Decision and Finding of No Significant Impact 


for 


Field Release of the Arundo Scale, Rhizaspidiotus donacis (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), an 


Insect for Biological Control ofArundo donax (Poaceae) in the Continental 


United States 


December 2010 


The u.s. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 

(APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Pest Permitting Branch (PPB), is proposing to 

issue permits for release of an insect, Rhizaspidiotus donacis (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), into the 

environment in the continental United States. This species would be released by the applicant 

for the biological control of Arundo donax (Poaceae), an invasive weed. Since Rhizaspidiotus 

donacis is not native or established in any State, territory or possession of the United States, 

APHIS must analyze the potential impacts of the release of this organism into the continental 

United States prior to issuing a permit for release into the environment in accordance with 

USDA APHIS National Environmental Policy Act implementing regulations (7CFR Part 372). 

Therefore, APHIS has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) that analyzes the potential 

environmental consequences of this action. The EA is available from: 

U.S. Department of Agriculture 


Animal and Plant Health 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 healthlealindex.shtml 


The EA analyzed the following two alternatives in response to a request for permits authorizing 

environmental release of R. donacis: (1) no action, and (2) issue permits for the release of R. 

donaci.') for biological control of A. donax. A third alternative, to issue permits with special 

provisions or requirements concerning release procedures or mitigating measures, was 

considered, then subsequently dismissed, because no issues were raised that indicated that 

special provisions or requirements were necessary. The No Action alternative, as described in 

the EA, would likely result in the continued use at the current level of chemical, mechanical, and 

biological control methods for the management of A. donax. These control methods described 

are not alternatives for decisions to be made by the PPB, but are presently being used to control 

A. donax in the United States and may continue regardless of permit issuance for field release of 

R. donacis. Notice of the EA was made available in the Federal Register on November 12,2010 

for a 30-day public comment period. Eleven comments were received on the EA. Ten were in 

favor of the release of R. donacis. One was an anonymous comment expressing general 

disapproval of APHIS activities. This comment did not provide any substantial concerns 

regarding R. donacis that required additional consideration in the EA. 
I have decided to authorize the PPB to issue penuits for the environmental release of R. donacis. 

The reasons for my decision are: 

• 	 This biological control agent is sufficiently host specific and poses little, if any, threat to 

the biological resources, including non-target plant species, of the continental United 

States. 

• 	 The release may affect but is not likely to adversely affect federally listed threatened and 

endangered species or their habitats in the continental United States. APHIS received a 

letter of concurrence with this determination from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

• 	 R. donacis poses no threat to the health of humans or wild or domestic animals. 

• 	 No negative cumulative impacts are expected from release of R. donacis. 

• 	 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 of Children from Environmental Health Risks and 

Safety Risks." 

• 	 While there is not total assurance that the release of R. donacis into the environment will 

be reversible, there is no evidence that this organism will cause any adverse 

environmental effects. 

I have determined that there would be no significant impact to the human environment from the 

implementation of any of the action alternatives and, therefore, no EIS needs to be prepared. 

Dr. MichaaG/Pirko Date 

Director 

Registrations, Identification, Permits, and Plant Safeguarding 

Plant Health Programs 

APHIS, Plant Protection and Quarantine