ESF Chestnut Project Seeks Public Comment
8/17/2021
The ESF chestnut project is making steady progress navigating through the federal regulatory system. The United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) has announced the next step in their regulatory review of the blight-tolerant Darling 58 American chestnut.
This notice describes their intent to write an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which will be a rigorous evaluation of potential impacts on people and the environment that could result from the distribution of Darling 58 American chestnuts. According to the Notice of Intent (NOI), the "preferred alternative" is deregulation (approval of our petition for nonregulated status), and the "no action alternative" is denial of the petition.
APHIS is interested in public feedback on potential impacts from either of these alternatives. "We expect that impacts will be overwhelmingly positive," said Dr. Bill Powell, director of the American Chestnut Research & Restoration Program.
USDA APHIS is currently accepting public comments and feedback on what should be included in the EIS, so if you would like to show your support and provide feedback on the environmental, economic, and/or cultural benefits, please submit a comment at Regulations.gov by Sept. 7, 2021. More information about the Darling 58 NOI and EIS is available here https://www.esf.edu/chestnut/noi.htm.
Recent ESF News
- Dr. Fred Agyeman Earns Honorable Mention for SUNY Chancellor’s Distinguished PhD Dissertation
- ESF Adds EV Truck to Its University Police Fleet
- U.S. News & World Report Ranks ESF Among Best Online Programs
- Tell an Inspiring Story to Help Move the Planet Forward
- Staff Spotlight: Jacob Gedetsis
- ESF Chestnut Project Seeks Public Comment
- ESF Welcomes New Students for Spring Semester
- Governor Hochul Announces Green Purchasing Communities Program
- ESF Joins Global Alliance, Pledging Commitment to Protect Nature
- ESF WEATHER ALERT: Non-Essential Personnel Encouraged to Depart No Later Than Noon Friday, Dec. 23
- ESF WEATHER ALERT: Monitoring Winter Weather and Travel Conditions for Friday, Dec. 23
- ESF President Joanie Mahoney on Adoption of Scoping Plan of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act
- SUNY ESF Focuses on Building Health for Student and Employee Well-Being
- Extreme Weather Communications
- ESF Graduates Encouraged to Show Humankind a Better Way
Communications & Marketing
SUNY ESF
122 Bray Hall
1 Forestry Drive
Syracuse, NY 13210
Communications@esf.edu