81 FR 6828 - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza; Availability of Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 26 (February 9, 2016)

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared a final environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact relative to a national approach for the control of highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks within the United States. Based on the environmental assessment and our review of all public comments received, we have concluded that such an approach will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 26 (Tuesday, February 9, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 6828]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02526]


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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 26 / Tuesday, February 9, 2016 / 
Notices

[[Page 6828]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2015-0058]


Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza; Availability of Final 
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service has prepared a final environmental assessment and 
finding of no significant impact relative to a national approach for 
the control of highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks within the 
United States. Based on the environmental assessment and our review of 
all public comments received, we have concluded that such an approach 
will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human 
environment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Lori Miller, PE, Senior Staff 
Officer and Environmental Engineer, APHIS Veterinary Services, 4700 
River Road Unit 41, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851-3512. Copies of the 
final EA and FONSI may be obtained by contacting Ms. Michelle Gray, 
Environmental Protection Specialist, ERAS/PPD/APHIS, 4700 River Road 
Unit 149, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851-3146.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is 
a significant and often fatal zoonotic disease of poultry. In December 
2014, two H5 viruses of HPAI were discovered in the United States. 
These viruses were subsequently detected in both migratory waterfowl 
and domestic poultry and significantly affected domestic poultry 
production within the United States. Two poultry production sectors, 
commercial meat turkeys and laying chickens, were heavily impacted by 
the disease, resulting in the loss or destruction of over 48 million 
birds between December 2014 and June 2015.
    Disease eradication efforts, northern migration of wild waterfowl, 
and the natural disinfecting effect of summer heat have largely halted 
the spread of the disease within the United States. However, subsequent 
migrations of potentially infected wild waterfowl could precipitate a 
new round of outbreaks requiring additional actions by the Animal and 
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to control them.
    On September 4, 2015, we published in the Federal Register (80 FR 
53485, Docket No. APHIS-2015-0058) a notice \1\ in which we announced 
the availability, for public review and comment, of an environmental 
assessment (EA), titled ``High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Control in 
Commercial Poultry Operations--A National Approach,'' and finding of no 
significant impact (FONSI) relative to a national approach for the 
control of HPAI outbreaks within the United States.
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    \1\ To view the notice, final EA, FONSI, and comments, go to 
http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2015-0058.
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    The EA recommends an approach in which APHIS uses its centralized 
management of carcass disposal activities to ensure consistency in 
responses to HPAI outbreaks throughout the United States. Under this 
approach, APHIS provides information and other support to State and 
local authorities to help them determine which depopulation, disposal, 
and cleaning and disinfection methods are most appropriate for the 
situation.
    We solicited comments for 30 days ending October 5, 2015. We 
received 3 comments by that date, from national animal welfare 
organizations and a member of the public. We carefully considered the 
comments we received on the EA and determined that none raise issues 
that APHIS had not already considered. Accordingly, APHIS has decided 
to implement this approach and concluded that it will not have a 
significant impact on the quality of the human environment. The 
comments we received are addressed in an appendix to the final EA.
    The final EA and FONSI may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web 
site (see footnote 1). Copies are also available for public inspection 
at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue 
SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through 
Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing to inspect copies are 
requested to call ahead to (202) 799-7039 to facilitate entry into the 
reading room. In addition, copies may be obtained by calling or writing 
to the appropriate person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    The EA and FONSI have 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 Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372).

    Done in Washington, DC, this 3rd day of February 2016.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-02526 Filed 2-8-16; 8:45 am]
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