Officials with the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service held an informational forum June 19 to speak with residents of Clermont County about the Asian longhorned beetle.
“This, to me, facilitates dialog and allows for a back and forth,” Dr. Brendon Reardon, national program manager for the Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradication Program, said about the event. “That was our objective.”
The forum was held at the Clermont County Fairgrounds in Owensville, and residents trickled in and out of the multi-purpose building from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Officials were located at stations around the room to give residents a chance to bounce around and have their questions answered.
Different stations included general information and biology of the Asian longhorned beetle, information about eradication operations, environmental assessment information, science behind treatment options, a comment station and more.
Residents were able to collect information and ask officials questions as they visited each station.
“That was the most important, to let people talk to the experts themselves,” Rhonda Santos, public information officer for USDA-APHIS, said during the forum. “It seems like a lot of folks have been getting their questions answered.”
Tina Clary, a Bethel resident, said she came to the forum for more information.
“I am in the area that is impacted,” Clary said. “I don’t have beetles presently, but it is definitely a concern.”
Clary said she thought the informational forum was beneficial for residents.
“I am getting to meet the players involved,” she said.
Jim Fitch, who owns property near Bethel, said he heard about the forum and wanted to see how the USDA-APHIS was handling the infestation.
Fitch said he was able to talk with several of the officials and learn more about what can be done to prevent further infestation.
“I had a good conversation with the scientist about chemical treatment,” Fitch said. “I am happy to hear they have an effective treatment.”
Fitch said he hopes residents in the area can work with officials from USDA-APHIS moving forward.
“I am hoping they can move quickly with this and start using chemical treatment,” Fitch said. “I think people in this area care about their land.”
USDA-APHIS officials have not yet made a decision about what method, if any, they will use to continue the eradication process.
The organization highlighted several options for continued eradication in their second environmental assessment, which was released May 9.
Residents were able to obtain more information about the environmental assessment during the forum and were also able to submit comments about how they feel the eradication should be handled.
“We have had several comments,” Reardon said. “Types of comments ranged from emotional based to scientific based. We want more. We are hoping to continue to receive comments.”
Residents have until July 9 to submit comments about the assessment. At that point officials will move forward with their next steps in the eradication process.
“This process is different and people are upset,” Reardon said about the eradication of the beetle. “It is important to hear those concerns.”
The second environmental assessment can be found at http://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 or by calling (513) 381-7180.
Residents who wish to submit comments about the second environmental assessment can send them Reardon at brendon.reardon@aphis.usda.gov or 4700 River Rd., Riverdale, MD 20737.