Environmental Impact Statements; Availability, etc.: Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Suppression Program

The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, representing nearly 4,000 individuals, submitted a petition requesting specific protections and transparency measures in the proposed Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Suppression Program. They advocate for ending spraying on sensitive public lands, implementing non-chemical prevention methods, and establishing comprehensive buffers for all western streams and wetlands.

New Mexico Wild, representing nearly 1,000 individual commenters, urges APHIS to adopt Alternative 2, which ends the use of chemical insecticides in the Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Suppression Program. They argue that current practices pose risks to wildlife, water quality, and human health, and call for addressing root causes like overgrazing and providing better public notification.

A coalition of environmental and conservation organizations is submitting comments on the APHIS Notice of Intent to prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement for the grasshopper and Mormon cricket suppression program. They argue that APHIS should shift from a pesticide-centered approach to one that prioritizes integrated pest management (IPM), preventative measures, and greater transparency and tribal consultation.

Charissa Callison, a private citizen and mother, opposes the proposed suppression program due to concerns regarding insecticide exposure and its harmful effects on pollinators, water quality, and biodiversity. She advocates for specific protections for wildlife and clear public notification if spraying is deemed necessary.

Ashton Robertson, a local land steward and environmental educator, opposes the current chemical-heavy approach of the Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Suppression Program. The commenter urges APHIS to ban aerial spraying on public lands and instead prioritize ecological management and stricter safeguards for waterways and pollinators.

The New Mexico Department of Wildlife, New Mexico Environment Department, and New Mexico Department of Agriculture support APHIS's efforts to protect rangelands but express concerns regarding pesticide use near sensitive habitats. They recommend specific mitigation measures, such as buffer zones and the use of least-toxic insecticides, and advocate for the inclusion of biopesticides and preventive management practices.

The commenter opposes the proposed grasshopper and Mormon cricket suppression program, arguing that the problem stems from land mismanagement and cattle grazing rather than the insects themselves. They express concerns over the ecological damage caused by chemical treatments, the inadequacy of "market value" as a metric for public lands, and the potential health risks to rural populations.

Alice Bierhorst, a private individual, requests that the agency consider the health of pollinators and the broader ecosystem when designing the suppression program. She expresses concern that insecticides used in the program could harm beneficial insects and pollute water and soil.

An individual commenter opposes the use of widespread pesticides on public lands for the suppression program, advocating instead for non-chemical methods like biological controls. They also call for mandatory pesticide reporting, expanded water buffers, and robust public consultation with Tribes and conservationists.

A biologist argues against the use of widespread pesticides to suppress grasshoppers and Mormon crickets, citing the negative impacts on biodiversity, non-target species, and ecosystem health. The commenter urges the agency to adopt more modern, ecologically sound management practices that prioritize the restoration of healthy rangeland ecosystems.