Limited Permits Expire Annually on April 30
All untreated regulated articles, such as sawbolts, pulpwood, or bark for fuel, must be accompanied by a limited permit when leaving spongy moth quarantined areas. Untreated regulated articles can only be transported to specified locations in accordance with specialized conditions.
All MDA limited permits expire annually on April 30. To obtain a limited permit, individuals must complete a training provided by the MDA. If you had a valid 2023 limited permit you will be emailed instructions on the 2024 training and renewal application.
Limited permits cannot be used for shipment of sawlogs, firewood, bark for mulch, holiday greenery, nursery stock, or for movement outside of Minnesota.
Contact the MDA if you need a limited permit after April 30 for the 2024 calendar year.
Limited Permit Training
Online training is available by following the steps below.
- Complete the application form.
- Submit your application by email to Gabrielle Ries.
- Watch the MDA training video.
- Complete the online quiz.
Your limited permit will be emailed to you after completing the four steps above in 7-10 business days. If you have questions please contact Gabrielle Ries.
Spongy Moth Quarantine and Regulatory Information
Spongy moth is a serious invasive forest pest that requires a quarantine to slow it's spread. The spongy moth quarantine limits the movement of certain items out of a designated area and is an effective tool in managing and slowing it's spread across the U.S. and Minnesota.
Spongy moths are expert hitchhikers and are most commonly transported as egg masses. The female will lay her eggs on any solid surface increasing the risk of further distribution.
The following articles are regulated under spongy moth quarantines
- All stages of the spongy moth life cycle including: eggs, larvae, pupae, and adult moths
- Logs, posts, sawbolts, and pulpwood
- Bark and bark products
- Nursery stock
- Christmas trees, boughs, wreaths and garland
- Firewood
- Outdoor household articles
- Mobile homes and associated items
- Any other products, articles, or means of conveyance that present a high risk of artificial spread of spongy moth
General Quarantine Information and Distribution
- Minnesota's Lake and Cook counties are quarantined for spongy moth, and have been so since July 1, 2014. Formal quarantine language.
- USDA Spongy Moth Information and Quarantine Regulations
Compliance Agreements
A compliance agreement is a formal agreement between the state and an entity who handle or move regulated articles out of a quarantine. Compliance agreements establish standard operating procedures that meet the quarantine requirements to limit the risk of spreading spongy moth. Compliance agreements are typically established with entities that handle and move sawlogs, firewood, bark, holiday greenery, and more.
Quarantine violations occur when companies or individuals transport regulated articles out of the quarantined area without appropriate documentation and can result in civil or criminal penalties. Entities that regularly move regulated articles can continue to do so if they are operating under a compliance agreement.