United States Department of Agriculture Potato Cyst Nematode Marketing and Regulatory Eradication in Idaho Programs Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Amended Environmental Assessment, July 2007 Potato Cyst Nematode Eradication in Idaho Amended Environmental Assessment, July 2007 Agency Contact: Osama El-Lissy Director, Emergency Management Emergency and Domestic Programs Animal Plant Health Inspection Service U.S. Department of Agriculture 4700 River Rd. Unit 134 Riverdale, MD 20737 __________________________________________________________ The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’S TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326–W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call (202) 720–5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. __________________________________________________________ Mention of companies or commercial products in this report does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture over others not mentioned. USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standard of any product mentioned. Product names are mentioned solely 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 or other wildlife—if they are not handled or applied properly. Use all pesticides selectively and carefully. Follow recommended practices for the disposal of surplus pesticides and pesticide containers. Table of Contents I. Purpose and Need................................................................... 1 II. Background ............................................................................. 2 A. Biology of Potato Cyst Nematode ................................... 2 B. Affected Environment....................................................... 3 III. Alternatives.............................................................................. 4 A. No Action Alternative........................................................ 4 B. Treatment Alternative ....................................................... 4 IV. Environmental Impacts........................................................... 5 A. No Action Alternative........................................................ 5 B. Treatment Alternative ....................................................... 7 C. Cumulative Effects.......................................................... 18 D. Threatened and Endangered Species ........................... 22 V. Other Considerations ............................................................ 22 VI. Listing of Agencies and Persons Consulted...................... 24 VII. References ............................................................................ 26 Appendix A: Potential Host Plants for Globodera pallida…...29 I. Purpose and Need The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), is proposing a treatment program to eradicate the potato cyst nematode (PCN), Globodera pallida. PCN is a devastating soil-borne pest to potato crops with the potential to impact related agricultural and nonagricultural plant species. Damage varies from small patches to complete crop failure. Infestations generally start out as isolated patches which become larger in subsequent years. If untreated, PCN can cause up to 80-percent yield loss in potato fields. The nematode is spread through the transport of soil via seed potatoes, nursery stock, flower bulbs, farm equipment, or soil-bearing surfaces. Although natural dispersion in soil is limited to a few millimeters, wind and water can aid in increasing the natural spread. PCN was first detected in Idaho during a Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey in mid-April 2006. In June and July of 2006, two fields were confirmed positive for PCN. On August 29, 2006, APHIS and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture announced the establishment of a regulatory area covering approximately 10,000 acres near Shelly, Idaho. Five new fields tested positive after additional testing within the regulatory area. Surveys of seed potatoes yielded no positive detections of PCN. No additional positive PCN detections were found in surveys conducted throughout the 33 potato-producing States during the National Survey Plan for 2006. A total of 916 acres are currently known to be infected by PCN in seven fields in Bonneville and Bingham Counties, Idaho. At this time, no other infestations are known to occur in the United States. APHIS has the responsibility for taking actions to exclude, eradicate, and/or control plant pests under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.). It is important that APHIS take the steps necessary to eradicate PCN from areas in Idaho to prevent spread to potato crops in the United States. APHIS, in cooperation with the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, is proposing an eradication program of PCN from the infested areas in Idaho. The eradication program will continue for a period of 5 to 7 years to ensure elimination of the nematode. An environmental assessment (EA) was prepared in May 2007 to address the potential action of eradicating the PCN where it had been detected near Shelly, ID (USDA APHIS 2007). The EA was prepared consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and APHIS’ NEPA implementing procedures (7 CFR, part 372) for the purpose of evaluating how the proposed action, if implemented, may affect the quality of the human environment. 1 In the EA the treatment alternative consisted of using one, or a combination of fumigants. The fumigants proposed for use were methyl bromide, 1,3-dichloropropene (DCP), and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS). The May 2007 EA analyzed one application of DCP per growing season at an application rate of 177 lb active ingredient (ai) per acre (ac). Subsequently, experience in the field with methyl bromide applications indicated there was a need to have the option to be able to apply DCP, if needed, twice per year. In addition, higher application rates are desired to insure adequate efficacy during treatment. The current pesticide label for DCP, which is sold as Telone II®, does not allow for two applications at a rate above 177 lb ai/ac. However, a special local use need label under Section 24(c) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is being considered for a new use pattern that allows for either one or two DCP applications per season at a rate of 177 to 354 lb ai/ac per application. This amended EA discusses how the proposed changes in DCP use may affect the quality of the human environment. II. Background A. Biology of Potato Cyst Nematode PCN refers to two commonly known species, Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida, which belong to an important group of plant parasitic nematodes that affect agricultural crops. The nematode identified in the proposed eradication program is G. pallida. Typical of most nematode life cycles, G. pallida has four distinct juvenile stages and an adult stage. The second-stage juvenile hatches from the egg which is contained within a cyst formed from the cuticle of an adult female. Upon hatching, the second-stage juvenile is considered the active phase because it is the life stage that actively seeks host plants. Hatching occurs based on appropriate environmental factors and the presence of substances diffusing from the roots of host plants within the Solanaceae family, which includes the potato, tomato, and eggplant, as well as other nonagricultural hosts (appendix A). Extensive hatching will occur under optimal conditions; however, some juveniles will always remain dormant for several years, regardless of the conditions, to insure population viability (Turner and Evans, 1998). In cases where a host plant is not present, infestations can persist up to 30 years due to delayed hatching and the ability of the second-stage juvenile to become dormant within the cuticle cyst of the female (Turner, 1996; DEFRA, 1996). Once the second-stage juvenile encounters a host it will enter the root near the growing point, or a lateral root, and use its mouth, or stylet, to pierce a 2 cell wall. A feeding tube is then formed as a precursor to the formation of a synctium, or transfer cell, which is formed by the enlargement of root cells and breakdown of the cell walls. The synctium facilitates the passage of nutrients to the nematode. In cases where the nematodes are able to maintain the synctium, they will molt to the sedentary third and fourth stages and then molt to either male or female adults. In cases where the synctium cannot be maintained and there is a lack of available nutrients, more male nematodes will be produced. Emergent males do not feed