83_FR_26520 83 FR 26410 - Bayer CropScience LP; Availability of a Preliminary Plant Pest Risk Assessment, Draft Environmental Assessment, Preliminary Finding of No Significant Impact, and Preliminary Determination of Nonregulated Status for Cotton Genetically Engineered For Resistance to HPPD-Inhibitor Herbicides (e.g., Isoxaflutole) and Glyphosate

83 FR 26410 - Bayer CropScience LP; Availability of a Preliminary Plant Pest Risk Assessment, Draft Environmental Assessment, Preliminary Finding of No Significant Impact, and Preliminary Determination of Nonregulated Status for Cotton Genetically Engineered For Resistance to HPPD-Inhibitor Herbicides (e.g., Isoxaflutole) and Glyphosate

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 110 (June 7, 2018)

Page Range26410-26412
FR Document2018-12187

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared a preliminary determination regarding a request from Bayer CropScience LP seeking a determination of nonregulated status for cotton designated as event GHB811, which has been genetically engineered for dual resistance to HPPD-inhibitor herbicides (e.g., isoxaflutole) and the herbicide glyphosate. We are also making available for public review and comment our preliminary plant pest risk assessment, draft environmental assessment, and preliminary finding of no significant impact for the preliminary determination of nonregulated status.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 110 (Thursday, June 7, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 110 (Thursday, June 7, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26410-26412]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-12187]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2017-0073]


Bayer CropScience LP; Availability of a Preliminary Plant Pest 
Risk Assessment, Draft Environmental Assessment, Preliminary Finding of 
No Significant Impact, and Preliminary Determination of Nonregulated 
Status for Cotton Genetically Engineered For Resistance to HPPD-
Inhibitor Herbicides (e.g., Isoxaflutole) and Glyphosate

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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[[Page 26411]]

SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service has prepared a preliminary determination regarding a 
request from Bayer CropScience LP seeking a determination of 
nonregulated status for cotton designated as event GHB811, which has 
been genetically engineered for dual resistance to HPPD-inhibitor 
herbicides (e.g., isoxaflutole) and the herbicide glyphosate. We are 
also making available for public review and comment our preliminary 
plant pest risk assessment, draft environmental assessment, and 
preliminary finding of no significant impact for the preliminary 
determination of nonregulated status.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before July 
9, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0073.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2017-0073, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.
    The draft environmental assessment, preliminary regulatory 
determination, preliminary finding of no significant impact, 
preliminary plant pest risk assessment, and any comments we receive on 
this docket may be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0073 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.
    Supporting documents for this petition are also available on the 
APHIS website at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/petitions_table_pending.shtml under APHIS Petition Number 17-138-01p.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. John Turner, Director, 
Environmental Risk Analysis Programs, Biotechnology Regulatory 
Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; 
(301) 851-3954, email: [email protected]. To obtain copies 
of the petition, contact Ms. Cindy Eck at (301) 851-3892, email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Under the authority of the plant pest provisions of the Plant 
Protection Act (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 (GE) organisms and 
products are considered ``regulated articles.''
    The regulations in Sec.  340.6(a) provide that any person may 
submit a petition to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS) seeking a determination that an article should not be regulated 
under 7 CFR part 340. APHIS received a petition (APHIS Petition Number 
17-138-01p) from Bayer CropScience LP (Bayer) of Research Triangle 
Park, NC, seeking a determination of nonregulated status of cotton 
(Gossypium spp.) designated as event GHB811, which has been genetically 
engineered for dual resistance to HPPD-inhibitor herbicides (e.g., 
isoxaflutole) and the herbicide glyphosate. The Bayer petition states 
that information collected during field trials and laboratory analyses 
indicates that GHB811 cotton is not likely to be a plant pest and 
therefore should not be a regulated article under APHIS' regulations in 
7 CFR part 340.
    According to our process \1\ for soliciting public comment when 
considering petitions for determinations of nonregulated status of GE 
organisms, APHIS accepts written comments regarding a petition once 
APHIS deems it complete. In a notice \2\ published in the Federal 
Register on October 27, 2017 (82 FR 49782-49783, Docket No. APHIS-2017-
0073), APHIS announced the availability of the Bayer petition for 
public comment. APHIS solicited comments on the petition for 60 days 
ending on December 26, 2017, in order to help identify potential 
environmental and interrelated economic issues and impacts that APHIS 
may determine should be considered in our evaluation of the petition. 
APHIS received eight comments on the petition. One submission was in 
favor of the GHB811 cotton determination. Seven of the comments 
expressed a general disapproval of the planting and use of GE crops. Of 
the seven comments in opposition, two submissions contained attached 
comments by organizations. APHIS has evaluated the issues raised during 
the comment period and, where appropriate, has provided a discussion of 
these issues in our draft environmental assessment (EA).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ On March 6, 2012, APHIS published in the Federal Register 
(77 FR 13258-13260, Docket No. APHIS-2011-0129) a notice describing 
our public review process for soliciting public comments and 
information when considering petitions for determinations of 
nonregulated status for GE organisms. To view the notice, go to 
http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2011-0129.
    \2\ To view the notice, the petition, and the comments we 
received, go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-
2017-0073.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    After public comments are received on a completed petition, APHIS 
evaluates those comments and then provides a second opportunity for 
public involvement in our decisionmaking process. According to our 
public review process (see footnote 1), the second opportunity for 
public involvement follows one of two approaches, as described below.
    If APHIS decides, based on its review of the petition and its 
evaluation and analysis of comments received during the 60-day public 
comment period on the petition, that the petition involves a GE 
organism that raises no substantive new issues, APHIS will follow 
Approach 1 for public involvement. Under Approach 1, APHIS announces in 
the Federal Register the availability of APHIS' preliminary regulatory 
determination along with its draft EA, preliminary finding of no 
significant impact (FONSI), and its preliminary plant pest risk 
assessment (PPRA) for a 30-day public review period. APHIS will 
evaluate any information received related to the petition and its 
supporting documents during the 30-day public review period. For this 
petition, we are using Approach 1.
    Had APHIS decided, based on its review of the petition and its 
evaluation and analysis of comments received during the 60-day public 
comment period on the petition, that the petition involves a GE 
organism that raises substantive new issues, APHIS would follow 
Approach 2. Under Approach 2, APHIS first solicits written comments 
from the public on a draft EA and preliminary PPRA for a 30-day comment 
period through the publication of a Federal Register notice. Then, 
after reviewing and evaluating the comments on the draft EA and 
preliminary PPRA and other information, APHIS would revise the 
preliminary PPRA as necessary and prepare a final EA and, based on the 
final EA, a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) decision document 
(either a FONSI or a notice of intent to prepare an environmental 
impact statement).

[[Page 26412]]

    As part of our decisionmaking process regarding a GE organism's 
regulatory status, APHIS prepares a PPRA to assess the plant pest risk 
of the article. APHIS also prepares the appropriate environmental 
documentation--either an EA or an environmental impact statement--in 
accordance with NEPA, to provide the Agency and the public with a 
review and analysis of any potential environmental impacts that may 
result if the petition request is approved.
    APHIS has prepared a preliminary PPRA and has concluded that cotton 
designated as event GHB811, which has been genetically engineered for 
dual herbicides resistance, is unlikely to pose a plant pest risk. In 
section 403 of the Plant Protection Act, ``plant pest'' is defined as 
any living stage of any of the following that can directly or 
indirectly injure, cause damage to, or cause disease in any plant or 
plant product: A protozoan, a nonhuman animal, a parasitic plant, a 
bacterium, a fungus, a virus or viroid, an infectious agent or other 
pathogen, or any article similar to or allied with any of the 
foregoing.
    APHIS has also prepared a draft EA in which we present two 
alternatives based on our analysis of data submitted by Bayer, a review 
of other scientific data, field tests conducted under APHIS oversight, 
and comments received on the petition. APHIS is considering the 
following alternatives: (1) Take no action, i.e., APHIS would not 
change the regulatory status of cotton designated as event GHB811, or 
(2) make a determination of nonregulated status of cotton designated as 
event GHB811.
    The draft EA was prepared in accordance with (1) 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). Based on our draft EA and other pertinent scientific data, 
APHIS has prepared a preliminary FONSI with regard to the preferred 
alternative identified in the draft EA.
    Based on APHIS' analysis of field and laboratory data submitted by 
Bayer, references provided in the petition, peer-reviewed publications, 
information analyzed in the draft EA, the preliminary PPRA, comments 
provided by the public on the petition, and discussion of issues in the 
draft EA, APHIS has determined that cotton designated as event GHB811 
is unlikely to pose a plant pest risk. We have therefore reached a 
decision to make a preliminary determination of nonregulated status of 
cotton designated as event GHB811, whereby cotton designated as event 
GHB811 would no longer be subject to our regulations governing the 
introduction of certain GE organisms.
    We are making available for a 30-day review period APHIS' 
preliminary regulatory determination of cotton designated as event 
GHB811, along with our preliminary PPRA, draft EA, and preliminary 
FONSI for the preliminary determination of nonregulated status. The 
draft EA, preliminary FONSI, preliminary PPRA, and our preliminary 
determination for cotton designated as event GHB811, as well as the 
Bayer petition and the comments received on the petition, are available 
as indicated under ADDRESSES and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above. 
Copies of these documents may also be obtained from the person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    After the 30-day review period closes, APHIS will review and 
evaluate any information received during the 30-day review period. If, 
after evaluating the information received, APHIS determines that we 
have not received substantive new information that would warrant APHIS 
altering our preliminary regulatory determination or preliminary FONSI, 
substantially changing the proposed action identified in the draft EA, 
or substantially changing the analysis of impacts in the draft EA, 
APHIS will notify the public through an announcement on our website of 
our final regulatory determination. If, however, APHIS determines that 
we have received substantive new information that would warrant APHIS 
altering our preliminary regulatory determination or preliminary FONSI, 
substantially changing the proposed action identified in the draft EA, 
or substantially changing the analysis of impacts in the draft EA, then 
APHIS will conduct the additional analysis and prepare an amended EA, a 
new FONSI, and/or a revised PPRA, which would be made available for 
public review in a subsequent notice in the Federal Register, similar 
to an Approach 2 petition. APHIS will also notify the petitioner.

    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 1st day of June 2018.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-12187 Filed 6-6-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P



                                                26410

                                                Notices                                                                                                        Federal Register
                                                                                                                                                               Vol. 83, No. 110

                                                                                                                                                               Thursday, June 7, 2018



                                                This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER                       Within part 94, § 94.9 contains                     species or products susceptible to these
                                                contains documents other than rules or                  requirements governing the importation                 diseases.
                                                proposed rules that are applicable to the               of pork and pork products from regions                    On February 20, 2018, we published
                                                public. Notices of hearings and investigations,         where CSF exists. Section 94.10                        in the Federal Register (83 FR 7138,
                                                committee meetings, agency decisions and                contains importation requirements for                  Docket No. APHIS–2017–0098) a
                                                rulings, delegations of authority, filing of
                                                                                                        swine from regions where CSF is                        notice 1 in which we announced the
                                                petitions and applications and agency
                                                statements of organization and functions are            considered to exist. Section 94.12                     availability for review and comment of
                                                examples of documents appearing in this                 contains requirements governing the                    our evaluation of the CSF and SVD
                                                section.                                                importation of pork or pork products                   status of Japan. We solicited comments
                                                                                                        from regions where SVD exists. Section                 on the notice for 30 days ending on
                                                                                                        94.14 prohibits the importation of                     March 22, 2018. We received no
                                                DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                               domestic swine which are moved from                    comments on our evaluation.
                                                                                                        or transit any region in which SVD is                     Therefore, based on the findings of
                                                Animal and Plant Health Inspection                      known to exist.                                        our evaluation and the absence of
                                                Service                                                    In accordance with §§ 94.9(a)(1) and                comments that would lead us to
                                                                                                        94.10(a)(1), the Animal and Plant Health               reconsider those findings, we are
                                                [Docket No. APHIS–2017–0098]                            Inspection Service (APHIS) maintains a                 announcing our determination to add
                                                                                                        web-based list of regions which the                    Japan to the list of regions declared free
                                                Notice of a Determination Regarding                                                                            of CSF and the list of regions declared
                                                the Classical Swine Fever and Swine                     Agency considers free of CSF. Sections
                                                                                                        94.9(a)(2) and 94.10(a)(2) state that                  free of SVD. These lists are available on
                                                Vesicular Disease Status of Japan                                                                              the APHIS website at https://
                                                                                                        APHIS will add a region to this list after
                                                AGENCY:  Animal and Plant Health                        it conducts an evaluation of the region                www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/
                                                Inspection Service, USDA.                               and finds that CSF is not present.                     animalhealth/animal-and-animal-
                                                                                                                                                               product-import-information/ct_animal_
                                                ACTION: Notice.                                            Similarly, in accordance with                       disease_status.
                                                                                                        § 94.12(a)(1), APHIS maintains a web-
                                                SUMMARY:   We are advising the public of                based list of regions which the Agency                   Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 7701–7772, 7781–
                                                our determination that Japan is free of                                                                        7786, and 8301–8317; 21 U.S.C. 136 and
                                                                                                        considers free of SVD. Paragraph (a)(2)
                                                classical swine fever (CSF) and swine                                                                          136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and
                                                                                                        of this section states that APHIS will                 371.4.
                                                vesicular disease (SVD). Based on an                    add a region to this list after it conducts
                                                evaluation of the CSF and SVD status of                 an evaluation of the region and finds                    Done in Washington, DC, this 1st day of
                                                Japan, which we made available to the                                                                          June 2018.
                                                                                                        that SVD is not present.
                                                public for review and comment through                                                                          Kevin Shea,
                                                                                                           The regulations in § 92.2 contain
                                                a previous notice, the Administrator has                                                                       Administrator, Animal and Plant Health
                                                                                                        requirements for requesting the
                                                determined that CSF and SVD are not                                                                            Inspection Service.
                                                                                                        recognition of the animal health status
                                                present in Japan and that live swine,                                                                          [FR Doc. 2018–12186 Filed 6–6–18; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                        of a region (as well as for the approval
                                                pork, and pork products may safely be                                                                          BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
                                                                                                        of the export of a particular type of
                                                imported into the United States from
                                                                                                        animal or animal product to the United
                                                Japan subject to conditions in the
                                                                                                        States from a foreign region). If, after
                                                regulations.                                                                                                   DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
                                                                                                        review and evaluation of the
                                                DATES:  This change in Japan’s CSF and                  information submitted in support of the                Animal and Plant Health Inspection
                                                SVD status will be recognized on July 9,                request, APHIS believes the request can                Service
                                                2018.                                                   be safely granted, APHIS will make its
                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.                    evaluation available for public comment                [Docket No. APHIS–2017–0073]
                                                Kelly Rhodes, Senior Staff Veterinarian,                through a document published in the
                                                                                                                                                               Bayer CropScience LP; Availability of
                                                Regionalization Evaluation Services,                    Federal Register. Following the close of
                                                                                                                                                               a Preliminary Plant Pest Risk
                                                National Import Export Services, VS,                    the comment period, APHIS will review
                                                                                                                                                               Assessment, Draft Environmental
                                                APHIS, USDA, 4700 River Road Unit 38,                   all comments received and will make a
                                                                                                                                                               Assessment, Preliminary Finding of No
                                                Riverdale, MD 20737–1231; email:                        final determination regarding the
                                                                                                                                                               Significant Impact, and Preliminary
                                                Kelly.Rhodes@aphis.usda.gov; (301)                      request that will be detailed in another
                                                                                                                                                               Determination of Nonregulated Status
                                                851–3315.                                               document published in the Federal
                                                                                                                                                               for Cotton Genetically Engineered For
                                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              Register.
                                                                                                                                                               Resistance to HPPD-Inhibitor
                                                   The regulations in 9 CFR part 94                        In accordance with that process, Japan              Herbicides (e.g., Isoxaflutole) and
                                                (referred to below as the regulations)                  requested that APHIS evaluate the CSF                  Glyphosate
                                                govern the importation of certain                       and SVD disease status of the country.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                animals and animal products into the                    Based on our evaluation, we determined                 AGENCY:  Animal and Plant Health
                                                United States in order to prevent the                   that Japan is free of both CSF and SVD                 Inspection Service, USDA.
                                                introduction of various animal diseases,                and that the surveillance, prevention,                 ACTION: Notice.
                                                including classical swine fever (CSF)                   and control measures implemented by
                                                and swine vesicular disease (SVD).                      Japan are sufficient to minimize the                     1 To view the notice and the supporting
                                                These are dangerous and communicable                    likelihood of introducing CSF and SVD                  documents, go to https://www.regulations.gov/
                                                diseases of swine.                                      into the United States via imports of                  docket?D=APHIS20170098.



                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:19 Jun 06, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00001   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\07JNN1.SGM   07JNN1


                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 110 / Thursday, June 7, 2018 / Notices                                            26411

                                                SUMMARY:   We are advising the public                   U.S.C. 7701 et seq.), the regulations in               of the petition. APHIS received eight
                                                that the Animal and Plant Health                        7 CFR part 340, ‘‘Introduction of                      comments on the petition. One
                                                Inspection Service has prepared a                       Organisms and Products Altered or                      submission was in favor of the GHB811
                                                preliminary determination regarding a                   Produced Through Genetic Engineering                   cotton determination. Seven of the
                                                request from Bayer CropScience LP                       Which Are Plant Pests or Which There                   comments expressed a general
                                                seeking a determination of nonregulated                 Is Reason to Believe Are Plant Pests,’’                disapproval of the planting and use of
                                                status for cotton designated as event                   regulate, among other things, the                      GE crops. Of the seven comments in
                                                GHB811, which has been genetically                      introduction (importation, interstate                  opposition, two submissions contained
                                                engineered for dual resistance to HPPD-                 movement, or release into the                          attached comments by organizations.
                                                inhibitor herbicides (e.g., isoxaflutole)               environment) of organisms and products                 APHIS has evaluated the issues raised
                                                and the herbicide glyphosate. We are                    altered or produced through genetic                    during the comment period and, where
                                                also making available for public review                 engineering that are plant pests or that               appropriate, has provided a discussion
                                                and comment our preliminary plant pest                  there is reason to believe are plant pests.            of these issues in our draft
                                                risk assessment, draft environmental                    Such genetically engineered (GE)                       environmental assessment (EA).
                                                assessment, and preliminary finding of                  organisms and products are considered                     After public comments are received
                                                no significant impact for the                           ‘‘regulated articles.’’                                on a completed petition, APHIS
                                                preliminary determination of                               The regulations in § 340.6(a) provide               evaluates those comments and then
                                                nonregulated status.                                    that any person may submit a petition                  provides a second opportunity for
                                                DATES: We will consider all comments                    to the Animal and Plant Health                         public involvement in our
                                                that we receive on or before July 9,                    Inspection Service (APHIS) seeking a                   decisionmaking process. According to
                                                2018.                                                   determination that an article should not               our public review process (see footnote
                                                                                                        be regulated under 7 CFR part 340.                     1), the second opportunity for public
                                                ADDRESSES: You may submit comments                      APHIS received a petition (APHIS
                                                by either of the following methods:                                                                            involvement follows one of two
                                                                                                        Petition Number 17–138–01p) from
                                                   • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to                  Bayer CropScience LP (Bayer) of
                                                                                                                                                               approaches, as described below.
                                                http://www.regulations.gov/#!docket                                                                               If APHIS decides, based on its review
                                                                                                        Research Triangle Park, NC, seeking a
                                                Detail;D=APHIS-2017-0073.                                                                                      of the petition and its evaluation and
                                                                                                        determination of nonregulated status of
                                                   • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:                                                                          analysis of comments received during
                                                                                                        cotton (Gossypium spp.) designated as
                                                Send your comment to Docket No.                                                                                the 60-day public comment period on
                                                                                                        event GHB811, which has been
                                                APHIS–2017–0073, Regulatory Analysis                                                                           the petition, that the petition involves a
                                                                                                        genetically engineered for dual
                                                and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station                                                                           GE organism that raises no substantive
                                                                                                        resistance to HPPD-inhibitor herbicides
                                                3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118,                                                                             new issues, APHIS will follow
                                                                                                        (e.g., isoxaflutole) and the herbicide
                                                Riverdale, MD 20737–1238.                                                                                      Approach 1 for public involvement.
                                                                                                        glyphosate. The Bayer petition states
                                                   The draft environmental assessment,                                                                         Under Approach 1, APHIS announces in
                                                                                                        that information collected during field
                                                preliminary regulatory determination,                                                                          the Federal Register the availability of
                                                                                                        trials and laboratory analyses indicates
                                                preliminary finding of no significant                                                                          APHIS’ preliminary regulatory
                                                                                                        that GHB811 cotton is not likely to be
                                                impact, preliminary plant pest risk                                                                            determination along with its draft EA,
                                                                                                        a plant pest and therefore should not be
                                                assessment, and any comments we                                                                                preliminary finding of no significant
                                                                                                        a regulated article under APHIS’
                                                receive on this docket may be viewed at                                                                        impact (FONSI), and its preliminary
                                                                                                        regulations in 7 CFR part 340.
                                                http://www.regulations.gov/#!docket                        According to our process 1 for                      plant pest risk assessment (PPRA) for a
                                                Detail;D=APHIS-2017-0073 or in our                      soliciting public comment when                         30-day public review period. APHIS
                                                reading room, which is located in room                  considering petitions for determinations               will evaluate any information received
                                                1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th                   of nonregulated status of GE organisms,                related to the petition and its supporting
                                                Street and Independence Avenue SW,                      APHIS accepts written comments                         documents during the 30-day public
                                                Washington, DC. Normal reading room                     regarding a petition once APHIS deems                  review period. For this petition, we are
                                                hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday                   it complete. In a notice 2 published in                using Approach 1.
                                                through Friday, except holidays. To be                  the Federal Register on October 27,                       Had APHIS decided, based on its
                                                sure someone is there to help you,                      2017 (82 FR 49782–49783, Docket No.                    review of the petition and its evaluation
                                                please call (202) 799–7039 before                       APHIS–2017–0073), APHIS announced                      and analysis of comments received
                                                coming.                                                 the availability of the Bayer petition for             during the 60-day public comment
                                                   Supporting documents for this                                                                               period on the petition, that the petition
                                                                                                        public comment. APHIS solicited
                                                petition are also available on the APHIS                                                                       involves a GE organism that raises
                                                                                                        comments on the petition for 60 days
                                                website at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/                                                                          substantive new issues, APHIS would
                                                                                                        ending on December 26, 2017, in order
                                                biotechnology/petitions_table_                                                                                 follow Approach 2. Under Approach 2,
                                                                                                        to help identify potential environmental
                                                pending.shtml under APHIS Petition                                                                             APHIS first solicits written comments
                                                                                                        and interrelated economic issues and
                                                Number 17–138–01p.                                                                                             from the public on a draft EA and
                                                                                                        impacts that APHIS may determine
                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.                                                                           preliminary PPRA for a 30-day comment
                                                                                                        should be considered in our evaluation
                                                John Turner, Director, Environmental                                                                           period through the publication of a
                                                Risk Analysis Programs, Biotechnology                     1 On March 6, 2012, APHIS published in the           Federal Register notice. Then, after
                                                Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River                  Federal Register (77 FR 13258–13260, Docket No.        reviewing and evaluating the comments
                                                Road, Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737–                    APHIS–2011–0129) a notice describing our public        on the draft EA and preliminary PPRA
                                                1236; (301) 851–3954, email:                            review process for soliciting public comments and      and other information, APHIS would
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                        information when considering petitions for
                                                john.t.turner@aphis.usda.gov. To obtain                 determinations of nonregulated status for GE           revise the preliminary PPRA as
                                                copies of the petition, contact Ms. Cindy               organisms. To view the notice, go to http://           necessary and prepare a final EA and,
                                                Eck at (301) 851–3892, email:                           www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-            based on the final EA, a National
                                                cynthia.a.eck@aphis.usda.gov.                           2011-0129.                                             Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
                                                                                                          2 To view the notice, the petition, and the
                                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              comments we received, go to http://
                                                                                                                                                               decision document (either a FONSI or a
                                                   Under the authority of the plant pest                www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-            notice of intent to prepare an
                                                provisions of the Plant Protection Act (7               2017-0073.                                             environmental impact statement).


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                                                26412                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 110 / Thursday, June 7, 2018 / Notices

                                                   As part of our decisionmaking process                preliminary determination of                           COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
                                                regarding a GE organism’s regulatory                    nonregulated status of cotton designated
                                                status, APHIS prepares a PPRA to assess                 as event GHB811, whereby cotton                        Notice of Public Meeting of the Idaho
                                                the plant pest risk of the article. APHIS               designated as event GHB811 would no                    Advisory Committee
                                                also prepares the appropriate                           longer be subject to our regulations
                                                                                                                                                               AGENCY: U.S. Commission on Civil
                                                environmental documentation—either                      governing the introduction of certain GE
                                                                                                                                                               Rights.
                                                an EA or an environmental impact                        organisms.
                                                                                                           We are making available for a 30-day                ACTION: Announcement of meeting.
                                                statement—in accordance with NEPA,
                                                to provide the Agency and the public                    review period APHIS’ preliminary                       SUMMARY:   Notice is hereby given,
                                                with a review and analysis of any                       regulatory determination of cotton                     pursuant to the provisions of the rules
                                                potential environmental impacts that                    designated as event GHB811, along with                 and regulations of the U.S. Commission
                                                may result if the petition request is                   our preliminary PPRA, draft EA, and                    on Civil Rights (Commission) and the
                                                approved.                                               preliminary FONSI for the preliminary                  Federal Advisory Committee Act
                                                   APHIS has prepared a preliminary                     determination of nonregulated status.                  (FACA) that a meeting of the Idaho
                                                PPRA and has concluded that cotton                      The draft EA, preliminary FONSI,                       Advisory Committee (Committee) to the
                                                designated as event GHB811, which has                   preliminary PPRA, and our preliminary                  Commission will be held at 1:00 p.m.
                                                been genetically engineered for dual                    determination for cotton designated as                 (Mountain Time) Wednesday, June 20,
                                                herbicides resistance, is unlikely to pose              event GHB811, as well as the Bayer                     2018, for the purpose of discussing
                                                a plant pest risk. In section 403 of the                petition and the comments received on                  potential civil rights topics of study.
                                                Plant Protection Act, ‘‘plant pest’’ is                 the petition, are available as indicated
                                                                                                                                                               DATES: The meeting will be held on
                                                defined as any living stage of any of the               under ADDRESSES and FOR FURTHER
                                                following that can directly or indirectly                                                                      Wednesday, June 20, 2018, at 1:00 p.m.
                                                                                                        INFORMATION CONTACT above. Copies of
                                                injure, cause damage to, or cause                                                                              MT.
                                                                                                        these documents may also be obtained                      Public Call Information:
                                                disease in any plant or plant product: A                from the person listed under FOR                          Dial: 877–675–4751.
                                                protozoan, a nonhuman animal, a                         FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.                              Conference ID: 5522721.
                                                parasitic plant, a bacterium, a fungus, a                  After the 30-day review period closes,
                                                                                                                                                               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                virus or viroid, an infectious agent or                 APHIS will review and evaluate any
                                                other pathogen, or any article similar to                                                                      Angelica Trevino at atrevino@usccr.gov
                                                                                                        information received during the 30-day
                                                or allied with any of the foregoing.                                                                           or (213) 894–3437.
                                                                                                        review period. If, after evaluating the
                                                   APHIS has also prepared a draft EA in                                                                       SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
                                                                                                        information received, APHIS determines
                                                which we present two alternatives based                 that we have not received substantive                  meeting is available to the public
                                                on our analysis of data submitted by                    new information that would warrant                     through the following toll-free call-in
                                                Bayer, a review of other scientific data,               APHIS altering our preliminary                         number: 877–675–4751, conference ID
                                                field tests conducted under APHIS                       regulatory determination or preliminary                number: 5522721. Any interested
                                                oversight, and comments received on                     FONSI, substantially changing the                      member of the public may call this
                                                the petition. APHIS is considering the                  proposed action identified in the draft                number and listen to the meeting.
                                                following alternatives: (1) Take no                     EA, or substantially changing the                      Callers can expect to incur charges for
                                                action, i.e., APHIS would not change the                analysis of impacts in the draft EA,                   calls they initiate over wireless lines,
                                                regulatory status of cotton designated as               APHIS will notify the public through an                and the Commission will not refund any
                                                event GHB811, or (2) make a                             announcement on our website of our                     incurred charges. Callers will incur no
                                                determination of nonregulated status of                 final regulatory determination. If,                    charge for calls they initiate over land-
                                                cotton designated as event GHB811.                      however, APHIS determines that we                      line connections to the toll-free
                                                   The draft EA was prepared in                         have received substantive new                          telephone number. Persons with hearing
                                                accordance with (1) NEPA, as amended                    information that would warrant APHIS                   impairments may also follow the
                                                (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), (2) regulations               altering our preliminary regulatory                    proceedings by first calling the Federal
                                                of the Council on Environmental                         determination or preliminary FONSI,                    Relay Service at 1–800–877–8339 and
                                                Quality for implementing the                            substantially changing the proposed                    providing the Service with the
                                                procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR                   action identified in the draft EA, or                  conference call number and conference
                                                parts 1500–1508), (3) USDA regulations                  substantially changing the analysis of                 ID number.
                                                implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1b),                                                                                Members of the public are entitled to
                                                                                                        impacts in the draft EA, then APHIS
                                                and (4) APHIS’ NEPA Implementing                                                                               make comments during the open period
                                                                                                        will conduct the additional analysis and
                                                Procedures (7 CFR part 372). Based on                                                                          at the end of the meeting. Members of
                                                                                                        prepare an amended EA, a new FONSI,
                                                our draft EA and other pertinent                                                                               the public may also submit written
                                                                                                        and/or a revised PPRA, which would be
                                                scientific data, APHIS has prepared a                                                                          comments; the comments must be
                                                                                                        made available for public review in a
                                                preliminary FONSI with regard to the                                                                           received in the Regional Programs Unit
                                                                                                        subsequent notice in the Federal
                                                preferred alternative identified in the                                                                        within 30 days following the meeting.
                                                                                                        Register, similar to an Approach 2
                                                draft EA.                                                                                                      Written comments may be mailed to the
                                                   Based on APHIS’ analysis of field and                petition. APHIS will also notify the
                                                                                                                                                               Western Regional Office, U.S.
                                                laboratory data submitted by Bayer,                     petitioner.
                                                                                                                                                               Commission on Civil Rights, 300 North
                                                references provided in the petition,                      Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7701–7772 and 7781–              Los Angeles Street, Suite 2010, Los
                                                peer-reviewed publications, information                 7786; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and            Angeles, CA 90012. They may be faxed
                                                analyzed in the draft EA, the                           371.3.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                                                               to the Commission at (213) 894–0508, or
                                                preliminary PPRA, comments provided                       Done in Washington, DC, this 1st day of              emailed Angelica Trevino at atrevino@
                                                by the public on the petition, and                      June 2018.                                             usccr.gov. Persons who desire
                                                discussion of issues in the draft EA,                   Kevin Shea,                                            additional information may contact the
                                                APHIS has determined that cotton                        Administrator, Animal and Plant Health                 Regional Programs Unit at (213) 894–
                                                designated as event GHB811 is unlikely                  Inspection Service.                                    3437.
                                                to pose a plant pest risk. We have                      [FR Doc. 2018–12187 Filed 6–6–18; 8:45 am]                Records and documents discussed
                                                therefore reached a decision to make a                  BILLING CODE 3410–34–P                                 during the meeting will be available for


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Document Created: 2018-06-07 00:50:52
Document Modified: 2018-06-07 00:50:52
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 July 9, 2018.
ContactDr. John Turner, Director, Environmental Risk Analysis Programs, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 851-3954, email: [email protected] To obtain copies of the petition, contact Ms. Cindy Eck at (301) 851-3892, email: [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 26410 

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