83 FR 30688 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement; Movement and Outdoor Use of Certain Genetically Engineered Organisms
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 126 (June 29, 2018)
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 126 (June 29, 2018)
| Page Range | 30688-30689 | |
| FR Document | 2018-14019 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 126 (Friday, June 29, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 30688-30689] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-14019] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS-2018-0034] Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement; Movement and Outdoor Use of Certain Genetically Engineered Organisms AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) plans to prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement (EIS) in connection with potential changes to the regulations regarding the importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain genetically engineered organisms. This notice identifies potential issues to be evaluated in the EIS and requests public comments to define the scope of the alternatives and environmental impacts and issues for APHIS to consider. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before July 30, 2018. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2018-0034. Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2018-0034, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737- 1238. Any comments we receive may be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2018-0034 or in our reading room, which is located in Room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 799-7039 before coming. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Joanne Serrels, Biotechnologist, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238; (301) 851-3867. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Plant Protection Act (PPA) authorizes the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to protect plant health in the United States. Under that authority, APHIS currently regulates the introduction (movement into the United States or interstate, or release into the environment) of genetically engineered (GE) organisms that may present a plant pest risk through its 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.'' These regulations are intended to protect against plant pest risks to plant health by providing for the safe importation, interstate movement, or release into the environment of certain GE organisms. APHIS' regulation of certain GE organisms to protect plant health is aligned with the Federal Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology (henceforth referred to as the Coordinated Framework), the comprehensive Federal regulatory policy for ensuring the safety of biotechnology research and products in the United States. The Coordinated Framework describes how Federal agencies will use their regulatory authorities under existing Federal statutes to ensure public health and environmental safety while maintaining regulatory flexibility to avoid impeding the growth of the biotechnology industry. The Coordinated Framework sets forth a science- and risk-based approach for the oversight of activities that introduce biotechnology products into the environment and describes the roles and responsibilities for the three major Federal agencies involved in [[Page 30689]] regulating biotechnology products: APHIS, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Food and Drug Administration. This document addresses only proposed changes to the APHIS regulations and is not intended to circumscribe, restrict, or otherwise preclude future actions taken by other Federal agencies under their respective authorities. During the past 30 years, there have been major advances in the science of biotechnology, and new issues have been brought to APHIS' attention by a range of stakeholders. Over this period, APHIS has also gained considerable experience in assessing the plant health risks of GE organisms. Accordingly, APHIS is considering amending the regulations pertaining to movement and outdoor use of certain GE organisms to address the advances in biotechnology and APHIS' understanding of the issues raised by stakeholders. The proposed revisions would allow APHIS to more effectively protect plant health under the PPA by focusing APHIS' regulations in 7 CFR part 340 on risks that may be posed by certain GE organisms rather than on the methods used to produce the products and would also make the regulatory processes more transparent while removing unnecessary regulatory burdens. Under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), Federal agencies must examine the potential environmental impacts of proposed Federal actions and alternatives. We are planning to prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement (EIS) in connection with the proposed revisions to APHIS' biotechnology regulations that are being considered. Aspects of the human environment that may be affected by the proposed regulatory changes and that we have preliminarily identified for evaluation in the EIS will include potential impacts on: U.S. agriculture and forestry production (e.g., conventional, biotechnology-based, and organic); Current and future uses of certain GE organisms in agriculture and forestry; Agronomic practices employed in GE crop production that may have environmental consequences or effects (e.g., tillage, crop rotation, weed and pest control, and agronomic inputs); Aspects of the physical environment, including soil quality, water resources, and air quality, with consideration given to the effects of dynamic climate conditions; Aspects of the biological environment, such as animal and plant communities, the development of weed, pathogen, and insect resistance to pesticides, the potential gene flow from certain GE organisms to sexually compatible species, the weediness of GE crop plants, and biodiversity; Consumer health and agricultural worker safety; and Animal feed safety, availability, quality, and animal health. We will also examine socioeconomic considerations, such as the potential impacts of crop plants that are GE organisms on the domestic economic environment, international trade, and coexistence among all forms of U.S. agriculture--conventional, biotechnology-based, and organic--and on market demand for food, feed, fiber, and fuel. The EIS will be prepared in accordance with: (1) NEPA, (2) regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), (3) U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1b), and (4) APHIS' NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372). This notice identifies the potential issues that will be evaluated in the EIS, and requests public comment to help APHIS further define the issues and alternatives that should be considered and to help APHIS identify additional impacts, both positive and negative, to the human environment that should be examined in the EIS. Public input will also be helpful in developing our proposed regulations. All comments received during the comment period will be carefully considered. A notice will be published in the Federal Register to announce the availability of the draft EIS when it is issued and to invite the public to provide comments. Done in Washington, DC, this 26th day of June 2018. Kevin Shea, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2018-14019 Filed 6-28-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
![30688 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 126 / Friday, June 29, 2018 / Notices
Additional U.S. Note 5, Chapter 17 in will open on October 10, 2018, and be 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118,
the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule equal to 50,000 MTRV. The third Riverdale, MD 20737–1238.
(HTS) authorize the Secretary to tranche of 50,000 MTRV will open on Any comments we receive may be
establish the in-quota tariff-rate quota January 23, 2019. The fourth tranche of viewed at http://www.regulations.gov/
(TRQ) amounts (expressed in terms of 35,000 MTRV will open on April 17, #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2018-0034 or
raw value) for imports of raw cane sugar 2019. The fifth tranche will open on in our reading room, which is located in
and certain sugars, syrups, and molasses July 17, 2019, and be equal to 35,000 Room 1141 of the USDA South
that may be entered under the MTRV. The second, third, fourth, and Building, 14th Street and Independence
subheadings of the HTS subject to the fifth tranches will be reserved for Avenue SW, Washington, DC. Normal
lower tier of duties during each fiscal organic sugar and other specialty sugars reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30
year. The Office of the U.S. Trade not currently produced commercially in p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Representative (USTR) is responsible for the United States or reasonably holidays. To be sure someone is there to
the allocation of these quantities among available from domestic sources. help you, please call (202) 799–7039
supplying countries and areas. * Conversion factor: 1 metric ton = before coming.
Section 359(k) of the Agricultural 1.10231125 short tons. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Adjustment Act of 1938, as amended, Joanne Serrels, Biotechnologist,
Dated: June 25, 2018.
requires that at the beginning of the Biotechnology Regulatory Services,
quota year the Secretary of Agriculture Jason Hafemeister,
Acting Under Secretary, Trade and Foreign APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 147,
establish the TRQs for raw cane sugar Riverdale, MD 20737–1238; (301) 851–
and refined sugars at the minimum Agricultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2018–14018 Filed 6–28–18; 8:45 am] 3867.
levels necessary to comply with
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
obligations under international trade BILLING CODE 3410–10–P
agreements, with the exception of Background
specialty sugar.
The Secretary’s authority under DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE The Plant Protection Act (PPA)
paragraph (a)(i) of the Additional U.S. authorizes the Animal and Plant Health
Note 5, Chapter 17 in the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Inspection Service (APHIS) to protect
Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) and Service plant health in the United States. Under
Section 359(k) of the Agricultural that authority, APHIS currently
Adjustment Act of 1938, as amended, [Docket No. APHIS–2018–0034] regulates the introduction (movement
has been delegated to the Under into the United States or interstate, or
Notice of Intent To Prepare an release into the environment) of
Secretary for Trade and Foreign
Environmental Impact Statement; genetically engineered (GE) organisms
Agricultural Affairs (7 CFR 2.26).
Notice is hereby given that I have Movement and Outdoor Use of Certain that may present a plant pest risk
determined, in accordance with Genetically Engineered Organisms through its regulations in 7 CFR part
paragraph (a)(i) of the Additional U.S. 340, ‘‘Introduction of Organisms and
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health
Note 5, Chapter 17 in the HTS and Products Altered or Produced Through
Inspection Service, USDA.
section 359(k) of the 1938 Act, that an Genetic Engineering Which Are Plant
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a Pests or Which There Is Reason to
aggregate quantity of up to 1,117,195
programmatic environmental impact Believe Are Plant Pests.’’ These
MTRV of raw cane sugar may be entered
statement. regulations are intended to protect
or withdrawn from warehouse for
consumption during FY 2019. This is SUMMARY: We are advising the public against plant pest risks to plant health
the minimum amount to which the that the Animal and Plant Health by providing for the safe importation,
United States is committed under the Inspection Service (APHIS) plans to interstate movement, or release into the
WTO Uruguay Round Agreements. I prepare a programmatic environmental environment of certain GE organisms.
have further determined that an impact statement (EIS) in connection APHIS’ regulation of certain GE
aggregate quantity of 192,000 MTRV of with potential changes to the organisms to protect plant health is
sugars, syrups, and molasses may be regulations regarding the importation, aligned with the Federal Coordinated
entered or withdrawn from warehouse interstate movement, and environmental Framework for the Regulation of
for consumption during FY 2019. This release of certain genetically engineered Biotechnology (henceforth referred to as
quantity includes the minimum amount organisms. This notice identifies the Coordinated Framework), the
to which the United States is committed potential issues to be evaluated in the comprehensive Federal regulatory
under the WTO Uruguay Round EIS and requests public comments to policy for ensuring the safety of
Agreements, 22,000 MTRV, of which define the scope of the alternatives and biotechnology research and products in
20,344 MTRV is established for any environmental impacts and issues for the United States. The Coordinated
sugars, syrups and molasses, and 1,656 APHIS to consider. Framework describes how Federal
MTRV is reserved for specialty sugar. agencies will use their regulatory
DATES: We will consider all comments
An additional amount of 170,000 MTRV authorities under existing Federal
that we receive on or before July 30, statutes to ensure public health and
is added to the specialty sugar TRQ for
2018. environmental safety while maintaining
a total of 171,656 MTRV.
Because the specialty sugar TRQ is ADDRESSES: You may submit comments regulatory flexibility to avoid impeding
first-come, first-served, tranches are by either of the following methods: the growth of the biotechnology
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
needed to allow for orderly marketing • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to industry. The Coordinated Framework
throughout the year. The FY 2019 http://www.regulations.gov/#!docket sets forth a science- and risk-based
specialty sugar TRQ will be opened in Detail;D=APHIS-2018-0034. approach for the oversight of activities
five tranches. The first tranche, totaling • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: that introduce biotechnology products
1,656 MTRV, will open October 1, 2018. Send your comment to Docket No. into the environment and describes the
All specialty sugars are eligible for entry APHIS–2018–0034, Regulatory Analysis roles and responsibilities for the three
under this tranche. The second tranche and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station major Federal agencies involved in
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 126 / Friday, June 29, 2018 / Notices 30689
regulating biotechnology products: communities, the development of weed, on Civil Rights (Commission) and the
APHIS, the Environmental Protection pathogen, and insect resistance to Federal Advisory Committee Act that
Agency, and the Food and Drug pesticides, the potential gene flow from the Tennessee Advisory Committee will
Administration. This document certain GE organisms to sexually hold a meeting on Wednesday, August
addresses only proposed changes to the compatible species, the weediness of GE 8, 2018 to work on post-report planning
APHIS regulations and is not intended crop plants, and biodiversity; for the Civil Asset Forfeiture report and
to circumscribe, restrict, or otherwise • Consumer health and agricultural discuss potential future work on legal
preclude future actions taken by other worker safety; and financial obligations and civil rights
Federal agencies under their respective • Animal feed safety, availability, issues.
authorities. quality, and animal health.
During the past 30 years, there have We will also examine socioeconomic DATES: The meeting will be held on
been major advances in the science of considerations, such as the potential Wednesday August 8, 2018 12:30 p.m.
biotechnology, and new issues have impacts of crop plants that are GE EST. Public Call Information: The
been brought to APHIS’ attention by a organisms on the domestic economic meeting will be by teleconference. Toll-
range of stakeholders. Over this period, environment, international trade, and free call-in number: 888–334–3032,
APHIS has also gained considerable coexistence among all forms of U.S. conference ID: 5510752.
experience in assessing the plant health agriculture—conventional, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff
risks of GE organisms. Accordingly, biotechnology-based, and organic—and Hinton, DFO, at jhinton@usccr.gov.
APHIS is considering amending the on market demand for food, feed, fiber, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Members
regulations pertaining to movement and and fuel. of the public can listen to the
outdoor use of certain GE organisms to The EIS will be prepared in
discussion. This meeting is available to
address the advances in biotechnology accordance with: (1) NEPA, (2)
the public through the following toll-
and APHIS’ understanding of the issues regulations of the Council on
free call-in number: 888–334–3032,
raised by stakeholders. The proposed Environmental Quality for
conference ID: 5510752. Any interested
revisions would allow APHIS to more implementing the procedural provisions
member of the public may call this
effectively protect plant health under of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), (3)
number and listen to the meeting.
the PPA by focusing APHIS’ regulations U.S. Department of Agriculture
Callers can expect to incur charges for
in 7 CFR part 340 on risks that may be regulations implementing NEPA (7 CFR
calls they initiate over wireless lines,
posed by certain GE organisms rather part 1b), and (4) APHIS’ NEPA
and the Commission will not refund any
than on the methods used to produce Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part
incurred charges. Callers will incur no
the products and would also make the 372).
charge for calls they initiate over land-
regulatory processes more transparent This notice identifies the potential
line connections to the toll-free
while removing unnecessary regulatory issues that will be evaluated in the EIS,
telephone number. Persons with hearing
burdens. and requests public comment to help
impairments may also follow the
Under the provisions of the National APHIS further define the issues and
proceedings by first calling the Federal
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 alternatives that should be considered
Relay Service at 1–800–977–8339 and
(NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et and to help APHIS identify additional
providing the Service with the
seq.), Federal agencies must examine impacts, both positive and negative, to
conference call number and conference
the potential environmental impacts of the human environment that should be
ID number.
proposed Federal actions and examined in the EIS. Public input will
alternatives. We are planning to prepare also be helpful in developing our Written comments may be mailed to
a programmatic environmental impact proposed regulations. All comments the Regional Program Unit Office, U.S.
statement (EIS) in connection with the received during the comment period Commission on Civil Rights, 230 S.
proposed revisions to APHIS’ will be carefully considered. A notice Dearborn, Suite 2120, Chicago, IL
biotechnology regulations that are being will be published in the Federal 60604. They may also be faxed to the
considered. Aspects of the human Register to announce the availability of Commission at (312) 353–8324 or may
environment that may be affected by the the draft EIS when it is issued and to be emailed to the Regional Director, Jeff
proposed regulatory changes and that invite the public to provide comments. Hinton at jhinton@usccr.gov. Records of
we have preliminarily identified for the meeting will be available via
Done in Washington, DC, this 26th day of www.facadatabase.gov under the
evaluation in the EIS will include June 2018.
potential impacts on: Commission on Civil Rights, Tennessee
Kevin Shea, Advisory Committee link. Persons
• U.S. agriculture and forestry Administrator, Animal and Plant Health
production (e.g., conventional, interested in the work of this Committee
Inspection Service. are directed to the Commission’s
biotechnology-based, and organic); [FR Doc. 2018–14019 Filed 6–28–18; 8:45 am]
• Current and future uses of certain website, http://www.usccr.gov, or may
GE organisms in agriculture and BILLING CODE 3410–34–P contact the Southern Regional Office at
forestry; the above email or street address.
• Agronomic practices employed in Agenda:
GE crop production that may have COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
Welcome and Call to Order
environmental consequences or effects Diane DiIanni, Tennessee SAC
(e.g., tillage, crop rotation, weed and Notice of Public Meeting of the
Tennessee Advisory Committee Chairman
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
pest control, and agronomic inputs);
• Aspects of the physical Jeff Hinton, Regional Director
AGENCY: U.S. Commission on Civil
environment, including soil quality, Regional Update—Jeff Hinton
Rights.
water resources, and air quality, with New Business: Diane DiIanni,
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
consideration given to the effects of Tennessee SAC Chairman/Staff/
dynamic climate conditions; SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, Advisory Committee Public
• Aspects of the biological pursuant to the provisions of the rules Participation
environment, such as animal and plant and regulations of the U.S. Commission Adjournment
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Document Created: 2018-06-29 01:13:46
Document Modified: 2018-06-29 01:13:46
| 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 intent to prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement. | |
| Dates | We will consider all comments that we receive on or before July 30, 2018. | |
| Contact | Ms. Joanne Serrels, Biotechnologist, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238; (301) 851-3867. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 30688 |
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