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From DNA-sampling robots and invasive species maps to genetic libraries and mosquito birth control, USGS scientists are hard at work building up ecological infrastructure for the nation.

Effective November 16, 2021, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) established a Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) quarantine area in San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties, California. APHIS is applying safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement or entry into foreign trade of regulated articles from this area. This action is in response to the CDFA’s confirmation of a mature, unmated female Medfly on October 25, and a subsequently confirmed male Medfly on November 9 from Jackson traps placed in backyard citrus trees in residential areas of Upland, California. There are 15.75 acres of commercial agricultural production in the quarantine area. Currently, the quarantine area encompasses 95 square miles.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing the implementation of Phase VII of the Lacey Act provisions. APHIS is finalizing the associated declaration requirement required by Congress for plant and wood products. In this phase, declarations will be required for all remaining plant product Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes that are not 100-percent composite materials. Implementation of Phase VII will begin December 1, 2024.

If an importer imports items that contain plant products, but do not currently file a Lacey Act declaration, they likely will need to file under Phase VII. Phase VII includes the broadest range of items, items as varied as industrial or medicinal plants, handbags, plywood, laminated wood, tools, matches with natural wood stems, products of natural cork, products of bamboo and rattan, footwear and more. Plant and wood products included in past phases include timber, some furniture, essential oils, wood cases and trunks, and woodwind instruments and their parts and accessories.
See also: Lacey Act Phase VII Implementation: Frequently Asked Questions and Plant Protection Today: Lacey Act Phase VII Is Coming (Apr 27, 2023)

Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is modifying the conditions under which citrus fruit may be moved interstate from areas quarantined for sweet orange scab (SOS) when destined for processing or packing in a commercial citrus-producing state without a state-wide SOS quarantine.

Provides comprehensive Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) information including: what to look for, how to prevent this pest and how it is treated. Also provides image gallery and information how to report signs of pest. And provides information for ALB cooperative eradication including: current status and quarantine information, APHIS' response, regulatory information, federal orders, information for cooperators and producers, ALB research, and reports and assessments.

The Great Lakes remain one of the most heavily invaded freshwater systems in the world. Ballast water from cargo ships crossing the ocean inadvertently brought in many aquatic invasive species (AIS), accounting for the introduction of 40% of all nonindigenous aquatic species in the Great Lakes. However, collaborative efforts have led to pioneering research and policy changes that have reduced this threat.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a final rule in the Mar 22 Federal Register officially adding the bighead carp to the federal injurious wildlife list. The final rule codifies the Asian Carp Prevention and Control Act (S. 1421), signed into law by President Obama on Dec 14, 2010. The injurious wildlife listing means that under the Lacey Act it is illegal to import or to transport live bighead carp, including viable eggs or hybrids of the species, across state lines, except by permit for zoological, education, medical, or scientific purposes.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests about $5.5 billion in lands and resources entrusted to the Forest Service, including many of the landscapes and watersheds we manage together with our federal, tribal, state, private and other partners. The new funding will let us build new and increased capacity for working with partners to improve wildland fire management and repair infrastructure, both nature-based and constructed, across the national forests and grasslands.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a transformational opportunity to make an impact against the climate crisis across the country through multiple funding opportunities. It provides nearly $3 billion for NOAA to take action over 5 years in the areas of habitat restoration, coastal resilience, and weather forecasting infrastructure. NOAA will address climate risks and key impact areas, including floods, fire, drought, and extreme heat, and will build resilience in marine and coastal regions. These targeted investments will be scalable and responsive to societal needs for climate information and support and leverage partnerships. A significant portion of the funds will be issued through competitive grants to organizations to do on-the-ground work around the country.

Signed into law in November 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), also known as Public Law 117-58 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), provides ~$1.2 trillion in funding to federal agencies for work related to transportation, energy, water, internet, and natural-resources related infrastructure. This includes resources for the Departments of Agriculture (USDA), the Interior (DOI), and Commerce (DOC) that are directly or indirectly tied to invasive species management.

Provides information about South Research Station projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law This collection of project pages highlights SRS-led research - including science supporting the Wildfire Crisis Strategy - and features project goals, collaborators, and more.

President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is a major investment in the conservation and stewardship of America’s public lands that will lead to better outdoor spaces and habitats for people and wildlife for generations to come. The law’s $1.4 billion for Ecosystem Restoration and Resilience is a significant down payment in protecting our shared natural heritage. With these resources, the Department of the Interior is collaborating with states, Tribes and local communities to invest millions of dollars annually to restore habitat connectivity for aquatic species around the country and advance habitat restoration, invasive species control, conservation of at-risk and listed species and benefits to several significant ecosystems.

Across the country, ecosystem restoration projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will advance healthy forests, detect and eradicate invasive species, invest in National Seed Strategy collection and production, restore recreation sites and National Parks and mitigate hazards on Mined Lands.
See also: DOI's BIL Project Map, which is a new interactive map to track funding invested so far from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in thousands of projects nationwide.

Aquatic invasive species cause tremendous harm to our environment, our economy, and our health. They can drive out and eat native plants and wildlife, spread diseases, and damage infrastructure. The U.S. spends billions of dollars every year to manage and control these aquatic invaders and protect the nation's waters. Although prevention is the most effective approach to eliminate or reduce the threat of aquatic invasive species,  Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR)  serves as a failsafe when prevention measures are ineffective or unavailable.

Recognizing the need for action, the U.S. Department of the Interior identified advancing a National EDRR Framework for invasive species as a priority for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding and took steps to invest in supporting components of such a framework. One such critical component was the establishment of a pilot Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species that can be used to assess and support response actions for quick containment or eradication of newly detected species.

Provides comprehensive citrus canker information including: what to look for, how to prevent this disease and how it is treated. Also provides image gallery and information how to report signs of citrus disease. And provides control information including: history of citrus canker in the U.S., current quarantine boundaries, regulations, and potential actionable suspect sample policy. 

Select layer to view quarantine by species (Asian citrus psyllid, citrus black spot, citrus canker,  citrus greening, sweet orange scab).
See related resource: Data Visualization Tools to explore plant and animal health management data and interactive story maps

Provides comprehensive Asian citrus pysllid and citrus greening information including: what to look for, how to prevent this disease and how it is treated. Also provides image gallery and information how to report signs of citrus disease. And provides control information including: current status, regulatory information, Huanglongbing multi-agency coordination, potentially actionable suspect sample policy, and spread the word (videos).

Contains the requirements for moving fruit, nursery stock, or other regulated articles for several citrus pests and diseases.

Official website for U.S. federal legislative information. Replaces the legacy THOMAS site retired Jul 5, 2016.