### Decision andFindingofNo Significant Impact for Field Release of

### LaricobiusosakensisMontgomery and Shiyake (Coleoptera: Derodontidae),
a predatorybeetlefor Biological Control ofHemlockWooly Adelgid, 

### Adelgestsugae (Hemiptera: Adelgidae), in the Continental United States

June 2010

The U.S. Department ofAgriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Pest Permitting Branch is proposing to issue permits for release ofa nonindigenous predatorybeetle, Laricobius osakensis (Coleoptera: Derodontidae) into the environment in the continental United States. This species would be released by the applicant as abiological control ofthe hemlock wooly adelgid (HWA),Adelges tsugae, an invasive pest ofhemlock trees (Tsuga spp.) in eastern North America. Since Laricobius osakensis is non-indigenous to any State, territory or possession ofthe United States, issuing a permit for release into the environment is subject to the APHIS' National Environmental Policy Act implementingregulations (7CFR Part 372). Therefore, prior to proposing to issue permits for release ofL. osakensis, APHIS prepared an environmental assessment (EA) that analyzes the potential environmental consequences ofthis action. The EA is available from:

u.S. Department ofAgriculture Animal and PlantHealth inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine Registrations, Identification, Permits, and Plant Safeguarding 4700 River Road, Unit 133 Riverdale, MD 20737 http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant healtll!ealindex.shtml

TheEAanalyzed the following two alternatives in response to a request for permits authorizing environmental release ofL. osakensis: (1) no action, and (2) issue permits for the release ofL. osakensis for biological control ofhemlockwooly adelgid. A third alternative, to issue permits with special provisions orrequirements concerning release procedures or mitigating measures, was dismissed from analysis because no issues were raised that indicated that special provisions
orrequirements were necessary. The No Action alternative, as described in the EA, would likely result in the continued use at the current level ofchemical and biological control methods forthe management ofhemlock wooly adelgid, as well as the loss ofhemlock tress in areas where controls are not feasible oreffective. These control methods ortree losses described are not alternatives for decisions to be made by the Permit Unit, but are presently ongoing in eastern United States and may continue regardless ofpermit issuance for field release ofL. osakensis. Notice ofthe EA was made available in the Federal Register on May 20, 2010 for a 30-day public comment period. Onecomment was received on the EA, which was in favor ofthe release ofL. osakensis.Ihave decided to authorize the APHIS-PPQ Permit Unit to issue permits for the environmental release of

### L. osakensis. Thereasons for my decision are:

• This biological control agent is sufficiently host specific and poses little, ifany, threat to the biological resources, including non-target psyllid species, ofthe continental United States.

• The release will haveno effect on federally listed threatened and endangered species or theirhabitats in the continental United States.



### • L. osakensis poses no threat to the health ofhumans or wild or domestic animals.

• No negative cumulative impacts are expected from release of

### L. osakensis.

• There are no disproportionate adverse effects to minorities, low-income popUlations, or children in accordance with Executive Order 12898 "Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-income Populations" and Executive Order 13045, "Protection ofChildren from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks."

• While it is unknown whether release ofL. osakensis into the environment will be reversible, there is no evidence that this organism will cause any adverse environmental effects.

Ihave determined that there would be no significant impact to the human environment from issuing permits for release ofLaricobius osakensis into the environment in the continental United States.

irko, Director Date Registration Imports Permits and Plant Safeguarding Plant Health Programs USDA APHIS PPQ,