The draft EIS recommended that the GE eucalyptus, two lines called FTE 427 and FTE 435 and their subsequent progeny, be deregulated, stating that there would be no significant impact to bringing billions of GE, freeze-tolerant eucalyptus seedlings to the so-called southeastern US. Deregulation permits companies and institutions to commercialize their GE products that were once only allowed in field trials, or that have slipped through government regulation loopholes.

Even without being genetically engineered, eucalyptus is the most planted plantation tree in the world. Prized for its fast growth, it is used primarily for the paper and pulp industry. The downside is, eucalyptus is highly flammable, water sucking, and a documented invasive. Because it is grown in tree plantations, it also usually has detrimental impacts to neighboring communities water supplies and ecosystems. There are no studies long-term enough to understand how the genetically engineered trees will impact surrounding trees, plants, bugs and other wild life. Even though it is also genetically engineered for male sterility, the wild almost always finds a way to procreate eventually, not to mention that eucalyptus trees stump sprout after being cut.