NOTE: If the release is proposed to be completed by an agency or organization other than the USFWS, the action is reviewed in accordance with the USFWS's Appropriate Refuge Uses (603 FW 1) and Compatibility (603 FW 2) policies.If a NEPA environmental analysis has not been conducted or is not applicable to the refuge natural resources, then a NEPA analysis and compliance documentation is completed.

If there is a USDA completed National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental analysis (EA) and the analysis of impacts is applicable and adequately evaluates any potential impacts to refuge natural resources, then that maybe adopted by reference with a FONSI statement. Endangered Species Act intra-Service section 7 analysis for federally listed, proposed, and candidate species or designated critical habitat that may occur in the action area or be impacted by the release of the biocontrol agent.Refuge staff who propose to release a biological control agent to manage an invasive species on-refuge complete the following: The USFWS Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health policy 601 FW 3 states that we do not introduce species on refuges outside their historic range or introduce species, unless such introduction is essential for the control of an invasive species and prescribed in an integrated pest management plan. Laws, regulations, and policy govern the release of USDA permitted biological control organisms on national wildlife refuges. A supplemental Environmental Assessment (EA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 consultation must be conducted before releases into additional states can be approved. Movement of exotic biocontrol organisms across state lines must be authorized by a USDA-APHIS-PPQ permit. Read more about TAG and the permitting process: TAG members review petitions for candidate biocontrol agents and provide information and advice to researchers and those in APHIS responsible for issuing permits for importation, testing, and field release of biocontrol agents. Federal and state governments provide rigid guidelines for testing, importation, and quarantine of selected natural enemies, and biological data are required by state and federal agencies for agents to be released from quarantine.ДЇoreign exploration, quarantine, rearing, release, and host specificity testing all follow a specific set of guidelines and protocols, established and monitored by the Technical Advisory Group on the Introduction of Biological Control Agents of Weeds (TAG) of the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). вЂњDepending on the product and its mode of action we can use one or more for any of these pests.Agents selected for biocontrol of invasive plants are imported into the United States after rigorous testing for host-specificity to ensure that the potential biocontrol organism attacks only the target invasive plant. Then we have entomopathogenic nematodes that are very effective against soil-dwelling life stages,вЂќ Dara explained. So, they can be effective against sucking pests, but they are also effective against pests that have chewing mouthparts like Lepidoptera, or Coleoptera, and so on. Then we have fungi that infect and kill arthropods based on the contact. вЂњBacillus thuringiensis is very effective against several lepidopteran pests. However, when cultural practices are not providing adequate management, there are several biological materials that can be effective in combatting arthropods. Other practices such as cultural, behavioral, and mechanical control approaches should be deployed as part of an integrated pest management system. While biological materials are an important piece of a growerвЂ™s toolkit, Dara suggests being mindful of not overusing them. вЂњThe choice depends on the kind of crop we are looking at and the type of arthropod we need to control.вЂќ Then there are also some toxin-based ones and others,вЂќ said Dara. вЂњIf we are talking about biological pesticides, we have those that are based on bacteria, those that are based on fungi, nematodes, viruses, and botanical sources. Surendra Dara said there are multiple materials available to address arthropod pressures. UC Cooperative Extension Entomology and Biologicals Advisor Dr. Vegetable crops have a variety of arthropod pests that impact production, including different types of thrips, mites, aphids, and worms. Biological materials play an important part in integrated pest management, particularly in organic systems.

How to apply biocontrol agents to soil