Harmful Algal Bloom Level Milder Than Predicted

Lake Erie’s summer algal bloom level was less serious than scientists had predicted in July. The level was 3.6 out of a possible 10, indicating a relatively mild bloom, according to an Oct. 26 report issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In a July report, scientists from NOAA and Ohio Sea Grant program at The Ohio State University had predicted the bloom level would be 6 on the severity index.  While this year’s level is slightly more severe than the 3.2 measured in 2016, it was much milder than the severe bloom of 2017 in which the level measured 8. Chris Winslow, director of Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) can address questions about the report and about the health of Lake Erie. He can be reached at 614-247-6684 or winslow.33@osu.edu. The Oct. 26 NOAA report can be found at go.osu.edu/algalbloomreport. Ohio Sea Grant issued its own report Oct. 31 on the impact of harmful algal bloom research initiatives in Ohio. That report can be found at: go.osu.edu/algalresearchimpact

Tips for Purchasing Firewood

Brett Gates, (614) 752-9817, bgates@agri.ohio.gov

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE OFFERS TIPS FOR PURCHASING FIREWOOD

Being familiar with state firewood laws can help ensure you get what you pay for

 

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (Nov. 8, 2018) – As winter quickly approaches and more people look to firewood to help heat their homes, the Ohio Department of Agriculture is offering some basic tips to help when purchasing wood. The following firewood rules and regulations are helpful to review:

 

  • Non-packaged firewood must be sold by the cord or by fractions of a cord. One cord, when properly stacked, should be 8 feet long by 4 feet high and 4 feet wide (128 cubic feet).
  • If sold in bulk, firewood must be sold by in terms of price per ton. This must be weighed on a certified scale. In no case can a scale be used for net loads that weigh less than fifty minimum divisions.
  • It is illegal to sell firewood by any other unit of measurement such as a rick, rack, face cord or truckload. If a consumer believes that a seller did not comply with these rules and regulations, the person should immediately contact the seller.
  • If non-packaged firewood is purchased, the seller must present the consumer with a delivery ticket or sales invoice that includes contact information of seller and purchaser, date of delivery, quantity, quantity upon which the price is based, total price of the amount delivered and terms and conditions of the sale.
  • If the firewood is advertised and sold a representation may include a declaration of identity that indicates the species group. (Example: 50% hickory, 40%oak, 10% ash).  Such a representation shall indicate, within 10% accuracy, the percentages of each group.
  • Be aware of different firewood movement regulations in place concerning invasive species such as gypsy moth and Asian longhorned beetle. For more information on specific regulations visit ODA’s invasive pests webpage. It is always good practice to not move firewood long distances and to buy local and burn local.
  • When burning firewood for heat, the State Fire Marshal advises to follow all necessary safety practices to avoid any serious problems.

 

If you have questions or concerns with a firewood sale, and the seller will not correct the problem, contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Division of Weights and Measures at (614) 728-6290 or contact your county auditor’s office.