APHIS Announces Finding of No Significant Impact to Control Spotted Lanternfly

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) completed Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Decision for an environmental assessment (EA) to control spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Rhode Island, a potentially devastating invasive species to agriculture and other resources.

Based on the analysis contained in the EA and the three comments received during the public comment period, February 15-April 3, 2023, APHIS has decided to implement the Proposed Action as described in the EA and concluded that it will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. The FONSI/Decision was signed April 27, 2023, and the EA was made Final.

Anyone wishing to view the Final EA and FONSI/Decision can at www.regulations.gov using APHIS-2023-0004 in the search bar. If you have any questions, or prefer a hard copy of the EA, contact the Spotted Lanternfly National Policy Manager (USDA-APHIS-PPQ, 4700 River Road, Unit 134, Riverdale, MD 20737).