82_FR_18490 82 FR 18416 - Availability of an Environmental Assessment for the Field Release of Genetically Engineered Diamondback Moths

82 FR 18416 - Availability of an Environmental Assessment for the Field Release of Genetically Engineered Diamondback Moths

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 74 (April 19, 2017)

Page Range18416-18417
FR Document2017-07840

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is making available for public comment an environmental assessment prepared in connection with a permit application for the field release of diamondback moths that have been genetically engineered for repressible female lethality and to express red fluorescence as a marker. The purpose of the proposed field release is to assess the feasibility and efficacy of these moths in reducing populations of diamondback moths that are known plant pests and a serious threat to agriculture.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 74 (Wednesday, April 19, 2017) 
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 74 (Wednesday, April 19, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18416-18417]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-07840]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 74 / Wednesday, April 19, 2017 / 
Notices

[[Page 18416]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2014-0056]


Availability of an Environmental Assessment for the Field Release 
of Genetically Engineered Diamondback Moths

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service is making available for public comment an 
environmental assessment prepared in connection with a permit 
application for the field release of diamondback moths that have been 
genetically engineered for repressible female lethality and to express 
red fluorescence as a marker. The purpose of the proposed field release 
is to assess the feasibility and efficacy of these moths in reducing 
populations of diamondback moths that are known plant pests and a 
serious threat to agriculture.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before May 
19, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2014-0056.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2014-0056, 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-2014-
0056 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: Ms. Chessa Huff-Woodard, Esq., Policy, 
Program and International Collaboration Chief, Biotechnology Regulatory 
Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; 
(301) 851-3943, email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The regulations in 7 CFR part 340, 
``Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or Produced Through 
Genetic Engineering Which Are Plant Pests or Which There Is Reason to 
Believe Are Plant Pests,'' regulate, among other things, the 
introduction (importation, interstate movement, or release into the 
environment) of organisms and products altered or produced through 
genetic engineering that are plant pests or that there is reason to 
believe are plant pests. Such genetically engineered (GE) organisms and 
products are considered ``regulated articles.'' A permit must be 
obtained or a notification acknowledged before a regulated article may 
be released into the environment. The regulations set forth the permit 
application requirements and the notification procedures for the 
importation, interstate movement, or release into the environment of a 
regulated article.
    The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has 
previously issued Cornell University a permit (APHIS Permit Number 12-
227-102m) authorizing the importation of GE diamondback moths (DBM, 
Plutella xylostella) strains OX4319L-Pxy, OX4319N-Pxy, and OX4767A-Pxy 
from the United Kingdom to the university's New York State Agricultural 
Experiment Station (NYSAES) in Geneva, NY. The GE DBM were genetically 
engineered to exhibit red fluorescence (DsRed2) as a marker and 
repressible female lethality, also known as female autocide. The GE 
DBMs are considered a regulated article under the regulations in 7 CFR 
part 340 because the recipient organism is a plant pest.
    On October 24, 2013, APHIS received a permit application from 
Cornell University (APHIS Permit Number 13-297-102r) seeking the 
permitted field release of the three imported strains of GE DBM. 
Permits were issued and caged releases occurred in 2015. However, all 
permits relative to the October 2013 application have since been 
withdrawn.
    On March 16, 2016, APHIS received a permit application from Cornell 
University (APHIS Permit Number 16-076-101r) seeking the permitted 
field release of a single strain of GE DBM, designated as OX4319L-Pxy, 
in both open and caged releases.
    The purpose of the requested field release is to assess the 
feasibility and efficacy of GE DBM strain OX4319L-Pxy in reducing pest 
populations of DBM. According to the applicant, these GE DBM may serve 
as an insecticide-free means of controlling field populations of DBM in 
a species-specific manner.
    The proposed release would be at the NYSAES and would not exceed 2 
years in length. The release would be limited to an experimental field, 
up to 10 acres in size, within which there would be a single point at 
which the open air release would occur. The release site is surrounded 
by other agricultural fields within NYSAES' 870 total acres where DBMs 
occur naturally. The applicant would release up to 10,000 male GE DBMs 
per release (up to 30,000 males per week). Post-experiment monitoring 
of DBM with traps would continue until no GE DBMs are captured for 2 
consecutive months.
    To provide the public with documentation of APHIS' review and 
analysis of any potential environmental impacts associated with the 
proposed release of the GE DBM, an environmental assessment (EA) has 
been prepared. The EA was 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). APHIS will accept 
written comments on our EA regarding the proposed release of the GE DBM 
from interested or affected persons for a period of 30 days from the 
date of this notice. Copies of the EA are available as indicated in the 
ADDRESSES and FOR

[[Page 18417]]

FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT sections of this notice.

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 7701-7772 and 7781-7786; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 
CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 12th day of April 2017.
 Michael C. Gregoire,
 Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-07840 Filed 4-18-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

18416 Notices Federal Register Vol. 82, No. 74 Wednesday, April 19, 2017 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER room 1141 of the USDA South Building, University (APHIS Permit Number 13– contains documents other than rules or 14th Street and Independence Avenue 297–102r) seeking the permitted field proposed rules that are applicable to the SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading release of the three imported strains of public. Notices of hearings and investigations, room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., GE DBM. Permits were issued and caged committee meetings, agency decisions and Monday through Friday, except releases occurred in 2015. However, all rulings, delegations of authority, filing of holidays. To be sure someone is there to permits relative to the October 2013 petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are help you, please call (202) 799–7039 application have since been withdrawn. examples of documents appearing in this before coming. On March 16, 2016, APHIS received section. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. a permit application from Cornell Chessa Huff-Woodard, Esq., Policy, University (APHIS Permit Number 16– Program and International Collaboration 076–101r) seeking the permitted field DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Chief, Biotechnology Regulatory release of a single strain of GE DBM, Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit designated as OX4319L-Pxy, in both Animal and Plant Health Inspection 147, Riverdale, MD 20737–1236; (301) open and caged releases. Service 851–3943, email: chessa.d.huff- The purpose of the requested field [Docket No. APHIS–2014–0056] woodard@aphis.usda.gov. release is to assess the feasibility and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The efficacy of GE DBM strain OX4319L-Pxy Availability of an Environmental regulations in 7 CFR part 340, in reducing pest populations of DBM. Assessment for the Field Release of ‘‘Introduction of Organisms and According to the applicant, these GE Genetically Engineered Diamondback Products Altered or Produced Through DBM may serve as an insecticide-free Moths Genetic Engineering Which Are Plant means of controlling field populations Pests or Which There Is Reason to of DBM in a species-specific manner. AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health The proposed release would be at the Inspection Service, USDA. Believe Are Plant Pests,’’ regulate, among other things, the introduction NYSAES and would not exceed 2 years ACTION: Notice. in length. The release would be limited (importation, interstate movement, or SUMMARY: We are advising the public release into the environment) of to an experimental field, up to 10 acres that the Animal and Plant Health organisms and products altered or in size, within which there would be a Inspection Service is making available produced through genetic engineering single point at which the open air for public comment an environmental that are plant pests or that there is release would occur. The release site is assessment prepared in connection with reason to believe are plant pests. Such surrounded by other agricultural fields a permit application for the field release genetically engineered (GE) organisms within NYSAES’ 870 total acres where of diamondback moths that have been and products are considered ‘‘regulated DBMs occur naturally. The applicant genetically engineered for repressible articles.’’ A permit must be obtained or would release up to 10,000 male GE female lethality and to express red a notification acknowledged before a DBMs per release (up to 30,000 males fluorescence as a marker. The purpose regulated article may be released into per week). Post-experiment monitoring of the proposed field release is to assess the environment. The regulations set of DBM with traps would continue until the feasibility and efficacy of these forth the permit application no GE DBMs are captured for 2 moths in reducing populations of requirements and the notification consecutive months. diamondback moths that are known procedures for the importation, To provide the public with plant pests and a serious threat to interstate movement, or release into the documentation of APHIS’ review and agriculture. environment of a regulated article. analysis of any potential environmental The Animal and Plant Health impacts associated with the proposed DATES: We will consider all comments Inspection Service (APHIS) has release of the GE DBM, an that we receive on or before May 19, previously issued Cornell University a environmental assessment (EA) has 2017. permit (APHIS Permit Number 12–227– been prepared. The EA was prepared in ADDRESSES: You may submit comments 102m) authorizing the importation of GE accordance with: (1) The National by either of the following methods: diamondback moths (DBM, Plutella Environmental Policy Act of 1969 • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to xylostella) strains OX4319L-Pxy, (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et http://www.regulations.gov/ OX4319N-Pxy, and OX4767A-Pxy from seq.), (2) regulations of the Council on #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2014-0056. the United Kingdom to the university’s Environmental Quality for • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: New York State Agricultural Experiment implementing the procedural provisions Send your comment to Docket No. Station (NYSAES) in Geneva, NY. The of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), (3) APHIS–2014–0056, Regulatory Analysis GE DBM were genetically engineered to USDA regulations implementing NEPA and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station exhibit red fluorescence (DsRed2) as a (7 CFR part 1b), and (4) APHIS’ NEPA 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES marker and repressible female lethality, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. also known as female autocide. The GE 372). APHIS will accept written Supporting documents and any DBMs are considered a regulated article comments on our EA regarding the comments we receive on this docket under the regulations in 7 CFR part 340 proposed release of the GE DBM from may be viewed at http:// because the recipient organism is a interested or affected persons for a www.regulations.gov/ plant pest. period of 30 days from the date of this #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2014-0056 or On October 24, 2013, APHIS received notice. Copies of the EA are available as in our reading room, which is located in a permit application from Cornell indicated in the ADDRESSES and FOR VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:06 Apr 18, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\19APN1.SGM 19APN1

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 74 / Wednesday, April 19, 2017 / Notices 18417 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT sections Agency name and docket number FSIS– additional information concerning of this notice. 2016–0028. Comments received in poultry slaughter: Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7701–7772 and 7781– response to this docket will be made • As part of the HACCP system, 7786; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and available for public inspection and written procedures to prevent carcasses 371.3. posted without change, including any afflicted with septicemia and toxemia Done in Washington, DC, this 12th day of personal information, to http:// from entering the chiller; and April 2017. www.regulations.gov. • records that document that the Michael C. Gregoire, Docket: For access to background products resulting from slaughter documents or comments received, go to operations meet the definition of ready- Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. the FSIS Docket Room at Patriots Plaza to-cook poultry. 3, 355 E Street SW., Room 8–164, Additionally, each establishment [FR Doc. 2017–07840 Filed 4–18–17; 8:45 am] Washington, DC 20250–3700 between operating under the NPIS also needs to BILLING CODE 3410–34–P 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday submit on an annual basis an attestation through Friday. to the management member of the local DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gina FSIS circuit safety committee stating Kouba, Office of Policy and Program that it maintains a program to monitor Food Safety and Inspection Service Development, Food Safety and and document any work-related Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 conditions of establishment workers. [Docket No. FSIS–2017–0014] FSIS has made the following Independence Avenue SW., Room 6065, South Building, Washington, DC 20250; estimates based upon an information Notice of Request for Renewal of an (202) 720–5627. collection assessment: Approved Information Collection Estimate of Burden: FSIS estimates (Modernization of Poultry Slaughter SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: that it will take respondents an average Inspection) Title: Modernization of Poultry of .125 hours to record results and AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Slaughter Inspection. maintain necessary documentation. Service, USDA. OMB Number: 0583–0156. Respondents: Official poultry Expiration Date of Approval: 9/30/ establishments. ACTION: Notice and request for 2017. Estimated No. of Respondents: 289. comments. Type of Request: Renewal of an Estimated No. of Annual Responses SUMMARY: In accordance with the approved information collection. per Respondent: 5,291.3. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Abstract: FSIS has been delegated the Estimated Total Annual Burden on Office of Management and Budget authority to exercise the functions of the Respondents: 19,204 hours. (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and Secretary as specified in the Poultry Copies of this information collection Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing Products Inspection Act (PPIA) (21 assessment can be obtained from Gina its intention to request a renewal of the U.S.C. 451, et seq.). This statute Kouba, Office of Policy and Program approved information collection provides that FSIS is to protect the Development, Food Safety and regarding poultry slaughter inspection. public by verifying that poultry Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 The approval for this information products are safe, wholesome, not Independence SW., 6065, South collection will expire on September 30, adulterated, and properly labeled and Building, Washington, DC 20250; 2017. There are no changes to the packaged. (202)720–5627. existing information collection. FSIS is requesting a renewal of the Comments are invited on: (a) Whether DATES: Submit comments on or before approved information collection the proposed collection of information June 19, 2017. regarding poultry slaughter inspection. is necessary for the proper performance ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested The approval for this information of FSIS’s functions, including whether persons to submit comments on this collection will expire on September 30, the information will have practical information collection. Comments may 2017. There are no changes to the utility; (b) the accuracy of FSIS’s be submitted by one of the following existing information collection. estimate of the burden of the proposed methods: FSIS requires that all official poultry collection of information, including the • Federal eRulemaking Portal: This slaughter establishments, other than validity of the methodology and Web site provides the ability to type establishments that slaughter ratites, assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance short comments directly into the maintain as part of their HACCP plan, the quality, utility, and clarity of the comment field on this Web page or sanitation SOP, or other prerequisite information to be collected; and (d) attach a file for lengthier comments. Go program, written procedures addressing ways to minimize the burden of the to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow (1) the prevention throughout the entire collection of information, including the on-line instructions at that site for slaughter and dressing operation, of through the use of appropriate submitting comments. contamination of carcasses and parts by automated, electronic, mechanical, or • Mail, including CD–ROMs, etc.: enteric pathogens (e.g., Salmonella and other technological collection Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department Campylobacter) and by fecal material, techniques, or other forms of of Agriculture, Food Safety and including microbial test results, and (2) information technology. Comments may Inspection Service, Docket Clerk, the prevention of carcasses and parts be sent to both FSIS, at the addresses Patriots Plaza 3, 1400 Independence contaminated by visible fecal material provided above, and the Desk Officer for from entering the chiller. This Agriculture, Office of Information and jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Avenue SW., Mailstop 3782, Room 8– 163A, Washington, DC 20250–3700. information was previously collected Regulatory Affairs, Office of • Hand- or courier-delivered under the FSIS information collection Management and Budget, Washington, submittals: Deliver to Patriots Plaza 3, for Sanitation SOPs and Pathogen DC 20253. 355 E Street SW., Room 8–163A, Reduction/HACCP (0583–0103). Each Responses to this notice will be Washington, DC 20250–3700. establishment operating under the New summarized and included in the request Instructions: All items submitted by Poultry Inspection System (NPIS) is for OMB approval. All comments will mail or electronic mail must include the required to collect and maintain also become a matter of public record. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:06 Apr 18, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\19APN1.SGM 19APN1


Document Created: 2018-11-14 09:43:42
Document Modified: 2018-11-14 09:43:42
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
DatesWe will consider all comments that we receive on or before May 19, 2017.
ContactMs. Chessa Huff-Woodard, Esq., Policy, Program and International Collaboration Chief, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 851-3943, email: [email protected]
FR Citation82 FR 18416 
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