81 FR 60338 - Environmental Impact Statement; Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Suppression Program

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 170 (September 1, 2016)

Page Range		60338-60339
FR Document		2016-21082

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service plans to prepare an environmental impact statement to analyze the effects of a program to suppress populations of grasshoppers and Mormon cricket from 17 States in the western United States. This notice identifies potential issues and alternatives that will be studied in the environmental impact statement, and requests public comments to further delineate the scope of the alternatives and environmental impacts and issues.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 170 (Thursday, September 1, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 170 (Thursday, September 1, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60338-60339]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-21082]


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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 170 / Thursday, September 1, 2016 / 
Notices

[[Page 60338]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2016-0045]


Environmental Impact Statement; Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket 
Suppression Program

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service plans to prepare an environmental impact statement 
to analyze the effects of a program to suppress populations of 
grasshoppers and Mormon cricket from 17 States in the western United 
States. This notice identifies potential issues and alternatives that 
will be studied in the environmental impact statement, and requests 
public comments to further delineate the scope of the alternatives and 
environmental impacts and issues.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
October 17, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2016-0045.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2016-0045, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.
    Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may 
be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2016-
0045 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions related to the 
Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Suppression Program, contact Mr. William 
D. Wesela, APHIS National Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Program 
Manager, [email protected], (301) 851-2229. For questions 
related to the environmental impact statement, contact Dr. Jim Warren, 
Environmental Protection Specialist, Environmental and Risk Analysis 
Services, PPD, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 149, Riverdale, MD 20737; 
[email protected]; (202) 316-3216.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: About 400 species of grasshoppers inhabit 
the 17 western States (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, 
Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, 
South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming) involved in the 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS') cooperative 
grasshopper suppression program, but only a small percentage are 
considered pest species. APHIS assists Federal land management agencies 
and State, county, and local governments during rangeland pest 
outbreaks. Grasshoppers and Mormon crickets (hereafter referred to 
collectively as grasshoppers) feed on and damage grasses and other 
vegetation, including some adjacent crops.
    Rangeland in the western United States is a valuable agricultural 
resource for livestock production. Other economic benefits include 
energy production sites and recreation uses. Rangelands also provide 
numerous ecosystem benefits, such as protection of water and soil 
quality, nutrient cycling and serve as habitat for a variety of 
wildlife. Grasshoppers are natural components of this ecosystem; 
however, their populations can reach outbreak levels and cause serious 
economic losses to rangeland forage, especially when accompanied by a 
drought. A rapid and effective response is required when a grasshopper 
outbreak develops and threatens rangeland forage.
    Currently, APHIS conducts surveys for grasshopper populations on 
rangeland in the western United States, provides technical assistance 
on grasshopper management to land owners/managers, and cooperatively 
suppresses grasshoppers when direct intervention is requested by a 
Federal land management agency or a State agriculture department and 
deemed necessary.
    Under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C 4321 et seq.), Federal agencies must 
examine the potential environmental effects of the proposed Federal 
actions and alternatives. As such, we intend to prepare an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) to examine the environmental 
effects of control alternatives available to the agency, including a no 
action alternative. The EIS will be used for planning and 
decisionmaking and to inform the public about the environmental effects 
of APHIS' grasshopper suppression activities. It will also provide an 
overview of APHIS activities to which we can tier site-specific 
analyses and environmental assessments if new grasshopper infestations 
are discovered in the affected States.
    We are requesting public comment to help us identify or confirm 
potential alternatives and environmental issues that should be examined 
in the EIS, as well as comments that identify other issues that should 
be examined in the EIS.
    The EIS will be prepared in accordance with: (1) NEPA, (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 
Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372).
    We have identified three alternatives for further examination in 
the EIS:
    No action. Under this alternative, APHIS would maintain the program 
that was described in the 2002 EIS and Record of Decision. APHIS may 
opt to provide technical assistance, but any suppression program would 
be implemented by a Federal land management agency, a State agriculture 
department, a local government, or a private group or individual.
    No suppression program. Under this alternative, APHIS would not 
fund or

[[Page 60339]]

participate in any program to suppress grasshopper infestations. APHIS 
may opt to provide technical assistance, but any suppression program 
would be implemented by a Federal land management agency, a State 
agriculture department, a local government, or a private group or 
individual.
    Insecticide applications at conventional rates or reduced agent 
area treatments. This alternative would update the information and 
technologies that were analyzed in the 2002 EIS. The insecticides 
available for use by APHIS include the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency-registered chemicals carbaryl, diflubenzuron, 
chlorantraniliprole, and malathion. Carbaryl and malathion are 
cholinesterase inhibitors which effects the nervous system. 
Diflubenzuron is an insect growth regulator. Chlorantraniliprole 
affects the nervous system by activating ryanodine receptors in 
insects. Only one insecticide would be used at a time, and would be 
applied at a rate that is normally or conventionally used for 
grasshopper suppression treatments, or could be applied as a reduced 
agent area treatment (RAATs). The RAATs strategy uses a reduced rate of 
insecticide from conventional levels by alternating treatment swaths in 
a spray block, reduced application rates, or both. The RAATs strategy 
suppresses grasshoppers within treated swaths, while conserving 
grasshopper predators and parasites in swaths that are not treated. An 
adaptive approach of either conventional rates or RAATs will allow the 
program to make site-specific suppression applications using a range of 
application rates to ensure adequate suppression.
    We have identified the following potential environmental impacts or 
issues for further examination in the EIS:
     Effects on wildlife, including consideration of migratory 
bird species and changes in native wildlife habitat and populations, 
and federally listed endangered and threatened species.
     Effects on soil, air, and water quality.
     Effects on human health and safety.
     Effects on cultural and historic resources.
     Effects on economic resources.
    All comments on this notice will be carefully considered in 
developing the final scope of the EIS. Upon completion of the draft 
EIS, a notice announcing its availability and an invitation to comment 
on it will be published in the Federal Register.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 26th day of August 2016.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-21082 Filed 8-31-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 170 / Thursday, September 1, 2016 / Notices 60339

participate in any program to suppress Done in Washington, DC, this 26th day of Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
grasshopper infestations. APHIS may August 2016. between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.,
opt to provide technical assistance, but Kevin Shea, Eastern Standard Time, Monday
any suppression program would be Administrator, Animal and Plant Health through Friday.
implemented by a Federal land Inspection Service. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
management agency, a State agriculture [FR Doc. 2016–21082 Filed 8–31–16; 8:45 am] purpose of the meeting is to discuss
department, a local government, or a BILLING CODE 3410–34–P current or completed projects and
private group or individual. present new projects for review.
Insecticide applications at The meeting is open to the public.
conventional rates or reduced agent DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE The agenda will include time for people
area treatments. This alternative would to make oral statements of three minutes
update the information and technologies Forest Service or less. Individuals wishing to make an
that were analyzed in the 2002 EIS. The oral statement should request in writing
Glenn and Colusa County Resource
insecticides available for use by APHIS by September 12, 2016, to be scheduled
Advisory Committee
include the U.S. Environmental on the agenda. Anyone who would like
Protection Agency-registered chemicals AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. to bring related matters to the attention
carbaryl, diflubenzuron, ACTION: Notice of meeting. of the committee may file written
chlorantraniliprole, and malathion. statements with the committee staff
Carbaryl and malathion are SUMMARY: The Glenn and Colusa County before or after the meeting. Written
cholinesterase inhibitors which effects Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) comments and requests for time for oral
the nervous system. Diflubenzuron is an will meet in Willows, California. The comments must be sent to Zachary Rich,
insect growth regulator. committee is authorized under the Committee Coordinator, USDA
Chlorantraniliprole affects the nervous Secure Rural Schools and Community Mendocino National Forest, Grindstone
system by activating ryanodine Self-Determination Act (the Act) and Ranger District, 825 North Humboldt
receptors in insects. Only one operates in compliance with the Federal Avenue, Willows, California 95988; or
insecticide would be used at a time, and Advisory Committee Act. The purpose by email to zrich@fs.fed.us, or via
would be applied at a rate that is of the committee is to improve facsimile to 530–934–7384.
normally or conventionally used for collaborative relationships and to Meeting Accommodations: If you are
grasshopper suppression treatments, or provide advice and recommendations to a person requiring reasonable
could be applied as a reduced agent area the Forest Service concerning projects accommodation, please make requests
treatment (RAATs). The RAATs strategy and funding consistent with title II of in advance for sign language
uses a reduced rate of insecticide from the Act. RAC information can be found interpreting, assistive listening devices
conventional levels by alternating at the following Web site: http:// or other reasonable accommodation. For
treatment swaths in a spray block, www.fs.usda.gov/main/pts/ access to the facility or proceedings,
reduced application rates, or both. The specialprojects/racweb. please contact the person listed in the
RAATs strategy suppresses DATES: The meeting will be held on section titled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
grasshoppers within treated swaths, September 19, 2016, from 1:00 p.m. to CONTACT. All reasonable
while conserving grasshopper predators 4:00 p.m. accommodation requests are managed
and parasites in swaths that are not All RAC meetings are subject to on a case by case basis.
treated. An adaptive approach of either cancellation. For status of meeting prior Dated: August 25, 2016.
conventional rates or RAATs will allow to attendance, please contact the person Eduardo Olmedo,
the program to make site-specific listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
District Ranger.
suppression applications using a range CONTACT.
[FR Doc. 2016–21060 Filed 8–31–16; 8:45 am]
of application rates to ensure adequate ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
suppression. the USDA Mendocino National Forest,
We have identified the following Snow Mountain Conference Room, 825
potential environmental impacts or North Humboldt Avenue, Willows, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
issues for further examination in the California.
EIS: Written comments may be submitted Forest Service
• Effects on wildlife, including as described under SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION. All comments, including Tehama County Resource Advisory
consideration of migratory bird species
names and addresses when provided, Committee
and changes in native wildlife habitat
and populations, and federally listed are placed in the record and are AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
endangered and threatened species. available for public inspection and ACTION: Notice of meeting.
copying. The public may inspect
• Effects on soil, air, and water
comments received at the USDA SUMMARY: The Tehama County Resource
quality.
Mendocino National Forest, Grindstone Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in
• Effects on human health and safety. Ranger District, 825 North Humboldt Red Bluff, California. The committee is
• Effects on cultural and historic Avenue, Willows, California. Please call authorized under the Secure Rural
resources. ahead at 530–934–3316 to facilitate Schools and Community Self-
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

• Effects on economic resources. entry into the building. Determination Act (the Act) and
All comments on this notice will be FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: operates in compliance with the Federal
carefully considered in developing the Zachary Rich, Committee Coordinator Advisory Committee Act. The purpose
final scope of the EIS. Upon completion by phone at 530–934–1259, or via email of the committee is to improve
of the draft EIS, a notice announcing its at zrich@fs.fed.us. collaborative relationships and to
availability and an invitation to Individuals who use provide advice and recommendations to
comment on it will be published in the telecommunication devices for the deaf the Forest Service concerning projects
Federal Register. (TDD) may call the Federal Information and funding consistent with title II of

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Document Created: 2018-02-09 11:57:06
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 11:57:06

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 intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
Dates		We will consider all comments that we receive on or before October 17, 2016.
Contact		For questions related to the Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Suppression Program, contact Mr. William D. Wesela, APHIS National Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Program Manager, [email protected], (301) 851-2229. For questions related to the environmental impact statement, contact Dr. Jim Warren, Environmental Protection Specialist, Environmental and Risk Analysis Services, PPD, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 149, Riverdale, MD 20737; [email protected]; (202) 316-3216.
FR Citation		81 FR 60338

81 FR 60338 - Environmental Impact Statement; Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Suppression Program

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREAnimal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 170 (September 1, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service