80 FR 42467 - Oral Rabies Vaccine Trial; Availability of a Supplemental Environmental Assessment

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 137 (July 17, 2015)

Page Range		42467-42469
FR Document		2015-17608

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared a supplemental environmental assessment (EA) relative to an oral rabies vaccination field trial in New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Vermont, and West Virginia. The supplemental EA analyzes expanding the field trial for an experimental oral rabies vaccine for wildlife to additional areas in Ohio and increasing bait distribution density in portions of West Virginia. The proposed field trial is necessary to evaluate whether the wildlife rabies vaccine will produce sufficient levels of population immunity against raccoon rabies. We are making the supplemental EA available to the public for review and comment.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 137 (Friday, July 17, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 137 (Friday, July 17, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42467-42469]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17608]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2015-0047]


Oral Rabies Vaccine Trial; Availability of a Supplemental 
Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service has prepared a supplemental environmental assessment 
(EA) relative to an oral rabies vaccination field trial in New 
Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Vermont, and West Virginia. The supplemental 
EA analyzes expanding the field trial for an experimental oral rabies 
vaccine for wildlife to additional areas in Ohio and increasing bait 
distribution density in

[[Page 42468]]

portions of West Virginia. The proposed field trial is necessary to 
evaluate whether the wildlife rabies vaccine will produce sufficient 
levels of population immunity against raccoon rabies. We are making the 
supplemental EA available to the public for review and comment.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
August 17, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2015-0047.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2015-0047, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.
    The supplemental environmental assessment and any comments we 
receive may be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2015-0047 or in our reading room, which is 
located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure 
someone is there to help you, please call (202) 799-7039 before coming.
    This notice and the supplemental EA are also posted on the APHIS 
Web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/ws/ws_nepa_environmental_documents.shtml.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Richard Chipman, Rabies Program 
Coordinator, Wildlife Services, APHIS, 59 Chennell Drive, Suite 7, 
Concord, NH 03301; (603) 223-9623. To obtain copies of the supplemental 
environmental assessment, contact Ms. Beth Kabert, Staff Wildlife 
Biologist, Wildlife Services, 140-C Locust Grove Road, Pittstown, NJ 
08867; (908) 735-5654, fax (908) 735-0821, email: 
beth.e.kabert@aphis.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Wildlife Services (WS) program in the 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) cooperates with 
Federal agencies, State and local governments, and private individuals 
to research and implement the best methods of managing conflicts 
between wildlife and human health and safety, agriculture, property, 
and natural resources. Wildlife-borne diseases that can affect domestic 
animals and humans are among the types of conflicts that APHIS-WS 
addresses. Wildlife is the dominant reservoir of rabies in the United 
States.
    Currently, APHIS conducts an oral rabies vaccination (ORV) program 
to control the spread of rabies. The ORV program has utilized a 
vaccinia-rabies glycoprotein (V-RG) vaccine. APHIS-WS' use of the V-RG 
vaccine has resulted in several notable accomplishments, including the 
elimination of canine rabies from sources in Mexico, the successful 
control of gray fox rabies virus variant in western Texas, and the 
prevention of any appreciable spread of raccoon rabies in the eastern 
United States. While the prevention of any appreciable spread of 
raccoon rabies in the eastern United States represents a major 
accomplishment in rabies management, the V-RG vaccine has not been 
effective in eliminating raccoon rabies from high-risk spread 
corridors. This fact prompted APHIS-WS to evaluate rabies vaccines 
capable of producing higher levels of population immunity against 
raccoon rabies to better control the spread of this disease.
    In 2011, APHIS-WS initiated a field trial to study the 
immunogenicity and safety of a promising new wildlife rabies vaccine, 
human adenovirus type 5 rabies glycoprotein recombinant vaccine in 
portions of West Virginia, including U.S. Department of Agriculture 
Forest Service National Forest System lands. The vaccine used in this 
field trial is an experimental oral rabies vaccine called ONRAB 
(produced by Artemis Technologies Inc., Guelph, Ontario, Canada).
    To further assess the immunogenicity of ONRAB in raccoons and 
skunks for raccoon rabies virus variant, APHIS-WS determined the need 
to expand the field trial into portions of New Hampshire, New York, 
Ohio, Vermont, and West Virginia, including National Forest System 
lands. On July 9, 2012, we published in the Federal Register (77 FR 
40322-40323, Docket No. APHIS-2012-0052) a notice \1\ in which we 
announced the availability, for public review and comment, of an 
environmental assessment (EA) that examined the potential environmental 
impacts associated with the proposed field trial to test the safety and 
efficacy of the ONRAB vaccine in New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, 
Vermont, and West Virginia. We announced the availability of our final 
EA and finding of no significant impact in a notice published in the 
Federal Register (see footnote 1) on August 16, 2012 (77 FR 49409-
49410, Docket No. APHIS-2012-0052). The field trial began in August 
2012, taking place within approximately 10,483 square miles in portions 
of New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Vermont, and West Virginia, including 
portions of National Forest System lands, excluding Wilderness Areas. 
The field trial is a collaborative effort among APHIS-WS; the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention; the vaccine manufacturer; the 
appropriate agriculture, health, and wildlife agencies for the States 
of New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Vermont, and West Virginia; the 
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources; and the Quebec Ministry of 
Natural Resources and Wildlife.
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    \1\ To view the notice, the comments we received, the EA, and 
the followup finding of no significant impact, go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0052.
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    Given promising immunogenicity levels documented during the field 
trial of the ONRAB vaccine and the need for further field testing, 
APHIS is considering expanding the current field trial for the ONRAB 
vaccine in Ohio. APHIS has prepared a supplemental EA in which we 
analyze expanding the area of the field trial zone in Ohio to include 
Ashtabula and Trumbull Counties. This would add approximately 405 
square miles to the field trial. In addition, the supplemental EA 
analyzes the impacts associated with increasing the ONRAB ORV bait 
distribution density from the program standard rate of 194-388 baits 
per square mile to 776 baits per square mile over a portion of the 
current field trial zones in West Virginia. The supplemental EA 
analyzes a number of environmental issues or concerns with the ONRAB 
vaccine and activities associated with the field trial, such as capture 
and handling animals for monitoring and surveillance purposes with 
regard to the proposed action.
    We are making the supplemental EA available to the public for 
review and comment. We will consider all comments that we receive on or 
before the date listed under the heading DATES at the beginning of this 
notice.
    The supplemental EA may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site 
or in our reading room (see ADDRESSES above for instructions for 
accessing Regulations.gov and information on the location and hours of 
the reading room). In addition, paper copies may be obtained by calling 
or writing to the individual listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.
    The EA has been prepared in accordance with: (1) The National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq.), (2) regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality for 
implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-
1508), (3) USDA regulations implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1b), and (4) 
APHIS' NEPA

[[Page 42469]]

Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372).

    Done in Washington, DC, this 13th day of July 2015.
Jere L. Dick,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-17608 Filed 7-16-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 137 / Friday, July 17, 2015 / Notices 42469

Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part Abstract: In accordance with the data will also be used to improve the
372). Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. measurement of food security and to
Done in Washington, DC, this 13th day of L. 104–13) and OMB regulations at 5 develop measures of additional aspects
July 2015. CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, and dimensions of food security. This
Jere L. Dick, 1995), this notice announces the ERS consistent measurement of the extent
intention to request renewal of approval and severity of food insecurity will aid
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service. for an annual information collection. in policy decision-making.
The U.S. Census Bureau will The supplemental survey instrument
[FR Doc. 2015–17608 Filed 7–16–15; 8:45 am]
supplement the December CPS, was developed in conjunction with food
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
beginning in 2016, with questions security experts nationwide as well as
regarding household food shopping, use survey method experts within the
of food and nutrition assistance Census Bureau and was reviewed in
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
programs, food sufficiency, and 2006 by the Committee on National
Economic Research Service difficulties in meeting household food Statistics of the National Research
needs. A similar supplement has been Council. This supplemental information
Notice of Intent To Request Renewal of appended to the CPS annually since will be collected by both personal visit
a Currently Approved Information 1995. The last collection was in and telephone interviews in conjunction
Collection December 2014. with the regular monthly CPS
ERS is responsible for conducting interviewing. Interviews will be
Economic Research Service
AGENCY: studies and evaluations of the Nation’s conducted using Computer Assisted
Notice and request for
ACTION: food and nutrition assistance programs Personal Interview (CAPI) and
comments. that are administered by the Food and Computer Assisted Telephone Interview
Nutrition Service (FNS), U.S. (CATI) methods.
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Department of Agriculture. In Fiscal Authority: Legislative authority for
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Year 2014, the Department spent over the planned data collection is H.R. 2642,
Office of Management and Budget $104 billion to ensure access to Sec. 4023 (1) of the Agricultural Act of
(OMB) implementing regulations, this nutritious, healthful diets for all 2014. This section authorizes officials
notice announces the Economic Americans. The Food and Nutrition and contractors acting on behalf of the
Research Service’s (ERS) intention to Service administers the 15 food Secretary to cooperate with States, State
request renewal of approval for an assistance programs of the USDA agencies, local agencies, institutions,
annual information collection on including the Supplemental Nutrition facilities such data consortiums, and
supplemental food security questions in Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly contractors to conduct program research
the Current Population Survey (CPS), called the Food Stamp Program, the and evaluations of programs authorized
commencing with the December 2016 National School Lunch Program, and under the Agricultural Act.
survey. These data will be used: To the Special Supplemental Nutrition Estimate of Burden: Public reporting
monitor household-level food security Program for Women, Infants, and burden for this data collection is
and food insecurity in the United States; Children (WIC). These programs, which estimated to average 7.2 minutes (after
to assess food security and changes in serve 1 in 4 Americans, represent our rounding) for each household that
food security for population subgroups; Nation’s commitment to the principle responds to the labor force portion of
to assess the need for, and performance that no one in our country should lack the CPS. The estimate is based on the
of, domestic food assistance programs; the food needed for an active, healthy number of households that were asked
to improve the measurement of food life. They provide a safety net to people each question in recent survey years
security; and to provide information to in need. The programs’ goals are to (2013 and 2014) and typical reading and
aid in public policy decision making. provide needy persons with access to a response times for the questions.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be more nutritious diet, to improve the Respondents: Individuals or
received by September 15, 2015 to be eating habits of the Nation’s children, households.
assured of consideration. and to help America’s farmers by Estimated Total Number of
providing an outlet for the distribution Respondents: 53,657.
ADDRESSES: Address all comments
of food purchased under farmer Estimated Total Annual Burden on
concerning this notice to Alisha
assistance authorities. Respondents: 6,450 hours. Copies of this
Coleman-Jensen, Food Assistance
The data collected by the food information collection can be obtained
Branch, Food Economics Division,
security supplement will be used to from Alisha Coleman-Jensen at the
Economic Research Service, Room 5–
monitor the prevalence of food security address in the preamble.
233A, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Comments: Comments are invited on:
and the prevalence and severity of food
Mail Stop 1800, Washington, DC 20050– (a) Whether the proposed collection of
insecurity among the Nation’s
1800. Submit electronic comments to information is necessary for the proper
households. The prevalence of these
acjensen@ers.usda.gov. performance of the functions of the
conditions as well as year-to-year trends
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: in their prevalence will be estimated at Agency, including whether the
Alisha Coleman-Jensen at the address in the national level and for population information will have practical utility;
the preamble. Tel. 202–694–5456. subgroups. The data will also be used to (b) the accuracy of the Agency’s
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: monitor the amounts that households estimate of the burden of the proposed
Title: Current Population Survey Food spend for food and their use of collection of information, including the
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Security Supplement. community food pantries and validity of the methodology and
OMB Number: 0536–0043. emergency kitchens. These statistics assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance
Expiration Date of Approval: January along with research based on the data the quality, utility, and clarity of the
31, 2016. will be used to identify the causes and information to be collected; (d) ways to
Type of Request: Intent To Seek consequences of food insecurity, and to minimize the burden of the collection of
Approval To Extend an Information assess the need for, and performance of, information on those who are to
Collection for 3 Years. domestic food assistance programs. The respond, including through the use of

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Document Created: 2018-02-23 09:21:17
Document Modified: 2018-02-23 09:21:17

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of availability and request for comments.
Dates		We will consider all comments that we receive on or before August 17, 2015.
Contact		Mr. Richard Chipman, Rabies Program Coordinator, Wildlife Services, APHIS, 59 Chennell Drive, Suite 7, Concord, NH 03301; (603) 223-9623. To obtain copies of the supplemental environmental assessment, contact Ms. Beth Kabert, Staff Wildlife Biologist, Wildlife Services, 140-C Locust Grove Road, Pittstown, NJ 08867; (908) 735-5654, fax (908) 735-0821, email: [email protected]
FR Citation		80 FR 42467

80 FR 42467 - Oral Rabies Vaccine Trial; Availability of a Supplemental Environmental Assessment

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREAnimal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 137 (July 17, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service