Bayer CropScience LP.; Availability of Draft Environmental Assessment, Plant Pest Risk Similarity Assessment, Preliminary Finding of No Significant Impact, and Preliminary Decision for an Extension of a Determination of Nonregulated Status of Canola Genetically Engineered for Male Sterility and Glufosinate-Ammonium Resistance, 21790-21791 [2017-09499]

Download as PDF jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 21790 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 89 / Wednesday, May 10, 2017 / Notices APHIS’ Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851–2483. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Environmental Monitoring. OMB Control Number: 0579–0117. Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection. Abstract: The mission of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is to provide leadership in ensuring the health and care of animals and plants, to improve agricultural productivity and competitiveness, and to contribute to the national economy and the public health. APHIS is committed to accomplishing its mission in a manner that promotes and protects the integrity of the environment. This includes APHIS’ compliance with all applicable environmental statutes and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), USDA regulations implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1b), and APHIS’ NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372). APHIS engages in environmental monitoring for certain activities that we conduct to control or eradicate certain pests and diseases. We monitor those activities that have the greatest potential for harm to the human environment to ensure that the mitigation measures developed to avoid that harm are enforced and effective. In many cases, monitoring is required where APHIS programs are conducted close to habitats of endangered and threatened species. This monitoring is developed in coordination with the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service, in compliance with the Endangered Species Act (50 U.S.C. 17.11 and 17.12). APHIS field personnel and State cooperators jointly use an Environmental Monitoring Form to collect information concerning the effects of pesticide use in these sensitive areas. The goal of environmental monitoring is to track the potential impact that APHIS activities may have on the environment and to use this knowledge in making any necessary adjustments in future program actions. We are asking OMB to approve our use of this information collection activity for an additional 3 years. The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. These comments will help us: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:21 May 09, 2017 Jkt 241001 (1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies; e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.50 hours per response. Respondents: Growers, appliers of pesticides, State department of agriculture personnel. Estimated annual number of respondents: 110. Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 20. Estimated annual number of responses: 2,200. Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 1,100 hours. (Due to averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per response.) All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. Done in Washington, DC, this 4th day of May 2017. Michael C. Gregoire, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2017–09467 Filed 5–9–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2017–0015] Bayer CropScience LP.; Availability of Draft Environmental Assessment, Plant Pest Risk Similarity Assessment, Preliminary Finding of No Significant Impact, and Preliminary Decision for an Extension of a Determination of Nonregulated Status of Canola Genetically Engineered for Male Sterility and Glufosinate-Ammonium Resistance Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice; extension of comment period. AGENCY: We are extending the comment period for our notice advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has reached a preliminary decision to extend our determination of nonregulated status of InVigor® MS8 canola (hereinafter MS8 canola) to Bayer’s canola event MS11 in response to a request from Bayer CropScience LP. MS11 canola has been genetically engineered for male sterility and resistance to the herbicide glufosinate-ammonium using the same mechanism of action as MS8 canola. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments on our draft environmental assessment, preliminary regulatory determination, preliminary finding of no significant impact, and plant pest risk similarity assessment for the proposed determination of nonregulated status. DATES: The comment period for the notice published on April 12, 2017 (82 FR 17625) is extended. We will consider all comments that we receive on or before May 30, 2017. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0015. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2017–0015, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. The Bayer CropScience LP. extension request, our draft environmental assessment, plant pest risk similarity assessment, our preliminary finding of no significant impact, our preliminary determination, and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\10MYN1.SGM 10MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 89 / Wednesday, May 10, 2017 / Notices https://www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0015 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 and any comments we received regarding our determination of nonregulated status of the antecedent organism, MS8 canola, may be inspected in our reading room. Supporting documents may also be found on the APHIS Web site for MS11 canola (the organism under evaluation) under APHIS Petition Number 16–235– 01p. Ms. Cindy Eck, Document Control Officer/ Team Leader, Policy Coordination Programs, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737–1236; (301) 851–3954, email: cynthia.a.eck@ aphis.usda.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: On April 12, 2017, we published in the Federal Register (82 FR 17625–17626, Docket No. APHIS–2017–0015) a notice advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has reached a preliminary decision to extend our determination of nonregulated status of InVigor® MS8 canola (hereinafter MS8 canola) to Bayer’s canola event MS11 in response to a request from Bayer CropScience LP. MS11 canola has been genetically engineered for male sterility and resistance to the herbicide glufosinateammonium using the same mechanism of action as MS8 canola. The notice also made available for public comment our draft environmental assessment, preliminary regulatory determination, preliminary finding of no significant impact, and plant pest risk similarity assessment for the proposed determination of nonregulated status. Comments on the notice were required to be received on or before May 12, 2017. We are extending the comment period on Docket No. APHIS– 2017–0015 for an additional 15 days. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments. jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7701–7772 and 7781– 7786; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:21 May 09, 2017 Jkt 241001 Done in Washington, DC, this 5th day of May 2017. Michael C. Gregoire, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2017–09499 Filed 5–9–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XF407 Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; public hearing via webinar. AGENCY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a public hearing via webinar to solicit public comments on Draft Reef Fish Amendment 47—Modify Vermilion Snapper ACLs and MSY Proxies. DATES: The public hearing will take place via webinar on Wednesday, May 24, 2017; starting at 6 p.m. EDT and will conclude no later than 9 p.m. Written public comments must be received on or before 5 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 16, 2017. ADDRESSES: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 2203 N. Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL 33607; telephone: (813) 348–1630; www.gulfcouncil.org. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Atran, Senior Fishery Biologist, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; telephone: (813) 348–1630, steven.atran@gulfcouncil.org. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Based on the results of a 2016 vermilion snapper stock assessment, the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) concluded that the vermilion snapper stock is neither overfished nor undergoing overfishing. The SSC provided recommendations for the overfishing limit (OFL) during 2017–21 based on a proxy for maximum sustainable yield (MSY) of 30% SPR, and recommended acceptable biological catch (ABC) during 2017–2021 based on fishing at a fishing mortality rate that was 75% of the OFL fishing mortality rate. The Council accepted 30% SPR as the preferred MSY proxy, but also asked for analysis of the OFL and ABC yields at 26% SPR, which is a slightly less conservative MSY proxy, resulting in SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 21791 higher yields but also a smaller spawning stock biomass. The Council needs to take two actions in this amendment. Action 1 is to adopt an MSY proxy. The alternatives are: (1) To not adopt a proxy (no action), (2) adopt the proxy of 30% SPR (preferred alternative), or (3) adopt the proxy of 26% SPR. Action 2 is to set annual catch limits (ACLs) for 2017–21. The alternatives are: (1) To keep the current 3.42 million pound whole weight ACL that was implemented in 2012 using a data-poor method, (2) set ACL equal to the annual estimate of ABC for each year 2017–21 (which would result in a declining annual yield) with the 2021 ACL remaining in place for subsequent years, (3) set ACL equal to a constant catch corresponding to the average ABC during 2017–21 (preferred alternative), or (4) set ACL equal to the equilibrium ABC, which is the catch level at which no further declines are projected under current biological conditions. The specific ACL yields for Alternatives 2, 3, and 4 depend upon the selection of MSY proxy in Acton 1. Staff and a Council member will be available to answer any questions and the public will have the opportunity to provide testimony on the amendment and other related testimony. The schedule is as follows: Wednesday, May 24, 2017, Webinar— 6 p.m. EDT at: https:// attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/ 5395690967655721217. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Public documents may be obtained by contacting the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council at (813) 348–1630 or on their Web site at www.gulfcouncil.org. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: May 4, 2017. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017–09438 Filed 5–9–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XF406 Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\10MYN1.SGM 10MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 89 (Wednesday, May 10, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21790-21791]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-09499]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2017-0015]


Bayer CropScience LP.; Availability of Draft Environmental 
Assessment, Plant Pest Risk Similarity Assessment, Preliminary Finding 
of No Significant Impact, and Preliminary Decision for an Extension of 
a Determination of Nonregulated Status of Canola Genetically Engineered 
for Male Sterility and Glufosinate-Ammonium Resistance

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; extension of comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are extending the comment period for our notice advising 
the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has 
reached a preliminary decision to extend our determination of 
nonregulated status of InVigor[supreg] MS8 canola (hereinafter MS8 
canola) to Bayer's canola event MS11 in response to a request from 
Bayer CropScience LP. MS11 canola has been genetically engineered for 
male sterility and resistance to the herbicide glufosinate-ammonium 
using the same mechanism of action as MS8 canola. This action will 
allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments 
on our draft environmental assessment, preliminary regulatory 
determination, preliminary finding of no significant impact, and plant 
pest risk similarity assessment for the proposed determination of 
nonregulated status.

DATES: The comment period for the notice published on April 12, 2017 
(82 FR 17625) is extended. We will consider all comments that we 
receive on or before May 30, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0015.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2017-0015, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.
    The Bayer CropScience LP. extension request, our draft 
environmental assessment, plant pest risk similarity assessment, our 
preliminary finding of no significant impact, our preliminary 
determination, and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed 
at

[[Page 21791]]

https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0015 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 and any comments we received regarding our 
determination of nonregulated status of the antecedent organism, MS8 
canola, may be inspected in our reading room. Supporting documents may 
also be found on the APHIS Web site for MS11 canola (the organism under 
evaluation) under APHIS Petition Number 16-235-01p.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Cindy Eck, Document Control 
Officer/Team Leader, Policy Coordination Programs, Biotechnology 
Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 
20737-1236; (301) 851-3954, email: cynthia.a.eck@aphis.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 12, 2017, we published in the 
Federal Register (82 FR 17625-17626, Docket No. APHIS-2017-0015) a 
notice advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service has reached a preliminary decision to extend our determination 
of nonregulated status of InVigor[supreg] MS8 canola (hereinafter MS8 
canola) to Bayer's canola event MS11 in response to a request from 
Bayer CropScience LP. MS11 canola has been genetically engineered for 
male sterility and resistance to the herbicide glufosinate-ammonium 
using the same mechanism of action as MS8 canola. The notice also made 
available for public comment our draft environmental assessment, 
preliminary regulatory determination, preliminary finding of no 
significant impact, and plant pest risk similarity assessment for the 
proposed determination of nonregulated status.
    Comments on the notice were required to be received on or before 
May 12, 2017. We are extending the comment period on Docket No. APHIS-
2017-0015 for an additional 15 days. This action will allow interested 
persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.

    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 5th day of May 2017.
Michael C. Gregoire,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-09499 Filed 5-9-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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