### Decision andFinding ofNo SignificantImpact for Field Release ofthe ArundoScale, Rhizaspidiotusdonacis 

### (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), an Insectfor Biological Control ofArundodonax 

### (Poaceae) in the Continental United States December2010

The 

### u.s. Department ofAgriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) PestPermitting Branch (PPB), is proposing to issue permits for release ofan insect, Rhizaspidiotus donacis (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), into the environment in the continental United States. This species would bereleased by the applicant for the biological control ofArundo donax (Poaceae), an invasive weed. SinceRhizaspidiotus donacis is not native or established in any State, territory orpossession ofthe United States, APHIS must analyze the potential impacts ofthe release ofthis 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 implementingregulations (7CFR Part 372). Therefore, APHIS has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) that analyzes the potential environmental consequences ofthis action. The EA is available from:

U.S. Department ofAgriculture 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

TheEA analyzed the following two alternatives in response to a request for permits authorizing environmental release ofR. donacis: (1) no action, and (2) issue permits for the release ofR. donaci.') for biological control ofA. donax. A third alternative, to issue permits with special provisions orrequirements concerning release procedures ormitigating measures, was considered, then subsequently dismissed, 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 atthe current level ofchemical, mechanical, and biological control methods for the management ofA. 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 continueregardless ofpermit issuance for field release of R. donacis. Notice ofthe EA was made available in the Federal Register on November 12,2010 for a 30-day public comment period. Eleven comments were received onthe EA. Tenwere in favor ofthe release ofR. donacis. One was an anonymous comment expressing general disapproval ofAPHIS activities. This comment did not provide any substantial concerns regardingR. donacis that required additional consideration in the EA.Ihave decided to authorize the PPB to issue penuits for the environmental release ofR. donacis. The reasons for my decision are:

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

• Therelease may affect but is not likely to adversely affect federally listed threatened and endangered species or theirhabitats in the continental United States. APHIS received a letter ofconcurrence with this determination from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

• R. donacis poses no threat to the health ofhumans orwild ordomestic animals.

• No negative cumulative impacts are expected from release ofR. 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, "ProtectionofChildrenfrom Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks."

• While there is not total assurance that the release ofR. 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 ofany ofthe action alternatives and, therefore, no EIS needs to beprepared.

Dr. MichaaG/Pirko Date Director Registrations, Identification, Permits, and Plant Safeguarding Plant Health Programs APHIS, Plant Protection and Quarantine