Public comment on invasives

[Shelley/David Hamel]

If you have a minute before Oct. 21 to make a public comment on a
proposed new category of imported plants that will require testing to
make sure they aren't invasive or harbor invasive pests, here are some
tips for getting around the website. The issue is
explained in the first three paragraphs here:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_imports/Q37_nappra.shtml.

Then, if you want to comment, go here:
http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#searchResults?Ne=11+8+8053+8098+8074+8066+8084+1&N=8099

At that link, under "Agency" check the box marked APHIS and under
"Document type" check the box marked "Proposed Rules." It takes a
minute to load, but the first item under "View by Relevance" is the
proposal you should comment on, by clicking to the right "Submit a
Comment."

These were our public comments and copies were sent to Ron Kind, Steve
Kagen, and Sen. Kohl:

As private landowners managing a prairie with a growing population of
a federally endangered butterfly (Karner Blue), we spend most of our
time fighting invasive plants species, particularly spotted knapweed
which has spread rapidly from western rangeland states. This leaves
little time for purposeful managment such as additional seeding of
nectaring species using local genotypes. Now kudzu has been found in
Ontario Canada. What next? What chance does an indigenous plant have
against the likes of kudzu? What continuous application of herbicide
or biologic control can we contemplate just to control either of
these, not to mention ancillary effects from either approach --
health, expense, and unknowns. The proactive approach of establishing
a new category of plants for planting as defined in NAPPRA is a much
wiser approach than a defensive -- and often losing -- battle after
the plant has been unwittingly released. We heartily support this new
category in Q37. Sincerely, David and Shelley Hamel