AP23PPQFO000C410

1. Award Purpose:
The primary benefit of the ALB Cooperative Eradication Project is to protect the forest products industry, the biological diversity of our hardwood forests and parklands, and the quality of the urban environment from the destructive effects of the ALB through its containment and eradication. Through this mutually beneficial cooperative effort, APHIS and the MDCR endeavor to identify where ALB is present, prevent the further spread of ALB into non-infested areas, control the insect to prevent further destruction of host trees, and ultimately to eradicate the insect.

2. Activities to be Performed:
A. Complete ground survey of priority areas identified using risk-based modeling for a 2023 target of 1600 acres per quarter.
B. Remove and destroy all trees deemed necessary to eradicate ALB.
C. Support transition and implementation of data collection field device and storage.
D. Strengthen and streamline regulatory operations.
E. Implement and document strategies to continuously improve survey methods, efficacy, and productivity.
F. Ensure timely and appropriate communications and reports for both internal and external stakeholders.

3. Deliverables and Expected Outcomes:
A. APHIS and MDCR meet regularly to review program accomplishments and goals; to plan for annual program review scheduled for January 2024, with 2024 goals and objectives to be approved at that time which will be executed in part through June 30, 2024, the end date of this work plan.
B. Quarterly accomplishment reports are prepared by staff, shared with state and federal officials, and kept on file in the program office. Semi-annual narrative reports will be prepared summarizing accomplishments as required.

4. Intended Beneficiary(ies):
The entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts would be impacted should ALB population expand and become established. This work is protecting the agricultural resources of MA and all of New England including but not limited to forest products, maple, nursery and landscape, and agrotourism industries in the state. Also, the citizens of Massachusetts and visitors to the state who enjoy outdoor recreation and agrotourism.

5. Subrecipient Activities, if known or specified at the time of award: N/A

Massachusetts Department Of Conservation And Recreation

HE PRIMARY BENEFIT OF THE ALB COOPERATIVE ERADICATION PROJECT IS TO PROTECT THE FOREST PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, THE BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY OF OUR HARDWOOD FORESTS AND PARKLANDS, AND THE QUALITY OF THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT FROM THE DESTRUCTIVE EFFECTS OF THE ALB THROUGH ITS CONTAINMENT AND ERADICATION. THROUGH THIS MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL COOPERATIVE EFFORT, APHIS AND THE MDCR ENDEAVOR TO IDENTIFY WHERE ALB IS PRESENT, PREVENT THE FURTHER SPREAD OF ALB INTO NON-INFESTED AREAS, CONTROL THE INSECT TO PREVENT FURTHER DESTRUCTION OF HOST TREES, AND ULTIMATELY TO ERADICATE THE INSECT.

10.025 - Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) [USDA]

Massachusetts United States

State-Wide

USDA-APHIS-10025-PPQFO000-23-0480

Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 06/30/24 to 12/31/24.