Final Programmatic ALB Eradication Program Environmental Impact Statement 2015
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United States Department of Agriculture Asian Longhorned Beetle Marketing and Regulatory Eradication Program Programs Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement—September 2015 Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradication Program Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement—September 2015 Agency Contact: Jim E. Warren, Ph.D. Ecologist Policy and Program Development Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service U.S. Department of Agriculture 4700 River Road, Unit 149 Riverdale, MD 20737–1238 (This page is intentionally left blank.) Non-Discrimination Policy The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) To File an Employment Complaint If you wish to file an employment complaint, you must contact your agency's EEO Counselor (PDF) within 45 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory act, event, or in the case of a personnel action. Additional information can be found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_file.html. To File a Program Complaint If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250–9410, by fax (202) 690–7442 or email at [email protected]. Persons With Disabilities Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities and you wish to file either an EEO or program complaint please contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877- 8339 or (800) 845-6136 (in Spanish). Persons with disabilities who wish to file a program complaint, please see information above on how to contact us by mail directly or by email. If you require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) please contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD). Mention of companies or commercial products in this report does not imply recommendation or endorsement by USDA over others not mentioned. USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standard of any product mentioned. Product names are mentioned to report factually on available data and to provide specific information. This publication reports research involving pesticides. All uses of pesticides must be registered by appropriate State and/or Federal agencies before they can be recommended. CAUTION: Pesticides can be injurious to humans, domestic animals, desirable plants, and fish and other wildlife—if they are not handled or applied properly. Use all pesticides selectively and carefully. Follow recommended label practices for the use and disposal of pesticides and pesticide containers. (This page is intentionally left blank.) Table of Contents Executive Summary................................................................................. v I. Purpose of and Need for Action ............................................................. 1 A. Background ...................................................................................... 2 1. Description of ALB ..................................................................... 2 2. Economic Impacts of ALB in the United States .......................... 7 3. Existing and Projected Ecological Impact in the United States and Elsewhere ........................................................................... 9 B. Public Involvement ......................................................................... 11 1. Prior EAs Published by the Agency and Results from Public Comments .................................................................... 11 2. Past Agency Outreach Efforts on ALB Issues .......................... 11 3. Locations of Addressed Issues Raised by Stakeholders ......... 11 C. Decision Framework ...................................................................... 15 D. Scope of this Document and NEPA Requirements ....................... 17 E. Consultations ................................................................................. 17 II. Alternatives .......................................................................................... 19 A. Quarantine ..................................................................................... 19 B. Survey ........................................................................................... 20 1. Level 1 Survey (Core Survey) ................................................. 21 2. Level 2 Survey (Buffer) ............................................................ 21 3. Level 3 Survey (High Risk Survey) .......................................... 22 4. Secondary Survey ................................................................... 23 C. Alternatives Evaluated in this EIS ................................................. 23 1. No Action ................................................................................. 25 2. Removal of Infested Trees ...................................................... 26 3. Full Host Removal ................................................................... 27 4. Insecticide Treatment .............................................................. 28 5. An Integrated Approach (Preferred Alternative) ...................... 29 D. Alternatives Considered but Not Included in this EIS .................... 30 1. Use of Other Chemical Control Agents ................................... 30 2. Other Integrated Pest Management / Suppression Strategies ................................................................................ 30 III. Affected Environment .......................................................................... 33 A. Affected Forest Communities ........................................................ 33 B. Affected Water Resources ............................................................ 34 1. Water Quality ........................................................................... 35 2. Interactions of Soils with Water Quality ................................... 37 C. Affected Soil .................................................................................. 37 1. Soil Types of the United States ............................................... 38 2. ALB-Host Species and Soil Quality ......................................... 38 3. Soil Erosion ............................................................................. 39 D. Air .................................................................................................. 40 E. Affected Biological Organisms ...................................................... 43 F. Affected Economic, Social, and Cultural Factors .......................... 46 Table of Contents i. 1. Market Factors ......................................................................... 46 2. Timber ..................................................................................... 47 3. Maple Syrup ............................................................................ 50 4. Tree Nurseries ......................................................................... 50 5. Non-Market Factors ................................................................. 51 6. Social Factors .......................................................................... 52 7. Cultural Factors ....................................................................... 52 IV. Environmental Consequences ............................................................. 55 A. Program Alternatives ...................................................................... 55 1. Alternative 1: No Action ........................................................... 55 2. Alternative 2: Removal of Infested Trees ................................ 63 3. Alternative 3: Full Host Removal ............................................. 71 4. Alternative 4: Infested Tree Removals and Insecticide Treatment of High-Risk Host Trees .......................................... 75 5. Alternative 5: An Integrated Approach (Preferred Alternative) ................................................................................ 83 6. Cumulative Impacts .................................................................. 85 B. Special Programmatic Considerations ........................................... 90 1. Applicable Environmental Statutes ........................................... 90 2. Mitigation and Risk Reduction .................................................. 98 3. Program Monitoring .................................................................. 99 4. Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources ....... 100 Appendices A. Preparers B. List of ALB NEPA Links C. ALB Annotated Host List D. Assessment of Greenhouse