Decision and Finding ofNo Significant Impact for Field Release ofAphelinus rhamni (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) for Biological Co trol of

the Soybean Aphid, Aphisglycines (Hemiptera: Aphididae), in the Continental nited States June 2014 The U.S. Department ofAgriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Servi e (APHIS) , Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Pest Permitting Branch (PPB), is pro sing to issue permits for release ofan insect, Aphelinus rhamni (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) , in he continental United States. The agent would be used by the applicant for the biological**ntrol** of soybean aphid, Aphis glycines (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Before permits are issued for re ease of A. rhamni, APHIS must analyze the potential impacts ofthe release ofthis organisf int the continental United States in accordance with USDA APHIS National Environmental Policy Act implementing regulations (7 Code ofFederal Regulations Part 372). APHIS has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) that analyzes the potential environmental consequences f this 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 2073 7 http :// www.aphis
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_Assessments%2F The EA analyzed the following two alternatives in response to a request for permits authj rizing environmental release of A. rhamni : (1) no action, and (2) issue permits for the release o 1 A
. rhamni for biological control ofsoybean aphid. A third alternative, to issue permits wit special provisions or requirements concerning release procedures or mitigating measures, was considered. However, this alternative was dismissed because no issues were raised thatE' dicated that special provisions or requirements were necessary. The No Action alternative, as d scribed in the EA, would likely result in the continued use at the current level ofchemical, host lant resistance, and biological control methods ofsoybean aphid. These control methods des ribed · are not alternatives for decisions to be made by the PPB, but are presently being used to bontrol soybean aphid in the United States and may continue regardless ofpermit issuance for

### fi**ld** release of A
. rhamni. Legal notice ofthe EA was made available in the Federal Register on May 2, 2014 for a 30-day public comment period
. One anonymous comment was received o the EA, in opposition to the proposed release of A. rhamni. However, no substantive information was presented in the comment. I have decided to authorize the PPB to issue permits for the environmental release of A. hamni. 

### The reasons for my 

### decision are:

## •
• This biological control agent is sufficiently host specific and poses little, ifany, tr eat to the biological resources, including non-target insect species ofthe United States. The release will have no effect on federally listed threatened and endangered species or their habitats in the United States.
• A. rhamni poses no threat to the health ofhumans. 

## • •

• No negative cumulative impacts are expected from release of A. rhamni
. There are no disproportionate adverse effects to minorities, low-income populations, or children in accordance with Executive Order 12898 "Federal Actions to Address 

## I Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-income Populations" and Executive Order 13045, "Protection ofChildren from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks." 

# I While there is not total assurance that the release of A. rhamni into the environm 

### I t 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 ofthe preferred alternative (issuance ofpermits for the release of A. rharhni) and, therefore, no Environmental Impact Statement needs to be prepared.

Emily Pullin Director Regulations, Permits, and Manuals Plant Health Programs Plant Protection and Quarantine Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service U.S. Department ofAgriculture