USDA seeks public comments on alternatives for Cattle Fever Tick Eradication

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS) program and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wildlife Refuge System – Southwest Region, have cooperatively prepared and released the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication on Laguna Atascosa and Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuges environmental assessment (EA) for public review.
The EA analyzes the potential environmental impacts of alternatives for APHIS’ involvement in cattle fever tick eradication. The two alternatives considered for the eradication of cattle fever ticks on refuge property in the United States are: (1) continue the current cattle fever tick eradication program efforts; or (2) (the preferred alternative) continue current cattle fever tick eradication program efforts, treat white-tailed deer with ivermectin, conduct experimental cattle grazing on refuge lands that fall within established quarantined areas.
APHIS is seeking public review and comment on the EA. Interested parties may view the EA at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/cattle-disease-information/SA_Ticks or by submitting a written request to USDA-APHIS-Veterinary Services, Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program, 2150 Centre Avenue Building B, Fort Collins, CO 80526.
Consideration will be given all comments received by Jan. 22, 2018. You may submit comments electronically on the regulations.gov site by clicking https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=APHIS-2017-0109. You may also send comments via postal mail or commercial delivery to:
Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program
Veterinary Services
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
2150 Centre Ave, Building B
Fort Collins, CO 80526
All comments on the EA submitted by Jan. 22, 2018, will become part of the public record. Comments, including the names and addresses of those who submit them, will be released for public review as required and allowed by law.
Source: USDA Stakeholder Bulletin