Environmental and Risk Analysis Services Internship

Megan Begay November 3, 2018

First American Land Grant Consortium (FALCON)2018 Annual Meeting

Self Introduction

• Tribal Affiliation - Diné• Albuquerque, NM (Bitterwater, AZ)• Majors: Environmental Science (AAS) and

Natural Resources Management (AAS)• Occupational endeavors: Environmental

Lawyer

Internship Location: Riverdale, MD

• Internship: 8 weeks from June 2nd-July 28th

• Shared 4-br Apartment in College Park, MD

• Commuted by public transportation

• Walked 1 mi to METRO BUS stop

• USDA APHIS Mission

• APHIS Units• Operational Program

Units• Management Support

Units• Policy and Program

Development, Internship location

Native American Working Group

Work setting

• SUBDIVISION• Environmental and Risk Analysis Services

(ERAS) • Provides environmental policy and

regulatory expertise

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) • What is the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)?

• Three Levels of Analysis:1. Categorical Exclusion determination (CATEX)2. Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant

Impact (EA/FONSI) https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=d111bf2e93e1cadf40199e8c61596ea2&mc=true&node=pt7.5.372&rgn=div5

3. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

• https://www.epa.gov/nepa/national-environmental-policy-act-review-process

CATEX Document: Field Evaluation of Remotely Activated NilgaiSprayers to Control Cattle Fever Ticks Using Native Entomopathogenic Nematodes

• Assisted in preparing the document on the proposed research

TICK specie : Rhipicephalus annalatus

Infested cow

CATEX on Cattle Fever Tick

CATEX DOCUMENT

Environmental Assessment Oriental Fruit Fly (OFF)• Background/Need for

proposal• Alternatives• Affected Environment• Potential Environmental

Consequences

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/ea/downloads/2018/fl-miami-dade-off-ea.pdf

Endangered Species Act-Plant Species Account for a Biological Assessment • The species account is being prepared for consultation with

the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service for the APHIS fruit fly eradication program in California.

• The format consisted of the common and scientific name of the plant, the status (endangered or threatened), pertinent species information (basic description of plant, current population status, distribution and threats), overall assessment, and references.

Ecosystem Services in ERAS AnalysisWhat is ecosystem services?

• The benefits people obtain from ecosystems and putting a $ on the natural resources we get out from the environment.

ERAS Outreach to Youth:Mock-APHIS Emergency Action Activity

1 Day Activity with H.S. students• Background Info (HIPATH)• Situation Report • NEPA compliance• HIPATH Emergency Costs

NATR 280 Learning Objectives• Learn to identify and analyze environmental

impacts associated with USDA APHIS actions;• Learn how USDA communicates with tribes,

and assist with updating tribal POC database; • and Learn about ecosystem services:

• Identify how USDA APHIS actions could affect ecosystem services

• Assist the ecosystem services team with meeting its goals

Acknowledgements• Opportunity through USDA/APHIS TCU Program• ERAS Supervisor-Michelle Gray (Environmental

Protection Specialist) and co-workers• SIPI Faculty, Academic Advisors- Angeline Sells,

William Schaedla, Todd Nims• Student Success Program- Jolene Aguilar• NTU Staff• My mother and family