O_CoconutRhinocerosBeetle(CRB)ManagementProcedures.pdf

Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles (CRB) Management Procedures

GENERAL PREVENTATIVE & MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES

1) The Contractor’s Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Plan will include CRB management.

2) The Contractor will maintain a clean worksite and subject to review of the Government Biological Monitor. Vegetation debris left on site that is not mulched or properly managed could facilitate infestations of CRB or other species.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall notify the Construction Management Engineer (CME) at least two weeks prior to scheduled vegetation removal. No vegetation removal/clearing will be conducted without prior Government approval.

The coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) is a pest of palm trees, including coconut, betel nut, and pandanus. It is also known to attack banana, taro, pineapple, sugar cane and other plants. The adults damage palms by boring into the center of the crown and feed on the sap and developing leaves, creating V-shaped cuts in the fronds. This is often lethal to the palms. Immature stages (eggs, grubs, pupae) are found in dead coconuts and piles of rotting vegetation. Most recent research (Moore et.al, 2015) found CRB at all life stages in the crowns of selected palms.

Although CRB are established on Guam island-wide, a multi-faceted control effort on Guam and emphasis on preventing CRB from invading neighboring islands and Hawaii is a high priority.

Therefore, limiting the breeding sites is critical during green waste management. The Defense Policy Review Initiative Environmental Office (DPRI-EV) approved methods for handling green waste are described below and will be dependent on the amount of waste generated by the specific project. Non-CRB host plants have four approved methods. For CRB host plants, coconut palms, betel nut, and pandanus, only Methods 2 through 4 are approved for implementation. The contractor shall determine the appropriate method based on the amount of green waste and submit their processing method to DPRI-EV for approval as part of the Site- Specific Waste Management Plan. If the method selected is not effective in preventing the establishment of CRB breeding sites (i.e. grubs are found in processed material not protected by Method 2) the contractor shall work with DPRI EV to determine a more successful approach and revise their HACCP Plan.

Additionally, no green waste from outside DoD property is allowed to be processed in conjunction with the green waste generated by DPRI construction projects.

Method 1- Mulch and Spread This method is only approved for non-CRB host plant vegetation. Separate coconut palms, beetlenut, and pandanus from other green waste to be stored and processed with a different method. Mulch the remaining green waste and spread on-site, with a depth of no greater than two inches to avoid creating breeding habitat for CRB. Incorporate the mulch into existing soil as soon as possible to discourage beetle breeding and to aid in site stabilization (to control stormwater runoff).

Method 2- Tekken Net Mulch the green waste and cover green waste piles with a gill/fishnet, called tekken in Chamorro.

Tekken net shall be a one-inch mesh measured knot to knot made from 0.25 mm nylon monofilament and laid over piles of green waste. Green waste piles are attractive to CRB; they will be trapped in the net if they are trying to get or emerging from the green waste pile. The tekken net needs to be inspected to make sure there are no holes in the netting and it should be clear of weeds and other vegetation to allow for CRB observations. The green waste piles must be completely covered by the net without any gaps greater than one inch to be effective.

Method 3- Compost Mulch the green waste material and compost. To minimize the risk of fire, stockpile height should not exceed 15 feet. The contractor shall monitor the compost pile weekly for evidence of CRB infestation and the temperature will be measured using a compost thermometer. If the compost pile appears dry, add water until the pile is moist. Optimal composting temperature is between 120‐140 degrees F with 50‐55% moisture. When temperature of the compost pile exceeds 145 degree F, the contractor shall turn the pile using a bulldozer, backhoe, or similar equipment. Compost infested with grubs shall be covered by Method 2 until such time that the material can be processed through a grinder/shredder to destroy the grubs and inspected by the government prior to re‐use.

Method 4: Air curtain burners Air curtain burners require the Contracting Officer’s approval and coordination with DPRI Environmental Office prior to implementation. This method shall be used sparingly as regulatory agencies are expected to limit usage for emergency situations and for processing of small volumes only. The contractor is responsible for obtaining all permits and licenses to operate an air curtain burner.

PERFORMANCE STANDARD

All vegetation/green waste material is processed by the contractor in accordance with accepted methods and is inspected and approved by the Government as CRB free prior to reuse onsite or delivery to a Government approved facility.