The Asian Longhorned Beetle Citizens’ Cooperative held its first community meeting in Bethel May 29 to discuss the recently released environmental assessment.

The environmental assessment, which was released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service May 9, described the organization’s continued goal to eradicate the Asian longhorned beetle, an invasive insect that was discovered in the Tate Township in June of 2011.

During the meeting, organizers of the cooperative discussed their feelings about the environmental assessment, how to best submit a response regarding the assessment, their legal approach to the assessment and heard feedback from residents during the meeting.

“We finally got what we were waiting for,” Bill Skvarla, member of the cooperative and owner of Harmony Hill Vineyards, said. “They released the environmental assessment and gave us four alternatives.”

Skvarla said the next important step in the process is for residents to develop and submit their comments to the USDA-APHIS regarding the assessment and alternatives.

“I want you to remember the environmental assessment is not a vote,” Skvarla told residents.

Skvarla reviewed and discussed each of the alternatives presented in the assessment including taking no action, full host tree removal, removal of infested trees and chemical treatment of host trees and removal of infested trees and a combination of removal and chemical treatment of host trees.

Skvarla said no action is really not an option, and full host removal is what they have been fighting.

“In our minds that is not an alternative either,” Skvarla said about full host removal. “We can’t let them do that. We can’t let them create a strip mine.”

Skvarla said removing invested trees and treating host trees is the option members of the cooperative like best.

“All the trees that are infested we want you to take them out,” Skvarla said. “And treat the (host) trees you were going to take out.”

Skvarla said even though removing the infested trees and using a combination of removal and chemical treatment for the host trees seems like a good compromise, they are hesitant to support that alternative.

“Though (alternative) D looks semi-promising, control is in the hands of the government,” Skvarla said.

Nancy McCarthy, a member of the cooperative, outlined the best ways to submit a comment about the assessment according to the National Environmental Policy Act.

“It makes it quite clear how to approach this point you want to make to the government,” McCarthy said about the document.

McCarthy said the first thing for residents to remember is the goal of USDA-APHIS, which is to prevent the spread of the Asian longhorned beetle.

She said residents should make sure their responses relate to this as the ultimate goal.

In addition, she discussed that harmful effects, according to the NEPA document, can be social, cultural, physical and can effect both economic and natural resources.

“When looking at your response, go back and address how that (alternative) is hurting us at all five points,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy encourage residents to discuss how the infestation, and removal of trees, has affected their lives and their property.

“You are trying to persuade them this has an impact and how it has an impact,” she said. “Tell them your own personal experience.”

Brian O’Connell, an attorney with Dinsmore and Shohl, is representing the cooperative and said he is working with members of the cooperative on contributing a group response to the environmental assessment.

“I think we’ve stepped up enough that they have taken us seriously,” O’Connell said about the cooperative.

And while the cooperative will be submitting a comment collectively, O’Connell encouraged residents to submit their own comments, and to be factual with their support.

“There is strength in numbers,” O’Connell said.

Skvarla opened the floor up for questions and comments at the end of the meeting and also encouraged residents to submit written comments to members of the cooperative.

“What we want is to find out what you all are thinking, what your concerns are,” Skvarla said. “The same stuff you would be commenting to the federal government.”

Several residents commented about their concerns including Mark Johnson, a Tate Township resident, who said he agrees that removing infested trees and treating host trees is the best alternative, however was concerned about the affects of the chemicals used.

“That is a lot of chemical treatment,” Johnson said about the number of host trees. “They need to take a look at soil in Tate Township. That is a lot of chemical that could leach out into waterways.”

Skvarla said the chemical treatment can be injected into the trunk of the tree to avoid run-off and said there are regulations when it comes to using the chemicals in the soil.

Elizabeth VanDegrift, a Bethel resident, was also concerned about the chemical treatment and if it would affect animals that utilize the trees for food and shelter.

Barb Mustoe-Monteith, another Bethel resident, said she is surprised the assessment only requires chemical treatment for three years, but would still support the chemical treatment of host trees as opposed to removal.

“Definitely we would be in support of option C,” Mustoe-Monteith said. “The only way D would be an option is if we could make a deal.”

The Asian Longhorned Beetle Citizens’ Cooperative will have two more community meetings to receive public feedback and answer questions before the environmental assessment comment period closes July 9.

The next meeting will be June 14 and the final meeting will be July 2.

“Everyone here needs to make a statement and persuade others to make a statement,” McCarthy said. “The sooner the better.”

Comments about the environmental assessment can be sent to Brendon Reardon at brendon.reardon@aphis.usda.gov or 4700 River Rd., Riverdale, MD 20737.

To view the environmental assessment visit www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/ea/alb.shtml. Paper copies are also available at the USDA-APHIS Amelia office at 1761-A State Route 125 in Amelia or by calling (513) 381-7180.

For more information about the Asian Longhorned Beetle Citizens’ Cooperative visit www.bethelalb.com.