The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has completed a final Environmental Assessment (EA), "Emergency Response for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreaks in Seven States" and a Decision and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the EA.
An Emergency Declaration was made per 7 CFR 372.10(b) for USDA APHIS to respond to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks within Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, New York, and Virginia and those actions have been completed.
The EA evaluates the potential environmental impacts from the proposed action in which USDA APHIS would work together with state and local authorities and affected owners in HPAI response activities within the seven States. These activities included monitoring wild birds and poultry, depopulating and disposing of HPAI-infected domestic poultry flocks, disinfecting premises, and conducting follow up monitoring and quarantine release.
Due in part to APHIS invoking the process for rapid response to emergencies in 7 CFR 372.10, APHIS made the draft EA and FONSI simultaneously available for public comment from April 26 through May 31. USDA APHIS evaluated and responded to the comments in the FONSI and, where appropriate, modified or added text in the EA.
Interested parties may view the EA and FONSI at www.regulations.gov/docket/APHIS-2022-0031 or by visiting www.regulations.gov and typing APHIS-2022-0031 into the search bar. The following is the contact for questions or requesting a hard copy of the EA or FONSI: Attn: HPAI Environmental Assessment USDA APHIS PPD Environmental and Risk Analysis Services 4700 River Road, Unit 149 Riverdale, MD 20737 (301) 851-3089
Categories: Indiana, Livestock, Poultry, Kentucky, Livestock, Poultry, Michigan, Livestock, Poultry, New York, Livestock, Poultry