This request for federal assistance will support washington state department of agriculture (WSDA) with the personnel required to survey the tahuya state forest, the source of clean leaves for baiting…

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) awarded the State of Washington Department of Agriculture $200,000 on April 1, 2026, through a Cooperative Agreement (AP26PPQFO000C143) to support Phytophthora ramorum surveillance and control activities in Washington state through March 31, 2027.

The funding supports personnel and laboratory testing to survey the Tahuya State Forest, collect environmental samples, perform regulatory inspections, conduct water and soil baiting, and execute laboratory analysis of samples from trace-forward and trace-back investigations. WSDA's Plant Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics Lab will test samples from other states as needed under this funding. The agreement covers follow-up inspections at three previously positive retail nurseries (Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, Yard N' Garden Land, and Sidhu and Sons), one previously positive botanical garden (the Bloedel Reserve), surveillance at two trace-back nurseries (Northwest Nurseries and Sunbreak Nurseries), compliance monitoring under best management practices agreements, and follow-up at nine opt-out nurseries. Additional activities include trace investigations at unknown sites and confirmation nursery inspections where symptomatic plants are identified. Work is performed in Washington state.

Activities

Anticipated nursery activities include but are not limited to the following: a) nursery certification under the federal order - no nurseries currently in this category; B) follow up at previous positive nurseries - three nurseries in this category. Rhododendron species botanical garden - underwent retail CNP- requires follow-up inspection in 2026; yard N' garden land - underwent retail CNP- requires follow-up inspection in 2026; sidhu and sons - samples only if symptomatic plants are found; follow up at previous positive botanical garden. One site in this category; the bloedel reserve - holding area positives in 2025. Follow up inspections required in 2026, and best management practices (BMP) monitoring under compliance agreement; trace back nursery surveillance- two nurseries in this cate gory - northwest nurseries- negative sample results but will monitor; sunbreak nurseries- negative sample results but will monitor; OPT-out nursery follow up and surveillance. Nine sites in this category; nine nurseries inspected for P. Ramorum; confirmation nursery shipping in state only, complying with federal order (FO); samples only if symptomatic plants are found; trace investigations. Unknown sites in this category; trace forward or trace back situations; 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 ($47,420) will be issued to washington state university, plant pathologist, DR. Gary chastagner and DR. Marianne elliott to provide funds for critical control point (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. Financials: personnel = $77,279; fringe = $29 ,853; travel = $5,072; equipment = $4,050; supplies (extraction kits, bait) = $14,075; contractual (outreach, tech safety, calibration, quality control) = $47,420; indirect = $22,251