WSDA has added clarifying language and added more quarantine rules, according to a press release on the boundaries.
Updated quarantine rules implemented by the WSDA.
Adding soil samples to the list of regulated articles in WAC 16-470-710(2), as well as conditions governing the movement of soil samples.Clarifying in WAC 16-470-710(7) that cut flowers exposed to open-air environments during their harvest, transportation, or trade are included as a regulated article.Adding conditions governing the movement of cut flowers for decorative purposes.Requiring businesses that are located within the internal quarantine area and are selling regulated articles under WAC 16-470-710(4) or (7) to post signage to alert customers purchasing regulated articles that they may not be transported outside of the quarantine area.
Two yard-waste drop-off sites for residents to take debris for free have been set up within the quarantine boundaries to help prevent the spread of the beetles.
