82_FR_44333 82 FR 44151 - Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for a Biological Control Agent for Swallow-Worts

82 FR 44151 - Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for a Biological Control Agent for Swallow-Worts

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 182 (September 21, 2017)

Page Range44151-44152
FR Document2017-20122

We are advising the public that an environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact have been prepared by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service relative to the release of a leaf- feeding moth, Hypena opulenta, for the biological control of swallow- worts (Vincetoxicum nigrum and Vincetoxicum rossicum). Based on its finding of no significant impact, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 182 (Thursday, September 21, 2017) 
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 182 (Thursday, September 21, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44151-44152]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20122]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2017-0053]


Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No 
Significant Impact for a Biological Control Agent for Swallow-Worts

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: We are advising the public that an environmental assessment 
and finding of no significant impact have been prepared by the Animal 
and Plant Health Inspection Service relative to the release of a leaf-
feeding moth, Hypena opulenta, for the biological control of swallow-
worts (Vincetoxicum nigrum and Vincetoxicum rossicum). Based on its 
finding of no significant impact, the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service has determined that an environmental impact 
statement need not be prepared.

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: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) is proposing to issue permits for the release of a 
leaf-feeding moth, Hypena opulenta, into the continental United States 
for use as a biological control agent to reduce the severity of 
swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum nigrum and Vincetoxicum rossicum) 
infestations.
    On July 13, 2017, we published in the Federal Register (82 FR 
32318, Docket No. APHIS-2017-0053) 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 release of the biological control agent 
into the continental United States.
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    \1\ To view the notice, EA, FONSI, and the comments we received, 
go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0053.

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[[Page 44152]]

    We solicited comments on the EA for 30 days ending August 14, 2017. 
We received 28 comments by that date. With one exception, the comments 
supported the proposed release.
    In this document, we are advising the public of our finding of no 
significant impact (FONSI) regarding the release of Hypena opulenta 
into the continental United States for use as a biological control 
agent to reduce the severity of swallow-wort infestations. The finding, 
which is based on the EA, reflects our determination that release of 
this biological control agent will not have a significant impact on the 
quality of the human environment. Written responses to comments we 
received on the EA can be found in appendix 4 of the EA.
    The EA and FONSI may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site (see 
footnote 1). Copies of the EA and FONSI are also available for public 
inspection 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. In addition, copies 
may be obtained by calling or writing to the individual 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 15th day of September 2017.
Jere L. Dick,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-20122 Filed 9-20-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

44151 Notices Federal Register Vol. 82, No. 182 Thursday, September 21, 2017 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER Section 94.6 contains requirements DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE contains documents other than rules or governing the importation into the proposed rules that are applicable to the United States of carcasses, meat, parts or Animal and Plant Health Inspection public. Notices of hearings and investigations, products of carcasses, and eggs (other Service committee meetings, agency decisions and than hatching eggs) of poultry, game rulings, delegations of authority, filing of [Docket No. APHIS–2017–0053] petitions and applications and agency birds, or other birds from regions of the statements of organization and functions are world where HPAI exists or is Availability of an Environmental examples of documents appearing in this reasonably believed to exist. HPAI is an Assessment and Finding of No section. extremely infectious and potentially Significant Impact for a Biological fatal form of avian influenza in birds Control Agent for Swallow-Worts and poultry that, once established, can DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE spread rapidly from flock to flock. A list AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health of regions that the Animal and Plant Inspection Service, USDA. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Health Inspection Service (APHIS) ACTION: Notice. Service considers affected with HPAI of any [Docket No. APHIS–2017–0063] subtype is maintained on the APHIS SUMMARY: We are advising the public Web site at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/ that an environmental assessment and Addition of Uganda to the List of aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal- finding of no significant impact have Regions Affected by Highly Pathogenic and-animal-product-import- been prepared by the Animal and Plant Avian Influenza information/ct_animal_disease_status. Health Inspection Service relative to the AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health APHIS receives notice of HPAI release of a leaf-feeding moth, Hypena Inspection Service, USDA. outbreaks from veterinary officials of the opulenta, for the biological control of exporting country, from the World swallow-worts (Vincetoxicum nigrum ACTION: Notice. Organization for Animal Health (OIE), and Vincetoxicum rossicum). Based on SUMMARY: We are advising the public or from other sources the Administrator its finding of no significant impact, the that we are adding Uganda to the list of determines to be reliable. On January Animal and Plant Health Inspection regions that the Animal and Plant 15, 2017, the veterinary authorities of Service has determined that an Health Inspection Service considers to Uganda reported to the OIE the environmental impact statement need be affected by highly pathogenic avian confirmation on January 14, 2017, of not be prepared. influenza (HPAI). This action follows HPAI H5 in domestic ducks and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. our imposition of HPAI-related chickens in Bukakata (Masaka District). Colin D. Stewart, Assistant Director, restrictions on avian commodities The report indicated 30,000 domestic Pests, Pathogens, and Biocontrol originating from or transiting Uganda as birds were susceptible. The OIE Permits, Permitting and Compliance a result of the confirmation of HPAI in followup report dated January 27, 2017, Coordination, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Uganda. confirmed the HPAI subtype H5N8. Road, Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737– DATES: Uganda was added the list of 1231; (301) 851–2327, email: In response to that outbreak, APHIS regions under temporary restrictions on Colin.Stewart@aphis.usda.gov. placed restrictions on the importation of January 14, 2017. Uganda is added to poultry, commercial birds, other types SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The the list of regions considered to be of birds (research, performing), ratites, Animal and Plant Health Inspection affected by HPAI as of September 21, any avian hatching eggs, unprocessed Service (APHIS) is proposing to issue 2017. avian products and byproducts, and permits for the release of a leaf-feeding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. certain fresh poultry products from moth, Hypena opulenta, into the Rebecca Gordon, Import Risk Analyst, Uganda to mitigate risk of HPAI continental United States for use as a National Import Export Services, 920 introduction into the United States. biological control agent to reduce the Main Campus Drive, Suite 200, Raleigh, Those restrictions went into effect on severity of swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum North Carolina, 27606; phone (919) January 14, 2017. With the publication nigrum and Vincetoxicum rossicum) 855–7741; rebecca.k.gordon@ of this notice, we are adding Uganda to infestations. aphis.usda.gov. the list of regions APHIS considers On July 13, 2017, we published in the affected with HPAI of any subtype. Federal Register (82 FR 32318, Docket SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The No. APHIS–2017–0053) a notice 1 in regulations in 9 CFR part 94 (referred to Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 7701–7772, 7781– which we announced the availability, below as the regulations) govern the 7786, and 8301–8317; 21 U.S.C. 136 and for public review and comment, of an importation of certain animals and 136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and environmental assessment (EA) that asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES animal products into the United States 371.4. examined the potential environmental to prevent the introduction of various Done in Washington, DC, this 15th day of impacts associated with the proposed animal diseases, including Newcastle September 2017. release of the biological control agent disease and highly pathogenic avian Jere L. Dick, into the continental United States. influenza (HPAI). The regulations prohibit or restrict the importation of Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant 1 To view the notice, EA, FONSI, and the live poultry, poultry meat, and other Health Inspection Service. comments we received, go to http:// poultry products from regions where [FR Doc. 2017–20121 Filed 9–20–17; 8:45 am] www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS- these diseases are considered to exist. BILLING CODE 3410–34–P 2017-0053. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:52 Sep 20, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\21SEN1.SGM 21SEN1

44152 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 182 / Thursday, September 21, 2017 / Notices We solicited comments on the EA for Notice and request for ACTION: Technical Director, International 30 days ending August 14, 2017. We comments. Phytosanitary Standards, PPQ, APHIS, received 28 comments by that date. 4700 River Road, Unit 130, Riverdale, With one exception, the comments SUMMARY: In accordance with legislation MD, 20737; (301) 851–2264. supported the proposed release. implementing the results of the Uruguay Round of negotiations under the General SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In this document, we are advising the public of our finding of no significant Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, we are Background impact (FONSI) regarding the release of informing the public of the international standard-setting activities of the World The World Trade Organization (WTO) Hypena opulenta into the continental was established as the common United States for use as a biological Organization for Animal Health, the Secretariat of the International Plant international institutional framework for control agent to reduce the severity of governing trade relations among its Protection Convention, and the North swallow-wort infestations. The finding, members in matters related to the American Plant Protection Organization, which is based on the EA, reflects our Uruguay Round Agreements. The WTO and we are soliciting public comment determination that release of this is the successor organization to the on the standards to be considered. biological control agent will not have a General Agreement on Tariffs and significant impact on the quality of the ADDRESSES: You may submit comments Trade. U.S. membership in the WTO human environment. Written responses by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to was approved by Congress when it to comments we received on the EA can enacted the Uruguay Round Agreements http://www.regulations.gov/ be found in appendix 4 of the EA. Act (Pub. L. 103–465), which was #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0059. The EA and FONSI may be viewed on • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: signed into law on December 8, 1994. the Regulations.gov Web site (see Send your comment to Docket No. The WTO Agreements, which footnote 1). Copies of the EA and FONSI APHIS–2017–0059, Regulatory Analysis established the WTO, entered into force are also available for public inspection and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station with respect to the United States on in our reading room, which is located in 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, January 1, 1995. The Uruguay Round Room 1141 of the USDA South Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. Agreements Act amended Title IV of the Building, 14th Street and Independence Supporting documents and any Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19 Avenue SW., Washington, DC. Normal comments we receive on this docket U.S.C. 2531 et seq.). Section 491 of the reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 may be viewed at http:// Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as p.m., Monday through Friday, except www.regulations.gov/ amended (19 U.S.C. 2578), requires the holidays. To be sure someone is there to #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0059 or President to designate an agency to be help you, please call (202) 799–7039 in our reading room, which is located in responsible for informing the public of before coming. In addition, copies may Room 1141 of the USDA South the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) be obtained by calling or writing to the Building, 14th Street and Independence standard-setting activities of each individual listed under FOR FURTHER Avenue SW., Washington, DC. Normal international standard-setting INFORMATION CONTACT. reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 organization. The designated agency The EA and FONSI have been p.m., Monday through Friday, except must inform the public by publishing an prepared in accordance with: (1) The holidays. To be sure someone is there to annual notice in the Federal Register National Environmental Policy Act of help you, please call (202) 799–7039 that provides the following information: 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. before coming. (1) The SPS standards under 4321 et seq.), (2) regulations of the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For consideration or planned for Council on Environmental Quality for general information on the topics consideration by the international implementing the procedural provisions covered in this notice, contact Ms. standard-setting organization; and (2) of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), (3) Jessica Mahalingappa, Assistant Deputy for each SPS standard specified, a USDA regulations implementing NEPA Administrator for Trade and Capacity description of the consideration or (7 CFR part 1b), and (4) APHIS’ NEPA Building, International Services, APHIS, planned consideration of that standard, Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part Room 1132, USDA South Building, 14th a statement of whether the United States 372). Street and Independence Avenue SW., is participating or plans to participate in Done in Washington, DC, this 15th day of Washington, DC 20250; (202) 799–7121. the consideration of that standard, the September 2017. For specific information regarding agenda for U.S. participation, if any, and Jere L. Dick, standard-setting activities of the World the agency responsible for representing Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Organization for Animal Health, contact the United States with respect to that Health Inspection Service. Dr. Michael David, Director, standard. [FR Doc. 2017–20122 Filed 9–20–17; 8:45 am] International Animal Health Standards ‘‘International standard’’ is defined in BILLING CODE 3410–34–P Team, National Import Export Services, 19 U.S.C. 2578b as any standard, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 33, guideline, or recommendation: (1) Riverdale, MD 20737–1231; (301) 851– Adopted by the Codex Alimentarius DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 3302. Commission (Codex) regarding food For specific information regarding the safety; (2) developed under the auspices Animal and Plant Health Inspection standard-setting activities of the of the World Organization for Animal Service asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES International Plant Protection Health (OIE, formerly known as the Convention, contact Dr. Marina Zlotina, Office International des Epizooties) [Docket No. APHIS–2017–0059] regarding animal health and welfare and IPPC Technical Director, International International Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards, PPQ, APHIS, zoonoses; (3) developed under the Phytosanitary Standard-Setting 4700 River Road Unit 130, Riverdale, auspices of the Secretariat of the Activities MD 20737; (301) 851–2200. International Plant Protection For specific information on the North Convention (IPPC) and the North AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health American Plant Protection Organization, American Plant Protection Organization Inspection Service, USDA. contact Ms. Patricia Abad, NAPPO (NAPPO) regarding plant health; or (4) VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:52 Sep 20, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\21SEN1.SGM 21SEN1


Document Created: 2018-10-24 14:35:39
Document Modified: 2018-10-24 14:35:39
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.
ContactDr. 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 Citation82 FR 44151 
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