Final Environmental Assessment Rangeland Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Suppression Program Churchill, Humboldt, Pershing, and Washoe Counties, Nevada EA Number: NV-01-20 Prepared by: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine 8775 Technology Way Reno, NV 89521 May 27, 2020 1 Table of Contents I. Need for Proposed Action ...................................................................................................... 5 A. Purpose and Need Statement .............................................................................................. 5 B. Background Discussion ...................................................................................................... 6 C. About This Process ............................................................................................................. 8 II. Alternatives ............................................................................................................................ 8 A. No Action Alternative ....................................................................................................... 10 B. Insecticide Applications at Conventional Rates or Reduced Agent Area Treatments with Adaptive Management Strategy (Preferred Alternative) ........................................................ 10 III. Affected Environment .......................................................................................................... 12 A. Description of Affected Environment ............................................................................... 12 B. Site-Specific Considerations ............................................................................................. 13 1. Human Health ................................................................................................................ 13 2. Non-target Species ......................................................................................................... 13 a) Migratory Birds ....................................................................................................... 13 b) Endangered Species ................................................................................................ 13 c) Bald and Golden Eagles .......................................................................................... 14 d) Additional Species of Concern ............................................................................... 14 3. Socioeconomic Issues .................................................................................................... 14 4. Cultural Resources and Events ...................................................................................... 16 5. Special Considerations for Certain Populations ............................................................ 17 a) Executive Order No. 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations ........................................................ 17 b) Executive Order No. 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks ...................................................................................................... 17 IV. Environmental Consequences .............................................................................................. 18 A. Environmental Consequences of the Alternatives ............................................................ 18 1. No Action Alternative .................................................................................................... 18 2. Insecticide Applications at Conventional Rates or Reduced Agent Area Treatments with Adaptive Management Strategy .................................................................................... 19 a) Carbaryl................................................................................................................... 20 b) Diflubenzuron ......................................................................................................... 22 c) Malathion ................................................................................................................ 25 d) Reduced Area Agent Treatments (RAATs) ............................................................ 28 B. Other Environmental Considerations ................................................................................ 29 1. Cumulative Impacts ....................................................................................................... 29 2. Executive Order No. 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations ............................................................ 31 3. Executive Order No. 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks .................................................................................................................... 32 4. Tribal Consultation ........................................................................................................ 33 2 5. Executive Order 13186, Responsibilities of Federal Agencies to Protect Migratory Birds ...................................................................................................................................... 33 6. Endangered Species Act ................................................................................................ 34 7. Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act .......................................................................... 36 8. Additional Species of Concern ...................................................................................... 36 9. Fires and Human Health Hazards .................................................................................. 37 10. Cultural and Historical Resources ................................................................................. 38 V. Literature Cited .................................................................................................................... 38 VI. Listing of Agencies and Persons Consulted (Past & Present) ............................................. 48 Appendix A ................................................................................................................................... 49 APHIS Rangeland Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Suppression Program ........................ 49 General Guidelines for Grasshopper / Mormon Cricket Treatments ...................................... 49 Operational Procedures ........................................................................................................... 50 GENERAL PROCEDURES FOR ALL AERIAL AND GROUND APPLICATIONS ...... 50 SPECIFIC PROCEDURES FOR AERIAL APPLICATIONS............................................. 51 Appendix B ................................................................................................................................... 53 2019 Grasshopper Survey Cumulative ................................................................................... 53 2019 Mormon Cricket Survey Cumulative ............................................................................. 54 Appendix C Table 1 ...................................................................................................................... 55 Endangered Species Act Species ............................................................................................ 57 Mammals............................................................................................................................... 57 Amphibians ........................................................................................................................... 57 Fishes .................................................................................................................................... 58 Insects ................................................................................................................................... 58 Flowering Plants ................................................................................................................... 58 Conifers and Cycads ............................................................................................................. 58 Critical habitats ....................................................................................................................... 59 USFWS National Wildlife Refuge Lands And Fish Hatcheries .............................................. 60 Migratory Birds ....................................................................................................................... 62 Appendix C Table 2 ...................................................................................................................... 66 A. Part 1 ................................................................................................................................. 66 B. Part two ............................................................................................................................. 81 Appendix C Table 3 ...................................................................................................................... 83 Appendix D ................................................................................................................................... 86 APHIS response to public comments on the Nevada Draft EAs ............................................ 86 3 Appendices Appendix A: FY 2020 Guidelines for Treatment of Rangeland for the Suppression