Afpmb Tg 31 Retrograde Washdowns
Armed Forces Pest Management Board
Technical Guide No. 31
RETROGRADE WASHDOWNS:
Cleaning and Inspection Procedures
Published and Distributed by the
DEFENSE PEST MANAGEMENT INFORMATION ANALYSIS CENTER
Forest Glen Section
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Washington, DC 20307-5001
March 2008
Table of Contents
• ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
• DISCLAIMER
• FOREWORD
• INTRODUCTION
o
Purpose
o
Background Information
o
Current Information
• WASHDOWN LOCATION
• OPERATIONAL WASHDOWN EQUIPMENT
• INSPECTION AND CLEANING PROCEDURES
o
Inspectors
o
Administrative Requirements
• RESPONSIBILITIES
• SUMMARY
• REFERENCES
• APPENDICES
o
APPENDIX A - Criteria for Selecting and Equipping a Washdown
Location
o
APPENDIX B - Operational Washdown Equipment
o
APPENDIX C - Guide for Operational Washdowns With Illustrations
o
APPENDIX D - Flow Chart of Typical Operational Washdown
o
APPENDIX E - Sample Vehicle Tag (White or Manila Tag)
o
APPENDIX F - Sample Inspection Log Book Entry
o
APPENDIX G - Sample letter Format to USDA Officials
o
APPENDIX H - Addresses of Customs and Border Protection, United
States Department of Agriculture-APHIS and Department of Defense
Offices Responsible for Clearance Authorization
o
APPENDIX I - Land Snails
o
APPENDIX J - USDA APHIS History of Interceptions
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Special thanks to the AFPMB Quarantine/Stored Commodities Protection Committee and
the following personnel/organizations who provided input and review: LCDR Eric
Hoffman, MSC, USN, Navy Disease Vector Ecology and Control Center, Jacksonville,
FL, LtCol John Stein, AMSA, Washington, DC; Mr. Al Bane, United States
Transportation Command, Scott AFB, IL; Ms. Candace Funk, USDA APHIS PPQ,
Washington, DC, Ms. Susan Kostelecky, USDA APHIS PPQ, Mr. Gary Walker, Defense
Supply Center Philadelphia, Dr. Pete Egan, Armed Forces Pest Management Board,
Washington, DC and the Navy Disease Vector Ecology and Control Center, Bangor,
Washington.
DISCLAIMER
Any mention of specific proprietary products regarding washing equipment or safety
items does not constitute a recommendation or an endorsement of these products by the
Department of Defense. Neither should the absence of an item necessarily be interpreted
as DoD disapproval. The material presented in this Technical Guide (TG) are guidelines.
Information or inquiries concerning any equipment or safety items should be sent through
Command Pest Management Professionals or Applied Biologists to the Armed Forces
Pest Management Board Quarantine Committee for evaluation.
FOREWORD
This Technical Guide (TG) is not a regulation or instruction. Rather, it describes
procedures, outlines responsibilities and defines requirements for conducting retrograde
washdowns to satisfy agricultural and public health pest exclusion requirements for re-
deploying ships, aircraft, and equipment from OCONUS (outside the continental United
States) locations. Other cleaning methods (compress air cleaning and mechanical
removal-sweeping) may be appropriate given the sensitivity of equipment or feasibility of
using water. This document will be periodically reviewed and updated to insure that
information contained herein reflects current procedures, rules and regulations.
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Individuals using this TG are encouraged to submit comments and suggestions for
improvement. Comments should be directed to the Executive Director, Armed Forces
Pest Management Board, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Forest Glen Section,
Washington, DC 20307-5001; (301) 295-7476; FAX (301) 295-5045.
INTRODUCTION
Retrograde washdowns are performed to safeguard United States agriculture and natural
resources from risks associated with the entry, establishment, or spread of animal/plant
pests and noxious weeds. This Technical Guide (TG) provides information on cleaning
techniques and inspection procedures currently used by Department of Defense (DoD)
personnel responsible for washing and reviewing equipment, supplies and vehicles.
Background Information
Over the past 200 years, several thousand foreign plant and animal species have become
established in the United States. About one in seven has become invasive, leading to
problems that, according to figures provided by Cornell University, cost the United States
more than $138 billion each year. An invasive species is an alien species whose
introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human
health. Invasive plants, animals, and aquatic organisms often reduce the economic
productivity and ecological integrity of U.S. agriculture and natural resources.
The most common vertebrate invasive species in the continental United States include
nutria, house sparrows, European starlings, and commensal rodents (roof rat, Norway rat,
and house mouse). Additionally, numerous invertebrate invasive species have also
become established in the United States. Examples include zebra mussels, imported fire
ants, Africanized honey bees, and many other insects. In Hawaii and some mainland
States, feral pigs, goats, and cats have severely impacted natural and environmental
resources. Feral animals are domesticated animals that have escaped and become wild,
including their offspring born in the wild.
Effects of Invasive Species
Many invasive species clearly impair biological diversity by causing population declines,
species extinctions, shifts in predator/prey dynamics, shifts in species niches, changes in
habitat, and reductions in ecosystem complexity. The very establishment of a harmful
invasive species diminishes biological diversity because, as certain species disperse to
more places, the originating and invaded areas become more alike biologically.
In 1993, Congress' Office of Technology Assessment reported that devastating invasions
of plants, insects, aquatic invertebrates, pathogens, and other organisms have changed
ecosystems and permanently diminished the biological diversity associated with them.
Examples of these in the United States include: melaleuca (a wetlands tree), gypsy moth,
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spruce bark beetle, zebra mussel, larch canker, chestnut blight, and pinewood nematodes.
Fear of the incursion of other harmful invasive species, such as the brown tree snake, is
increasing.
Conservation experts have found that in the United States, invasive alien plant
infestations cover 100 million acres and are spreading at a rate of 14 percent per year, an
area twice the size of Delaware. Recent studies have also revealed that San Francisco Bay
is invaded by a new exotic species on the average of once every 12 weeks.
Movement
Naturally occurring movement of species into the United States is uncommon. Most
invasive species arrive in association with human activities or transport. Species can be
brought into the country and released intentionally, or their movement and release can be
an unintentional byproduct of cultivation, commerce, tourism, or travel.
Many species enter the United States each year as contaminants of commodities.
Agricultural produce, nursery stock, cut flowers, and timber can harbor insects, plants
pathogens, slugs, and snails. Weeds continue to enter the United States as seed
contaminants. Plant pathogens sometimes arrive as unintended contaminants of plant
materials.
Fish and shrimp pathogens and parasites have been introduced into the United States on
infected stock for aquaculture. Crates and containers can harbor snails, slugs, mollusks,
beetles, and microorganisms. Military cargo transport also brings in harmful species, such
as the Asian gypsy moth and brown tree snakes. Ballast water that is released from ships
as cargo is loaded or unloaded has brought in several destructive aquatic species.
Safeguarding the United States from Invasive Species
Executive Order 13112 enhances and orders coordination of Federal activities to control
and minimize the economic, ecological, and human health impacts caused by invasive
species. The Executive order also established a National Invasive Species Council to
oversee a management plan detailing the goals and objectives of the efforts of the
involved Federal agencies. This Executive order provides new impetus and importance to
the basic work performed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to prevent pests and diseases that threaten our
biological resources from being introduced and becoming established in the United
States.
Both ecosystems and the individual species within them are vulnerable to invasive pests
and pathogens. In protecting the United States from harmful invasive species, APHIS is
responsible for excluding and managing invasive species that can potentially affect plant
and animal health, either directly or indirectly. Through its activities, APHIS protects not
only agriculture but also forest, rangeland, and wetland ecosystems. APHIS works
closely with USDA's Forest Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of
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Land Management, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department
of Defense. APHIS controls certain types of invasive species and vertebrate pests that
affect native ecosystems, rather than agricultural resources. Certain specific activities
focus on protecting and managing endangered species as well as migratory bird
populations.
The first and most effective means of protection is through exclusion or prevention of
intentional or unintentional entry of harmful invasive species. A second strategy uses
tactics including detecting, eradicating, managing, or controlling specific pests that have
become established. Third, certain endangered species need special protection against a
host of attackers. Invasive species can be a threat to indigenous endangered species.
Military Importance: Clearly, the potential importation of invasive species, such as
snakes, insects, snails, and various crustaceans on military vehicles and equipment that
are present in most of the world-wide areas frequented by the DoD is a primary concern
of the USDA.
DoD personnel are often required to re-deploy from anywhere in the world. Associated
with this movement is an elevated risk for the inadvertent introduction of exotic plant and
animal pests into the United States. Due to the characteristics of exotic pests, irreparable
damage to human health, agriculture, forestry, or the environment may result.
Plant debris, garbage, food, soil, and even fresh water from foreign countries may contain
organisms of quarantine importance. Pathogens, insects, nematodes and a variety of other
animals may be carried in such media. These organisms, if allowed to enter the United
States, could proliferate to catastrophic proportions, unhindered by natural enemies.
Because of this risk, it is DoD policy that all organizations and personnel involved in the
movement of DoD sponsored cargo, personal property and accompanied baggage will
take all steps necessary to prevent the spread of exotic pests from one location to another.
As a means to standardize, regulations and procedures pertaining to military retrograde
cargo washdowns were outlined in DoD Instruction 4500.35 (Processing and Shipping
DoD Sponsored Retrograde Material Destined for Shipment to the United States, its
Territories, Trusts and Possessions) initially during the Viet Nam war era. Since this
time, several additional instructions and guidance documents have been developed and/or
modified to insure the successful completion of washdowns.
Current Information:
1. The Federal Plant Protection Act 2000 (Title IV of Pub. L. 106-224) is legislation
which prohibits introducing any animal, plant or material that is considered harmful to
this country's agriculture. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Plant Protection
and Quarantine Division, is the enforcement authority for this Act. Executive Order
13112 provides information regarding invasive species. DoD Instruction 4715.5
establishes policy, assigns responsibilities and prescribes procedures for establishing the
implementing environmental guidance and standards to ensure environmental protection
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at DoD installations and facilities in foreign countries. Port of entry inspection has been
transferred to the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection,
Agriculture Inspection (CBP-AI). Ports Of Entry Ports of entry are responsible for daily
port specific operations. There are 317 official ports of entry in the United States and 14
preclearance stations in Canada and the Caribbean. Port personnel are the face at the
border for most cargo and visitors entering the United States. Here CBP enforces the
import and export laws and regulations of the U.S. federal government and conducts
immigration policy and programs. Ports also perform agriculture inspections to protect
the USA from potential carriers of animal and plant pests or diseases that could cause
serious damage to America's crops, livestock, pets, and the environment. Appendix H
provides contact information.
2. The combined service instruction (SECNAVINST 6250.2A/AR 40-12/ AFJI 48-104)
defines DoD quarantine policies and procedures dictated by the US Departments of
Health and Human Services; Agriculture; Treasury; Interior and Commerce. These
regulations are intended to prevent the introduction and dissemination domestically or
elsewhere of diseases of humans, plants and animals. Most recently, DoD 4500.9-R
(Defense Transportation Regulation Part V) provides customs inspection and agricultural
pre-clearance guidelines for DoD. AFI 24-401 and AFI 24-403 through 405 provides
additional Air Force guidelines for air transportable retrograde cargo.
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WASHDOWN LOCATION
A. Performing an efficient and effective washdown requires specific physical facilities
for cleaning and inspection. Appendix A outlines the criteria for selecting and equipping
a washdown location. In addition, an experienced military inspector familiar with USDA
requirements and previous operational washdown participation should be consulted when
possible and included on early reconnaissance trips to potential washdown locations.
Care should be taken to consider adverse effects of the wash operation and to minimize
release of used water and contaminants into the local environment. See DoD Directive
6050.16 and the Overseas Environmental Baseline Guidance Document for further
details.
B. Host Nation Requirements. Every effort should be made to comply with host nation
laws and regulations related to washdown operations. Coordination with local quarantine
and health officials is important to maintaining a good relationship with the host nation.
OPERATIONAL WASHDOWN EQUIPMENT
Appendix B lists the items recommended to perform a successful washdown. This list is
subject to modification based on the size and location of the washdown and availability
of foreign national assistance.
INSPECTION AND CLEANING PROCEDURES
The inspectors must enforce strict, non-compromising decisions. Personnel involved in
an operational washdown must follow Appendix C guidelines in order to expedite re-
entry approval into CONUS by USDA and USPHS officials.
A. Inspectors
1. Per 4500.9-R (Defense Transportation Regulation Part V), military law enforcement
personnel currently serve as Customs Border Clearance Agents (CBCA) and agricultural
washdown inspectors. U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) Directive 30-3 is used in
the European theater as the standard inspection guideline. Appendix D shows a typical
staging and processing flow chart for an operational washdown.
2. The Air Force Chief of Transportation at the respective overseas base is responsible for
overall inspection criteria and approval per AFI 24-401 and AFI 24-403 through 405,
involving Air Force equipment and cargo returning to CONUS. A combined instruction,
OPNAVINST 3710.2E /AFI 24-405, was developed by the Air Force and adopted by the
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Navy as a foreign clearance guide for U.S. Naval Aircraft from foreign ports destined for
CONUS.
B. Administrative requirements. Necessary administrative requirements will be
established by military inspectors for USDA's review and final inspection at the point of
entry.
1. Tags attached to each vehicle after cleaning are appropriate for marking vehicles.
Cleaning must be accomplished on personal gear and removable items as noted in
Appendix C. A sample of a vehicle tag is shown in Appendix E.
2. An inspection log should be kept to track the number of vehicles and insure a double
check for the tagged vehicles. A sample format for the log is shown in Appendix F.
RESPONSIBILITIES
During any operational washdown, certain agencies or individuals must assume the many
responsibilities that will occur. The following provides a template for comparison within
each specific service.
A. DoD. The Department of Army (DALO-TSP) is the DoD Executive Agent for the
Military Customs Inspection Program (MCIP-Applicable in EUCOM where there is a
permanent APHIS Advisor). Overseas Unified Commanders are responsible for
compliance with DoD Directive 4500.9 (establishes guidelines for processing and
shipping DoD sponsored retrograde materiel).
B. Headquarters or Highest Operational Command: Requests to this command should
be made when lower echelon commands need upgraded manpower requirements for
inspection teams, if teams cannot be acquired through internal resources.
C. Major Echelon Involved
1. The major echelon will probably be stationary within CONUS or its main base.
However, coordination on operational washdowns will generally occur at this level,
including needed technical advice on all matters pertaining to operational washdowns.
2. Deploying units may request a detailed brief on how to conduct the operational
washdown from this organizational level. Sufficient resources at this level would include
applicable references and the senior inspector's support requirements (equipment,
personnel augmentation, subject expert support).
3. Requests to the senior inspector for other inspection team members can be made
regarding appropriate USDA quarantine compliance requirements for clearing retrograde
cargo.
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4. This level of command will probably provide budgeting and funds for travel of
inspection teams to operational washdown sites during contingency and training
exercises.
5. The senior inspector of this command level usually has the final authority in the
operational washdown for certifying pest-free vehicles, equipment, and supplies. Some
exceptions do exist as follows:
a. Ship or aircraft commanders in the case of mission requirements and
operational necessity may be forced to proceed to CONUS with a partial
certification.
-If only a partial certification is provided, the senior inspector will notify
the appropriate USDA-APHIS Officials in Riverdale, Maryland, as well as
local officials of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), with copies to
interacting commands as necessary. The notification generally details the
extent of the certified material and specifies whether or not it is segregated
from uncertified equipment and supplies.
-In the case of notification on a partial certification, appropriate
commands must notify local CBP-Agriculture Inspectors and should assist
the incoming activity to prepare for the reception of embarked equipment
by the USDA upon its arrival in CONUS.
D. Commander or On-Site Deployed Command with Overall Authority
1. The on-site deployed command should schedule with USDA Preclearance officials for
coordination and briefing of members actually involved in the deployment and
subsequent washdown.
2. Where washdown facilities are not fully adequate at the proposed overseas loading
port, base, or airport, the deployed command will need to coordinate with in-country
contacts or liaison agencies to delineate shortfalls and determine suitable solutions.
Additional coordination may be required to negotiate through host nation support
agreements as in the case of adequate fresh water washdown facilities at a final overseas
loading port or site.
E. Commander, Specific Deployed Units On-Site
1. This on-site unit will be able to determine the scope and extent of operational
washdowns needed, based on the amount of equipment and supplies that need washing
and inspecting. Since this unit will be doing the washdown, additional briefings with the
senior inspector, USDA Preclearance officials, and the appropriate staff members should
be followed up, particularly if previous briefings have not been accomplished by the
higher echelon command.
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2. By utilizing pertinent guidance given in Appendix A, and working with staff
personnel, this unit would be able to formulate a comprehensive plan for the operational
washdown.
3. Washdown equipment in Appendix B will be used by unit personnel. The unit should
make sure the equipment is available.
4. The inspection and cleaning procedures outlined in Appendix C will be followed by
personnel and therefore becomes an important consideration for review prior to the
washdown period.
5. By working with the respective departments, appropriate personnel at this level can
determine equipment and supplies that were not exposed to foreign soil contamination
and which will not be off-loaded for the operational washdown. These items should be
listed and certified free of contamination in writing to the senior inspector.
6. Potential contamination problems when back loading equipment, supplies, and
vehicles from previous operations ashore are best considered at this level of command.
7. The senior inspector will need personnel and equipment requirements to include
additional inspectors, required vehicles, radio operators, and radios for the operational
washdown. The deployed unit on-site will be expected to assist the senior inspector in
these needs.
Contaminated Cargo
Because only a specific sample of cargo entering CONUS ports of entry are examined by
inspectors, there is a risk of some reaching an ultimate destination contaminated. In the
event this occurs it is critical that a report is made to the local APHIS State Plant Health
Directors (SPHD).
________________________________________________________________________
SUMMARY
Information in this TG is intended to serve as minimum guidance for conducting
operational washdowns to meet regulatory requirements. Consult with USDA APHIS
Riverdale, Maryland quarantine officials and the Armed Forces Pest Management Board
to identify recent changes in Quarantine requirements and new developments regarding
techniques before proceeding with pre-deployment briefings.
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REFERENCES
AFI 24-401, Customs-Europe, 29 June 1994.
afi24-401.pdf
AFI 24-403, Customs-Southern, 22 July 1994
afi24-403.pdf
AFI 24-404, Customs-Domestic, 26 July 1994
afi24-404.pdf
AFI 24-405, Department of Defense Foreign Clearance Guide, 6 May 1994
afi24-405.pdf
AFIJ 48-104, Quarantine Regulations of the Armed Forces, 24 January 1992
6210a2.pdf
BUMEDINST 6250.12C, Pesticide Applicator Training and Certification for Medical
Personnel, May 1999.
DD 2855, US Military Cargo Preclearance Program Form, June 2002.
Dd2855.pdf
DoD 4500.54-G, DoD Foreign Clearance Guide,
http://www.fcg.pentagon.mil/fcg/fcg.html
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DTR 4500.9-R-Part V DOD Customs and Border Clearance Policies and Procedures,
March 2003
Transcom customs and boarder crossing reg.pdf
DoD Instruction 4715.5, Management of Environmental Compliance at Overseas
Installations, April 22, 1996
I47155p.pdf
CINCLANTFLTINST 5400.M, US Atlantic Fleet Regulations, Jun 96
CINCPACFLTINST 6250.1, Agriculture Quarantine Inspections of Naval Vessels, Jan
92.
NAVMED P-5010-8, Navy Preventive Medicine, Chapter 8, Insect and Rodent Control,
Sep 87.
OPNAVINST 3710.2E/ AFR 8-5, Foreign Clearance Procedures for U.S. Naval Aircraft,
6 Apr 84.
SECNAVINST 6210.2A/ AFIJ 40-12, Medical Service Quarantine Regulations of the
Armed Forces, 24 Jan 92.
6210a2.pdf
USEUCOM Directive 30-3, Customs Border Clearance Agency Program, Oct 2003.
World Health Organization, Geneva, International Medical Guide for Ships, Second
Edition. 1987
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APPENDIX A
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING AND EQUIPPING A
WASHDOWN LOCATION
I. Location Criteria
A. Hardstand
1. The availability of hardstand is a major limiting factor determining the duration
of an operational washdown. Hardstand is defined as a surface that, even when wet, will
not allow any soil transfer to tires of clean vehicles. Hardstand is absolutely essential in:
-Areas associated with the actual washing of vehicles,
-Areas used for off-loading and cleaning vehicle accessory items,
-Staging areas for clean vehicles awaiting backload
-All roads in between the above areas.
a. In reviewing the hardstand area, consider wash water run-off into
aquatic habitats including marine environments. Petroleum or other contaminants washed
from vehicles may pass directly into such areas, causing harm to aquatic life.
b. During the planning phase, consider constructing burms or
implementing other containment strategies and possibly re-utilizing the wash water.
2. The size of hardstand required will vary with the number of vehicles and the
amount of time available. However, the following minimum criteria are required so as
not to impede traffic flow during an operational washdown assuming a six vehicle
capacity wash rack:
a. A washdown area of at least 150 feet (46 meters) on either end of the
wash rack assembly and 50 feet (15 meters) on the sides parallel to the flow of
equipment.
b. The staging area for accessory vehicle items and palletized supplies
should be at least 100 feet (30 meters) meters wide and 350 feet (110 meters) long.
c. The size required for the clean vehicle staging area will vary depending
on how soon after washing/inspection back loading can begin. If the vehicle/cargo decks
on board the ships or aircraft must be cleaned before backload can proceed, then establish
a staging area capable of holding a larger number of vehicles. Ensure vehicles do not
become re-contaminated during the backload.
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B. Fresh Water Availability:
1. Large quantities of fresh water are consumed in a relatively short period of
time during washdown operations (SALT WATER MUST BE AVOIDED AS IT WILL
CORRODE VEHICLES).
-Approximately
250,000 gallons are required for an average Army
battalion or Marine Expeditionary Unit composed of 300 wheeled vehicles using two (2),
5.0" (130 mm) diameter fire hoses operating at the minimum recommended pressure of
90 psi.
2. In many areas only gray water is available. Gray water is defined as non-
saline, but with a number of contaminants from prior use. Though not used for
sewage purposes, the storage of this water and the absence of chlorine make it a
potential disease carrier for those in close contact with it during washing operations.
Basic immunizations are needed. Due to direct and indirect health risks to
personnel associated with sewage contaminated water, black water is not
authorized. (NOTE: POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARDS ARE CLEARLY
ASSOCIATED WITH USING SEWAGE (BLACK) CONTAMINATED WATER
NOT ONLY TO WASHDOWN PERSONNEL BUT OTHERS WHICH MAY
CONTACT THE EQUIPMENT).
3. In addition to water quantity, insure adequate water pressure is maintained
throughout the operation (at least 90 psi).
C. Weather Conditions: Adverse weather conditions may delay or interrupt an
operational washdown. Health and safety of the work crews during operational
washdowns scheduled in areas where cold or even cool weather might be encountered is
a significant concern. Consult a physician familiar with cold weather medicine before a
washdown is scheduled in areas where the effective temperature (including wind chill
factors) might be below 45 F. The length of time these work crews are exposed to cold
and freezing water is an additional factor that must be considered.
II. Equipment Selection
A. The following equipment is considered essential to the success of an operational
washdown.
1.
Wash racks: The design and number of wash racks will largely determine the
speed at which the operational washdown can be conducted.
a. Wash racks must be designed with regards to the following parameters:
-Personnel
safety
-Efficiency
of
vehicle
movement on and off the rack
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-Ease of work for the cleaning personnel.
b. Adequate clearance between the bottom of the vehicle and the ground is
critical to adequately wash, inspect and if necessary re-wash and inspect the
undercarriage. If the vehicle is too close to the ground, work crew efficiency and the
inspection/rewash process is adversely affected resulting in extending the time required
to complete the washdown.
c. The number of wash racks necessary will vary with the amount of space
available. Additionally time dedicated to cleaning each vehicle will vary depending on its
initial condition and number of wash racks. Historically, the washdown proceeds at an
average rate of one vehicle per individual wash rack per half hour of daylight.
d. A person should be assigned to guide vehicles up and down the wash
racks to maintain a high safety margin.
2. Water Pumps/hoses. The design, output and reliability of pumps can affect the
speed of a washdown operation. The following provides minimum requirements and
suggestions:
- A minimum of two (2) hose lines for each individual wash rack.
- Pumps should be capable of sustaining a minimum output pressure of 90
psi for many hours of continuous use.
- Fire Department pumper trucks will work well and are usually available
at any seaport, airport, or military base. Several hose lines with 90 psi
outputs
can
be
routinely
operated off a single truck.
- A supply of new hoses should be kept in reserve for use during the
washdown in the event of ruptures.
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APPENDIX B
OPERATIONAL WASHDOWN EQUIPMENT
The following guidelines can be used for operational washdowns with an average Marine
Expeditionary Unit, Army Regiment, or Air Force Squadron.
Wash Rack Site
Equipment
Quantity
Floodlight Set
6
Cranes
As required
"Y" gates
3
Fire Hose (1"ID)
600ft/2 per wash rack
Fire Hose (2" ID)
200ft/2 per wash rack
Fire Hose (5" ID)
200ft/2 per wash rack
Fire nozzles (2 per wash rack)
8
Pump (55 GPM or greater)
2
Water truck (5000 gallon)
1
Steam hose (1" ID, 12 ft lengths)
6
Steam hose (1" ID)
300 ft
Air compressor
2
Steam manifold (6 stations)
1
Flatbed Trucks movement of supplies
As required
Portable head
2
Vehicle wash racks
4
Wet/Dry Vacuum
6 or more as required
Personal Gear
Equipment
Quantity
Cold/Wet Weather Clothing
40 sets (sizes)
Hard Hats
40
Straw brooms
40
Putty Knives
200
Steel Rod (5 ft lengths)
12
Safety Goggles
40
Rubber Gloves
20 pair (assorted sizes)
Flashlights
24
Batteries (D-cell)
8 boxes/12 per
Rubber Boots
15 pair (assorted sizes)
Water tank (3000 Gallons)
2
Wire Brushes
100
Rags
As required
Ear plugs
25 pairs
Garden Hose/nozzles
75 ft
Scrub brushes
100
RT Forklift
4
Steam Jenny
Minimum 2 as required for aircraft
Small flat bladed screwdriver
12 minimum for cleaning tracks
Waterless hand sanitizer
1 gallon
Towels
3 dozen
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1. All locks on compartments, boxes, tool chests, and other items must be removed prior
to inspection. If keys cannot be found, provisions must be made to cut the locks.
2. Any required tools, such as jacks, tire irons, wrenches, special screwdrivers, or other
others need to be available for removal of dual tires, gun mounts, plates, and floor mat
bolts on the different vehicles.
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APPENDIX C
GUIDE FOR UNITS CONDUCTING OPERATIONAL
WASHDOWNS
1. USDA Inspections. Cleaning and inspection/pre-clearance of retrograde equipment
prior to redeployment does not prevent an agricultural inspection upon return to CONUS.
However, close coordination with the USDA APHIS usually results in a speedy transition
at the CONUS port of entry by the agricultural inspectors from Customs and Border
Protection (CBP).
2. Inspection Standards: USDA inspection standards only allow a thin film of road dust
on vehicles and equipment arriving at the CONUS final port of entry. Because of these
stringent standards, vehicle/equipment washing and inspection will only be
conducted during daylight hours to avoid delays returning CONUS. Nighttime
washing and inspection using artificial lighting saves very little time as many items
may be eventually rewashed and reinspected. Waivers for washing during nighttime
conditions under artificial lighting have been obtained in extreme circumstances but
must be justified and approved by the USDA-APHIS.
3. Guidelines to be followed prior to conducting Operational Washdown
-Conference: Organize a washdown conference to include attendance by
representatives from all participating commands and agricultural inspectors.
-Training: Place emphasis on organization and training of washdown crews.
Establish a suitable washdown crew schedule with adequate supervision at each
washdown point by experienced personnel.
-Vehicle Drivers/Assistant Drivers: Drivers and their assistants must remain
with assigned vehicles and accessory vehicle items throughout the entire washdown
cycle. This will ensure timely movement and security of accessory vehicle items and
cargo.
-Washdown-essential Equipment: Identify and obtain equipment items required
to support operational washdowns early-on and schedule this equipment to be back
loaded last.
4. Equipment/supplies certified as not exposed to contamination:
-Isolate inspected equipment/supplies in holds or specific cargo areas using some
form of segregation such as wire screening or ropes to minimize contact with materials
that have gone ashore. These areas should be secured to prevent cross-contamination.
18
-Inspectors should periodically review these areas throughout the washdown to
ensure they are free of all dirt, debris, beverage cans, etc.
5. Environmental Considerations. Identify and assess potential adverse impacts of the
wash operation and take all reasonable actions necessary to minimize the effects of used
water and contaminants on the local environment. Fuel, oil, or soap residue in the wash
water can result in visible contamination and/or significant fish and other marine
organism kills that may invite serious political and financial repercussions from the host
nation.
Contaminants must be captured or removed from rinse water to avoid contamination of
runoff areas. The large amount of fresh water from wash operations, if allowed to run off
into native bodies of salt or brackish water, can seriously alter dissolved oxygen and
saline balance. If there are any concerns, consult with your legal staff and DoD Directive
6050.16 (DoD Policy for Establishing and Implementing Environmental Standards
Overseas Installations, September 20, 1991) and its Overseas Environmental Baseline
Guidance Document.
6. Washing Standards
A.
Vehicles and equipment exposed to contamination and requiring less than
a complete detailed cleaning: This includes any vehicle or equipment that is only
minimally exposed to the natural environment because of its operational requirements.
Examples would be as follows:
SHIPS: Thorough cleaning of all decks holding vehicles or equipment that were
contaminated. This includes cleaning soil from recessed areas of the decks, i.e. clover
leafs, pad eyes, and tie-down channels, as well as under shelving, corners and other hard-
to-reach areas. Some lower decks can be submerged with salt water to satisfactory
eliminate contamination problems, such as some Navy amphibious ships (LHAs, LKAs,
and LHDs).
LARGE AIRCRAFT REMAINING ON FLIGHTLINE: Clean protected areas
like wheel wells and around cargo or passenger doors. Visually inspect and assess need to
clean cargo and flight deck. DO NOT USE SALT WATER.
AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLES: This includes Landing Craft Air Cushioned
(LCACs), Light Vehicle-Tracks (LVTs), and similar vehicles. Clean troop compartment,
crew area, and the crew's personal equipment. Ensure other areas are exposed to salt
water during operation. If vehicles washed with salt water are to be transported on
aircraft, all salt water must be removed or contained in such a way as to prevent
contamination of aircraft with corrosive salt solutions which can seriously damage
airframes.
19
NAVAL VESSEL CAUSEWAYS: Wash with fresh or salt water during back loading.
NAVAL SHIP LAUNCHES: No cleaning is required of the Captain's launch,
liberty launch, or other vessels unless they are contaminated (back loaded dirty). A
thorough inspection by operator personnel is recommended.
Vehicles, equipment and supplies exposed to contamination during operational
exercises:
-ORGANIZATION FOR CLEANING: Contaminated vehicles, equipment, and
supplies are off-loaded. Accessory items and palletized supplies are staged in a pest free
zone for cleaning. Vehicles proceed to a steam or washing station as determined by
inspectors. Upon final inspection, material from mobile loads is reloaded aboard vehicles
and the clean vehicles and supplies are re-embarked.
-FIXED AND ROTARY WING AIRCRAFT: Clean cabin area, cockpit,
wheels, wheel wells, skid/runner bars, under deck plates, panels, in flap wells and all
other areas where foreign debris may have lodged. Clean crew and pilot personal
equipment. Always segregate cleaned/certified equipment from that requiring cleaning.
-LAND VEHICLES: The cleaning of motor vehicles usually consumes the
greatest amount of time and causes the most delays. The following procedures are
recommended:
Complete the following actions before the vehicle arrives at the wash rack-
-Sweep, compress air clean and/or wet/dry vacuum the vehicle cab and all storage
and tool compartments.
-Remove the battery; clean the battery and battery box. Reinstall the battery.
-Remove the outside dual wheels and spare tires and place them in the back for
later cleaning at the wash rack.
-Remove all payloads, seat cushions, detachable sideboards, canvas sides/tops and
any personal gear brought ashore, and leave at the mobile staging area for cleaning.
-Carefully check the radiator (may be hot). Handpick or sweep any vegetation,
insects (arthropods) or other debris.
-Dis-engage the sides of trucks that are equipped with collapsible sides. Clean
recessed areas, ledges, etc.
-Remove engine packs from tanks and Bradley Fighting vehicles prior to cleaning
(washing).
20
At the wash racks
-Vehicles will be exposed to high pressure (recommend minimum 90 psi) fresh water or
steam (steam may remove valuable protective coatings). Pay particular attention to
undercarriages, fender wells, axles, springs, bumpers, wheels and recessed areas. To
prevent corrosion, never use salt water to clean vehicles/supplies/equipment.
Upon completion of the cleaning procedures
-Inspect each vehicle thoroughly to ensure that all soil has been removed. Use a
flashlight, screwdriver, or putty knife where necessary. The following are common
inspection checkpoints:
(1) Top access (particular attention must be paid to crevices in all locations). All the
areas mentioned, are primarily located on the "dorsal side" of the vehicle and must be
accessed from that perspective.
a. Floor boards
b. Battery box
c. All storage/tool compartments
d. Motor compartments
e. Wheels and tires
f. Windshield base (Jeep M-151)
g. Front and rear bumper hollows and braces
h. Radiator front
i. Truck beds
j. All other spaces where soil might be found
(2) Bottom access
a. Fender wells, front and rear including access openings for tail light wiring
b. Rocker panels
c. Frame, fore and aft
21
d. Coil spring wells, front and rear
e. Transmission support beam
f. Rear suspension A-frame, pivot points and drain holes
g. Trailer hitch bolt recess
h. Front, side, and rear body lips
i. Drive shaft tunnel
j. Power take-offs
k. Axle brackets
l. Fuel tanks, between body and tank
m. Transaxle brackets
n. Leaf springs
o. Air tank braces
p. All other spaces where soil might be found
Tracked Vehicles
The cleaning of tracked vehicles is by far the most difficult and time consuming task of
the entire operational washdown. It is strongly recommended that cleaning begin on
board ship as soon as possible after the final contingency or exercise because of the
excessive amount of time required to properly clean tracked vehicles. All soil impacted in
the treads, around the rubber cleats, in the tread connectors, between and behind tread
guides and roller supports, and all other spaces must be removed. The interiors must be
soil free, including the battery box. The bilges may contain some sand, but only if it is
mixed with salt water. If tracked vehicles are to be transported on aircraft, all salt
water must be removed or contained in such a way as to prevent contamination of
aircraft with corrosive salt solution. Tracked vehicles may be cleaned in the ship's well
deck, with enough space for one complete revolution of tread. Tracked vehicles may be
cleaned on shore only if they can be loaded without re-contaminating the treads.
Supplies and Equipment
Thoroughly clean mount-out boxes/Hardigg-like cases, field desks, communications
equipment, and similar items with hand brooms, rags, and other non-water methods.
Compressed air may also be used. Specifically concentrate on cracks, crevices, and
22
recesses. Personnel must clean pallets, including the supplies and equipment, of
compacted soil and vegetation. If necessary, crews may have to break down pallet loads
to accomplish the appropriate level of cleaning. Padlocked boxes must also be inspected.
Personnel with keys must be standing by, otherwise locks will be forced open.
Camouflage nets, tents, and canvas are difficult to properly clean. Hand cleaning,
although time consuming, is the most effective method.
Spread out tents and canvas on a pest free surface and swept down (no water) on both
sides, paying attention to seam and flaps. Compressed air may also be used during the
cleaning process.
Take ashore only essential personal gear during the washdown. Personal gear will not be
inspected at the washdown site. However, all personal gear taken ashore is considered
contaminated and will be subject to cleaning and inspection.
Individual weapons will be inspected by unit commanders or their designated
representatives.
23
Illustrations of Specific Problem Areas By Vehicle Type
(ARROWS DESIGNATE AREAS OF CONCERN)
WHEELED VEHICLES
24
Interior cab (behind and under
seats/door casing)
25
Vent
Wheel well/quarter
Grill (exterior and engine
panels
side), bottom of radiator
Behind bumper, under-carriage
26
27
28
Tire
Wheel well of a pick-up
29
Wheel well/under carriage of pick-up
30
31
Engine compartment of pick-up
32
Transmission box (under carriage) and spare tire
Bed of truck
33
Area between cab and bed
Area between tail gate and bed
34
35
36
37
38
Five-ton on wash rack (note wheels blocked to prevent rolling)
Five-ton on wash rack
39
Tool box on five-ton. Area of concern for cleaning and inspection
All ledges and boxes should be checked for soil and debris
40
Undercarriage, axels, inside of wheels
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
TRACKED VEHICLES
48
Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) on wash rack
49
Inside AAV. Soil collecting on floor, under benches and support structures
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
APPENDIX D
FLOW CHART OF TYPICAL OPERATIONAL
WASHDOWN
The order of tasks to be accomplished during a washdown should follow the pattern
described below:
Remove detachable parts and mobile loads
Clean
Top wash
Prior to top wash, vacuum or compressed air clean interior of vehicle and remove trash
Clean all surfaces
Clean compartments
Clean engine
Clean passenger compartment
Clean vehicle bed
Clean areas between cab and beds
Clean radiator grills
Wash rack
Clean all surfaces
Clean all wheel wells
Clean all ledges
Clean engine compartment
Universal joints
Support beams
Wet-Vac
Remove all trash
Vacuum all passenger compartments
Vacuum all tool and cargo compartments
Inspect
Reassemble
Stage in Cleaning Area
57
TIPS
Thoroughly brief personnel
Use assembly line
Most cleaning before wash racks
Use several crews
Use experienced personnel
Have spare equipment
Protect hoses
Use PPE
58
59
60
Example of a wash rack
61
APPENDIX E
SAMPLE VEHICLE TAG (WHITE OR MANILA)
Computer generated labels can be used if technology is available. Tie these tags where
they will be readily seen. A rearview mirror is a standard.
VEHICLE TAG FOR FAILED INSPECTION (RED TAG)
Computer generated labels can be used if technology is available.
62
APPENDIX F
SAMPLE INSPECTION LOG BOOK ENTRY
Sample Entry
63
APPENDIX G. SAMPLE LETTER FORMAT TO
USDA OFFICIALS
DISEASE VECTOR ECOLOGY AND CONTROL CENTER
NAVAL AIR STATION, BOX 43
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32212
4 December 92
USDA APHIS/PPQ
NC Maritime Bldg., Room 216
113 Arendell Street, P.O. Box 53
Morehead City, NC 28557
Dear Sir:
The following ships were inspected along with their amphibious craft, vehicles, tanks,
and equipment:
USS WASP
USS
USS
All ships and their cargo are ready for CONUS arrival. The inspection was satisfactorily
completed and we recommend approval for acceptance. I can be contacted at (904) 772-
2424 should you desire any additional information.
R. J. Officer
CDR MSC USN
USDA ID NUMBER___________
64
APPENDIX H
ADDRESSES OF USDA, CBP AND DOD OFFICES
RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEARANCE
AUTHORIZATION OR OTHER ASSISTANCE
Department of Agriculture
APHIS-PPQ Headquarters
4700 River Road, Unit 60
Riverdale, Maryland 20737
Telephone number: (301) 734-8295
FAX: (301) 734-5269/8318
Foot and Mouth Disease/Foreign Animal Disease Related Questions/Issues
Bob Weir, DVM
Email: Robert.D.Weir@usda.gov
Telephone: (301) 734-7633
FAX: (301) 734-8538
Preclearance Requests
Stanley Cornelius
Email: Stanley.Cornelius@usda.gov
APHIS Preclearance Program Questions
Paul McGown
Email: Paul.G.Mcgowan@usda.gov
US Port Arrival Policy Questions
Candace Funk
Email: Candace.G.Funk@usda.gov
Department of Homeland Security: US Customs and Border Protection
CBP Headquarters
Director, Preclearance Operations
1300 Pennsylvania Ave, Northwest
Room 5.5B
Washington, DC 20229
Phone: 202-927-1439
65
Department of Home Security: US Customs and Border Protection CONUS Field
Operations Offices
Atlanta
Field Operations Office Information
1699 Phoenix Parkway
Suite 400
College Park, GA 30349
Mailing Address: Same As Above
Phone: (678) 284-5900
FAX: (678) 284-5932
Operational Hours: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (Eastern)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
Baltimore
Field Operations Office Information
103 South Gay Street
Suite 715
Baltimore, MD 21202
Mailing Address: Same As Above
Phone: (410) 962-6200
FAX: (410) 962-2423
Operational Hours: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (Eastern)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
Boston
Field Operations Office Information
10 Causeway St
Room 801
Boston, MA 02222
Mailing Address: Same As Above
Phone: (617) 565-6208
FAX: (617) 565-6277
Operational Hours: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (Eastern)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
Buffalo
Field Operations Office Information
4455 Genesee Street
Buffalo, NY 14225
Mailing Address: Same As Above
Phone: (716) 626-0400
FAX: (716) 626-1164
66
Operational Hours: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (Eastern)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
Chicago
Field Operations Office Information
610 S. Canal Street
Room 900
Chicago, IL 60607
Mailing Address: Same As Above
Phone: (312) 983-9100
FAX: (312) 886-4921
Operational Hours: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (Central)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
Detroit
Field Operations Office Information
211 West Fort Street, Suite 1200
Detroit, MI 48226
Mailing Address: Same As Above
Phone: (313) 496-2155
FAX: (313) 226-6066
Operational Hours: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (Eastern)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
El Paso
Field Operations Office Information
9400 Viscount Suite 104
El Paso, TX 79925
Mailing Address: Same As Above
Phone: (915) 633-7300
FAX: (915) 633-7345
Operational Hours: 8:30 AM-5:00 PM (Mountain)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
Houston
Field Operations Office Information
2323 S. Shepherd #1200
Houston, TX 77019
Mailing Address: Same As Above
Phone: (713) 387-7200
FAX: (713) 387-7212
Operational Hours: 8:30 AM-5:00 PM (Central)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
Laredo
Field Operations Office Information
67
109 Shiloh Dr., Suite 300
Laredo, TX 78045
Mailing Address : Same As Above
Phone: (956) 753-1700
FAX: (956) 753-1754
Operational Hours: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (Central)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
Los Angeles
Field Operations Office Information
1 World Trade Center
Suite 705
Long Beach, CA 90831
Mailing Address: Same As Above
Phone: (562) 980-3100
FAX: (562) 980-3107
Operational Hours: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM (Pacific)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
Miami
Field Operations Office Information
909 S.E. 1st Avenue
Suite 980
Miami, FL 33131
Mailing Address: Same As Above
Phone: (305) 810-5120
FAX: (305) 810-5143
Operational Hours: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (Eastern)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
68
New Orleans
Field Operations Office Information
1515 Poydras Street
Room 880
New Orleans, LA 70112
Mailing Address: Same
Phone: (504) 670-2404
FAX: (504) 670-2286
Operational Hours : 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (Central)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
New York
Field Operations Office Information
One Penn Plaza
11th Floor
New York, NY 10119
Mailing Address: Same As Above
Phone: (646) 733-3100
FAX: (646) 733-3245
Operational Hours: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM (Eastern)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
Portland
*Field Operations Office Information
33 New Montgomery Street, Suite 1601
Suite 1601
San Francisco, CA 94105
Mailing Address: Same As Above
General Phone: (415) 744-1530
General Fax: (415) 744-7005
Operational Hours: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM (Pacific)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
*Portland office is managed out of the San Francisco Field Office
San Diego
Field Operations Office Information
610 W. Ash St
Suite 1200
San Diego, CA 92101
Mailing Address: Same As Above
Phone: (619) 652-9966
FAX: (619) 645-6644
Operational Hours: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM (Pacific)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
69
San Francisco
Field Operations Office Information
33 New Montgomery St., Suite 1601
San Francisco, CA 94105
Mailing Address: Same As Above
Phone: (415) 744-1530 Ext: 225
FAX: (415) 744-7005
Operational Hours: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM (Pacific)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
San Juan
Field Operations Office Information
#1 La Puntilla Street
Office Room 203
San Juan, PR 00901
Mailing Address: Same As Above
Phone: (787) 729-6950
FAX: (787) 729-6978
Operational Hours: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM (Eastern)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
Seattle
Field Operations Office Information
1000 - 2nd Ave
Suite 2200
Seattle, WA 98104-1049
Mailing Address: Same As Above
Phone: (206) 553-8761
FAX: (206) 553-1401
Operational Hours: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM (Pacific)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
Tampa
Field Operations Office Information
1624 East Seventh Avenue
Suite 301
Tampa, FL 33605
Mailing Address: Same As Above
Phone: (813) 228-2381
FAX: (813) 225-7110
Operational Hours: 8:30 AM-5:00 PM (Eastern)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
Tucson
Field Operations Office Information
4740 N. Oracle Road
70
Suite 310
Tucson, AZ 85705
Mailing Address: Same As Above
Phone: (520) 407-2300
FAX: (520) 407-2350
Operational Hours: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (Pacific)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
Department of Homeland Security: US Customs and Border Protection
OCONUS Pre-Clearance Offices
Canada
Calgary Preclearance
Calgary International Airport
P.O. Box 155
2000 Airport Road, Northeast
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2E 6W5
Officer in Charge
Phone: 403-221-1730 x 2248
FAX: 403-221-1732
Edmonton Preclearance
Edmonton International Airport
P.O. Box 9830
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5J 2T2
Officer in Charge
Phone: 780-890-4558
FAX: 780-890-7151
Halifax Preclearance
Halifax International Aiport
1 Bell Blvd., Compartment #1666
Enfield, NS, Canada B2T 1K2
Officer in Charge
Phone: 902-873-7787
Montreal Preclearance
Montreal Trudeau International Airport
975 Romeo Vachon Boulevard, North
Room 194
Dorval, Quebec, Canada H4Y 1H1
Officer in Charge
Phone: 514-636-3875 x 2234
FAX: 514-636-0983
Ottawa Preclearance
71
100 Airport Parkway Private, 2nd Level
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1V 9B4
Officer in Charge
Phone: 613-523-7495
Fax: 613-523-1356
72
Toronto Preclearance
Lester B. Pearson International Airport
P.O. Box 6011
Toronto AMF
Toronto, Ontario, Canada L5P 1A2
Officer in Charge
Phone: 905-676-2606 x 196
Fax: 905-676-8498
Vancouver Preclearance
Vancouver International Airport
International Terminal - Level 3
Room C3742.0
Richmond, British Columbia V7B 1Y7
Officer in Charge
Phone: 604-278-7422 x 203
Fax: 604-278-4203
Victoria Preclearance
430 Belleville Street
Victoria, B.C., Canada V8V 1W9
Officer in Charge
Phone: 250-382-5131
Fax: 250-382-9972
Winnipeg Preclearance
Winnipeg International Airport
2000 Wellington Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3H 1C1
Officer in Charge
Phone: 204-783-6189
Fax: 204-786-3365
Caribbean
Bahamas - Freeport Preclearance
U.S. Customs & Border Protection
P.O. Box 22400
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33335
Officer in Charge
Phone: 242-352-7256
Bahamas - Nassau Preclearance
American Embassy - Nassau
P.O. Box 9009
Miami, Florida 33159
Officer in Charge
73
Phone: 242-377-8461
Bermuda Preclearance
U.S. Customs & Border Protection
5300 Hamilton Place, Dept. of State
Washington, D.C. 20521-5300
Officer in Charge
Phone: 441-293-0353
Fax: 441-293-1059
Aruba
Aruba Preclearance
P.O. Box 592338
Miami, Florida 33159-2338
Officer in Charge
Phone: 011-297-588-7240
FAX: 011-297-588-7720
Ireland
U.S. Customs & Border Protection
c/o Aer-Rianta
Shannon Airport
Shannon, County Clare, Ireland
Officer in Charge
Phone: 011-353-6147-2297
U.S. Customs & Border Protection
Dublin International Airport
Pier B
Dubland, Ireland
Officer in Charge
Phone: 011-353-1814-4821
FAX: 011-353-1814-4817
USDA STATE PLANT HEALTH DIRECTORS
Alaska
State Plant Health Director
3301 C Street, Suite 201
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
Phone: (907) 271-1239
FAX: (907) 271-1241
Alabama
74
State Plant Health Director
4121 Carmichael Rd., Ste.203
Montgomery, AL 36106
Phone: (334) 396-9464
FAX: (334) 396-5767
Port of Mobile
Port Director
Alabama State Docks
Building 52
Mobile, AL 36603
Phone: (334) 441-6158
FAX: (334) 441-6181
Arkansas
State Plant Health Director
1200 Cherrybrook Drive, Suite 100
Little Rock, AR 72211-3861
Phone: (501) 324-5258
FAX: (501) 225-5823
Arizona
State Plant Health Director
3658 East Chipman Road
Phoenix, AZ 85040
Phone: (602) 431-8930
FAX: (602) 438-0877
California
State Plant Health Director
9505 Micron Avenue, Suite G
Sacramento, CA 95827
Phone: (916) 857-6241
FAX: (916) 857-6248
Colorado
State Plant Health Director
3950 N. Lewiston, Suite 330
Aurora, CO 80011
Phone: (303) 371-3355
FAX: (303) 371-4774
75
Connecticut
State Plant Health Director
900 Northrup Road, Suite C
Wallingford, CT 06492-1900
Phone: (203) 269-4277
FAX: (203) 284-9031
Delaware
State Plant Health Director
300 S. New St., Suite 1107
Dover, DE 19904-6726
Phone: (302) 678-5868
FAX: (302) 734-7814
Florida
State Plant Health Director
7022 NW 10th Place
Gainesville, FL 32605-3147
Phone: (352) 331-3990
FAX: (352) 331-0804
Georgia
State Plant Health Director
1498 Klondike Road, Suite 200
Conyers, GA 30094
Phone: (770) 922-9894
FAX: (770) 922-4079
Guam
Port of Agana
Port Director
P.O. Box 8769
Tamuning, Guam 96931-6030
Phone: (671) 647-6030
FAX: (671) 647-6029
Hawaii
State Plant Health Director
Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Federal Bldg.
Room 8-152
76
300 Ala Moana Boulevard
P.O. Box 50002
Honolulu, HI 96850
Phone: (808) 541-1980, 1981
FAX: (808) 541-1978
Iowa
State Plant Health Director
6000 Fleur Drive
Des Moines, IA 50321-2871
Phone: (515) 285-7044
FAX: (515) 285-7524
Idaho
State Plant Health Director
9134 West Blackeagle Drive
Boise, ID 83709
Phone: (208) 378-5797
FAX: (208) 378-5794
Illinois
State Plant Health Director
2400 E. Devon St., Suite 265
Des Plaines, IL 60018-4617
Phone: (847) 299-0024, 6939
Indiana
State Plant Health Director
120 Professional Court, Suite D
Lafayette, IN 47905
Phone: (765) 446-0267, 1263
FAX: (765) 446-8274
Kansas
State Plant Health Director
1947 N.W. Topeka Blvd.
Topeka, KS 66608
77
Phone: (785) 235-0212
FAX: (785) 235-1464
Kentucky
State Plant Health Director
12921 West Highway 42
Prospect, KY 40059
Phone: (502) 228-8224
FAX: (502) 228-6306
Louisiana
State Plant Health Director
4354 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd.
Suite 150
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
Phone: (225) 298-5410
FAX: (225) 298-5415
Massachusetts
State Plant Health Director
10 Causeway Street
Thomas P. O’Neill Building, Suite 518
Boston, MA 02222-1088
Phone: (617) 565-7030
FAX: (617) 565-6933
Maryland
State Plant Health Director
Wayne A. Cawley, Jr. Bldg., Room 350
50 Harry S Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401-7080
Phone: (410) 224-3452, 3495
FAX: (410) 224-1142
Maine
State Plant Health Director
267-B Godfrey Blvd.
International Arrivals Bldg.
Bangor, ME 04401-3025
Phone: (207) 945-0479
FAX: (207) 942-6177
78
Michigan
State Plant Health Director
Int’l Terminal, Rm. 228
Metropolitan Airport
Detroit, MI 48242
Phone: (313) 942-9005
FAX: (313) 942-7691
Minnesota
State Plant Health Director
P.O. Box 18
St. Paul, MN 55111
Phone: (612) 725-1722
FAX: (612) 725-1723
Montana
State Plant Health Director
1220 Cole Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
Phone: (406) 449-5210
FAX: (406) 449-5212
North Carolina
USDA, APHIS, PPQ-State Plant Health Director's Office
930 Main Campus Drive, Suite 200
Raleigh, NC 27606
Telephone: (919) 855-7600
FAX: (919) 835-0317
North Dakota
State Plant Health Director
2301 University Drive, Bldg. 23 B
Bismark, ND 58504-7595
Phone: (701) 250-4473
FAX: (701) 250-4640
Nebraska
State Plant Health Director
5940 South 58th Street
P.O. Box 81866
79
Lincoln, NE 68501
Phone: (402) 434-2345
FAX: (402) 434-2330
New Hampshire
State Plant Health Director
175 Ammon Drive
Manchester, NH 03103-7414
Phone: (603) 666-7445
FAX: (603) 644-2689
New Jersey
State Plant Health Director
320 Corporate Park
Robbinsville, NJ 08691
Phone: (609) 259-8649
FAX: (609) 259-8651
New Mexico
State Plant Health Director
6200 Jefferson Street, N.E.
Suite 130
Albuquerque, NM 87109-3434
Phone: (505) 761-3189
FAX: (505) 761-3197
Nevada
State Plant Health Director
1550 S. Wells Avenue Room 204
Reno, NV 89502
Phone: (702) 784-5701, 5702
FAX: (702) 784-5468
New York
State Plant Health Director
1 Winner’s Circle, Suite 203
Albany, NY 12205
Phone: (518) 438-3896
FAX: (518) 438-7675
Ohio
80
State Plant Health Director
12927 Stonecreek Dr., N.W.
Pickerington, OH 43147-8424
Phone: (614) 469-2110
FAX: (614) 469-6733
Oklahoma
State Plant Health Director
4020 N. Lincoln Blvd., Suite 101
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Phone: (405) 427-9438
FAX: (405) 427-9451
Oregon
State Plant Health Director
Airport Business Center
6135 NE 80th Avenue, Suite A-5
Portland, OR 97218-4033
Phone: (503) 326-2814
FAX: (503) 326-2969
Pennsylvania
State Plant Health Director
401 E. Louther Street, Suite 102
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: 717-241-2465 or 717-241-0705 (Plum Pox)
Fax: 717-241-0718
Puerto Rico
State Plant Health Director
IBM Building
654 Muñoz Rivera Ave., Suite 700
Hato Rey, PR 00918
Phone: (787) 771-3611
FAX: (787) 771-3613
Rhode Island
State Plant Health Director
40 Quaker Lane, Room 45
Warwick, RI 02886-0111
81
Phone: (401) 828-9025
FAX: (401) 826-3330
South Carolina
State Plant Health Director
9600 Two Notch Rd., Suite 10
Columbia, SC 29223
Phone: (803) 788-0506
FAX: (803) 788-1915
South Dakota
State Plant Health Director
P.O. Box 250
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: (605) 224-1713
FAX: (605) 224-0172
Tennessee
State Plant Health Director
322 Knapp Boulevard, Suite 101
Nashville, TN 37217
Phone: (615) 781-5477
FAX: (615) 399-3026
Texas
State Plant Health Director
903 San Jacinto Boulevard, Suite 270
Room A-151
Austin, TX 78701-2450
Phone: (512) 916-5241
FAX: (512) 916-5243
Utah
State Plant Health Director
1860 W. Alexander, Suite B
West Valley, UT 84119
Phone: (801) 975-3310, 3311
FAX: (801) 975-3313
Virginia
82
State Plant Health Director
2702 Charles City Road
Richmond, VA 23231-4536
Phone: (804) 771-2042
FAX: (804) 771-2477
Virgin Islands
Port of St. Thomas
Port Director
Federal Building
Room 141
Veterans Drive
Charlotte Amalie
St. Thomas, VI 00801
Phone: (340) 776-2787
FAX: (340) 774-0796
Vermont
State Plant Health Director
617 Comstock Road, Suite 3
Berlin, VT 05602-8927
Phone: (802) 828-4490
FAX: (802) 828-4591
Washington
State Plant Health Director
22000 Marine View Dr.S, Suite 201
Des Moines, WA 98198
Phone: (206) 592-9057
FAX: (206)592-9043
Wisconsin
State Plant Health Director
1 Gifford Pinchot Dr.
Building 1, Room 204
Madison, WI 53705-2366
Phone: (608) 231-9545
FAX: (608) 231-9581
West Virginia
83
State Plant Health Director
Route 1, Box 142
Ripley, WV 25271-9724
Telephone: (304) 372-8590
FAX: (304) 372-8592
Wyoming
State Plant Health Director
504 West 17th Street, Suite 200
Cheyenne, WY 82001-4348
Phone: (307) 772-2323
FAX: (307) 772-2780
DOD EXECUTIVE AGENT FOR THE DOD CUSTOMS AND BORDER
CLEARANCE PROGRAM
United States Transportation Command
USTRANSCOM/J5-PT
Scott AFB, IL 62225
PH: (618) 229-1985
DSN: 779-1985
FAX: xxx-8574
DMS ADDRESS: DOD/USTRANSCOM/ORGANIZATIONS/USTRANSCOM IL/TCJ5
EUCOM EXECUTIVE AGENT
Office of the Provost Marshal
HQ, USAREUR and Seventh Army
ATTN: AEAPM-PO-EA
FPO AE 09086-0107
PH: (0621) 730-8381
FAX: (0621) 730-6006 or 7324
MSG ADDRESS: CINCUSAREUR MANNHEIM GE//AEAPM-PO-EA//
U.S. NAVY FLEET CUSTOMS INFORMATION
Navy Environmental Health center, ATTN: 02E or 037
2610 Walmer Avenue, Suite A
Norfolk, VA
PH: (804) 444-7575, ext 261
FAX: (804) 444-3672
MSG ADDRESS: NAVENVIRHLTHCEN NORFOLK VA//02E// or //037//
APPENDIX I: LAND SNAILS
84
The following outlines methods and procedures to be used by Department of Defense
personnel located in overseas areas to prevent contamination of materials with land
snails. In addition, this memorandum provides guidelines for decontamination of cargo
both prior to shipment and after arrival.
Prevention of snail entry and establishment
1. Supplies and retrograde cargo which have not received adequate inspection and are
subsequently shipped to CONUS ports of entry may be the source of serious problems, if
applicable quarantine procedures are not rigidly observed. Some examples are given
below:
A. A few contaminated items, intermixed with snail-free cargo loaded on
a vessel, may require fumigation of the vessel and entire cargo even if some portions
were fumigated prior to landing. This intermixing has been particularly troublesome
when shipments originate at different locations, and it may be impossible to establish
responsibility for the contamination and to prorate decontamination costs among the
shippers on an equitable basis.
B. Initial cargo inspection prior to loading aboard ships or aircraft may
not always reveal the presence of snails. If contamination is discovered after cargo is
unloaded, it may have to be reloaded aboard ship for fumigation if adequate facilities
are not available ashore, or if adverse weather conditions preclude an effective
treatment on an exposed dock area.
C. The risk of pest introduction is elevated when contaminated cargo is
discharged on docks or at military installations CONUS. Many installations are not
generally staffed or equipped to decontaminate snail-infested cargo, and the risk of
introduction is magnified with delays in arranging for fumigation by commercial pest
control operators. Snails, which became established in Florida and California, have
presented a very serious threat to the agricultural industry in those states in addition to
the expense of the control/eradication measures taken.
D. Decontamination at ports of entry, particularly of surface-borne
cargo, has been expensive. Fumigation charges may exceed $40,000 per ship. In
addition, there has been considerable delay in the movement of high priority cargo
resulting from fumigation.
E. Current directives prohibit the fumigation of ammunition aboard ship
at CONUS- ports. Therefore, special precautions must be taken through arrangements
between the originators and the carrier of the shipment to assure that all ammunition
shipments are snail-free.
F. The shipment of contaminated cargo to locations in friendly countries
where the destructive snails are not known to occur could have serious consequences
if the United States were held responsible for introducing the pests and for the costs
85
of their eradication. The spread of these snails to other areas would compound the
present problems which for the most part have been confined to cargo from the
Mediterranean area.
General military operational considerations
1. The problem of agricultural pests associated with retrograde military cargo is not
entirely new in the history of Department of Defense overseas support operations.
There will be no relief from the risks of pest introduction, and the expense and delay
of decontamination, as long as this country has military forces in these areas, unless
proper attention is devoted to implementing preventive control procedures at the
source.
2. In order to prevent the dissemination of pest snails it is necessary to use three
control phases simultaneously as follows:
A. Prevention Phase - to protect supplies from becoming infested while in
storage or awaiting shipment. This protection should include thorough and
complete surveillance by appropriate personnel prior to loading.
B. Correction Phase - designed and implemented by engineer-entomologist
services to reduce and/or eliminate local snail populations by chemical and
physical means.
C. Decontamination Phase - to decontaminate infested materials that are to
be returned CONUS or shipped to other military bases and locations in
overseas areas.
2. As preventive and corrective control programs are implemented, and their
effectiveness increases, the need for decontamination should be reduced.
3. The snail control and decontamination procedures presented here are based upon
experience and research, in both field and laboratory studies. Therefore, the methods
and procedures outlined should not be modified unless prior approval has been
obtained from the area, district, or command entomologist and appropriate U. S
Department of Agriculture APHIS representative.
Supply storage
86
General: The most important phase in the movement of snail-free cargo is that of utilizing
good storage practices and techniques to prevent infestation. The following procedures
should be incorporated into a preventive control program:
1. Store supplies awaiting shipment in warehouses. Land snails do not normally
enter buildings to aestivate, therefore, enclosed structures provide the greatest
protection against infestation
2. If warehouses are unavailable, use paved open storage and an aggressive snail
control program. Areas covered with asphalt or concrete provide the most suitable
and lasting types of ground cover for storage areas, and less maintenance will be
required.
3. If neither warehousing nor paved areas are available for supply storage, suitable
storage must be constructed. A layer of well-compacted, crushed stone about 6 inches
deep should be laid on the soil, the depth depending on the soil conditions. Placing
such an impermeable barrier over the soil will eliminate food resources and break an
important link in the reproductive cycle of the snail. Remove the vegetation and top
soil from a strip, 20 to 25 feet wide, around the perimeter of this area and apply a soil
sterilant to prevent growth of vegetation. This type of site can also be used for
decontamination prior to shipment CONUS or other snail-free military locations.
4. Permit only snail-free supplies in warehouses or snail-free storage areas. Do not
mix infested cargo with snail-free cargo in storage or in transit.
5. Store transport containers when not in use, in snail-free areas to prevent
infestation. CONEX containers have been a major source of snail interceptions at the
ports of entry in the past. Shipping containers, including those for household goods,
must not be stored or allowed to remain on the open ground. Cargoes or household
effects infested with snails should never be packed in containers for shipment.
Cargo movement and transportation of supplies
General: Snail-free retrograde cargo and household effects can be satisfactorily moved
from snail-infested areas to CONUS and to other overseas locations, provided good
judgment is followed in selection of storage, meticulous pre-inspections are performed
and when necessary, effective snail control and fumigation are conducted. These factors
must be strictly observed and enforced at the points of origin and embarkation.
Inspection for Snails: It is vital to prohibit the movement of snail containing cargo into
any area unless that species of snail is already established in that area. This is particularly
applicable in movement of cargo from country-to-country, between non-contiguous land
masses, and from off-shore island(s) to mainland port cities. A thorough inspection
should be made of all military materials and personal household effects of military and
civilian personnel prior to movement from a known snail area to any snail-free
destination. Because of the tendency of snails to hide in crevices or to crawl into holes or
87
other openings, it will be necessary to inspect the interior, as well as the exterior of
containers, when potential snail entry holes are noted. The smaller snails resemble
ordinary pebbles in color and markings as well as size; therefore, a significant infestation
could be overlooked during a superficial inspection of contaminated articles.
Occasionally, the presence of snails may be indicated by a faint slime trail. Shipping
containers boxes, particularly when they have been in contact with the soil, offer a
number of havens for snails -- the bottom runners (some of which are hollow), the lift
hook slots, and the occasional rust holes in the more weathered boxes. All sides of each
likely item must be closely examined, noting in particular any cracks, crevices, or other
areas not readily observable. Fork lifts will frequently be required for inspection of
bottoms of boxes, crates, and the heavier articles. Steel cylinders present good hiding
places - under the screw cap and adhering to the pallets to which cylinders are often
fastened Pipes of all types are especially attractive to snails since caps or plugs are
seldom feasible. In the case of tracked vehicles, cranes, and other heavy equipment, with
so many crevices in which snails can hide, steam or water-jet cleaning is recommended in
lieu of or in addition to examination. To prevent the contamination of military or
commercial cargo carriers during the movement of supplies from one location to another,
only snail-free cargo should be shipped. In the examination of ships before loading,
attention should be given to the bottoms of holds and ledges around the sides. Hold
bulkheads near the engine room, being warmer, are favored snail sites. Snail-free cargo
should never be loaded until holds have been thoroughly inspected and found or
made snail free.
U.S. port of entry inspection by Plant Protection and Quarantine
At the U.S. Port of Entry, items which could harbor snails will be subject to inspection by
Customs and Border Protection (CBP)/Agricultural Inspectors. Standard documents such
as vessel or aircraft manifests, general declarations or cargo load plans should be
presented to CBP upon arrival at the first U.S. Port of Arrival and/or discharge. These
documents will be used by CBP to determine if inspection is required for military cargo
or containers transporting military cargo. Generally, CBP examines containers and
military cargo originating from certain high risk snail areas of the world such as the
Mediterranean and Pacific basin. If quarantine significant snails are found, CBP may
refuse entry to the cargo or require the item be fumigated by USDA APHIS to kill the
snail pests.
Other factors involving cargo movement:
• Equipment (forklifts, tractor-trailers, trucks, and railcars) and materials (pal lets,
dunnage, and tarpaulins) utilized in the storage and transportation of non-infested
supplies must be snail-free. This equipment, when not in use, should be returned
to snail-free areas. Equipment that is utilized to handle or transport snail-infested
supplies should not be reused unless the equipment has been decontaminated
• It is important that adequate procedures be established to prevent snail
"stowaways" in personal household effects of military personnel. Shipment boxes
88
used for household goods should not be placed on the ground. Lawn furniture,
garden hoses and tools, sporting goods (boats, motors, etc.) bicycles, motor
scooters, utility trailers, tires, and other items that are allowed to remain outdoors
must be decontaminated before packing for shipment from snail-infested areas
• Household furniture and packing materials should never be placed on the ground
or lawn while being prepared or packed for shipment.
Snail control
General: Military installations and deployments in the Mediterranean region and other
high risk areas should establish snail control programs to reduce snail populations on the
installations, to control the snails in the vicinity of transportation terminals and to
eliminate snails from storage areas. The control of land snails can be accomplished prior
to infestation of materials by establishing sound and aggressive physical and chemical
control programs. In most instances, both programs should be utilized when practical.
• Physical control: Physical control measures are of definite value in reducing snail
populations where chemical control is too hazardous or expensive. During the
summer months when the Mediterranean snails are aestivating, their metabolism
is greatly reduced, therefore, chemical control is not effective, and physical
control is the only method that can be satisfactorily used. Physical control has
been found to be of value in reducing populations of Theba pisana in open fields
bordering open storage areas in North Africa. Specific physical control measures
which would routinely apply as preventive measures in countries with highly
endemic snail populations are described as follows:
o
Burning-over - Burning vegetation on which aestivating snails attach will
reduce snail populations. Burning is most effective during the dry season
when the vegetation is dry and the majority of snails are aestivating on the
vegetation above ground. The systematic use of flame throwers or
commercial weed-burners is effective in reducing snail populations along
fence rows, and in areas where other measures may not be practical.
o
Plowing - In open fields, adjacent to outside storage and on-base housing
areas, plowing the soil twice a year has been found to reduce both Theba
and Cochicella populations. Cultivating the soil in late autumn destroys
many of the immature and adult snails, as well as the eggs that have been
deposited in the soil.
o
Disking and culti-packing - This is helpful in reducing land snail
populations in areas where plowing may not be practical because of thin
top soil or where erosion may be a serious problem. The mechanical
action of the disc and culti-packer will eliminate many adult snails, while
stirring the soil will destroy many eggs.
89
o
Equipment utilized in grounds maintenance work should not be parked,
stored, or allowed to remain in snail-infested areas. This equipment should
be cleaned and returned to the equipment storage area at the end of each
work day. The care of equipment prevents infestation and spread into
storage areas.
• Chemical control: Chemical control of exotic snails typically employs
metaldehyde, methiocarb (Mesurol), salt, or combinations of these chemicals with
other molluscicides in a myriad of bait formulations or foliar sprays.
o
Metaldehyde treatments applied during dry climatic conditions are usually
more successful than the degree of control achieved during damp, high
humidity conditions at which time snails are likely to be more active. The
principal toxic effect of metaldehyde is through stimulation of the mucous
glands which cause excessive sliming, leading to death by dehydration.
Metaldehyde is toxic to slugs and snails both by ingestion and absorption
by the "foot" of the mollusc.
o
The pesticidal properties of methiocarb are similar to the toxic action of
other carbamates which prevent effective nerve transmission by inhibiting
the enzyme acetylcholinesterase.
o
In addition to these molluscicides, sodium chloride, common table salt, is
an effective dehydrating agent. It may be applied as a 12-inch barrier
application on the perimeter of known/suspected snail-infested areas.
During periods of rain or high relative humidity, salt barriers should be
renewed frequently. Molluscicides are ineffective during periods when
snails are aestivating.
TAXONOMY BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY OF
TERRESTRIAL SNAILS
Members of the class Gastropoda, the largest and most varied group of the phylum
Mollusca, includes snails, slugs, and limpets. They are found in marine, fresh-water, and
terrestrial habitats. Gastropods have retained the primitive, flat, ventral foot for crawling,
but in many other ways have evolved significantly from the ancestral stock. They have all
undergone torsion in the general body plan so that the digestive tract is no longer a
straight tube, but the anus has coiled to lie on the side and usually near the head. Most
gastropods have a coiled shell which corresponds to the coiled visceral mass.
The terrestrial, pulmonate snail Helix pomatia Linne typifies the biology and habits of
this group. The pulmonate snail is hermaphroditic, and each gravid snail deposits batches
of gelatinous-covered eggs in damp places or shallow burrows. Development is direct,
90
the young emerging as minute snails. Movement is by waves of muscular action on the
ventral side of the "foot" over a slime trail of mucus secreted by a gland below the mouth.
The type of food varies, but snails prefer tender, young green plants. Food is held in the
"law" and rasped off in small bits by the feeding apparatus or radula. Snails tend to hide
during the day, though they often feed on cloudy days. Terrestrial snails are mainly
nocturnal, but following a rain may come out of hiding during the day. Temperature and
moisture, rather than light, are the main factors to account for their nocturnal habits.
Native snails may be found everywhere but prefer habitats offering shelter, adequate
moisture, an abundant food supply and an available source of lime. Forested river valleys
generally provide such habitats, and those with outcrops of limestone usually show the
most abundant and varied mollusk faunas. Snails are very adaptable to times of drought
and adverse climatic conditions. During these periods, the snail closes the shell aperture
with a mucus flap (epiphragm) which hardens and prevents desiccation. Snails can
remain in this dormant state (aestivation) for years, breaking dormancy when climatic
conditions are favorable again.
Families of terrestrial snails of agriculture and quarantine significance intercepted
in military cargo
Family Achatinidae
91
The giant African snail, Achatina fulica, Bowdich is the largest (shell length 125 mm or
more), most voracious and reproductively prolific snail to have been introduced into this
country. Its origin is south of the Sahara in East Africa and is established in Asia and the
Indo-Pacific Islands, including Hawaii. The giant African snail was inadvertently
released in California after World War II and in North Miami in the 1970s. In each
instance, eradication efforts were successful, but very expensive.
Family Bradybaenidae
The most well-known member of this family, Bradybaena similaris, is a snail of medium
size (approximately 12-16 mm in diameter). The shell is wider than high, thin, narrow
92
with a rather depressed spire. The shell is white to greenish yellow, often with a single,
spiral, chestnut band.
It probably originated somewhere in China but is now widely distributed over the world.
B. similaris is a severe pest of coffee trees and is found wherever this crop is grown.
Family Helicidae
93
This family is the most prevalent and contains the largest European snails, including
Theba pisana (White garden snail). Distribution of this group is from the countries
bordering the Mediterranean Sea.
The shells of the Helicidae are usually medium to very large in size, thick, and often
brightly colored, but there is an immense range of size, shape and coloring between and
sometimes within species. Members of the family are found in a very wide range of
habitats, but there are, within the family, groups of species which share similar features
of habitat, size, and way of life. Recently, the white garden snail, T. pisana, has become
established in San Diego County, California.
94
Family Succincidae
Succinea horticola Reinhart is the most important species of this family and is found
mainly in the Orient, i.e., China, Japan and Okinawa. S. horticola is also found in Greece
and Italy. This snail is a very severe pest of greenhouse plants and grasses.
95
Table 1. Twenty snails most commonly intercepted on retrograde military cargo or
household effects and countries of origin
Scientific Name
Number of Interceptions
Countries of Origin
Theba pisana
376
Spain-Israel-Portugal
Helicella spp
307
Italy-Israel-Greece
Helix aspera
192
Italy-Mexico-Spain
Succinea horticola
146
Italy-Japan-Greece
Helicella conspurcata
119
Italy-Spain-Greece
Cochlicella barbara
109
Italy-Spain-Greece
Cochlicella spp
108
Israel-Portugal-Italy
Monacha spp
54
Israel-Italy-Greece
Helicella maritima
53
Italy-Spain-France
Monacha syrlaca
48
Greece-Italy-Turkey
Helicella cretica
48
Greece-Italy-Turkey
Helicella virgata
47
Italy-Spain-France
Monacha carthusiana
47
Italy-France-Israel
Helicella gigaxii
46
Italy-Spain-Greece
Otala spp
45
Italy-Greece-Spain
Cepaea spp.
42
Hawaii-Brazil-France
Cochlicella conoidea
35
Italy-Germany
Helicella protea
31
Turkey-Italy-Israel
Achatina fulica
31
Hawaii-Taiwan-Hong Kong
Helicella derbentina
28
Turkey-Italy-Greece
Source: Interception Records (1974-1987) USDA-APHIS
96
POST-EXPOSURE PROCEDURES FOR
RETROGRADE MILITARY EQUIPMENT
Notification of Infestation - The nearest representative of APHIS should be notified of a
known or suspected snail infestation on any vehicles, weapons, or any other type of
military equipment which is being returned to CONUS from a foreign country in which
snails declared to be under quarantine by APHIS exist. A list of APHIS inspectors,
location of work sites and their telephone numbers should be maintained at every port-of-
entry where military equipment would be received. This list should be reviewed and
updated at least annually. Contaminated military cargo, equipment, and/or household
effects under USDA quarantine should never be moved any further from the point of
disembarkation than is essential to affect the necessary decontamination procedures.
Decontamination Procedures of Snail-Infested Cargo
Freshwater wash down (high pressure) is the most accepted, effective and inexpensive
method if infestation is obvious and snails are superficially attached. Prior to high
pressure wash down, all soil plant material and any other debris should be removed by
scraping, brushing or any suitable and appropriate method that will remove gross
contamination prior to the actual wash down. The military inspector, after contacting
APHIS should be aware of the ultimate disposition of all live and dead snails and any
plant material/soil which has been removed during the wash down procedures. If this
material does not enter a sanitary sewer system where chemical treatment would be
routine, other steps should be taken. A suitable option would be to conduct the cleaning
procedure(s) on a concrete or asphalt hardstand which would permit collection and proper
disposal of material removed during wash down.
Live steam wash down is an effective method, providing equipment and facilities are
available. Live steam is highly lethal to molluscs, but extreme safety precautions must be
followed both for the safety of the operator and the vehicles or equipment to be cleaned.
These would include the use of protective rubberized outer clothing, rubber boots, rubber
gloves and protective face and head gear. The peripheral area of the live steam
decontamination area should be well marked, and protective barriers should be in place
before beginning the cleaning procedures. Extreme care should be exercised when steam
is used-to clean metal surfaces because of the burn hazard of the heated metal.
Chemical Methods:
With the development of suitable devices for measuring gas concentrations, fumigation
under temporary enclosures has become generally accepted as a reliable method of snail
eradication. Its adaptability for use under a variety of circumstances makes it an
irreplaceable method in many instances. The use of a temporary enclosure for the
fumigation of snail-infested cargo certainly contains elements of risk beyond those of an
approved fumigation chamber. However, it can be used effectively against many plant
pests and when properly managed should not present any serious safety hazard.
97
Fumigation must be performed only by properly trained and certified applicators. APHIS
is certified to oversee fumigations.
Fumigation Procedures
Methyl bromide (MB) is one of the principal fumigants used under tarpaulins for
shipboard, and/or warehouse fumigations. It is a colorless gas, and usually supplied as a
heavy, volatile liquid under pressure. The gas volatilizes when released from containers
at ambient temperatures of 400 F(4.4 Co) or above. In the actual fumigation procedure,
vaporizers and circulatory fans are used to increase diffusion and penetration of this
fumigant.
Like all effective fumigants, MB is very dangerous to humans and when improperly
handled may produce serious consequences. Fumigations should always be under the
supervision of a responsible person who is properly certified and thoroughly familiar with
the fumigant and the hazards that may prevail. Exposure of personnel to all
concentrations is to be avoided. The threshold limit value has been established at 5 ppm
in air for repeated exposures, 8 hr per day, 5 days per week. A concentration of 2,000
ppm is considered to be immediately dangerous to life and health. There is also a chronic
toxicity hazard from continuous exposures to low concentrations in air. However, MB
poisoning, both acute and chronic, can be avoided with appropriate training. Reasonable
care good Judgment, and proper safety equipment.
Although the commercial fumigator is responsible for producing the desired results, the
military entomologist/inspector must assume a functional role during the operation. He
must confer with the fumigator and decide upon the best possible method to follow. Only
thorough familiarity with the materials and procedures involved can this be best
accomplished.
Before any large fumigations are started, the commercial fumigator should make sure that
local ordinances are understood and followed. Police and fire departments should be
notified~ if required by law. Public safety must be the utmost consideration; and although
the military inspector cannot assume the responsibility of providing complete protection,
he should be able to recognize unsafe procedures and offer advice concerning dangerous
situations which may arise.
Treatment Schedules for Snails
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/manuals/pdf_files/Treatment_Chapters.htm
98
APPENDIX J: USDA APHIS History of Interceptions
99
REFERENCES
Cremlyn, R. "Pesticides: Preparation and Mode of Action", John Wiley & Sons New
York 1980 Dept. of Defense
"The Mediterranean Snail Problem", the Armed Forces Pest Control Board. Rev. Ed.,
1962.
Dept. of the Navy, Army and Air Force "Military Entomology Operational Handbook,"
Supt. of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC, 1971.
Hickman, C. A. "Biology of the Invertebrates," C. V. Mosby Co., St. Louis, 1973.
Malek, E. A. and T. C. Cheng "Medical and Economic Malacology," Academic Press,
New York, 1974.
Mean, A.R. "The Giant African Snail: A Problem in Economic Malacology" Univ. of
Chicago Press, Chicago, 1961. 257 pp
Miller, E. et al. 1988. White garden snail (Theba pisana Mueller). Efficacy of selected
bait and sprayable molluscicides. 3. Agric. Entomol. 5(3) 189-197.
U. S. Dept. of Agriculture Plant Protection and Quarantine Treatment Manual USDA,
Frederick, MD, 2004.
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