USDA - APHIS - Biotechnology

Roundup Ready Alfalfa Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

Alfalfa EIS Purpose
In response to a court order, APHIS is developing an environmental impact statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential impacts of Roundup Ready alfalfa on the environment.

Alfalfa EIS Status
In 2007, APHIS began the EIS planning process and anticipates it will take 2 years to complete the EIS; APHIS is making every effort to meet this timeline.

Currently, APHIS is working on a draft EIS for public comment with expected completion at the end of 2008, providing all steps in the process can be effectively and efficiently completed for this major federal action. APHIS has started to write several chapters of the EIS, several technical reports, and has hired a contractor to facilitate the production of the EIS.

Alfalfa EIS Process
APHIS began the EIS process with the issuance of a Scoping Notice of Intent (NOI) that informed the public and sought comments on 18 broad areas the Agency intends to analyze, and three "Action" alternatives.

The analysis of the issues raised in the NOI and associated comments will be published in the draft EIS. After a public comment period, any issues raised may be reviewed and analyzed before publication of a final EIS. A decision on the regulated status of Roundup Ready Alfalfa will published at the same time as the publication of the final EIS.

Public Participation
The first opportunity for public comment was in January 2008, when APHIS issued a Scoping NOI. The next opportunity for public comment will be when APHIS publishes its draft EIS.

APHIS has provided updates on the scope and status of the EIS at a number of conferences, workshops and other meetings since the court's announcement that the Agency will prepare an EIS. APHIS intends to continue to provide similar updates at appropriate meetings leading up to the release of a draft EIS.

APHIS will also post information on this web page to announce major activity related to the EIS and will provide updates in its Quarterly newsletter as appropriate.