The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is planning to release an insect called Lilioceris egena to help control the invasive air potato plant, Dioscorea bulbifera, across the continental United States. After studying the potential environmental impact, APHIS believes that releasing this insect won't cause significant harm to the environment. They have prepared an environmental assessment (EA) document detailing their findings and are inviting the public to review and comment on this EA by February 8, 2021. This effort aims to manage the spread of air potato, which threatens native vegetation in several states, including Florida, where it's already widespread.
Simple Explanation
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service wants to release a special bug called Lilioceris egena to eat a bad plant, the air potato, which is hurting other plants. They think this bug won't harm the environment, but they want people to look at their plan and say what they think by February 8, 2021.