If you missed the live session,
here is a link to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwdoY_XMyAI

About This Session:
Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) is no longer a distant threat. With confirmed detections in Eastern and Western Washington, Japanese beetle puts our landscapes, businesses, and communities at risk. This invasive pest has the potential to cause millions in plant damage, disrupt nursery operations, and trigger costly, long-term regulatory consequences if not addressed quickly and collectively. Join the Washington State Department of Agriculture for an essential briefing on what every nursery and landscape professional, and community member needs to know right now. You’ll learn how to recognize Japanese beetle at every life stage, what to look for during inspections, how and where to report suspect sightings, and the most effective actions you can take to prevent establishment. Why this matters: Japanese beetle feeds on 300+ plant species, threatening ornamentals, edibles, turf, and tree crops. Adults skeletonize foliage and damage flowers and fruit, while grubs destroy turf by feeding on roots.

If the pest becomes established, pesticide reliance will increase, residential landscapes will suffer widespread impacts, and nurseries will face costly quarantines, delayed shipments, and strict movement restrictions.

Early detection and rapid response are our best, and only, chance to protect Washington’s green industry and avoid long-term economic and environmental consequences. During the webinar, WSDA will share current detection locations, eradication plans, and next steps for 2026, along with direct insights from WSDA Plant Services on the current impacts of this pest on nurseries and what businesses can expect moving forward. This is a critical opportunity to stay informed, prepared, and part of the statewide response effort. Your engagement now helps protect your business, your customers, and the future of Washington’s landscape and nursery ecosystem. Subject Matter Experts: Cassie Knavel is the WSDA Outreach Specialist. Cassie's early career, coupled with a degree in restoration, supported Natural Resource Districts by coordinating cost-share, stream rehabilitation, and habitat improvement programs. She took a jaunt to instruct with Teach For America in a Sovereign Nation and co-created a district-wide curriculum. Currently, Cassie advocates to protect our environment with the Washington State Department of Agriculture. She supports national priorities and high-profile and emotionally charged issues surrounding invasive species. Cassie’s been honored as Washingtonian of the Day twice and in her free time, she recreates outdoors or serves in her community. Scott Brooks is the WSDA Plant Services Program Manager. He’s been with Plant Services since 2003. The Program provides regulatory inspection and quarantine enforcement at licensed nurseries in Washington and helps to facilitate trade of nursery stock to other states and countries. Prior to WSDA, Scott worked in the nursery industry for 6 years.

By the Washington State Department of Agriculture, the Washington Wine Industry Foundation, and the Clean Plant Center Northwest.

Author’s Note: See “Understanding Terminology” at end of article.

Four years ago, the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Nursery Research Funding Program awarded the Washington Wine Industry Foundation and the Clean Plant Center Northwest monies for a project called “Building Awareness of State Certification Programs for Fruit Tree, Grapevine and Hop Planting Stock”. The funds from the multi-year grant were used to promote awareness and increase nursery and grower adoption of certified planting stock and to clarify industry confusion between planting stock that is clean, registered, and certified. The target audience for the confusion were grape, fruit tree, and hop nurseries as well as the tree fruit, grape, and hop growers themselves. This article (column?) was written to clarify terminology.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture Plant Services Program administers eight planting stock certification programs for various crops, including seed potatoes, grapevines, fruit trees, hops, mint, garlic, caneberries and strawberries. The Program also regularly surveys pests and diseases in Washington nurseries.

FRUIT TREES: Since the 1950s, the WSDA Fruit Tree Registration and Certification Program has served Washington’s $2.4 billion* apple, pear, and cherry fruit production system ensuring healthy, virus-tested planting stock for fruit tree nurseries.

WSDA virologists monitor trees in several different ways including visual inspection, greenhouse indexing, field indexing, and molecular testing so participating nurseries can produce certified G4 trees for wholesale and retail sale. The certification program manages over 90,000 registered G2/G3 pome and stone fruit mother trees, so that millions of certified trees and rootstocks are produced annually by 14 nurseries enrolled in the voluntary WSDA program.

The WSDA program is co-located with the Clean Plant Center-NW in Prosser Washington on the campus of WSU’s Irrigated Agriculture Research & Extension Center. WSDA collaborates with this National Clean Plant Network center as a source of fully tested G1 foundation material entering the certification program. WSDA maintains a state-of-the-art, 45,000 square foot virus-indexing greenhouse at Prosser, as well as a molecular lab, nematology lab, and field plantings of seed source trees.

The program relies on bud wood and rootstocks that have been tested for known viruses. By isolating the G2/G3 registered mother block plantings from non-certified stock, excluding virus vectors and controlling broadleaf weeds, the risk of infection with local regionally occurring viruses is greatly reduced. Planting WSDA-certified trees can mean growers have longer lived, higher yielding orchards. Certified G4 trees also give Washington nurseries export access to foreign markets for their nursery stock, which must meet rigorous international requirements for pest freedom.

For more information on enrolling in the WSDA fruit tree certification program, call Segun Akinbade at 509-786-9275.

GRAPEVINES: The availability of virus-tested grape planting stock is important to the success of vineyards and the wine industry in Washington state which is valued at $9.5 billion** in annual in-state economic impact. WSDA’s Grapevine Certification Program was established in 2002 and now inspects and tests over 200,000 registered G2/G3 mother vines at participating nurseries each year. All mother vines in the program must be sourced from clean, virus-tested G1 foundation material maintained at a National Clean Plant Center. The program requires isolation distances from non-certified stock at nurseries, vector control, and annual molecular testing of registered G2/G3 mother vines for Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) and Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV), plus a subset of samples are tested for Xylella fastidiosa. Each year, millions of certified vines are produced by four nurseries in the program and sold to vineyards and retail nurseries domestically and internationally as own-rooted vines or grafted vines (if the source rootstock is from a certified source).

The Clean Plant Center-NW at Prosser serves as a source for virus-tested G1 foundation grapevine material. These G1 vines are maintained in insect-proof screenhouses and tested regularly to ensure they are clean and virus free. Cuttings from G1 vines are used to establish registered G2/G3 mother vines at nurseries enrolled in the certification program.

The WSDA Grapevine Certification Program collaborates with WSU to conduct annual molecular testing of the registered G2/G3 mother vines for regional viruses of concern to the industry with samples submitted by participating nurseries as well as WSDA inspectors.

In addition, grape growers in Washington are protected by a state quarantine (WAC 16-483) that requires all out-of-state origin grapevines be produced under a certification program and found free of certain pests and diseases. Currently only Oregon and California have certification programs that meet Washington’s quarantine standards.

For more information on enrolling in the WSDA grapevine certification program call Benita Matheson at 360-410-1260.

###

* = 2023 State Agriculture Overview – Washington, USDA NASS

* * = Washington State Wine Commission

UNDERSTANDING TERMINOLOGY: G-level, Clean, Registered, Certified, Quarantined

What Does the G-level or Generation level mean?

Generation level 1 (G1) is ‘foundation’ plant material that has been tested and found free from all viruses, viroids, and systemically infecting pathogens not specifically exempted by the Clean Plant Centers and all states with national certification programs. G1 foundation plants are maintained at a National Clean Plant Center under controlled conditions to prevent reinfection.

Generation level 2 (G2) plants are propagated from G1 plants to establish registered mother trees or vines at a nursery participating in a certification program.

Generation level 3 (G3) plants are propagated from G2 plants to further expand a registered mother block.

Generation level 4 (G4) plants are the final level in a certification program. Finished G4 trees or vines are also called ‘certified’ and are sold directly to consumers, growers and retailers.

What Is a Clean Plant?

A clean plant, also known as ‘Generation 1 (G1) foundation’ material has been tested and found free from all viruses, viroids, and systemically infecting pathogens not specifically exempted by the Clean Plant Centers and all states with national certification programs. G1 foundation plants are maintained at a National Clean Plant Center under controlled conditions to prevent reinfection.

What Is a Certified Plant?

A certified plant is one that has been grown at a nursery enrolled in a state certification program and can trace its origins to a foundation source at a National Clean Plant Center, or other approved source. The participating nursery must follow the rules of the certification program for that crop.

How Does a Plant Become Certified?

The label ‘certified’ is the result of a healthy plant being propagated using procedures to minimize infection and disease spread, and this process is legally defined by each state’s Department of Agriculture. In this process, a registered ‘mother block’ is planted at a nursery with plants obtained from a G1 foundation source. State regulations govern the details of how registered ‘mother block’ planting is done and specifies acceptable plant sources, block isolation distances and other operation parameters. Plants from the registered ‘mother block’ are propagated to produce ‘certified’ plants. If a plant is grafted onto rootstock, both the scion and the rootstock must meet these standards to qualify as ‘certified’.

For nurseries in the WSDA grapevine and fruit tree certification programs, acceptable sources for G1 foundation material are the Clean Plant Center-Northwest in Prosser or Foundation Plant Services in Davis, CA.

Why Plant “Certified”?

Planting certified material helps prevent the introduction and/or spread of many unwanted diseases. Unlike insects and many fungal diseases, the viruses, viroids, phytoplasmas and bacteria addressed by certification programs cannot be controlled by chemical sprays after plants are infected. Once disease is established, it is difficult and costly to eradicate. Planting ‘certified’ plants is the best insurance for a healthy and profitable farm.

How Do I Know if Plants are “Certified”?

Nurseries in certification programs use tags approved by the State Department of Agriculture for labeling certified plants. Certification status can also be verified on nursery invoices. Currently, Washington only recognizes certification programs in Oregon and California as meeting state quarantines for out of state grapevines.

What Is a Quarantine?

A quarantine is a restriction on transporting plant materials across specific boundaries. Quarantines are necessary to prevent the introduction and spread of unwanted pests and diseases from one area to another. Federal quarantines regulate plant imports from other countries. Washington State has quarantines for hops, grapevines, garlic, mint and seed potatoes that originate from other states and U.S. territories. These quarantines help to protect agricultural industries in Washington. Washington’s grapevine quarantine can be found under WAC 16-483.

The Clean Plant Center Northwest

The CPCNW provides propagative material from the “foundation” plants (vines or fruit trees) held at the center to propagators. Access is dependent on the ownership status of the material, with varieties in the public domain being available to all. The volume of material is limited as the center isn’t a nursery itself; its role is to get propagators material they can amplify. More information can be found at https://cpcnorthwest.com/s/

Finding Certified Plants

Only purchase plants from reputable nurseries and purchase “certified” whenever possible, but also verify that they are certified.

Call (360) 902-1874 for more information or visit the WSDA planting stock certification web pages: https://agr.wa.gov/services/licenses-permits-and-certificates/plant-permits-and-certification-programs.

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

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Today, the Washington State Department of Ecology issued a statewide Drought Declaration, with limited exceptions for the Everett, Seattle and Tacoma metro areas. 

In advance of today's declaration, WSNLA has been in communication with Ecology regarding this pending announcement, shared concerns regarding timing and emphasized partnership in messaging to limit impact to the bottom line of nursery and landscape businesses. Ecology is aware that messaging is critical and is in receipt of industry messaging focused on water-smart solutions for your garden and landscape.  You are encouraged to utilize this messaging, share the GardenWashington.com page or resources listed on it, in your customer communications and marketing outreach, as well.

Seattle Public Utilities, Tacoma Water and Everett Public Works water supply personnel have communicated to me feeling confident in current supply. With that being said, it is always wise to conserve water, where possible. You can follow along with their water supply here:

• Seattle Public Utilities: Seattle Water Supply Conditions - Utilities | seattle.gov
• Tacoma Water: Water Source - Tacoma Public Utilities (mytpu.org)
• Everett Public Works: Water Supply | Everett, WA - Official Website (everettwa.gov)
• Ecology Drought Response Page: Drought Response - Washington State Department of Ecology

While timing of this drought declaration is obviously not ideal, it does present an opportunity to position your business as a partner and resource for gardeners throughout Washington.  Plants and trees remain essential to homes, communities and our environment - and YOU are the expert!

If you have questions, please let me know. 

Warmly, 

Breanne Chavez
WSNLA Executive Director

253.661.6055, breanne@wsnla.org

Growing the Success of Our Members!
FOR PROS:www.wsnla.org
FOR FINDING PLANTS & SUPPLIES:www.FindPlantsPNW.com
FOR CONSUMERS:www.GardenWashington.com

Trouble viewing this email? View it in your browser.

Emergency Rule Adoption Chapter 296-62 WAC, General Occupational Health Standards WAC's 296-62-601 through 296-62-609 Public Health Emergency Reporting and Notification Requirements for COVID-19, and Public Health Emergency Voluntary Personal Protective Equipment Usage

The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) continues to respond to the 2021 passage of Substitute Senate Bill 5254 (SSB 5254), codified as RCW 49.17.485, regarding voluntary use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during a state of emergency, and Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5115 (ESSB 5115), also known as the Health Emergency Labor Standards Act (HELSA) and codified as RCWs 49.17.062 and 49.17.064. This rulemaking maintains requirements under new sections of chapter 296-62 WAC regarding public health emergency related reporting and notification requirements for infectious and contagious disease, the requirements are applicable to COVID-19. This emergency rule supersedes WSR 22-09-033 filed on April 6, 2022. The emergency rule includes requirements for when there is a public health emergency for an infectious or contagious disease and as such, the requirements are applicable to COVID-19. Under the emergency rule: Employers with more than 50 covered employees at a workplace or worksite are required to report infectious or contagious disease outbreaks of 10 or more employees to L&I; Several definitions were added and/or simplified for implementation; Employees are not required to disclose any medical condition or diagnosis to their employer; Employers are required to notify employees in writing of potential exposures within one business day; and Employees and contractors must be permitted to voluntarily use personal protective equipment. In order to meet the requirements of ESSB 5115, also known as the Health Emergency Labor Standards Act, L&I must include notification requirements for health care facilities as defined in RCW 9A.50.010. Employers must notify any employee, as well as their union representative (if any), with known or suspected high-risk exposure to the infectious or contagious disease within 24 hours; Period of transmission/isolation requirements have been simplified; and Requirements for how employees are notified of potential high-risk exposure are clarified. COVID-19 continues to be recognized as a very serious workplace hazard and until permanent rulemaking for infectious and contagious diseases is adopted, this temporary measure will help to reduce the transmission of this disease in the workplace. L&I filed a Preproposal Statement of Inquiry (CR-101) on May 13, 2021, WSR 21-11-051, regarding permanent amendments to existing permanent rules to address hazards from COVID-19 or other outbreaks of infectious or contagious diseases.  Some parts of the emergency rule will be considered for permanent rulemaking. The links below provide additional information about this rulemaking: CR-103E Emergency Adoption WSR 22-17-009 Adoption Language WAC 296-62-601 through WAC 296-62-609 Please contact Dr. Nicholas Reul with any technical questions regarding this rulemaking project. Please contact Carmyn Shute with any process questions about this rulemaking project.

Friday, July 16, 2021

Effective today, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries approved an emergency rule to protect workers from wildfire smoke. Enforcement for the following elements of the rule will not occur until the following dates:  Exposure controls – July 23, 2021;  Provision of respiratory protection – July 23, 2021; Training for workers – August 2, 2021.

This emergency rule includes:

• Requirements for employers to determine PM_2.5 levels at their worksites by checking one of the listed web-based sources or directly measuring PM_2.5 at their worksite. 

• Requirements for hazard communication to notify employees when the PM_2.5 levels reach 55.5 µg/^m3 (WAQA 173, AQI 151).

• Requirements for training both supervisors and line staff who may be exposed to PM_2.5 levels of 20.5µg/^m3 (WAQA 101, AQI 69) or above on the hazards of wildfire smoke and the procedures regarding the employer’s plan for ensuring workers are protected from wildfire smoke.

• Requirements for monitoring and allowing for medical care for employees who display symptoms of illness related to wildfire smoke.

• Requirements for implementation of engineering and administrative controls whenever PM_2.5 reaches 55.5 µg/^m3 (WAQA 173, AQI 151) and such controls are feasible.

• Requirements for supplying respiratory protection for employees use on a voluntary basis whenever PM_2.5 reaches 55.5 µg/^m3 (WAQA 173, AQI 151).

WSNLA is reviewing the updated language of this emergency rule and will continue to monitor this rulemaking process.  Further guidance and updates will be given to member businesses, as necessary.  If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at 253.661.6055 or breanne@wsnla.org.  

Scroll down to read the WA State Department of Labor & Industries news release.  
Click here to read the emergency rule.

Warmly,

Breanne Chavez
WSNLA Executive Director
253.661.6055  |  breanne@wsnla.org
Growing the Success of Our Members!

Resources for Pros: www.WSNLA.org
Find Plants & Products: www.FindPlantsPNW.com
Resources for Consumers: www.GardenWashington.com

TUMWATER — Washington is under a state of emergency, with more than 600 wildfires reported already this year. That’s about double the normal rate, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.

Where there’s fire, there’s smoke that can expose outdoor workers in construction, agriculture, and other jobs to health risks from breathing particulate matter in the air.

To help these and other workers, the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) filed emergency rules today to help protect employees exposed to wildfire smoke. Washington is just the second state to issue regulations regarding workers and wildfire smoke. California was the first, adopting its rules in 2019.

“This wildfire season is shaping up to be even worse than last year,” said L&I Director Joel Sacks. “We’re establishing these emergency rules to protect employees who have to work outside, breathing in smoky air all day long.”

Smoke from wildfires contains chemicals, gases, and fine particles that can harm health. The most concerning hazard is associated with the smallest particles, or Particulate Matter (PM), that are less than 2.5 micrometers (PM 2.5). These particles can get deep into the lungs, worsening existing health conditions like asthma, negatively impacting heart health, and increasing the risk of death.

The new wildfire smoke rules spell out to employers how to identify harmful smoke exposure risks and when to notify their workers. They also require employers to:

• Train employees and supervisors about wildfire smoke;
• Ensure employees showing symptoms of wildfire smoke exposure are monitored and receive medical care when necessary; and,
• Take actions to eliminate or reduce exposures to wildfire smoke where feasible, when levels of particulate matter are high.

The rule sets the standard for dangerously poor air quality at PM 2.5 concentrations of 55.5 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³) or an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 151.

Measures to eliminate or reduce worker exposure may include:

• Moving work to enclosed buildings, structures, or vehicles where the air is adequately filtered;
• Moving employees to areas with lower smoke exposure;
• Reducing work intensity;
• Providing additional rest periods; and,
• Providing employees with respirators, such as an N95 or a KN95 disposal mask at no cost for voluntary use when levels of particulate matter are high.

Although not required, L&I also recommends employers take action to reduce employee exposure to dangerous air at even lower levels of particulate matter, especially for sensitive groups with asthma or other lung conditions.

Monitoring air quality
The emergency wildfire smoke rules include several ways employers can check PM 2.5 levels. They can check sites including the EPA's AirNow website or state Department of Ecology's Air Monitoring Network and download mobile apps like “EPA AirNow” or “Air Quality WA.” They can also purchase equipment to check it themselves.

What’s next
The emergency rules are in effect immediately (July 16, 2021); employers will be given a brief grace period before enforcement begins.  L&I gathered stakeholder input and referenced California’s regulations to develop the emergency wildfire smoke rules. L&I will announce opportunities to provide input on permanent rules in the coming months.  

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association will continue to monitor and report changes and updates to member businesses.  Not a member of WSNLA? Join the WSNLA Member Community to continue receiving updates and resources on this topic.

Changes in Washington's overtime law take effect July 25

Washington state emergency heat exposure rule
increases protection for outdoor workers
Effective today, employers must take additional precautions
to prevent heat-related illness
click here to read L&I news release

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) filed an emergency rule on July 9 to provide increased protection for employees exposed to extreme heat, including those working in agriculture, construction and other outdoor industries. The new regulations take effect today, July 13 through September 30, 2021, and are in addition to existing rules.  The emergency Outdoor Heat Exposure rule clarifies proactive steps that employers must take to prevent outdoor workers from suffering heat-related illness.

In general, covered employers must:

• Create an Outdoor Heat Exposure Prevention Plan as part of yourrequired Accident Prevention Program .
• Provide annual training to employees and supervisors on symptoms of outdoor heat exposure and policies in place to prevent heat-related illness.
• Increase the amount of water available to employees and providing more opportunity for workers to drink it on days when temperatures require preventive measures.
• Be prepared to respond appropriately to any employee with symptoms of heat-related illness.

The emergency rules, effective July 13, 2021 through September 30, 2021, add additional requirements.

When the temperature is at or above 100 degrees, employers must respond to the extreme heat by:

• Providing shade or another sufficient means for employees to cool down; and
• Ensuring workers have a paid cool-down rest period of at least 10 minutes every two hours.

When temperatures are at or above 89 degrees, the new rules combined with existing rules require employers to also:

• Provide water that is cool enough to drink safely; and
• Allow and encourage workers to take additional paid preventative cool-down rest to protect from overheating.

The emergency rules update existing rules that are in place annually from May through the end of September. The existing rules already require ready access to at least one quart of drinking water per worker per hour, an outdoor heat exposure safety program with training, and an appropriate response to workers who are experiencing heat-related illness symptoms.

L&I will file an official notification for permanent rulemaking. Known as a CR-101, the notification is the first step in the process of updating the existing state Outdoor Heat Exposure rule  established in 2008.

Visit L&I's Be Heat Smart web page for additional resources and steps employers can take to protect employees working in hot temperatures, including: 

• Your Outdoor Heat Safety Program Requirements
• Training Materials: Resources available in both English & Spanish
• FAQ - L&I addresses frequently asked questions.

Specific Rules on Outdoor Heat Exposure

• General industry: WAC 296-62-065
• Agriculture: WAC 296-307-097

Click here for the complete new release.

L&I is looking to make these emergency heat protections permanent.  Like all permanent rulemaking processes, there will be opportunities for public input during the process.  In the coming months, L&I will gather information from stakeholders to help create an initial draft of the updated Outdoor Heat Exposure rule.  

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association will continue to monitor and report changes and updates to member businesses.  Not a member of WSNLA? Join the WSNLA Member Community to continue receiving updates and resources that help support the success of your business.

Federal Order

APHIS amends import requirements of Buxus spp., Euonymus spp.,
and Ilex spp. plants for planting from Canada

DA-2021-11

May 26, 2021

Effective immediately, the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is amending entry requirements for importation of boxwood (Buxus spp.), Euonymus (Euonymus spp.), and holly (Ilex spp.), plants for planting from Canada to prevent introduction of box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis).

Box tree moth is a serious pest of boxwood, Euonymus, holly, and curry leaf tree (Murraya spp.), and these hosts are a pathway for entry of this pest into the United States. Box tree moth symptoms include green-black frass and silk threads on the host plant. Larvae feeding on leaves causes defoliation and mortality. Bark feeding by larvae results in desiccation and death of plants.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) first detected box tree moth at two sites in Toronto, (Ontario), Canada in August 2018. In November 2018, CFIA confirmed the presence of this pest in an urban neighborhood in Toronto and posted an official pest report in The North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) Phytosanitary Alert System in February 2019. This was the first confirmed report of this pest in North America. Most recently, on April 30, 2021, CFIA provided information on the detection of the pest at a nursery in St. Catharines, Ontario. CFIA subsequently indicated the pest may be present in the surrounding environment.

This Federal Order replaces DA 2020-07 and prohibits the importation of Buxus spp., Euonymus spp., and Ilex spp. from Canada into the United States and territories. Buxus spp., Euonymus spp., Ilex spp., plants for planting shipments imported from Canada will be refused entry.

This action is necessary because APHIS has determined that the introduction and establishment of the box tree moth poses a serious threat to agriculture in the United States.

This Federal Order is issued in accordance with the regulatory authority provided by the Plant Protection Act of June 20, 2000, as amended, Section 412(a), 7 U.S.C. 7712(a). Under the Act, the Secretary may prohibit or restrict the importation, entry, exportation, or movement in interstate commerce of any plant, plant product, biological control organism, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance, if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the introduction into the United States or the dissemination of a plant pest or noxious weed within the United States. The regulatory authority provided by 7 U.S.C. 7754 allows the Secretary to issue orders to carry out this provision of the Plant Protection Act.

For additional information regarding this Federal Order, please contact Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist Narasimha Chary Samboju, at 301-851-2038 or narasimha.c.samboju@usda.gov.

WSDA: Japanese Beetle Stakeholder Update

You are receiving this email because you have been identified as a potential stakeholder regarding the detection of a population of Japanese beetles in the Grandview/Sunnyside area of Yakima County. If you wish to be removed from this list, please email us at pestprogram@agr.wa.gov

INDUSTRY JAPANESE BEETLE WEBINAR | Hosted by WSDA
Click here to view the session.

Attend a Japanese beetle webinar specifically for  industry professionals today. This destructive insect is a quarantinable pest and may affect commodities in Washington State. The webinar will include survey history, cover identification, share planned trapping information, and go into detail about potential effects to agricultural production, including the nursery industry, and exports. Presenters will include WSDA’s Plant Protection Division staff.

Use this link to view the webinar.

For Immediate Release

April 1, 2019

Mary Beth Cowardin

Vice President Marketing & Member Engagement

MaryBethC@AmericanHort.org

614-884-1137

AmericanHort Welcomes More Seasonal Worker Visas

Columbus, OH - AmericanHort is very pleased to report that on March 29, the Department of Homeland Security announced that it plans to release an additional 30,000 H-2B workers for returning immigrant workers. This progress would not have happened without the steady advocacy push by our advocacy team, industry leaders, association members, state association partners, and like-minded industries participating in the H-2B Workforce Coalition, which AmericanHort co-chairs.

The severe shortage of seasonal worker visas has meant huge uncertainly and economic harm for landscape businesses. The negative economic impact has also spilled over to affect nursery and greenhouse growers, equipment providers, and others in the landscape supply chain.

Though this number of additional visas is less than half the 69,320 additional visas Congress authorized, and certainly falls well short of current demand, it is double the number that have been made available in the past two fiscal years. The 30,000 visas will be made available via a temporary final rule that will soon be published in the Federal Register.

“These additional visas will certainly provide some relief for our members who have been shut out of the H-2B program this year due to the cap,” said Craig Regelbrugge, AmericanHort senior vice president for advocacy and research. “Many thanks to our champions in the U.S. Senate and House who have continued to help us push for visa cap relief.”

AmericanHort will provide additional details once the rule is published in theFederal Register.

###

About AmericanHort

Green industry businesses perform better, grow faster and prepare for the future as a member of AmericanHort, the green industry’s leading association. With a rich history of serving horticultural professionals, AmericanHort supports nearly 14,000 member and affiliated businesses that include breeders, greenhouse and nursery growers, garden retailers, distributors, interior and exterior landscape professionals, florists, students, educators, researchers, manufacturers, and all of those who are part of the industry market chain. The horticulture industry's production, wholesale, retail, and landscape service components have annual sales of $196 billion, and sustain over 1.6 million full- and part-time jobs.

If you have questions about whether a specific location is within the pest free area or under quarantine, you can access a searchable web site map of Washington State at the following link:

https://agr.wa.gov/PlantsInsects/InsectPests/AppleMaggot/Quarantine.aspx

The current apple maggot quarantine rule can be reviewed at the following link:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=16-470&full=true#16-470-105

You can track the progress of the current rule making activity at the following web site:

https://agr.wa.gov/LawsRules/Rulemaking/PP/AppleMaggotQuarantine111417.aspx

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is proposing to treat two areas in Western Washington in the spring of 2018 to eradicate introductions of gypsy moth, a non-native, invasive pest that decimates trees. The proposal calls for treating a total of about 1,300 acres in Kitsap and Pierce counties.

WSDA’s treatment proposal consists of aerial applications of a naturally occurring soil bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki, or Btk. It is an insecticide approved for use in organic agriculture that for decades has had a proven safety record around people, plants, pets, fish, birds and bees. Treatments would target gypsy moth caterpillars emerging in April or May as they begin to feed on Washington’s trees and shrubs.

The proposal comes after the department’s annual summer trapping program captured 117 male gypsy moths – the most caught in more than 20 years. The agency’s proposal was developed in consultation with national gypsy moth experts that included the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the University of Washington. 

Next steps for WSDA include preparing environmental reviews, consulting with local, state and federal agencies, and public outreach, including informational postcards for local residents and businesses.

The 2018 gypsy moth eradication proposal is a fraction of the size of WSDA’s last gypsy moth eradication project, which took place in 2016 and appears to have been successful. At that time, the department treated over 10,000 acres, also with Btk. In the past two trapping seasons since that eradication project was conducted, no gypsy moths have been trapped in the treated areas.

 “For over 40 years our gypsy moth program has been protecting Washington’s neighborhoods, parks and forests from this destructive pest,” WSDA Pest Program Manager Jim Marra said. “We have a very effective detection and treatment program. I’m confident that our proposal will prevent gypsy moth from gaining a foothold in our state and protect our environment from this invasive threat.”

European gypsy moths are now permanently established in 20 states, destroying millions of acres of trees annually and causing a host of problems for residents.  This year alone, one-third of the entire state of Massachusetts was defoliated by gypsy moth caterpillars.

WSDA will post regular updates on the project at agr.wa.gov/gypsymoth including specific information on treatment areas and public comment opportunities. Anyone wishing to stay informed can also sign up on the website to receive e-mail updates.

1. butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii), except for sterile hybrid cultivars;
2. yellow archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon);
3. lesser celandine (Ficaria verna);
4. all nonnative hawkweed species and hybrids (Hieracium spp.);
5. Senegal tea plant (Gymnocoronis spilanthoides); and
6. Australian water clover (Marsilea mutica).

The amendments also include clarifying what are regulated articles and the fees charged for compliance agreements.

Adoption Date: June 23, 2016 Effective Date: July 24, 2016

Attached is the updated WSDA Prohibited Plants brochure.

Laura Packard

WA State Dept of Agriculture

Plant Protection Division

Plant Services Program

lpackard@agr.wa.gov

Ph: 360~902~1874

Fx: 360~902~2094

SPOKANE, WA, July 7, 2016 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is awarding $44.6 million through its Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership to support 10 wetland enhancement projects on private and tribal agricultural lands in 12 states. Recipients for each project are providing more than $4.3 million in matching funds, bringing the total investment to approximately $49 million. In total, the projects will help to protect, restore or enhance 15,000 acres of wetland in critical watersheds across the United States.

In Washington State, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and lead partner Ducks Unlimited will complete restoration and enhancement of wetland, riparian and upland habitats on two existing Wetland Reserve Program easements in the Upper Columbia River watershed in northeast Washington. The project will provide important benefits to migratory birds and at-risk species while also addressing at least seven priority natural resource concerns such as soil erosion and water quality degradation identified in the 2012 NRCS State Resource Assessment.

“Ducks Unlimited is pleased to continue its long-standing partnership with NRCS and the Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge,” said Mark Biddlecomb, Ducks Unlimited Director of Operations for the Western Region.

“This is the first Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership awarded in Washington and is consistent with our organization’s mission while contributing towards our goals in the Northern Great Basin Conservation Area. This grant will also help reduce NRCS’ backlog of restoration projects on existing Wetland Reserve Program easements in Washington and will leverage federal funds to provide important benefits to migratory birds, other wildlife and water quality in the Upper Columbia River basin,” said Biddlecomb.

WREP was authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill and is administered by NRCS. WREP helps states, local governments, tribes and other organizations collaborate with NRCS to work with private and tribal landowners to voluntarily enroll eligible land into conservation easements that protect, restore and enhance wetlands on their property. WREP is a special enrollment option under the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP).

“USDA is committed to protecting and enhancing our nation’s wetlands, which are critical to the quality of our nation’s waters, wildlife and landscapes,” said Vilsack. “By collaborating with private partners at the local and regional level, USDA is able to support innovative conservations solutions and expand the amount of dedicated resources. These are high impact projects that will ensure our land and water resources are healthy now and for the next generation.”

Projects announcement today bring together partners leveraging technical and financial resources to address local concerns, such as water quality and flooding. Since 2009 private landowners, tribes and entities like land trusts and conservation organizations have enrolled nearly 1.3 million acres in NRCS wetland easement programs for a total NRCS investment of $3.2 billion in financial and technical assistance.

A full list of projects funded is available on the WREP website.

Visit NRCS's ACEP webpage to learn more about NRCS's wetland conservation opportunities.

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Agriculture department releases annual pesticide report

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) investigated 123 potential violations of the state’s pesticide laws between July 2014 and June 2015, the fiscal year covered by the agency’s latest annual report to the state Legislature, released this month. This represents an 18 percent increase in investigations compared to figures from last year’s report.

The agency is required to report annually on the activities of the Pesticide Management Division, including the outcome of its investigations. The “2015 Annual Report to the Legislature” is available on the agency website.

Highlights from the report include:

·         Of all investigations, about half (61) involved agricultural applications.

·         Seventeen percent were for commercial and industrial pesticide use.

·         Of the investigations, 58 involved pesticide drift, with less than half (48%) involving possible human exposure.

·         9,704 pesticide license exams were conducted.

Of the investigations, 57 resulted in some type of enforcement action, with seven resulting in a civil penalty for the violator. Penalties including fines ranged from a few hundred dollars to $7,500, the maximum allowed by law. That penalty was applied in a case involving drift onto school grounds exposing students and staff. A second case that assessed a $7,500 penalty is currently under appeal. It involves an aerial application that allegedly drifted onto more than 60 farm workers.

WSDA’s Pesticide Management Division is responsible for enforcing the state’s pesticide laws, including rules for inspecting homes and other structures for pests like termites.

The agency also:

·         Registers more than 13,000 pesticide products for use in our state.

·         Licenses over 25,000 pesticide applicators, dealers, and inspectors.

·         Accredits 1,682 pesticide license re-certification sessions.

·         Provides pesticide training in both English and Spanish.

·         Helps farmers safely dispose of waste pesticides.

WSDA uses a matrix to determine penalties when a violation is found to have been committed. Factors considered include the seriousness of the violation, whether it is a first-time or repeat offense, and any aggravating factors.

In fiscal year 2015, WSDA trained 2,107 farm workers who handle or apply pesticides or those who work in fields and orchards where pesticides are applied. That figure has doubled since 2010.  All four of WSDA’s farm worker education trainers are fluent in Spanish and have extensive agriculture experience. Partnerships with growers and non-profit organizations expand the availability of training.

The agency also conducted 40 onsite inspections to ensure compliance with Worker Protection Standards, resulting in 18 enforcement actions.  

Visit the Pesticide Enforcement Actions Web page to view the outcomes of WSDA pesticide investigations.

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced several revisions to rules governing pesticide use on farms to better protect farmworkers on Monday, September 28, 2015.  The revised rules are designed to modernize safeguards for agricultural laborers and make them comparable to safeguards that protect employees in other industries.  Some of the biggest changes include the following:

• prohibiting children from handling pesticides;
• requiring workers to be at least 18 years old to mix, load or apply the chemicals on fields; and
• require mandatory pesticide training for farmworkers each year instead of every five years.

There are an estimated two million U.S. and migrant farmworkers, and the EPA reports between 1,800 and 3,000 incidents involving pesticide exposure each year.  The current worker-protection standards have not been revised since they were introduced in 1992. 

The EPA stated that the revisions will be published in the Federal Register within the next 60 days. 

To view an article from The Wall Street Journal, click here.

To view more information on the revisions from the EPA, click here