Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Approves Wisconsin Public Service Company's Revised Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Plan

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved Wisconsin Public Service Company's (WPS) proposal to extend the implementation of its Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Plan for an additional three years to better assess the impacts of Galerucella beetle releases on the invasive species. The plan, which was first implemented in 2009, aims to control purple loosestrife populations within the Wausau Hydroelectric Project area. Despite the efforts made by WPS, data collected over the past six years has not shown a clear decrease in purple loosestrife colonies or an increase in beetle feeding on the colonies. The revised plan will involve releasing Galerucella beetles and monitoring their effects for an additional three years, with the goal of controlling the existing population of purple loosestrife and clarifying whether the biological control method is effective.

Key Takeaways:

• Wisconsin Public Service Company (WPS) has proposed extending the implementation of its Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Plan for an additional three years, despite data indicating that purple loosestrife populations have not decreased.
• The plan involves releasing Galerucella beetles and monitoring their effects on purple loosestrife colonies within the Wausau Hydroelectric Project area.
• WPS has collected data on purple loosestrife populations and Galerucella beetle feeding from 2009 to 2014, but has not observed a clear decrease in purple loosestrife colonies or an increase in beetle feeding.
• The revised plan requires WPS to file annual Galerucella beetle control and purple loosestrife monitoring results with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by October 31 annually, and with the FERC by December 15.
• After three years of data collection, WPS must file a summary of the data and its recommendation on future purple loosestrife surveys with the FERC.

Statistics:

• 2009-2014: WPS released Galerucella beetles and monitored impacts to purple loosestrife colonies within the Wausau Hydroelectric Project area.
• 2009-2014: Data collected by WPS on purple loosestrife populations and Galerucella beetle feeding did not show a clear decrease in purple loosestrife colonies or an increase in beetle feeding.
• 2015-2017: WPS will implement its revised Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Plan, releasing Galerucella beetles and monitoring their effects on purple loosestrife colonies.
• December 15, 2015-2017: WPS must file annual Galerucella beetle control and purple loosestrife monitoring results with the FERC.

Sources:

• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (January 20, 2015). Wisconsin Public Service Company Project No. 1999-054 ORDER AMENDING PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE MONITORING PLAN.
• Wisconsin Public Service Company. (December 11, 2014). 2014 Noxious Plant Monitoring Report and Six-Year Summary.
• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (October 23, 2009). Order Amending Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Plan.
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. (October 29, 2014). Comment on WPS's proposed revised Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Plan.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (October 29, 2014). Comment on WPS's proposed revised Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Plan.