83 FR 22944 - Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Preliminary Pest Risk Assessment for Permit for Release of Genetically Engineered Citrus tristeza virus
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 96 (May 17, 2018)
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 96 (May 17, 2018)
| Page Range | 22944-22945 | |
| FR Document | 2018-10490 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 96 (Thursday, May 17, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 22944-22945] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-10490] ======================================================================== 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. ======================================================================== Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 96 / Thursday, May 17, 2018 / Notices [[Page 22944]] DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS-2017-0018] Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Preliminary Pest Risk Assessment for Permit for Release of Genetically Engineered Citrus tristeza virus AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) and preliminary pest risk assessment (PRA) that evaluate the potential environmental impacts and plant pest risk associated with the proposed environmental release of genetically engineered Citrus tristeza virus. We are making the draft EIS and preliminary PRA available for public review and comment. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 25, 2018. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0018. Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2017-0018, 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- 0018 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. Alan Pearson, Chief, Plant Pests, and Protectants Branch, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238; (301) 851-3944, email: [email protected]. To obtain copies of the documents, contact Ms. Cindy Eck at (301) 851-3882, email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Under the authority of the plant pest provisions of the Plant Protection Act (PPA), as amended (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.), 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 organisms and products are considered ``regulated articles.'' The regulations in Sec. 340.2 contain a list of organisms considered to be regulated articles, including all members of groups containing plant viruses, and all insect viruses. The regulations in Sec. 340.4(a) provide that any person may submit an application for a permit for the introduction of a regulated article to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Paragraph (b) of Sec. 340.4 describes the form that an application for a permit for the environmental release of a regulated article must take and the information that must be included in the application. In addition, paragraph (b) states that applications must be submitted at least 120 days in advance of the proposed release into the environment in order to allow for APHIS review. However, the 120-day review period would be extended if preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS) is necessary. Under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), Federal agencies must examine the potential environmental impacts of proposed Federal actions that may significantly affect the quality of the human environment before those actions can be taken. In accordance with NEPA, regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1b), and APHIS' NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372), APHIS has considered how to properly examine the potential environmental impacts of issuing permits for the introduction of genetically engineered regulated articles into the United States. In a notice \1\ published in the Federal Register on April 10, 2017 (82 FR 17179-17180, Docket No. APHIS-2017-0018), APHIS announced its intention to prepare an EIS in connection with the potential approval of an application from Southern Gardens Citrus Nursery, LLC, seeking a permit for the environmental release of genetically engineered Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) throughout Florida. The virus has been genetically engineered to express defensin proteins from spinach as a biological control approach to managing citrus greening disease in the State of Florida. Citrus greening disease, also called huanglongbing, was first detected in the United States in 2005 in Florida, and has since become a devastating disease of citrus in Florida. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ To view the notice and the comments we received, go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0018. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- This approach for controlling citrus greening disease does not involve a genetically engineered tree. Instead, the gene from spinach that codes for the defensin protein will be delivered to the tree's circulatory system by the genetically engineered CTV. APHIS decided to prepare an EIS because of the scope of the proposed releases and to better understand the potential environmental impacts and the associated uncertainty related to permit issuance. APHIS solicited public comment for a period of 30 days ending May 10, 2017, as part of its scoping process to identify issues to address in the draft EIS. We [[Page 22945]] received a total of 94 public comments. Issues most frequently cited in public comments on the notice included: The potential for the genetically engineered CTV to change over time and the potential for recombination with other viruses; Impacts to non-target species; The potential for defensin proteins to be found in areas other than the phloem of the plant; The potential for the genetically engineered CTV to become more transmissible; The impacts to organic citrus growers; and Health and safety concerns. The issues discussed in the draft EIS were developed by considering the public input from the Federal Register notice announcing the intention to draft an EIS. APHIS evaluated these issues to analyze the potential environmental impacts of CTV and included a discussion of these issues in the draft EIS. Therefore, in accordance with NEPA, APHIS' NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372), and 7 CFR part 340, APHIS is making available the draft EIS, as well as a preliminary pest risk assessment (PRA), for a 45 day public review and comment period. The draft EIS and preliminary PRA are available as indicated under ADDRESSES and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above. A notice of availability regarding the draft EIS was also published by the Environmental Protection Agency in the Federal Register on May 11, 2018 (82 FR 22060, Docket No. ER-FRL-9039-3). Done in Washington, DC, this 11th day of May 2018. Kevin Shea, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2018-10490 Filed 5-16-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
![22944
Notices Federal Register
Vol. 83, No. 96
Thursday, May 17, 2018
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday Under the provisions of the National
contains documents other than rules or through Friday, except holidays. To be Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
proposed rules that are applicable to the sure someone is there to help you, 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
public. Notices of hearings and investigations, please call (202) 799–7039 before seq.), Federal agencies must examine
committee meetings, agency decisions and coming. the potential environmental impacts of
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of
proposed Federal actions that may
petitions and applications and agency FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
statements of organization and functions are significantly affect the quality of the
Alan Pearson, Chief, Plant Pests, and human environment before those
examples of documents appearing in this Protectants Branch, Biotechnology
section. actions can be taken. In accordance with
Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River NEPA, regulations of the Council on
Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737– Environmental Quality for
1238; (301) 851–3944, email: implementing the procedural provisions
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Alan.Pearson@aphis.usda.gov. To of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), U.S.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection obtain copies of the documents, contact Department of Agriculture regulations
Service Ms. Cindy Eck at (301) 851–3882, email: implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1b),
cynthia.a.eck@aphis.usda.gov. and APHIS’ NEPA Implementing
[Docket No. APHIS–2017–0018]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Procedures (7 CFR part 372), APHIS has
Draft Environmental Impact Statement considered how to properly examine the
Background
and Preliminary Pest Risk Assessment potential environmental impacts of
for Permit for Release of Genetically Under the authority of the plant pest issuing permits for the introduction of
Engineered Citrus tristeza virus provisions of the Plant Protection Act genetically engineered regulated articles
(PPA), as amended (7 U.S.C. 7701 et into the United States.
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health seq.), the regulations in 7 CFR part 340, In a notice 1 published in the Federal
Inspection Service, USDA. ‘‘Introduction of Organisms and Register on April 10, 2017 (82 FR
ACTION: Notice of availability. Products Altered or Produced Through 17179–17180, Docket No. APHIS–2017–
Genetic Engineering Which Are Plant 0018), APHIS announced its intention to
SUMMARY: We are advising the public prepare an EIS in connection with the
Pests or Which There Is Reason to
that the Animal and Plant Health potential approval of an application
Believe Are Plant Pests,’’ regulate,
Inspection Service has prepared a draft from Southern Gardens Citrus Nursery,
among other things, the introduction
environmental impact statement (EIS) LLC, seeking a permit for the
(importation, interstate movement, or
and preliminary pest risk assessment environmental release of genetically
release into the environment) of
(PRA) that evaluate the potential engineered Citrus tristeza virus (CTV)
organisms and products altered or
environmental impacts and plant pest throughout Florida. The virus has been
produced through genetic engineering
risk associated with the proposed genetically engineered to express
that are plant pests or that there is
environmental release of genetically defensin proteins from spinach as a
reason to believe are plant pests. Such
engineered Citrus tristeza virus. We are biological control approach to managing
genetically engineered organisms and
making the draft EIS and preliminary citrus greening disease in the State of
products are considered ‘‘regulated
PRA available for public review and Florida. Citrus greening disease, also
articles.’’ The regulations in § 340.2
comment. called huanglongbing, was first detected
contain a list of organisms considered to
DATES: We will consider all comments be regulated articles, including all in the United States in 2005 in Florida,
that we receive on or before June 25, members of groups containing plant and has since become a devastating
2018. viruses, and all insect viruses. disease of citrus in Florida.
This approach for controlling citrus
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments The regulations in § 340.4(a) provide
greening disease does not involve a
by either of the following methods: that any person may submit an
genetically engineered tree. Instead, the
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to application for a permit for the
gene from spinach that codes for the
http://www.regulations.gov/#!docket introduction of a regulated article to the
defensin protein will be delivered to the
Detail;D=APHIS-2017-0018. Animal and Plant Health Inspection
tree’s circulatory system by the
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Service (APHIS). Paragraph (b) of
genetically engineered CTV. APHIS
Send your comment to Docket No. § 340.4 describes the form that an
decided to prepare an EIS because of the
APHIS–2017–0018, Regulatory Analysis application for a permit for the
scope of the proposed releases and to
and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station environmental release of a regulated
better understand the potential
3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, article must take and the information
environmental impacts and the
Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. that must be included in the
associated uncertainty related to permit
Supporting documents and any application. In addition, paragraph (b)
issuance.
comments we receive on this docket states that applications must be
APHIS solicited public comment for a
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
may be viewed at http:// submitted at least 120 days in advance
period of 30 days ending May 10, 2017,
www.regulations.gov/#!docket of the proposed release into the
as part of its scoping process to identify
Detail;D=APHIS-2017-0018 or in our environment in order to allow for
issues to address in the draft EIS. We
reading room, which is located in Room APHIS review. However, the 120-day
1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th review period would be extended if 1 To view the notice and the comments we
Street and Independence Avenue SW, preparation of an environmental impact received, go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docket
Washington, DC. Normal reading room statement (EIS) is necessary. Detail;D=APHIS-2017-0018.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 96 / Thursday, May 17, 2018 / Notices 22945
received a total of 94 public comments. approved information collection in use of appropriate automated,
Issues most frequently cited in public support of the program for 7 CFR, part electronic, mechanical, or other
comments on the notice included: 1951, subpart R, ‘‘Rural Development technological collection techniques or
• The potential for the genetically Loan Servicing.’’ other forms of information technology.
engineered CTV to change over time and DATES: Comments on this notice must be Comments may be sent to Jeanne Jacobs,
the potential for recombination with received by July 16, 2018 to be assured Regulations and Paperwork
other viruses; of consideration. Management Branch, Support Services
• Impacts to non-target species; FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lori Division, U.S. Department of
• The potential for defensin proteins Hood, Rural Business-Cooperative Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP
to be found in areas other than the Service, USDA, STOP 3226, 1400 0742, 1400 Independence Ave. SW,
phloem of the plant; Independence Ave. SW, Washington, Washington, DC 20250. All responses to
• The potential for the genetically DC 20250–3226, Telephone: (202) 720– this notice will be summarized and
engineered CTV to become more 1400. included in the request for OMB
transmissible; approval. All comments will also
• The impacts to organic citrus SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
become a matter of public record.
growers; and Title: Intermediary Relending
Program. Dated: May 3, 2018.
• Health and safety concerns.
The issues discussed in the draft EIS OMB Number: 0570–0015. Bette B. Brand,
were developed by considering the Expiration Date of Approval: Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative
public input from the Federal Register September 30, 2018. Service.
notice announcing the intention to draft Type of Request: Revision of a [FR Doc. 2018–10549 Filed 5–16–18; 8:45 am]
an EIS. APHIS evaluated these issues to currently approved information BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P
analyze the potential environmental collection and recordkeeping
impacts of CTV and included a requirements.
Abstract: The regulations contain DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
discussion of these issues in the draft
various requirements for information
EIS.
from the intermediaries and some International Trade Administration
Therefore, in accordance with NEPA,
requirements may cause the
APHIS’ NEPA Implementing Procedures [A–570–932]
intermediary to require information
(7 CFR part 372), and 7 CFR part 340,
from ultimate recipients. The Certain Steel Threaded Rod From the
APHIS is making available the draft EIS,
information requested is vital to RBS for People’s Republic of China:
as well as a preliminary pest risk
prudent loan servicing, credit decisions, Preliminary Results of the
assessment (PRA), for a 45 day public
and reasonable program monitoring. Antidumping Duty Administrative
review and comment period. The draft
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting Review and Rescission of
EIS and preliminary PRA are available
for this collection of information is Antidumping Duty Administrative
as indicated under ADDRESSES and FOR
estimated to average 3 hours per Review, in Part; 2016–2017
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above.
response.
A notice of availability regarding the
Respondents: Non-profit corporations, AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance,
draft EIS was also published by the
public agencies, and cooperatives. International Trade Administration,
Environmental Protection Agency in the
Estimated Number of Respondents: Department of Commerce.
Federal Register on May 11, 2018 (82
450. SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce
FR 22060, Docket No. ER–FRL–9039–3).
Estimated Number of Responses per (Commerce) preliminarily determines
Done in Washington, DC, this 11th day of Respondent: 8.3. that Fastenal Canada Ltd. (Fastenal
May 2018. Estimated Number of Responses: Canada) did not cooperate to the best of
Kevin Shea, 3,741. its ability and has based its margin on
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Estimated Total Annual Burden on adverse facts available (AFA), and that
Inspection Service. Respondents: 11,253 hours. RMB Fasteners Ltd. and IFI & Morgan
[FR Doc. 2018–10490 Filed 5–16–18; 8:45 am] Copies of this information collection Ltd. (RMB/IFI) did not have any
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P can be obtained from Jeanne Jacobs, reviewable transactions during the POR.
Regulations and Paperwork DATES: Applicable May 17, 2018.
Management Branch, Support Services FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Division, at (202) 692–0040. Walker, AD/CVD Operations, Office V,
Comments: Comments are invited on: Enforcement and Compliance,
Rural Business-Cooperative Service (a) Whether the proposed collection of International Trade Administration,
information is necessary for the proper U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401
Notice of Request for Revision of a
performance of the functions of Constitution Avenue NW, Washington,
Currently Approved Information
Business and Cooperative Programs, DC 20230; telephone: 202.482.0413.
Collection
including whether the information will
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
AGENCY: Rural Business and Cooperative have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of
Programs, Rural Business-Cooperative Business and Cooperative Programs Background
Service, USDA. estimate of the burden of the proposed
On June 7, 2016, Commerce published
ACTION: Proposed collection; Comments collection of information including the
the Initiation Notice of the eighth
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
requested. validity of the methodology and
administrative review of the
assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance
antidumping duty (AD) order on steel
SUMMARY: In accordance with the the quality, utility, and clarity of the
threaded rod (STR) from China.1 The
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this information to be collected; and (d)
notice announces the Rural Business ways to minimize the burden of the 1 See Initiation of Antidumping and
and Cooperative Service’s intention to collection of information on those who Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews, 82 FR
request a revision for a currently are to respond, including through the 26444, 26448–50 (June 7, 2017) (Initiation Notice).
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:36 May 16, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\17MYN1.SGM 17MYN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_23040/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-05-17 00:50:47
Document Modified: 2018-05-17 00:50:47
| 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. | |
| Dates | We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 25, 2018. | |
| Contact | Dr. Alan Pearson, Chief, Plant Pests, and Protectants Branch, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238; (301) 851-3944, email: [email protected] To obtain copies of the documents, contact Ms. Cindy Eck at (301) 851-3882, email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 22944 |
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