The Hawai’i Department of Agriculture has posted a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the release of a natural predator (Tectococcus ovatus, a Brazilian scale insect) for the sustainable management of strawberry guava in Hawai’i.

This action is proposed to mitigate the impacts of strawberry guava on native forests, the water supply, and agriculture.

The draft EA is available in the Environmental Notice on the Hawai’i Department of Health’s Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC) website and will be open for public comment for one month, June 23-July 23, 2010. Visit the OEQC website at:
http://hawaii.gov/health/environmental/environmental/oeqc/index.html

Only written comments will be accepted, and may be submitted to the Hawai’i Department of Agriculture Plant Pest Control Branch at 1428 S. King St. Honolulu, HI 96814, with a copy sent to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813; or emailed to hdoa.ppc@hawaii.gov

For more information news media may contact:
Deborah Ward
DLNR Public information specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320

Dr. Neil Reimer
Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture
Phone: (808) 973-9522
Email: hdoa.ppc@hawaii.gov