Finding of No Significant Impact for treatment methods to control harmful aquatic plants

Press Release

The Michigan Department of Natural Releases is sharing this release on behalf of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 20, 2015

Contact: Joanne Foreman (DNR), 517-284-5814; Katie Steiger-Meister (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), 612-713-5317


U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports Finding of No Significant Impact in assessment of treatment methods to control harmful aquatic plants in Michigan 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, today announced a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for proposed methods to detect, eradicate and control several high-priority invasive aquatic plants that negatively affect the health of the Great Lakes. The final environmental assessment and FONSI both are available at http://1.usa.gov/1zm2E7g.

The Michigan DNR had proposed the use of herbicides to help control European frog-bit, European water-clover, flowering rush, parrot feather, water hyacinth, water lettuce and other invasive plants of concern. Plant-control efforts will be focused in four main areas of the state including Southeast Michigan, Saginaw Bay, the Thunder Bay watershed in Alpena County and Munuscong Bay in Chippewa County.

The Service has determined that the proposed application of herbicides to control invasive aquatic plants is not a major federal action that will significantly affect the quality of the human environment within the meaning of Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.  Accordingly, an Environmental Impact Statement will not be prepared.

Funding for the project came in part from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. For more information on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s role in the implementation of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, please visit http://www.fws.gov/glri/.

Learn more about Michigan’s invasive species at the DNR website www.michigan.gov/invasivespecies.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov.

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