Channel Islands National Park Superintendent Russell Galipeau today announced release of an Environmental Assessment for a proposed project to eliminate nonnative Argentine ants on Santa Cruz Island.
The National Park Service is seeking input from government agencies, scientists, organizations, and the general public regarding the proposed project.
The project is being planned in partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) which owns some of the land where the Argentine ants occur. Argentine ants, thought to have been accidentally introduced to Santa Cruz Island in the 1960s, have spread significantly to several locations covering 1,200 acres. They are known to have impacts on the functioning of an ecosystem.
Argentine ants displace native ants and harass and kill pollinating bees on Santa Cruz Island.
The park and TNC have worked with university researchers, nonprofit organizations, and government staff to develop effective methods for Argentine ant control. Santa Cruz Island is the only park island known to have nonnative ants. It has 33 species of native ants.
You may submit comments by Feb. 22, 2015 online at the project website or via mail at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/ArgentineAnts
Superintendent Channel Islands National Park
Attn: Argentine Ant Project
1901 Spinnaker Drive
Ventura, California 93001
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
