NOAA- Discovering a way to detect low-level exposure to seafood toxin in marine animals
- NOAA issues science-based measures to protect marine mammals during Shell’s proposed oil and gas exploratory programs in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas
- Global ocean drifter deployed off Santa Cruz Island in California
- NOAA near-term weather forecasts get powerful boost from new computer model
- Weather-Ready Nation pilot project in Tampa
- Air
- McDonald’s Joins EPA List of Top 50 Green-Powered OrganizationsCHICAGO (May 3, 2012) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that, for the first time, McDonald’s USA, LLC Oakbrook, Illinois, has made its list of the Top 50 green-powered organizations. McDonald’s is number 11 on the 2012 list. It made a commitment to match 30 percent of its electricity use at company-owned restaurants in 2011 and 2012 with r […]
- McDonald’s Joins EPA List of Top 50 Green-Powered Organizations
- Water
- EPA Releases Draft Permitting Guidance for Using Diesel Fuel in Oil and Gas Hydraulic Fracturing/Guidance will clarify means of compliance with 2005 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water ActWASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released draft underground injection control (UIC) program permitting guidance for class II wells that use diesel fuels during hydraulic fracturing activities. EPA developed the draft guidance to clarify how companies can comply with a law passed by Congress in 2005, which exempted hydraulic […]
- EPA Releases Draft Permitting Guidance for Using Diesel Fuel in Oil and Gas Hydraulic Fracturing/Guidance will clarify means of compliance with 2005 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act
- EPA
- EPA Releases Draft Permitting Guidance for Using Diesel Fuel in Oil and Gas Hydraulic Fracturing/Guidance will clarify means of compliance with 2005 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act (HQ)WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released draft underground injection control (UIC) program permitting guidance for class II wells that use diesel fuels during hydraulic fracturing activities. EPA developed the draft guidance to clarify how companies can comply with a law passed by Congress in 2005, which exempted hydraulic […]
- Southern Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Seek to Protect Coastal Water from Boat Pollution (MA)(Boston, Mass. – May 4, 2012) – EPA is considering a proposal to designate the coastal waters of Nantucket and Vineyard Sounds and the Islands as a “No Discharge Area.” If approved, discharges of treated and untreated boat sewage would be prohibited within the town boundaries of Chilmark, West Tisbury, Tisbury, Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, Gosnold, Falmouth, Mashp […]
- EPA Approves Additional Field Work at Fletcher’s Paint Superfund Site in Milford, N.H. (NH)(Boston, Mass. – May 4, 2012) – EPA has approved additional field investigations requested by the General Electric Co. (GE) at the Fletcher’s Paint Works and Storage Facility Superfund Site in Milford, New Hampshire. GE’s contractor, Arcadis US Inc. began these investigations in April 2012. These activities will continue for approximately three months […]
- Celebration of EPA's Wetlands Month to Include Students, Watershed Association (MO)Environmental News NEWS MEDIA ADVISORY (Kansas City, Kan., May 3, 2012) - EPA Region 7 staff, St. Regis Catholic School students and Blue River Watershed Association staff will participate in an outdoor classroom wetland event May 8 at Swope Park in Kansas City, Mo. During the event, EPA scientists will teach students about the importance of wetlands to the […]
- EPA announces summary of enforcement actions for Winter 2012 (AK, ID, OR, WA)(Seattle – May 3, 2012) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completed 35 enforcement actions from January 1 through March 31, 2012 to ensure individuals, businesses, and governments are complying with environmental regulations. The EPA’s compliance assistance programs help people understand and follow federal environmental laws. Enforcement deters […]
- EPA Releases Draft Permitting Guidance for Using Diesel Fuel in Oil and Gas Hydraulic Fracturing/Guidance will clarify means of compliance with 2005 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act (HQ)
- Ocean Temperatures
- Coast Guard Sector Mobile ALRecent Water Temperature: 82.0°F (27.8°C) Observation Date and Time: Sat, 05 May 2012 21:54:00 GMT […]
- Morgans Point, TXRecent Water Temperature: 81.1°F (27.3°C) Observation Date and Time: Sat, 05 May 2012 21:54:00 GMT […]
- Anchorage AKRecent Water Temperature: 39.4°F (4.1°C) Observation Date and Time: Sat, 05 May 2012 21:48:00 GMT […]
- Coast Guard Sector Mobile AL
- Invasive Species
- Escargot? More like Escar-No! (Apr 19, 2012)Escargot? More like Escar-No! (Apr 19, 2012) USDA and the... […]
- Use of Common Pesticide Linked to Bee Colony Collapse (Apr 5, 2012)Use of Common Pesticide Linked to Bee Colony Collapse (Apr... […]
- Escargot? More like Escar-No! (Apr 19, 2012)
- Energy Research
- Ames Lab's Canfield makes mark in condensed matter physicsPaul Canfield, a physicist at DOE's Ames Laboratory, is known for his skill in synthesizing and characterizing materials in small, single-crystal form. […]
- Ames Lab's Canfield makes mark in condensed matter physics
- Energy Savers
- How Can You Save Energy While Spring Cleaning?Cleaning your home in between winter and summer is a great way to welcome warmer weather and get some fresh air. Speaking of fresh air, Stephanie talked about her challenge in replacing her furnace filter - a project that usually leads to replacing other filters that can make appliances less efficient (and use more energy), and cleaning the surrounding basem […]
- How Can You Save Energy While Spring Cleaning?
- Food And Drugs
- FDA issues final rule on sterility testing of biological productsThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued its final rule on sterility testing, amending the requirements for most licensed biological products. […]
- FDA issues final rule on sterility testing of biological products
- Consumer Health
- FDA Unit Mobilizes for Emergency ResponseDuring the outbreak of Salmonella Bareilly tied to spicy tuna sushi, , FDA's urgent-response team shifted into high gear. […]
- FDA Unit Mobilizes for Emergency Response
Invasion of the Giant African Snail
Escargot? More like Escar-No!
The USDA and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services have been fighting to stop the spread of the giant African snail. In six, months, more than 40,000 of these snails have been collected. Alert homeowners are the first line of defense in reporting signs of snail infestations. Please do your part in the fight against invasive species — if you have a giant African snail or see the snails or signs of their presence, call the toll-free helpline at 888-397-1517.
Synonym: Achatina fulica (Bowdich 1822), formerly Férussac 1821
Common names: Giant African snail, giant African land snail
Date of U.S. Introduction: 1966 (first established population)
Images: Invasive.org and Google
Video: Giant African Snails Invade Kochi (or click Play button below)
Means of Introduction: Imported as pets and for educational purposes; may also arrive accidentally in cargo
Impact: Damages native plants and crops. Scientists consider the giant African snail, Achatina fulica, to be one of the most damaging snails in the world. It is known to eat at least 500 different types of plants
Current U.S. Distribution:
Federally Regulated: Snails in the genus Achatina (e.g., Achatina fulica, the Giant African Snail), are specifically prohibited for both interstate movement and importation into the U.S. This snail species group is not only strictly prohibited from entering the U.S. but is safeguarded when discovered. (USDA, APHIS – Regulated Organism and Soil Permits: Snails and Slugs)
Quarantine:
Management Plans: Animals
Selected Internet Resources:
Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
Taxonomy
Giant African Snail
USDA. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Controls
Achatina fulica Article Citation Search – AGRICOLA Database
USDA. National Agricultural Library.
Research; Special Note: NAL Catalog Search (resources)
Giant African Land Snail
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Plant Industry.
Photographs; Distribution; Legal Aspects
Giant African Land Snails
Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Photographs; Legal Aspects
Giant African Land Snails Fact Sheet (PDF | 26 KB)
Michigan Department of Agriculture.
Identification/Description; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution; Controls