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Before the proposed rule was published, the United States was one of 

 the few major countries without regulations to protect native forests 

 from pests that may be introduced by log imports and other 

 unmanufactured wood products . 



The proposed rule is also necessary because of the significant changes 

 that have occurred in global markets. The changes have opened new 

 sources for importing logs and other wood products into the United 

 States. 



Finally, the proposed rule will clarify trade requirements and 

 procedures . 



Pest Risk and Consequences 



There are many forest pests in other countries that could be 

 introduced into the United States with imported logs and other wood 

 products. Defoliators, bark beetles, wood borers, rusts, rots, and 

 other pests have the potential to damage native forests at least as 

 severely as pests that have previously been introduced. 



Historically, introduced pests have caused serious environmental 

 damage and economic losses to the nation's forests. Introduced pests 

 have altered tree species composition, reduced biodiversity, 

 diminished scenic values, and altered wildlife habitat. Non-native 

 insects and diseases such as chestnut blight, Dutch elm disease, white 

 pine blister rust, the gypsy moth, larch casebearer, and hemlock wooly 

 adelgid have cost local. State, and Federal agencies, and private 

 landowners billions of dollars for control -related activities. 



