82 FR 32317 - Availability of an Environmental Assessment for Release of Three Parasitoids for Biological Control of the Lily Leaf Beetle

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 133 (July 13, 2017)

Page Range		32317-32318
FR Document		2017-14694

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared a draft environmental assessment relative to the release of three parasitoids, Diaparsis jucunda, Lemophagus errabundus, and Tetrastichus setifer for the biological control of the lily leaf beetle. The environmental assessment considers the effects of, and alternatives to, the field release of the parasitoids into the contiguous United States for use as a biological control agent to reduce the severity of infestations of lily leaf beetle. We are making the environmental assessment available to the public for review and comment.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 133 (Thursday, July 13, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 133 (Thursday, July 13, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32317-32318]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-14694]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2017-0025]


Availability of an Environmental Assessment for Release of Three 
Parasitoids for Biological Control of the Lily Leaf Beetle

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 draft environmental assessment 
relative to the release of three parasitoids, Diaparsis jucunda, 
Lemophagus errabundus, and Tetrastichus setifer for the biological 
control of the lily leaf beetle. The environmental assessment considers 
the effects of, and alternatives to, the field release of the 
parasitoids into the contiguous United States for use as a biological 
control agent to reduce the severity of infestations of lily leaf 
beetle. We are making the environmental assessment available to the 
public for review and comment.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
August 14, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0025.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2017-0025, 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-2017-
0025 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: Dr. Colin D. Stewart, Assistant 
Director, Pests, Pathogens, and Biocontrol Permits Permitting and 
Compliance Coordination, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 851-2327, email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Lilies (Lillium spp.) and fritillaries 
(Fritillaria spp.) are prized for their blooms, whether the showy and 
enormous Asiatic hybrids or the subtle, fleeting flowers of 
fritillaries. The aesthetic value of lilies and fritillaries extends to 
wild lands, where the flowers are a significant visual feature during 
their bloom, adorning alpine ridges, swampy bottomlands, and desert 
shrublands alike. The lily leaf beetle, Lilioceris lilii (Coleptera: 
Chrysomelidae), an aggressive pest of lilies and fritillaries, has 
expanded its range rapidly over the past decade, and is now found in 
several northeastern and central States, across Canada, and in 
Washington State. Further expansion is expected based on its historical 
distribution in nearly all of Europe and parts of North Africa. The 
Washington State Department of Agriculture is proposing to release 
three insect parasitoid species for the biological control of the lily 
leaf beetle; none of these species have been previously released or 
established in Washington State. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) is proposing to issue permits for the field release of 
the parasitoids Diaparsis jucunda, Lemophagus errabundus, and 
Tetrastichus setifer into the continental United States to reduce the 
severity of lily leaf beetle infestations.
    APHIS' review and analysis of the proposed action are documented in 
detail in a draft environmental assessment (EA) entitled ``Field 
release of Diaparsis jucunda (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Lemophagus 
errabundus (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), and Tetrastichus setifer 
(Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) for biological control of the lily leaf 
beetle, Lilioceris lilii (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in the Contiguous 
United States'' (January 2017). We are making the 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 EA may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site or in our 
reading room (see  ADDRESSES above for a link to Regulations.gov and 
information on the location and hours of the reading room). You may 
request paper copies of the EA by calling or writing to the person 
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please refer to the title 
of the EA when requesting copies.
    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

[[Page 32318]]

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 7th day of July 2017.
Michael C. Gregoire,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-14694 Filed 7-12-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 133 / Thursday, July 13, 2017 / Notices 32317

Consolidated Appropriations Act DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Lilies
(Public Law 108–199) and the (Lillium spp.) and fritillaries (Fritillaria
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005 Animal and Plant Health Inspection spp.) are prized for their blooms,
(Public Law 108–447) provided Service whether the showy and enormous
additional funds for public broadcasting [Docket No. APHIS–2017–0025] Asiatic hybrids or the subtle, fleeting
systems to meet the digital transition. flowers of fritillaries. The aesthetic
As part of the nation’s transition to Availability of an Environmental value of lilies and fritillaries extends to
digital television, the Federal Assessment for Release of Three wild lands, where the flowers are a
Communications Commission (FCC) Parasitoids for Biological Control of significant visual feature during their
the Lily Leaf Beetle bloom, adorning alpine ridges, swampy
required all television broadcasters to
bottomlands, and desert shrublands
initiate the broadcast of a digital AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health alike. The lily leaf beetle, Lilioceris lilii
television signal and to cease analog Inspection Service, USDA. (Coleptera: Chrysomelidae), an
television broadcasts on February 18, ACTION: Notice of availability and aggressive pest of lilies and fritillaries,
2009. While stations must broadcast its request for comments. has expanded its range rapidly over the
main transmitter signal in digital, many past decade, and is now found in
rural stations often have translators SUMMARY: We are advising the public
several northeastern and central States,
serving small or isolated areas and some that the Animal and Plant Health
across Canada, and in Washington State.
of these have not completed the Inspection Service has prepared a draft
Further expansion is expected based on
transition to digital or fully converted environmental assessment relative to
its historical distribution in nearly all of
the release of three parasitoids,
its production and studio equipment to Europe and parts of North Africa. The
Diaparsis jucunda, Lemophagus
digital. Because the FCC deadline did Washington State Department of
errabundus, and Tetrastichus setifer for
not apply to translators, they are Agriculture is proposing to release three
the biological control of the lily leaf
allowed to continue broadcasting in insect parasitoid species for the
beetle. The environmental assessment
analog. The digital transition also biological control of the lily leaf beetle;
considers the effects of, and alternatives
created some service gaps where none of these species have been
to, the field release of the parasitoids
households receiving an analog signal previously released or established in
into the contiguous United States for
cannot receive a digital signal. For these Washington State. The Animal and
use as a biological control agent to
reasons the grant program has continued Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
reduce the severity of infestations of lily
past the FCC digital transition deadline is proposing to issue permits for the
leaf beetle. We are making the
field release of the parasitoids Diaparsis
until 2014. The Public Television environmental assessment available to
jucunda, Lemophagus errabundus, and
Digital Transition Grant Program is no the public for review and comment.
Tetrastichus setifer into the continental
longer funded. DATES: We will consider all comments
United States to reduce the severity of
Need and Use of the Information: that we receive on or before August 14, lily leaf beetle infestations.
There are past awardees that remain in 2017. APHIS’ review and analysis of the
the program and the Agency continues ADDRESSES: You may submit comments proposed action are documented in
to collect information from them. by either of the following methods: detail in a draft environmental
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to assessment (EA) entitled ‘‘Field release
Awardees still in the program must
http://www.regulations.gov/ of Diaparsis jucunda (Hymenoptera:
complete SF–475 ‘‘Federal Financial
#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0025. Ichneumonidae), Lemophagus
Report’’ to submit financial information • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:
and SF–270 ‘‘Request for Advance or errabundus (Hymenoptera:
Send your comment to Docket No. Ichneumonidae), and Tetrastichus
Reimbursement’’ to request payments. If APHIS–2017–0025, Regulatory Analysis
this information is not collected, there setifer (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) for
and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station biological control of the lily leaf beetle,
would be no basis advancing grant 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Lilioceris lilii (Coleoptera:
funds to the grant recipients or for Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. Chrysomelidae) in the Contiguous
ensuring that the project funding is used Supporting documents and any United States’’ (January 2017). We are
for intended purposes. comments we receive on this docket making the EA available to the public
Description of Respondents: Not-for- may be viewed at http:// for review and comment. We will
profit institutions. www.regulations.gov/ consider all comments that we receive
#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0025 or on or before the date listed under the
Number of Respondents: 15. in our reading room, which is located in heading DATES at the beginning of this
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: room 1141 of the USDA South Building, notice.
On occasion. 14th Street and Independence Avenue The EA may be viewed on the
Total Burden Hours: 1 hour place SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading Regulations.gov Web site or in our
holder. room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., reading room (see ADDRESSES above for
Monday through Friday, except a link to Regulations.gov and
Ruth Brown, holidays. To be sure someone is there to information on the location and hours of
Departmental Information Collection help you, please call (202) 799–7039 the reading room). You may request
Clearance Officer. before coming. paper copies of the EA by calling or
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

[FR Doc. 2017–14681 Filed 7–12–17; 8:45 am] writing to the person listed under FOR
BILLING CODE 3410–15–P Colin D. Stewart, Assistant Director, FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please
Pests, Pathogens, and Biocontrol refer to the title of the EA when
Permits Permitting and Compliance requesting copies.
Coordination, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River The EA has been prepared in
Road, Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737– accordance with: (1) The National
1231; (301) 851–2327, email: Environmental Policy Act of 1969
Colin.Stewart@aphis.usda.gov. (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et

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32318 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 133 / Thursday, July 13, 2017 / Notices

seq.); (2) regulations of the Council on room 1141 of the USDA South Building, a link to Regulations.gov and
Environmental Quality for 14th Street and Independence Avenue information on the location and hours of
implementing the procedural provisions SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading the reading room). You may request
of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508); (3) room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., paper copies of the EA by calling or
USDA regulations implementing NEPA Monday through Friday, except writing to the person listed under FOR
(7 CFR part 1b); and (4) APHIS’ NEPA holidays. To be sure someone is there to FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please
Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part help you, please call (202) 799–7039 refer to the title of the EA when
372). before coming. requesting copies.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. The EA has been prepared in
Done in Washington, DC, this 7th day of
July 2017. Colin D. Stewart, Assistant Director, accordance with: (1) The National
Pests, Pathogens, and Biocontrol Environmental Policy Act of 1969
Michael C. Gregoire,
Permits, Permitting and Compliance (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Coordination, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River seq.), (2) regulations of the Council on
Health Inspection Service.
Road, Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737– Environmental Quality for
[FR Doc. 2017–14694 Filed 7–12–17; 8:45 am]
1231; (301) 851–2327, email: implementing the procedural provisions
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), (3)
Colin.Stewart@aphis.usda.gov.
USDA regulations implementing NEPA
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Two
(7 CFR part 1b), and (4) APHIS’ NEPA
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE species of swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum
Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part
nigrum and Vincetoxicum rossicum),
Animal and Plant Health Inspection 372).
native to Mediterranean regions of
Service Europe (V. nigrum) and Ukraine and Done in Washington, DC, this 7th day of
southeastern Russia (V. rossicum), were July 2017.
[Docket No. APHIS–2017–0053]
first documented in the United States in Michael C. Gregoire,
Availability of an Environmental the late nineteenth century and are now Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Assessment for the Biological Control widely distributed along the northeast Health Inspection Service.
of Swallow-Worts Atlantic coast and in Ontario and [FR Doc. 2017–14695 Filed 7–12–17; 8:45 am]
Quebec in Canada, as well as in upper BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Midwestern regions of the United
Inspection Service, USDA. States. Swallow-worts are long-lived
ACTION: Notice of availability and vines that overwinter as seeds or DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
request for comments. rootstalks, and they outcompete native
Food and Nutrition Service
plants for resources while often also
SUMMARY: We are advising the public forming dense monocultures in a variety
that the Animal and Plant Health Agency Information Collection
of habitats. Swallow-wort invasions in Activities: Proposed Collection;
Inspection Service has prepared a draft primarily upland habitats including, but
environmental assessment relative to Comment Request—Special
not restricted to, pastures, old fields, Supplemental Nutrition Program for
the control of swallow-worts hillsides, shores, flood plains,
(Vincetoxicum nigrum and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
roadsides, and forest margins, pose a Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
Vincetoxicum rossicum). The major threat to native species diversity
environmental assessment considers the (FMNP) Program Regulations—
and ecosystem functioning and Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden
effects of, and alternatives to, the field negatively affect farming practices,
release of a leaf-feeding moth, Hypena livestock, and ornamental landscapes. AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service
opulenta, into the continental United The Animal and Plant Health Inspection (FNS), USDA.
States for use as a biological control Service (APHIS) is proposing to issue ACTION: Notice.
agent to reduce the severity of swallow- permits for the field release of a leaf-
wort infestations. We are making the SUMMARY: In accordance with the
feeding moth, Hypena opulenta, into the
environmental assessment available to Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
continental United States to reduce the
the public for review and comment. notice invites the general public and
severity of swallow-wort infestations.
DATES: We will consider all comments APHIS’ review and analysis of the other public agencies to comment on
that we receive on or before August 14, proposed action are documented in this proposed information collection.
2017. detail in a draft environmental This collection is a revision of a
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments assessment (EA) entitled ‘‘Field release currently approved information
by either of the following methods: of the leaf-feeding moth, Hypena collection for the WIC Farmers’ Market
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to opulenta (Christoph) (Lepidoptera: Nutrition Program (FMNP) Regulations
http://www.regulations.gov/ Noctuidae), for classical biological for the reporting and recordkeeping
#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0053. control of swallow-worts, Vincetoxicum burden associated with the WIC FMNP
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: nigrum (L.) Moench and V. rossicum Program regulations.
Send your comment to Docket No. (Kleopow) Barbarich (Gentianales: DATES: Written comments must be
APHIS–2017–0053, Regulatory Analysis Apocyanceae), in the contiguous United received on or before September 11,
and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station States’’ (June 2017). We are making this 2017.
3A–03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118,
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

EA available to the public for review ADDRESSES:
Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. and comment. We will consider all Comments are invited on: (a) Whether
Supporting documents and any comments that we receive on or before the proposed collection of information
comments we receive on this docket the date listed under the heading DATES is necessary for the proper performance
may be viewed at http:// at the beginning of this notice. of the functions of the agency, including
www.regulations.gov/ The EA may be viewed on the whether the information shall have
#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0053 or Regulations.gov Web site or in our practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
in our reading room, which is located in reading room (see ADDRESSES above for agency’s estimate of the burden of the

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Document Created: 2017-07-13 01:00:40
Document Modified: 2017-07-13 01:00:40

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 14, 2017.
Contact		Dr. Colin D. Stewart, Assistant Director, Pests, Pathogens, and Biocontrol Permits Permitting and Compliance Coordination, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 851-2327, email: [email protected]
FR Citation		82 FR 32317

82 FR 32317 - Availability of an Environmental Assessment for Release of Three Parasitoids for Biological Control of the Lily Leaf Beetle

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREAnimal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 133 (July 13, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service