This request for federal assistance will support wsda with the personnel required to survey the tahuya state forest, the source of clean leaves for baiting and controls, to collect samples, carry…

The State of Washington Department of Agriculture (WSDA) received a $272,000 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025) for the period of April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026. The award supports WSDA's surveillance, detection, and regulatory response activities related to Phytophthora ramorum (P. ramorum) in Washington State. Key deliverables include surveying the Tahuya State Forest for clean plant material to support baiting and control efforts; collecting and testing environmental samples; conducting trace-forward and trace-back investigations; and performing follow-up inspections and testing at previously positive nurseries and botanical gardens, including the Sidhu and Sons nursery and the Bloedel Reserve.

The funding also supports WSDA's Plant Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics Lab (PPMDL) in conducting laboratory testing of samples from opt-out nurseries, confirmation nurseries, and other states as needed. Anticipated activities include inspections at nine opt-out nurseries, best management practice (BMP) monitoring, compliance agreement renewals, and sample collection from symptomatic plants identified during routine nursery inspections. All deliverables include required regulatory reports and documentation supporting the broader federal objective of protecting U.S. agriculture from economically injurious plant diseases and pests.

Activities

Anticipated nursery activities include but are not limited to the following: plant services program estimated P. Ramorum activity funding for 2025; • nursery certification under the F.O. - no nurseries currently in this category; • follow up at previous positive nurseries - one nursery in category; O sidhu and sons; samples only if symptomatic plants are found; • follow up at previous positive botanical garden. One site in category; O the bloedel reserve; BMP monitoring, wsda compliance agreement renewal; • OPT-out nursery follow up and surveillance. Nine sites in this category; O nine nurseries inspected for P. Ramorum. O confirmation nursery shipping in state only, complying with F.O.; samples only if symptomatic plants are found; • trace investigations. Unknown sites in this category; O trace forward or trace back situations. Samples collected during routine nursery inspection. Unknown sites in this category; O sampling of symptomatic plants found during nursery inspections; samples collected during routine nursery inspection. Unknown sites in this category; sampling of symptomatic plants found during nursery inspections. Deliverables and expected outcomes: same as anticipated nursery activities, plus all required reports. Intended beneficiary(IES): PPQ, wsda, industry/exporters. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: an interagency agreement ($50,000) will be issued to washington state university, plant pathologist, DR. Gary chastagner and DR. Marianne elliott to provide funds for CCP/best management outreach with host nurseries for preventing and controlling the spread of P. Ramorum. DR. Chastagner's lab has been coordinating statewide sudden OAK death educational programs for many years.