<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:#1F497D;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td valign=top style='padding:6.75pt 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=left width="100%" style='width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td valign=top style='padding:0in 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:18.0pt'><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#202020'>Biocontrol Update</span></b><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#202020'><br>Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Classical Weed Biocontrol Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Meeting Summary- Ft. Collins, Colorado: April 4-5, 2017<br><i>By Carol S. Bell Randall, USFS Northern and Intermountain Regions, Entomologist </i><br> <br>The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Classical Weed Biocontrol Technical Advisory Group (TAG) meeting held on April 4 and 5, 2017 started with an update on existing weed biocontrol agent petitions in the APHIS permitting process. Of the 15 classical weed biocontrol agent petitions TAG recommended for release since 2012 two permits were granted (biocontrol agents for Cape Ivy and Arundo), four petitions have completed Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 Interagency Cooperation with US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and APHIS is completing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements, six are in the USFWS ESA process, and APHIS is getting ready to hand two petitions over to USFWS for ESA Section 7 review.<br> <br>USFWS is continuing to work through their weed biocontrol agent petition ESA backlog. Jeff Herod is now permanently assigned to classical weed biocontrol permit ESA Section 7 reviews. Jeff was redirected temporarily to help USFWS respond to another higher priority issue, but was given permission to work weekends on the biocontrol backlog. The higher priority project will be concluding in May, 2017 and Jeff is optimistic his weed biocontrol backlog will be resolved soon. <br> <br>Other topics covered at the TAG meeting included updates on ongoing weed biocontrol development projects (gorse, knotweed, flowering rush, Russian knapweed, Old World climbing fern, garlic mustard, etc.). There was also a discussion of <i>M. crucifer</i> on houndstongue and <i>Diorhabda</i> on salt cedar.<br> <br>One disconcerting development was there were no new weed biological control agent petitions for 2017. This might be understandable given the slow pace of permitting, but a very real need exists for additional biological control agents to address invasive plant concerns in the USA.<br> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr></table></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td style='padding:13.5pt 13.5pt 13.5pt 13.5pt'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse;border:none'><tr><td style='border:none;border-top:solid #EAEAEA 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'></td></tr></table></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td valign=top style='padding:6.75pt 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=left width="100%" style='width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td valign=top style='padding:0in 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:24.4pt'><a name=mctoc9></a><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#202020'>US Fish and Wildlife Service Update on Section 7 of Endangered Species Act Impacts from Bio Control<br><i>By Jeffrey Herod, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Branch of Environmental Review</i><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt'><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#202020'>The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Ecological Services Program was contacted a year ago by the NAISMA Bio Control Committee to discuss the status of environmental reviews for APHIS technical advisory group (TAG) approved petitions for new biocontrol agent releases. USFWS was able to provide a short-term solution to complete the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 consultation process for TAG approved biocontrol agents by acquiring Mr. Jeffrey Herod on a temporary work detail. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt'><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#202020'>USFWS worked with researchers, APHIS, and stakeholders to gather information and complete the Section 7 consultation process. USFWS completed the four consultations and provided its concurrence with APHIS’ determinations. USFWS provided concurrence on the fact that the action is not likely to adversely affect listed species. USFWS provided a concurrence letter in April 2016 for arundo leafminer (<i>Lasioptera donacis</i>) which is a biocontrol of giant reed (<i>Arundo donax</i>). In August 2016, USFWS delivered a letter for the leafÂfeeding moth (<i>Hypena opulenta</i>) to control the invasive swallow-wort (<i>Vincetoxicum</i> spp) and a letter for the gall mite (<i>Aceria drabae</i>) to target hoary cress (<i>Lepidium draba</i>, <i>L. chalapense</i>, <i>L. appelianum</i>). In December 2016, the USFWS provided a concurrence letter for the gall weevil (<i>Rhinusa pilosa</i>) for biological control of yellow toadflax (<i>Linaria</i> spp.). <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt'><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#202020'>Mr. Herod now has a permanent position in USFWS Branch of Environmental Review and is the lead for national consultations on the biological control of weeds. The USFWS and APHIS are currently consulting on additional biocontrol projects: invasive knotweeds (<i>Fallopia japonica</i>, <i>F. sachalinensis</i>, and <i>F. x bohemica</i>), Gorse (<i>Sericothrips staphylinus</i>), common crupina (<i>Ramularia crupinae</i>), Hawkweed (<i>Cheilosia urbana</i>), and two projects for the Brazilian peppertree (<i>Pseudophilothrips ichini</i>). <o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr></table></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> Belle Bergner [mailto:bbergner@naisma.org] <br>Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 11:00 AM<br>To: Belle Bergner <bbergner@naisma.org><br>Subject: NEW! NAISMA Newsletter - May 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Greetings,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>In case you didn't see the latest NAISMA newsletter that was released last week, click <a href="http://mailchi.mp/220cfa78a01a/naisma_may2017">here</a> or copy and paste this link into your browser: <a href="http://mailchi.mp/220cfa78a01a/naisma_may2017">http://mailchi.mp/220cfa78a01a/naisma_may2017</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>I invite you to send me updates that I can post on NAISMA's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NorthAmericaNAISMA/">Facebook page</a> about your invasive species management challenges and successes. By posting on our Facebook page, we can have more timely communication and share resources for the benefit of invasive species management.<br clear=all><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>I hope everyone is having a great spring!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>-- <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Belle Bergner<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Executive Director<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><a href="http://www.naisma.org/" target="_blank"><span style='color:#1155CC'>NAISMA</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>2025 N. Lake Dr.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Milwaukee, WI 53202<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>p: 414.967.1350<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>See you at the <a href="http://www.naisma.org/annual-conference" target="_blank">2017 Annual Meeting</a>, October 23-26, 2017 at the Nugget Hotel and Casino in Reno, NV!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div id="DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2"><br />
<table style="border-top: 1px solid #D3D4DE;">
<tr>
<td style="width: 55px; padding-top: 13px;"><a href="https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient&utm_term=icon" target="_blank"><img src="https://ipmcdn.avast.com/images/icons/icon-envelope-tick-round-orange-animated-no-repeat-v1.gif" alt="" width="46" height="29" style="width: 46px; height: 29px;" /></a></td>
<td style="width: 470px; padding-top: 12px; color: #41424e; font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Virus-free. <a href="https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient&utm_term=link" target="_blank" style="color: #4453ea;">www.avast.com</a>
</td>
</tr>
</table><a href="#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2" width="1" height="1"> </a></div></body></html>