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<DIV><EM><STRONG>This was sent to me by Stephen Giamari and also another version by Robbin Thorp - it's an important issue, and CoE will be sending a letter. We urge others to do so, as well. The timing of this is difficult, we realize. After the first of the year we will supply more information.</STRONG></EM></DIV>
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<DIV><EM><STRONG>Laurie</STRONG></EM></DIV>
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<DIV><BR> <BR>There is a current proposal to import the non-native (to California) bumblebee Bombus impatiens into California for pollination of field crops. The public comment period for this project is December 21, 2006 to January 19, 2007. Comments on either the adequacy of the environmental information and/or the merits of the project will be accepted and considered.</DIV>
<DIV><BR>I would strongly encourage you to very carefully consider this action and provide your comments during the public comments period. Comments are accepted from people outside the state, so I am encouraging specialists to consider this. The document is found at <A title=http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/pe/pdfs/CEQA_BumbleBee.pdf href="http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/pe/pdfs/CEQA_BumbleBee.pdf">http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/pe/pdfs/CEQA_BumbleBee.pdf</A>. The input of professionals is critical for the department to make an informed decision on the matter. I would also encourage you to distribute this to other colleagues, from inside and outside California, who might want to provide their input. I think this is an important issue, so I hope there is careful consideration by the experts out there!<BR> <BR>Thank you very much, and happy holidays!<BR>Steve<BR></DIV>
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<DIV> </DIV>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>Dr. Stephen D. Gaimari<BR>Program Supervisor (Entomology) &<BR>Co-Curator, California State Collection of Arthropods<BR><BR>Plant Pest Diagnostics Lab<BR>California Department of Food and Agriculture<BR>3294 Meadowview Road<BR>Sacramento, CA 95832-1448, USA<BR><BR>916-262-1131 (tel.)<BR>916-262-1190 (fax)<BR>sgaimari@cdfa.ca.gov<BR><A title=http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ppd/Gaimari.htm href="http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ppd/Gaimari.htm">http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ppd/Gaimari.htm</A> <BR>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</DIV>
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<DIV><FONT lang=0 face=Arial color=#004000 size=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="12">Laurie Davies Adams<BR>Executive Director<BR>Coevolution Institute<BR>423 Washington St. 5th<BR>San Francisco, CA 94111<BR>415 362 1137<BR><A title=http://www.coevolution.org/ href="http://www.coevolution.org/">http://www.coevolution.org/</A></FONT><FONT lang=0 face=Arial color=#004000 size=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="12"><BR><A title=http://www.pollinator.org/ href="http://www.pollinator.org/">http://www.pollinator.org/</A></FONT><FONT lang=0 face=Arial color=#004000 size=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="12"><BR><A title=http://www.nappc.org/ href="http://www.nappc.org/">http://www.nappc.org/</A></FONT><FONT lang=0 face=Arial color=#004000 size=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="12"><BR><BR></FONT><FONT lang=0 face=Arial color=#000000 size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10">Bee Ready for National Pollinator Week: June 24-30, 2007. Contact us <BR>for more information at www.pollinator.org </FONT><FONT lang=0 face=Arial color=#004000 size=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="12"><BR><BR><B><I>Our future flies on the wings of pollinators.</B></I></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>