Gypsy Moth Slow The Spread Foundation Inc

FHP-SLOW THE SPREAD FOUNDATION

GYPSY MOTH SLOW THE SPREAD TRAPPING & TREATMENT PROGRAM

GYPSY MOTH SLOW THE SPREAD

SPONGY MOTH SLOW THE SPREAD TRAPPING AND TREATMENT PROGRAM

GYPSY MOTH SLOW THE SPREAD TRAPPING & TREATMENT PROGRAM

GYPSY MOTH SLOW THE SPREAD TRAPPING & TREATMENT PROGRAM

GYPSY MOTH SLOW THE SPREAD

GYPSY MOTH SLOW THE SPREAD TRAPPING & TREATMENT PROGRAM

GYPSY MOTH SLOW THE SPREAD TRAPPING & TREATMENT PROGRAM

GYPSY MOTH SLOW THE SPREAD TRAPPING AND TREATMENT PROGRAM

THE SLOW THE SPREAD (OF SPONGY MOTH) FOUNDATION IS AN INSECT AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT GROUP THAT PROVIDES COORDINATION AMONG VARIOUS FEDERAL, STATE AND UNIVERSITY PARTNERS. THE FOUNDATION OVERSEES THE FUNDING ALLOCATION AND PROGRAMMATIC DIRECTION OF THE NATIONAL SLOW THE SPREAD PROGRAM. THIS GRANT PROVIDES THE FOUNDATION FUNDING TO WORK WITH ITS STATE AND UNIVERSITY PARTNERS TO DEPLOY TRAPPING AND SURVEY PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS IMPLEMENT AERIAL APPLICATION CONTRACTS TO SLOW THE SPREAD OF SPONGY MOTH ALONG THE LEADING EDGE OF ITS INVADED RANGE ON FEDERAL, STATE, AND PRIVATE LANDS. THIS TRANSITION ZONE SPANS 11 STATES FROM COASTAL FORESTS IN SOUTHEAST VIRGINIA/NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA TO THE NORTH SHORE OF MINNESOTA.

TO CONDUCT GYPSY MOTH REGULATORY PROGRAMS IN NC, WV, MN, IL, VA AND WISCONSIN AS OUTLINED IN THE WORK PLANS.

TO CONDUCT GYPSY MOTH REGULATORY PROGRAMS IN NC, WV, MN, IL, VA AND WISCONSIN AS OUTLINED IN THE WORK PLANS.

TO CONDUCT GYPSY MOTH REGULATORY PROGRAMS IN NC, WV, MN, IL, VA AND WISCONSIN AS OUTLINED IN THE WORK PLANS.

TO CONDUCT GYPSY MOTH REGULATORY PROGRAMS IN NC, WV, MN, IL, VA AND WISCONSIN AS OUTLINED IN THE WORK PLANS.

GYPSY MOTH REGULATORY PROGRAM

1. AWARD PURPOSE: THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO INCREASE THE ABILITY TO IDENTIFY ISOLATED INFESTATIONS OF GYPSY MOTH THAT OCCUR AS A RESULT OF HUMAN ASSISTED SPREAD AND TO ASSIST IN DETERMINING THE MAJOR ROUTES OF ARTIFICIAL SPREAD. 2. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: THE AGREEMENT WITH THE GM STS FOUNDATION, INC. ALLOWS FOR FUNDS TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE FOLLOWING STATES: ILLINOIS, MINNESOTA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE GM STS FOUNDATION, INC. WILL DECIDE THE FUNDING ALLOTMENTS FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING PARTICIPATING STATES. MOREOVER, THE PARTICIPATING STATES AGREE TO COMPLETE THE FIVE REGULATORY OBJECTIVES: A. IDENTIFY, CLASSIFY, AND CATALOGUE HIGH-RISK SITES WITHIN THE GM SIS PROGRAM AREA FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. TYPICAL HIGH-RISK LOCATIONS INCLUDE CAMPGROUNDS, PARKS, TOURIST ATTRACTIONS, LARGE COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION SITES, SHIPPING AND RECEIVING COMPANIES, LOG TIMBER, AND LUMBER PROCESSING FACILITIES. THESE ASSESSMENTS WILL HELP TO IDENTIFY THE PATHWAYS GYPSY MOTH MAY MOVE AND TO OUTLINE WAYS TO ELIMINATE OR MINIMIZE THAT MOVEMENT. B. UTILIZE EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGNS TO ASSIST IN REDUCING THE ARTIFICIAL SPREAD FOR THE GYPSY MOTH. PUBLIC AWARENESS DISPLAYS AND PRESENTATIONS, PRESS RELEASES, AND DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATIONAL BROCHURES AND HANDOUTS WILL BE COMPONENTS OF THE PROGRAM. C. ESTABLISH AND UTILIZE COMPLIANCE AGREEMENTS TO FACILITATE COMMERCE. D. MONITOR THE INTERSTATE AND INTRASTATE MOVEMENT OF GYPSY MOTH REGULATED ARTICLES IN PARTICIPATING STATES. VIOLATIONS WILL BE PROCESSED THROUGH STATE AND/OR FEDERAL AUTHORITIES. E. RECORD PROGRAM DATA BASED ON PROTOCOLS MUTUALLY ESTABLISHED BY THE GM SIS FOUNDATION AND THE USDA, APHIS, PPQ 3. DELIVERABLES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES: ILLINOIS: • OUTREACH PACKETS ON LYMANTRIA DISPAR TAILORED TO THE MOVING INDUSTRY TO MAIL IN THE QUARANTINE AREAS. • CONTINUE TO WORK WITH NURSERIES, TREE SERVICES, AND FIREWOOD DEALERS IN AREAS WE PLAN TO QUARANTINE. • MOVING COMPANIES, SMALL AS WELL AS LARGE, IN THE QUARANTINED AREASWILL BE RECEIVING A SPECIAL OUTREACH PACKET DIRECTED TO THEIR INDUSTRY. EDUCATION IS THE GOAL FOR SUCH A LARGE AND DIVERSE AREA. • WORKING WITH THE MORTON ARBORETUM AND THE NATURE CONSERVANCY, TO UPDATE THE DON’T MOVE FIREWOOD RACK CARD AND OUTREACH FLIER TO EXTENSION OFFICES, MUNICIPALITIES, AND PARK DISTRICTS/FOREST DISTRICTS WILL BE VISITED TO DISTRIBUTE THIS NEW BROCHURE AS WELL AS CURRENT MATERIALS. • WE WILL CONTINUE TO OFFER TO ANY GROUP, TRAINING ON LYMANTRIA DISPAR QUARANTINE EFFORTS. • REGULATORY TRAPPING SITES WILL CONTINUE TO BE ADDED AND EDITED AS NURSERY AND INDUSTRY DATA IS REVIEWED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. MINNESOTA: MONEY ALLOCATED TO THE MINNESOTA LYMANTRIA DISPAR REGULATORY PROGRAM BY THE STS FOUNDATION WILL BE USED TO PAY A PORTION OF THE SALARIES AND BENEFITS FOR MDA REGULATORY PERSONNEL, INCLUDING A PORTION OF TRAVEL EXPENSES INCURRED WHILE CONDUCTING REGULATORY SITE VISITS. AWARDED FUNDS WILL ALLOW THE MDA TO REVIEW AND UPDATE ALL PROGRAM MATERIALS WITH THE CHANGE OFTHE COMMON NAME TO SPONGY MOTH. THE MDA WILL COLLABORATE WITH STAKEHOLDERS IN THE WOOD PRODUCTS INDUSTRY TO REVIEW AND UPDATE COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT TEMPLATES AND POLICIES. MINNESOTA COMPLIANCE AGREEMENTS AND POLICIES WERE ESTABLISHED PRIOR TO THE QUARANTINE IN 2014. A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW MUST BE CONDUCTED TO ENSURE MDA REGULATORY EFFORTS MEET THE ACTUAL IMPLEMENTATION OF MITIGATION PRACTICES TO BOTH SMALL AND LARGE FACILITIES AS A WHOLE. THE MDA WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS OUTREACH AND QUARANTINE COMPLIANCE EFFORTS ON THE TIMBER INDUSTRY, SINCE QUARANTINE RESTRICTIONS HAVE THE LARGEST IMPACT ON THIS INDUSTRY. AWARDED FUNDS WILL CONTINUE CURRENT REGULATORY EFFORTS INCLUDING FACILITATING COMMERCE THROUGH THE RENEWAL AND ESTABLISHMENT OF COMPLIANCE AGREEMENTS, PROVIDING LOCAL TRAINING WORKSHOPS FOR LOGGERS AND COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT HOLDERS, UPDATING, AND EXPANDING THE TRAINING PLATFORM AND A REGULATORY DATABASE OF HIGH-RISK SITES, AS WELL AS MONITORING HIGH RISK SITES. REGULATORY ACTIVITIES WILL CONTINUE TO BE COORDINATED WITH APPROPRIATE AGENCIES TO AVOID OVERLAPPING ENFORCEMENT AND TO PROMOTE INTERSTATE COMMERCE. AWARDED FUNDS WILL EXPAND THE MDA’S LYMANTRIA DISPAR REGULATORY PROGRAM THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPLIANCE AUDITS. UNANNOUNCED VISITS TO COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT HOLDERS AND POTENTIAL ROAD-SIDE INSPECTION BLITZES ALONG QUARANTINE BOUNDARIES, CONDUCTED IN COOPERATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, MAY BE IMPLEMENTED TO ENSURE THAT THE MOVEMENT OF REGULATED ARTICLES ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH QUARANTINE RESTRICTIONS, INCLUDING THE COMPLETE AND ACCURATE COMPLETION OF REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION. AWARDED FUNDS WILL ENHANCE OUTREACH EFFORTS WITHIN MINNESOTA’S LYMANTRIA DISPAR REGULATORY PROGRAM. THE MDA WILL CONTINUE TO PRESENT INFORMATION AT VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL/TRADE ORGANIZATION CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL HEARINGS, TRIBAL AFFILIATES, AND THE VAST NUMBER OF UNAFFILIATED FOREST PRODUCTS ENTREPRENEURS. OUTREACH EFFORTS WILL BE EXPANDED BY INCREASINGOUTREACH EFFORTS TO PRIVATE CAMPGROUNDS AND USING THE MN TREE CARE REGISTRY TO IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES. THE MDA’S LYMANTRIA DISPAR WEBSITE WILL BE UPDATED AND WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE AS A RESOURCE FOR OUTREACH EFFORTS. OUTREACH EFFORTS WILL BE EXPANDED THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, INCLUDING THE PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIALS, BILLBOARD, AND RADIO ADVERTISEMENTS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO STAKE HOLDERS. ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS MAY INCLUDE NEW TRAINING MATERIALS AND KITS, ONLINE VIDEOS DEMONSTRATING VISUAL INSPECTION METHODS, AND EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION TARGETED TO TOURISTS AND HOMEOWNERS. PUBLIC AWARENESS AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH COOPERATING FEDERAL AND STATE AGENCIES. WHERE PRACTICAL, OUTREACH METHODS WILL CONNECT TO EXISTING APHIS CAMPAIGNS. WEST VIRGINIA: THE PREDICTED START UP TIME FOR THIS PROGRAM IS JULY 1, 2021. MONEY ALLOCATED FOR THIS PROGRAM BY THE SLOW THE SPREAD FOUNDATION WILL BE USED TO PAY A PORTION OF THE SALARIES AND BENEFITS FOR WVDA REGULATORY PERSONNEL AS WELL AS TRAVEL COSTS FOR VISITS TO NURSERIES, LOG YARDS, SAWMILLS, MOBILE HOME DEALERS, MOVING COMPANIES AND WEIGH STATION INSPECTIONS. LYMANTRIA DISPAR OUTREACH MATERIALS, EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION, HANDOUTS, DISPLAYS AND OTHER APPLICABLE ITEMS MAY BE PURCHASED RELATIVE TO THE STS REGULATORY PROGRAM. STS REGULATORY ACTIVITIES WILL GENERALLY BE PERFORMED WITHIN THE 11 COUNTIES THAT ARE NOT REGULATED FOR THE LYMANTRIA DISPAR. WHEN IT IS NECESSARY TO INVESTIGATE A LYMANTRIA DISPAR QUARANTINE VIOLATION, AND THE SOURCE OF THAT VIOLATION IS WITHIN THE LYMANTRIA DISPAR REGULATED AREA, THE REGULATORY STAFF MAY TRAVEL TO THE SOURCE OF THE VIOLATION TO INVESTIGATE THE INCIDENT IN ORDER TO PREVENT FUTURE VIOLATIONS AND DECREASE THE RISK OF INTRODUCING THE LYMANTRIA DISPAR INTO UNINFESTED COUNTIES. GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION (WEST VIRGINIA) - WHEN IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF SLOWING OR PREVENTING THE MOVEMENT OF LYMANTRIA DISPAR INFESTED ARTICLES, THE PLANT INDUSTRIES STAFF ASSIGNED TO REGULATORY WORK WILL TRAVEL TO ANY PART OF THE STATE TO CONDUCT LYMANTRIA DISPAR REGULATORY ACTIVITIES. HOWEVER, THE 11 UNREGULATED COUNTIES WILL BE THE MAIN FOCUS. WISCONSIN: THE EMPHASIS WILL BE ON THE EDUCATION, INSPECTION AND COMPLIANCE OF REGULATED BUSINESSES THAT TRANSPORT REGULATED MATERIALS FROM QUARANTINED COUNTIES TO NON-QUARANTINED COUNTIES IN WISCONSIN AND IN OTHER STATES AND COUNTRIES. PROGRAM STAFF WILL INSPECT BUSINESSES, EDUCATE AFFECTED INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES ON GYPSY MOTH ID AND DETECTION PROCEDURES, AND ISSUE COMPLIANCE AGREEMENTS AS APPROPRIATE. WE ALSO PLAN TO UPDATE REGULATORY OUTREACH MATERIALS (I.E., DISPLAY BANNERS AND BROCHURES) FOR USE AT WI ARBORIST ASSOCIATION MEETINGS, WI CHRISTMAS TREE PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION MEETINGS, NURSERY MEETINGS AND OTHER EVENTS (ESPECIALLY ONCE THE NEW COMMON NAME FOR L. DISPAR IS FINALIZED). FOLLOW-UP VISITS WILL DETERMINE IF BUSINESSES ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS. GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION (WISCONSIN) - THE ACTIVITIES OF THIS PROGRAM MAY OCCUR IN ANY WISCONSIN COUNTY, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON PLACES ALONG THE LEADING EDGE OF THE INFESTATION, ESPECIALLY IF TRAP NUMBERS HAVE BEEN ELEVATED IN RECENT YEARS, INCLUDING GREEN INDUSTRY BUSINESSES IN BURNETT, CHIPPEWA, DOUGLAS, LA CROSSE, ST. CROIX, AND TREMPEALEAU COUNTIES. 4. INTENDED BENEFICIARY(IES): THE US FOREST SERVICE ESTIMATES THAT AT LEAST 898 MILLION ACRES OF FORESTED LAND ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO GM FEEDING AND DAMAGE. THE GM PROGRAM PROTECTS THIS VITAL NATIONAL RESOURCE FROM THE PEST’S DESTRUCTION, PRESERVING TIMBER AND PROPERTY VALUES. HOWEVER, LEFT UNCHECKED, THE SPREAD OF GM WOULD LEAD TO SEVERE DAMAGE TO FOREST TREES, IRREVERSIBLY ALTERING AND DEGRADING THE FORESTS’ ECOLOGY, BIODIVERSITY, AND PRODUCTIVITY IN IMPACTED AREAS. IN URBAN AND SUBURBAN AREAS, HOME AND PROPERTY OWNERS WOULD INCUR SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC COSTS THROUGH LOSS OF CANOPY COVER, INCREASED HEATING AND COOLING BILLS, AND LOWERED PROPERTY VALUES. GM OUTBREAKS ALSO RESULT IN A NUISANCE FACTOR FOR PEOPLE IN AFFECTED COMMUNITIES DUE TO LARVAE AND FRASS LITTERING SIDEWALKS AND LAWNS. BUSINESSES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WOULD ALSO FACE ADDITIONAL BURDENS. NURSERIES AND CHRISTMAS TREE FARMS WOULD INCUR ELEVATED COSTS TO PROTECT THEIR INVENTORIES FROM DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE PEST. PROTECTING TREES IN PUBLIC SETTINGS SUCH AS PARKS AND GREEN AREAS WOULD REQUIRE SIGNIFICANT EXPENDITURES FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. THE LOSS OF CANOPY COVER WOULD LEAD TO A DEPRECIATED QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS AND INCREASED WATER RUNOFF THAT WOULD PLACE ADDITIONAL STRESSES ON STORM AND SEWAGE WATER SYSTEMS. INCREASED EROSION DUE TO TREE LOSSES ON WATERSHEDS FEEDING DRINKING WATER RESERVOIRS WOULD REQUIRE EXPENSIVE ADDITIONAL FILTRATION AND PURIFICATION SYSTEMS AND CAPACITIES. HUMAN HEALTH IMPACTS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE, WITH SOME PEOPLE EXHIBITING ALLERGIES TO THE FINE HAIRS COVERING GM LARVAE. 5. SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES, IF KNOWN ORSPECIFIED AT THE TIME OF AWARD: SEE NUMBERS 2 AND 3 ABOVE

1. AWARD PURPOSE:THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO INCREASE THE ABILITY TO IDENTIFYISOLATED INFESTATIONS OF GYPSY MOTH THAT OCCUR AS A RESULT OF HUMANASSISTED SPREAD AND TO ASSIST IN DETERMINING THE MAJOR ROUTES OFARTIFICIAL SPREAD2. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED:THE AGREEMENT WITH THE GM STS FOUNDATION, INC. ALLOWS FOR FUNDS TO BETRANSFERRED TO THE FOLLOWING STATES: ILLINOIS, MINNESOTA, WESTVIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE GM STS FOUNDATION, INC. WILL DECIDE THEFUNDING ALLOTMENTS FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING PARTICIPATING STATES. MOREOVER, THE PARTICIPATING STATES AGREE TO COMPLETE THE FIVEREGULATORY OBJECTIVES:A. IDENTIFY, CLASSIFY, AND CATALOGUE HIGH-RISK SITES WITHIN THE GM SISPROGRAM AREA FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. TYPICAL HIGH-RISK LOCATIONS INCLUDECAMPGROUNDS, PARKS, TOURIST ATTRACTIONS, LARGE COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTIONSITES, SHIPPING AND RECEIVING COMPANIES, LOG TIMBER, AND LUMBERPROCESSING FACILITIES. THESE ASSESSMENTS WILL HELP TO IDENTIFY THEPATHWAYS GYPSY MOTH MAY MOVE AND TO OUTLINE WAYS TO ELIMINATE ORMINIMIZE THAT MOVEMENT.B. UTILIZE EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGNS TO ASSIST IN REDUCING THE ARTIFICIALSPREAD FOR THE GYPSY MOTH. PUBLIC AWARENESS DISPLAYS AND PRESENTATIONS,PRESS RELEASES, AND DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATIONAL BROCHURES AND HANDOUTSWILL BE COMPONENTS OF THE PROGRAM.C. ESTABLISH AND UTILIZE COMPLIANCE AGREEMENTS TO FACILITATE COMMERCE.D. MONITOR THE INTERSTATE AND INTRASTATE MOVEMENT OF GYPSY MOTHREGULATED ARTICLES IN PARTICIPATING STATES. VIOLATIONS WILL BE PROCESSEDTHROUGH STATE AND/OR FEDERAL AUTHORITIES.E. RECORD PROGRAM DATA BASED ON PROTOCOLS MUTUALLY ESTABLISHED BY THE GMSIS FOUNDATION AND THE USDA, APHIS, PPQ3. DELIVERABLES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES:THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO CONDUCT REGULATORY ACTIVITIES INORDER TO PREVENT THE ARTIFICIAL SPREAD OF LYMANTRIA DISPAR INTONON-INFESTED, BUT MORE SIGNIFICANTLY NON- QUARANTINED, AREAS. THEARTIFICIAL MOVEMENT OF LYMANTRIA DISPAR IS A PRIMARY FACTOR IN THESPREAD OF THIS INSECT PEST IN ILLINOIS AND THROUGHOUT THE RANGE OFINFESTATION. REGULATORY ACTIVITIES TO DETECT LYMANTRIA DISPAR, CONTROLNEW INFESTATIONS, AND MONITOR PATHWAYS CONDUCIVE TO THE TRANSPORT AND/ORESTABLISHMENT OF LYMANTRIA DISPAR INTO NEW AREAS ARE CRITICAL TO SLOWINGTHE SPREAD OF THIS INSECT PEST.4. INTENDED BENEFICIARY(IES):OUTSIDE OF THE 4 STATES MENTIONED ABOVE, ALL STATES REMOVED FROM THEGYPSY MOTH QUARANTINE LINE WOULD BENEFIT FROM IDENTIFIED ACTIVITIES. ADDITIONALLY, THE FOREST PRODUCTS AND THE MOVING INDUSTRIES BENEFITDIRECTLY FROM THESE ACTIVITIES.5. SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES, IF KNOWN OR SPECIFIED AT THE TIME OF AWARD:SEE NUMBERS 2 AND 3 ABOVE

TREE AND WOOD PEST - GYPSY MOTH SLOW THE SPREAD FOUNDATION RGULATORY PROGRAM

GYPSY MOTH SLOW THE SPREAD REGULATORY PROGRAM

GYPSY MOTH SLOW THE SPREAD FOUNDATION FY

TO CONDUCT GYPSY MOTH REGULATORY PROGRAMS IN NC, WV, MN, IL, VA AND WI AS OUTLINED IN THE WORK PLANS.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO PROVIDE FEDERAL FINANCIA ASSISTANCE TO CONDUCT ACTIVITIES THAT WILL PROVIDE SPECIFIC INFORMATION TO THE RECIPIENT, APHIS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES FOR THE GYPSY

TO CONDUCT GYPSY MOTH REGULATORY PROGRAMS IN NC, WV, MN, IL, VA AND WI AS OUTLINED IN THE WORK PLANS.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO PROVIDE FEDERAL FINANCIA ASSISTANCE TO CONDUCT ACTIVITIES THAT WILL PROVIDE SPECIFIC INFORMATION TO THE RECIPIENT, APHIS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES FOR THE GYPSY

AWARD PURPOSE: THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO INCREASE THE ABILITY TO IDENTIFY ISOLATED INFESTATIONS OF SPONGY MOTH THAT OCCUR AS A RESULT OF HUMAN ASSISTED SPREAD AND TO ASSIST IN DETERMINING THE MAJOR ROUTES OF ARTIFICIAL SPREAD. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: THE AGREEMENT WITH THE SLOW THE SPREAD (STS) FOUNDATION, INC. ALLOWS FOR FUNDS TO BE TRANSFER ILLINOIS FOLLOWING STATES: ILLINOIS, MINNESOTA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE STS FOUNDATION, INC. WILL DECIDE THE FUNDING ALLOTMENTS FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING PARTICIPATING STATES. MOREOVER, THE PARTICIPATING STATES AGREE TO COMPLETE THE FIVE REGULATORY OBJECTIVES: IDENTIFY, CLASSIFY, AND CATALOGUE HIGH-RISK SITES WITHIN THE STS PROGRAM AREA FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. TYPICAL HIGH-RISK LOCATIONS INCLUDE CAMPGROUNDS, PARKS, TOURIST ATTRACTIONS, LARGE COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION SITES, SHIPPING AND RECEIVING COMPANIES, LOG TIMBER, AND LUMBER PROCESSING FACILITIES. THESE ASSESSMENTS WILL HELP TO IDENTIFY THE PATHWAYS GYPSY MOTHS MAY MOVE AND TO OUTLINE WAYS TO ELIMINATE OR MINIMIZE THAT MOVEMENT. UTILIZE EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGNS TO ASSIST IN REDUCING THE ARTIFICIAL SPREAD FOR THE GYPSY MOTH. PUBLIC AWARENESS DISPLAYS AND PRESENTATIONS, PRESS RELEASES, AND DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATIONAL BROCHURES AND HANDOUTS WILL BE COMPONENTS OF THE PROGRAM. ESTABLISH AND UTILIZE COMPLIANCE AGREEMENTS TO FACILITATE COMMERCE. MONITOR THE INTERSTATE AND INTRASTATE MOVEMENT OF GYPSY MOTH REGULATED ARTICLES IN PARTICIPATING STATES. VIOLATIONS WILL BE PROCESSED THROUGH A STATE AND/OR FEDERAL AUTHORITIES. RECORD PROGRAM DATA BASED ON PROTOCOLS MUTUALLY ESTABLISHED BY THE GM STS FOUNDATION AND THE USDA, APHIS, PPQ DELIVERABLES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES: ILLINOIS: DURING THE PREVIOUS (2024) GRANTING PERIOD, THE AWARDED REGULATORY GRANT AMOUNT OF $15,820 SUPPORTED 77 SEASONAL CHRISTMAS TREE DEALER INSPECTIONS. THESE INSPECTIONS USUALLY OCCUR BETWEEN NOVEMBER 15 – DECEMBER 31 EACH YEAR. WITH MOST OF THE REGULATORY EFFORTS BEING CONDUCTED IN AND AROUND THE REGULATED AREA, AS A RESULT OF MORE NORMAL “DAY TO DAY” OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS, THESE PARTICULAR INSPECTIONS OCCURRED BETWEEN OCTOBER 1 – DECEMBER 31. THESE INSPECTION ACTIVITIES ACCOUNTED FOR THE VAST MAJORITY (80%+) OF OUR ANNUAL LYMANTRIA DISPAR REGULATORY EXPENDITURE. THE REMAINING EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTED FOR INSPECTIONS CONDUCTED THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE STATE WITH EMPHASIS ON HEAVILY POPULATED AREAS LIKE ST. LOUIS, CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, AND SPRINGFIELD. THESE INSPECTION EFFORTS ALSO SERVED AS EDUCATION AND OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES. WITH THE FLAT $15,820 FOR 2025, WE EXPECT THE AVAILABLE FUNDS TO AGAIN COVER APPROXIMATELY 75-85 INSPECTIONS. UNFORTUNATELY, OUR NUMBERS WERE LOW IN THE 2024 REPORTING PERIOD DUE TO INSPECTOR VACANCIES IN SOME OF OUR LARGEST MARKET AREAS. WE’RE HOPEFUL THAT WITH INCREASED STAFFING OUR INSPECTION NUMBERS WILL INCREASE IN 2025. MINNESOTA: THE LONG STAN DING FEDERAL QUARANTINED COUNTIES ARE LOCATED IN THE NORTH-EASTERN PORTION OF MINNESOTA. THIS REGION HAS A UNIQUE ECONOMIC CLIMATE WITH DIVERSE INDUSTRIES RANGING FROM TOURISM TO FORESTRY, WHICH CAPITALIZE ON EXTENSIVE NATURAL RESOURCES. LAKE AND COOK COUNTIES ARE HEAVILY FORESTED, AND NUMEROUS SAWMILLS, FIREWOOD DEALERS, CAMPGROUNDS/RESORTS, STATE/NATIONAL PARKS, AND SEASONAL HOMES CONTRIBUTE TO THE LOCAL ECONOMIES. THROUGH THE CONTINUED ENHANCEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A LYMANTRIA DISPAR REGULATORY PROGRAM THESE NATURAL RESOURCES CAN BE PROTECTED FROM THE DAMAGING EFFECTS OF LYMANTRIA DISPAR, WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY PROMOTING COMMERCE THROUGH THE USE OF COMPLIANCE AGREEMENTS. THE STATE EMERGENCY (TEMPORARY) QUARANTINES IN NORTHERN, CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN MINNESOTA WILL BE SURVEYED AND MONITORED INTENSELY TO REDUCE THE ARTIFICIAL HUMAN ASSISTED MOVEMENT OF THIS PEST. MDA WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP, INDUSTRY, YARD WASTE HAULERS, TREE TRIMMING COMPANIES TO ESTABLISH COMPLIANCE AGREEMENTS TO SAFELY MOVE AND PROCESS REGULATED ARTICLES. ALTERNATE LIFE STAGE SURVEY’S WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE FALL TO HELP IDENTIFY INFESTATION. WITH PAST REGULATORY GRANTS, THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (MDA) HAS DEVELOPED A REGULATORY GIS DATABASE IDENTIFYING HIGH-RISK SITES (I.E. SAWMILLS, NURSERIES, FIREWOOD DEALERS, CAMPGROUNDS, ETC.) THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF MINNESOTA. THIS DATABASE NEEDS TO BE CONTINUALLY REVIEWED AND IS UPDATED ANNUALLY. IN ADDITION, THE MDA COLLABORATES WITH FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL OFFICIALS, AND ORGANIZATIONS TO SHARE INFORMATION OF REGULATORY IMPORTANCE. BY MAINTAINING AND EXPANDING THIS REGULATORY DATABASE, THE MDA HAS A ROBUST RESOURCE TO IDENTIFY STAKEHOLDERS, DIRECT REGULATORY OUTREACH COMMUNICATION, AND ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE LYMANTRIA DISPAR QUARANTINE IN MINNESOTA. THE LYMANTRIA DISPAR QUARANTINE GREATLY EFFECTS STAKEHOLDERS IN THE WOOD PRODUCTS INDUSTRY. THE MDA HAS IMPLEMENTED VARIOUS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WITHIN THE LYMANTRIA DISPAR REGULATORY PROGRAM TO ENSURE A FAIR AND CONSISTENT IMPLEMENTATION OF QUARANTINE RESTRICTIONS AND COMPLIANCE. THE REGULATED COMMUNITY IS APPROACHED WITH SENSITIVITY AND CARE TO MAXIMIZE WILLING COMPLIANCE. THE SUCCESS OF LYMANTRIA DISPAR REGULATORY PROGRAMS IN MINNESOTA WILL BE FACILITATED BY DEVELOPING A TRUSTING AND INCLUSIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE REGULATED COMMUNITY. COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT TEMPLATES AND POLICIES ESTABLISHED PRIOR TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE QUARANTINE ARE IN NEED OF REVIEW TO MEET ACTUAL VERSUS EXPECTED PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION AND FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF THE IMPACTS TO BOTH SMALL AND LARGE FACILITIES AS A WHOLE. ALL INFORMATION DEVELOPED WILL BE SHARED WITH PROGRAM MANAGERS AND/OR REGULATORY STAFF WITHIN THE STS AREA. COLLABORATION WITH STS PARTNERS WILL PROMOTE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND ENHANCEMENT. WEST VIRGINIA: THE PREDICTED START UP TIME FOR THIS PROGRAM IS AUGUST 1, 2025. MONEY ALLOCATED FOR THIS PROGRAM BY THE SLOW THE SPREAD FOUNDATION WILL BE USED TO PAY A PORTION OF THE SALARIES AND BENEFITS FOR WVDA REGULATORY PERSONNEL AS WELL AS TRAVEL COSTS FOR VISITS TO NURSERIES, LOG YARDS, SAWMILLS, MOBILE HOME DEALERS, MOVING COMPANIES AND WEIGH STATION INSPECTIONS. LYMANTRIA DISPAR OUTREACH MATERIALS, EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION, HANDOUTS, DISPLAYS AND OTHER APPLICABLE ITEMS MAY BE PURCHASED RELATIVE TO THE STS REGULATORY PROGRAM. GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION (WEST VIRGINIA) - WHEN IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF SLOWING OR PREVENTING THE MOVEMENT OF LYMANTRIA DISPAR INFESTED ARTICLES, THE PLANT INDUSTRIES STAFF ASSIGNED TO REGULATORY WORK WILL TRAVEL TO ANY PART OF THE STATE TO CONDUCT LYMANTRIA DISPAR REGULATORY ACTIVITIES. HOWEVER, THE 11 UNREGULATED COUNTIES WILL BE THE MAIN FOCUS. WISCONSIN: OUR EMPHASIS WILL BE ON THE EDUCATION, INSPECTION AND COMPLIANCE OF REGULATED PLANT INDUSTRY BUSINESSES THAT TRANSPORT REGULATED MATERIALS FROM QUARANTINED COUNTIES TO NON-QUARANTINED COUNTIES IN WISCONSIN AND IN OTHER STATES. PROGRAM STAFF WILL INSPECT BUSINESSES, EDUCATE AFFECTED INDUSTRY STAFF ON LYMANTRIA DISPAR IDENTIFICATION, AND ISSUE COMPLIANCE AGREEMENTS AS APPROPRIATE. FOLLOW-UP VISITS WILL DETERMINE IF BUSINESSES ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS. GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION (WISCONSIN) - THE ACTIVITIES OF THIS PROGRAM MAY OCCUR IN ANY OF WISCONSIN’S 72 COUNTIES, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON THE LEADING EDGE OF THE INFESTATION ACROSS THE WESTERN THIRD OF THE STATE. WE WILL ALSO CONDUCT TARGETED OUTREACH TO NURSERIES, CHRISTMAS TREE GROWERS, LOGGERS, FIREWOOD DEALERS, AND LANDSCAPERS IN LA CROSSE COUNTY TO ENSURE INDUSTRY UNDERSTANDS THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE RECENT QUARANTINE THAT WAS PUT IN PLACE IN APRIL 2025. INTENDED BENEFICIARY: THE US FOREST SERVICE ESTIMATES THAT AT LEAST 898 MILLION ACRES OF FORESTED LAND ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO SPONGY MOTH FEEDING AND DAMAGE. THE SPONGY MOTH PROGRAM PROTECTS THIS VITAL NATIONAL RESOURCE FROM THE PEST’S DESTRUCTION, PRESERVING TIMBER AND PROPERTY VALUES. HOWEVER, LEFT UNCHECKED, THE SPR EAD OF SPONGY MOTHS WOULD LEAD TO SEVERE DAMAGE TO FOREST TREES, IRREVERSIBLY ALTERING AND DEGRADING THE FORESTS’ ECOLOGY, BIODIVERSITY, AND PRODUCTIVITY IN IMPACTED AREAS. IN URBAN AND SUBURBAN AREAS, HOME AND PROPERTY OWNERS WOULD INCUR SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC COSTS THROUGH LOSS OF CANOPY COVER, INCREASED HEATING AND COOLING BILLS, AND LOWERED PROPERTY VALUES. SPONGY MOTH OUTBREAKS ALSO RESULT IN A NUISANCE FACTOR FOR PEOPLE IN AFFECTED COMMUNITIES DUE TO LARVAE AND FRASS LITTERING SIDEWALKS AND LAWNS. BUSINESSES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WOULD ALSO FACE ADDITIONAL BURDENS. NURSERIES AND CHRISTMAS TREE FARMS WOULD INCUR ELEVATED COSTS TO PROTECT THEIR INVENTORIES FROM DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE PEST. PROTECTING TREES IN PUBLIC SETTINGS SUCH AS PARKS AND GREEN AREAS WOULD REQUIRE SIGNIFICANT EXPENDITURES FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. THE LOSS OF CANOPY COVER WOULD LEAD TO A DEPRECIATED QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS AND INCREASED WATER RUNOFF THAT WOULD PLACE ADDITIONAL STRESS ON STORM AND SEWAGE WATER SYSTEMS. INCREASED EROSION DUE TO TREE LOSSES ON WATERSHEDS FEEDING DRINKING WATER RESERVOIRS WOULD REQUIRE EXPENSIVE ADDITIONAL FILTRATION AND PURIFICATION SYSTEMS AND CAPACITIES. HUMAN HEALTH IMPACTS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE, WITH SOME PEOPLE EXHIBITING ALLERGIES TO THE FINE HAIRS COVERING SPONGY MOTH LARVAE. SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES, IF KNOWN OR SPECIFIED AT THE TIME OF AWARD: SEE NUMBERS 2 AND 3 ABOVE

1. AWARD PURPOSE: THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO INCREASE THE ABILITY TO IDENTIFY ISOLATED INFESTATIONS OF GYPSY MOTH THAT OCCUR AS A RESULT OF HUMAN ASSISTED SPREAD AND TO ASSIST IN DETERMINING THE MAJOR ROUTES OF ARTIFICIAL SPREAD. 2. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: THE AGREEMENT WITH THE GM STS FOUNDATION, INC. ALLOWS FOR FUNDS TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE FOLLOWING STATES: ILLINOIS, MINNESOTA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE GM STS FOUNDATION, INC. WILL DECIDE THE FUNDING ALLOTMENTS FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING PARTICIPATING STATES. MOREOVER, THE PARTICIPATING STATES AGREE TO COMPLETE THE FIVE REGULATORY OBJECTIVES: A. IDENTIFY, CLASSIFY, AND CATALOGUE HIGH-RISK SITES WITHIN THE GM SIS PROGRAM AREA FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. TYPICAL HIGH-RISK LOCATIONS INCLUDE CAMPGROUNDS, PARKS, TOURIST ATTRACTIONS, LARGE COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION SITES, SHIPPING AND RECEIVING COMPANIES, LOG TIMBER, AND LUMBER PROCESSING FACILITIES. THESE ASSESSMENTS WILL HELP TO IDENTIFY THE PATHWAYS GYPSY MOTH MAY MOVE AND TO OUTLINE WAYS TO ELIMINATE OR MINIMIZE THAT MOVEMENT. B. UTILIZE EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGNS TO ASSIST IN REDUCING THE ARTIFICIAL SPREAD FOR THE GYPSY MOTH. PUBLIC AWARENESS DISPLAYS AND PRESENTATIONS, PRESS RELEASES, AND DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATIONAL BROCHURES AND HANDOUTS WILL BE COMPONENTS OF THE PROGRAM. C. ESTABLISH AND UTILIZE COMPLIANCE AGREEMENTS TO FACILITATE COMMERCE. D. MONITOR THE INTERSTATE AND INTRASTATE MOVEMENT OF GYPSY MOTH REGULATED ARTICLES IN PARTICIPATING STATES. VIOLATIONS WILL BE PROCESSED THROUGH STATE AND/OR FEDERAL AUTHORITIES. E. RECORD PROGRAM DATA BASED ON PROTOCOLS MUTUALLY ESTABLISHED BY THE GM SIS FOUNDATION AND THE USDA, APHIS, PPQ 3. DELIVERABLES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES: ILLINOIS: OUR EMPHASIS WILL BE ON THE INSPECTION AND COMPLIANCE OF REGULATED PLANT INDUSTRY BUSINESSES THAT BRING REGULATED MATERIALS FROM QUARANTINED COUNTIES INTO NON-QUARANTINED COUNTIES IN ILLINOIS. PROGRAM STAFF WILL INSPECT BUSINESSES (BOTH PLANT MATERIAL AND COMPLIANCE DOCUMENTS), EDUCATE AFFECTED INDUSTRY STAFF ON SPONGY MOTH IMPACTS AND IDENTIFICATION, AND WORK ON COMPLIANCE AS APPROPRIATE. GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: THE ACTIVITIES OF THIS PROGRAM MAY OCCUR IN ANY ILLINOIS COUNTY, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON THE LEADING EDGE OF THE IN FESTATION/QUARANTINE AND BEYOND. GENERALLY SPEAKING, THERE WILL BE MORE CHRISTMAS TREE DEALER ACTIVITIES IN LARGER URBAN AREAS, SO WE EXPECT TO SEE HIGHER INSPECTION NUMBERS IN AREAS LIKE THE QUAD CITIES, PEORIA, BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL, SPRINGFIELD, AND THE ILLINOIS SIDE OF ST. LOUIS, WHERE THEY ALSO DOUBLE AS AN EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TOOL. MINNESOTA: MONEY ALLOCATED TO THE MINNESOTA LYMANTRIA DISPAR REGULATORY PROGRAM BY THE STS FOUNDATION WILL BE USED TO PAY A PORTION OF THE SALARIES AND BENEFITS FOR MDA REGULATORY PERSONNEL, INCLUDING A PORTION OF TRAVEL EXPENSES INCURRED WHILE CONDUCTING REGULATORY SITE VISITS. AWARDED FUNDS WILL ALLOW THE MDA TO REVIEW AND UPDATE ALL PROGRAM MATERIALS WITH THE CHANGE OF THE COMMON NAME TO SPONGY MOTH. THE MDA WILL COLLABORATE WITH STAKEHOLDERS IN THE WOOD PRODUCTS INDUSTRY TO REVIEW AND UPDATE COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT TEMPLATES AND POLICIES. MINNESOTA COMPLIANCE AGREEMENTS AND POLICIES WERE ESTABLISHED PRIOR TO THE QUARANTINE IN 2014. A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW MUST BE CONDUCTED TO ENSURE MDA REGULATORY EFFORTS MEET THE ACTUAL IMPLEMENTATION OF MITIGATION PRACTICES TO BOTH SMALL AND LARGE FACILITIES AS A WHOLE. CHANGES SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED AT TIME OF QUARANTINE EXPANSION, THE MDA WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS OUTREACH AND QUARANTINE COMPLIANCE EFFORTS ON THE TIMBER INDUSTRY, SINCE QUARANTINE RESTRICTIONS HAVE THE LARGEST IMPACT ON THIS INDUSTRY. AWARDED FUNDS WILL CONTINUE CURRENT REGULATORY EFFORTS INCLUDING FACILITATING COMMERCE THROUGH THE RENEWAL AND ESTABLISHMENT OF COMPLIANCE AGREEMENTS, PROVIDING LOCAL TRAINING WORKSHOPS FOR LOGGERS AND COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT HOLDERS, UPDATING, AND EXPANDING THE TRAINING PLATFORM AND A REGULATORY DATABASE OF HIGH-RISK SITES, AS WELL AS MONITORING HIGH RISK SITES. REGULATORY ACTIVITIES WILL CONTINUE TO BE COORDINATED WITH APPROPRIATE AGENCIES TO AVOID OVERLAPPING ENFORCEMENT AND TO PROMOTE INTERSTATE COMMERCE. DUE TO DECREASED USDA, APHIS COOPERATIVE FUNDING FOR DETECTION AND DELIMIT SURVEYS, THERE MAY BE A NEED TO UTILIZE AWARDED FUNDS TO ENSURE ALL DELIMIT, REGULATORY, COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT SURVEY DETECTION TRAPS ARE PLACED, MONITORED AND REMOVED FROM THE FIELD. AUGMENTING THE STATEWIDE EARLY DETECTION SURVEY PROGRAM. AWARDED FUNDS WILL EXPAND THE MDA’S LYMANTRIA DISPAR REGULATORY PROGRAM THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPLIANCE AUDITS. UNANNOUNCED VISITS TO COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT HOLDERS AND POTENTIAL ROAD-SIDE INSPECTION BLITZES ALONG QUARANTINE BOUNDARIES, CONDUCTED IN COOPERATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, MAY BE IMPLEMENTED TO ENSURE THAT THE MOVEMENT OF REGULATED ARTICLES ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH QUARANTINE RESTRICTIONS, INCLUDING THE COMPLETE AND ACCURATE COMPLETION OF REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION. AWARDED FUNDS WILL ENHANCE OUTREACH EFFORTS WITHIN MINNESOTA’S LYMANTRIA DISPAR REGULATORY PROGRAM. THE MDA WILL CONTINUE TO PRESENT INFORMATION AT VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL/TRADE ORGANIZATION CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL HEARINGS, TRIBAL AFFILIATES, AND THE VAST NUMBER OF UNAFFILIATED FOREST PRODUCTS ENTREPRENEURS. OUTREACH EFFORTS WILL BE EXPANDED BY INCREASING OUTREACH EFFORTS TO PRIVATE CAMPGROUNDS AND USING THE MN TREE CARE REGISTRY TO IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES. THE MDA’S LYMANTRIA DISPAR WEBSITE WILL BE UPDATED AND WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE AS A RESOURCE FOR OUTREACH EFFORTS. OUTREACH EFFORTS WILL BE EXPANDED THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, INCLUDING THE PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIALS, BILLBOARD, AND RADIO ADVERTISEMENTS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO STAKE HOLDERS. ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS MAY INCLUDE NEW TRAINING MATERIALS AND KITS, ONLINE VIDEOS DEMONSTRATING VISUAL INSPECTION METHODS, AND EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION TARGETED TO TOURISTS AND HOMEOWNERS. PUBLIC AWARENESS AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH COOPERATING FEDERAL AND STATE AGENCIES. WHERE PRACTICAL, OUTREACH METHODS WILL CONNECT TO EXISTING APHIS CAMPAIGNS. WEST VIRGINIA: THE PREDICTED START UP TIME FOR THIS PROGRAM IS JULY 1, 2024. MONEY ALLOCATED FOR THIS PROGRAM BY THE SLOW THE SPREAD FOUNDATION WILL BE USED TO PAY A PORTION OF THE SALARIES AND BENEFITS FOR WVDA REGULATORY PERSONNEL AS WELL AS TRAVEL COSTS FOR VISITS TO NURSERIES, LOG YARDS, SAWMILLS, MOBILE HOME DEALERS, MOVING COMPANIES AND WEIGH STATION INSPECTIONS. LYMANTRIA DISPAR OUTREACH MATERIALS, EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION, HANDOUTS, DISPLAYS AND OTHER APPLICABLE ITEMS MAY BE PURCHASED RELATIVE TO THE STS REGULATORY PROGRAM. GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION (WEST VIRGINIA) - WHEN IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF SLOWING OR PREVENTING THE MOVEMENT OF LYMANTRIA DISPAR INFESTED ARTICLES, THE PLANT INDUSTRIES STAFF ASSIGNED TO REGULATORY WORK WILL TRAVEL TO ANY PART OF THE STATE TO CONDUCT LYMANTRIA DISPAR REGULATORY ACTIVITIES. HOWEVER, THE 11 UNREGULATED COUNTIES WILL BE THE MAIN FOCUS. WISCONSIN: THE EMPHASIS WILL BE ON THE EDUCATION, INSPECTION AND COMPLIANCE OF REGULATED PLANT INDUSTRY BUSINESSES THAT TRANSPORT REGULATED MATERIALS FROM QUARANTINED COUNTIES TO NON-QUARANTINED COUNTIES IN WISCONSIN AND IN OTHER STATES. PROGRAM STAFF WILL INSPECT BUSINESSES, EDUCATE AFFECTED INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES ON SPONGY MOTH ID AND DETECTION PROCEDURES, AND ISSUE COMPLIANCE AGREEMENTS AS APPROPRIATE. FOLLOW-UP VISITS WILL DETERMINE IF BUSINESSES ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS. GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION (WISCONSIN) - THE ACTIVITIES OF THIS PROGRAM MAY OCCUR IN ANY WISCONSIN COUNTY, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON PLACES ALONG THE LEADING EDGE OF THE INFESTATION, ESPECIALLY IF TRAP NUMBERS HAVE BEEN ELEVATED IN RECENT YEARS, INCLUDING GREEN INDUSTRY BUSINESSES IN LA CROSSE AND TEMPEALEAU COUNTIES. WE WILL DO TARGETED OUTREACH TO LOGGERS, FIREWOOD DEALERS, AND LANDSCAPERS IN DOUGLAS COUNTY TO ENSURE INDUSTRY UNDERSTANDS THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE RECENT QUARANTINE THAT WAS PUT IN PLACE IN APRIL 2023. 4. INTENDED BENEFICIARY(IES): THE US FOREST SERVICE ESTIMATES THAT AT LEAST 898 MILLION ACRES OF FORESTED LAND ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO GM FEEDING AND DAMAGE. THE GM PROGRAM PROTECTS THIS VITAL NATIONAL RESOURCE FROM THE PEST’S DESTRUCTION, PRESERVING TIMBER AND PROPERTY VALUES. HOWEVER, LEFT UNCHECKED, THE SPREAD OF GM WOULD LEAD TO SEVERE DAMAGE TO FOREST TREES, IRREVERSIBLY ALTERING AND DEGRADING THE FORESTS’ ECOLOGY, BIODIVERSITY, AND PRODUCTIVITY IN IMPACTED AREAS. IN URBAN AND SUBURBAN AREAS, HOME AND PROPERTY OWNERS WOULD INCUR SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC COSTS THROUGH LOSS OF CANOPY COVER, INCREASED HEATING AND COOLING BILLS, AND LOWERED PROPERTY VALUES. GM OUTBREAKS ALSO RESULT IN A NUISANCE FACTOR FOR PEOPLE IN AFFECTED COMMUNITIES DUE TO LARVAE AND FRASS LITTERING SIDEWALKS AND LAWNS. BUSINESSES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WOULD ALSO FACE ADDITIONAL BURDENS. NURSERIES AND CHRISTMAS TREE FARMS WOULD INCUR ELEVATED COSTS TO PROTECT THEIR INVENTORIES FROM DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE PEST. PROTECTING TREES IN PUBLIC SETTINGS SUCH AS PARKS AND GREEN AREAS WOULD REQUIRE SIGNIFICANT EXPENDITURES FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. THE LOSS OF CANOPY COVER WOULD LEAD TO A DEPRECIATED QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS AND INCREASED WATER RUNOFF THAT WOULD PLACE ADDITIONAL STRESSES ON STORM AND SEWAGE WATER SYSTEMS. INCREASED EROSION DUE TO TREE LOSSES ON WATERSHEDS FEEDING DRINKING WATER RESERVOIRS WOULD REQUIRE EXPENSIVE ADDITIONAL FILTRATION AND PURIFICATION SYSTEMS AND CAPACITIES. HUMAN HEALTH IMPACTS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE, WITH SOME PEOPLE EXHIBITING ALLERGIES TO THE FINE HAIRS COVERING GM LARVAE. 5. SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES, IF KNOWN OR SPECIFIED AT THE TIME OF AWARD: SEE NUMBERS 2 AND 3 ABOVE

TO CONDUCT GYPSY MOTH REGULATORY PROGRAMS IN NC, WV, MN, IL, VA AND WI AS OUTLINED IN THE WORK PLANS.