Ventria Bioscience; Availability of Revised Environmental Assessment, With Consideration for an Additional Test Site in North Carolina, for Field Tests of Genetically Engineered Rice Expressing Lysozyme, 25522-25524 [05-9607]

Download as PDF 25522 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 92 / Friday, May 13, 2005 / Notices sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 690–2817 before coming. Other Information: You may view APHIS documents published in the Federal Register and related information on the Internet at https:// www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/ webrepor.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Levis Handley, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737– 1236; (301) 734–5721. To obtain copies of the environmental assessment, contact Ms. Ingrid Berlanger, at (301) 734–4885; e-mail ingrid.e.berlanger@aphis.usda.gov. The environmental assessment is also available on the Internet at https:// www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/aphisdocs/ 05_11701r_ea.pdf. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The regulations in 7 CFR part 340, ‘‘Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or Produced Through Genetic Engineering Which Are Plant Pests or Which There Is Reason To Believe Are Plant Pests,’’ regulate, among other things, the introduction (importation, interstate movement, or release into the environment) of organisms and products altered or produced through genetic engineering that are plant pests or that there is reason to believe are plant pests. Such genetically engineered organisms and products are considered ‘‘regulated articles.’’ A permit must be obtained or a notification acknowledged before a regulated article may be introduced into the United States. The regulations set forth the permit application requirements and the notification procedures for the importation, interstate movement, and release into the environment of a regulated article. On October 28, 2004, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) received a permit application (APHIS permit number 04–302–01r) from Ventria Bioscience, Sacramento, CA, for a permit for a confined field test of rice (Oryza sativa) plants genetically engineered to express a gene coding for the protein lactoferrin, rice line LF164– 12. According to the permit application, the field test would be conducted in Scott County, MO. On February 23, 2005, APHIS published a notice in the Federal Register (70 FR 8763, Docket No. 05–006–1), announcing the availability of an environmental assessment (EA) for the proposed field test and soliciting public comments for 30 days. This 30-day comment period closed on March 25, 2005. During the 30-day comment period, APHIS VerDate jul<14>2003 15:59 May 12, 2005 Jkt 205001 received 309 comments. Comments were received from rice growers, rice marketing and processing groups, agricultural support businesses, consumer groups, university professionals, private individuals, industry trade organizations, large rice purchasers, growers of crops other than rice, and Federal, State and local government representatives. On April 27, 2005, while APHIS was evaluating these comments, we received a request from Ventria Biosciences to plant rice line LF164–12 in a second site in Washington County, NC (APHIS permit number 05–117–01r). At this time, Ventria Biosciences has not withdrawn its application to conduct a field test in Scott County, MO. However, it is likely that conducting a field test for this growing season is not feasible due to climatic factors in this location. Because APHIS has not yet considered all of the comments associated with the earlier EA and the issues raised in North Carolina are similar to those in Missouri, APHIS has amended the EA to evaluate the issues in North Carolina as well as Missouri. These are covered in Appendices V and VI. In addition to evaluating site-specific issues presented by the North Carolina application, this revised EA also corrects errors in the original EA. These changes are described in the summary of the EA. APHIS is seeking comments on the additional information provided in this revised EA. We are particularly interested in comments related to Appendices V and VI that address issues in North Carolina. APHIS will consider all comments received during the previous comment period (70 FR 8763, Docket No. 05–006–1) as well as any new comments received during this comment period (see DATES above). The expanded EA will be open for public comment for an additional 20 days. The subject rice plants have been genetically engineered, using microprojectile bombardment, to express human lactoferrin protein. Expression of the gene is controlled by the rice glutelin 1 promoter, the rice glutelin 1 signal peptide, and the nos (nopaline synthase) terminator sequence from Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The gene is expressed only in the endosperm. In addition, the plants contain the coding sequence for the gene hygromycin phosphotransferase (hpt), an enzyme which confers tolerance to the antibiotic hygromycin. This gene is a selectable marker that is only expressed during plant cell culture and is not expressed in any tissues of the mature plant. Expression of the gene is controlled by the rice glucanase 9 (Gns 9) promoter and the Rice Alpha Amylase 1A PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (RAmy1A) terminator. The genetically engineered rice plants are considered regulated articles under the regulations in 7 CFR part 340 because they contain gene sequences from plant pathogens. The purpose of the field planting is for pure seed production and for the extraction of lactoferrin for a variety of research and commercial products. The planting will be conducted using physical confinement measures. In addition, the experimental protocols and field plot design, as well as the procedures for termination of the field planting, are designed to ensure that none of the subject rice plants persist in the environment beyond the termination of the experiments. To provide the public with documentation of APHIS’ review and analysis of any potential environmental impacts and plant pest risk associated with the proposed confined field planting of the subject rice plants, an environment assessment (EA) has been prepared. The EA was prepared in accordance with (1) The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), (2) regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), (3) USDA regulations implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1b), and (4) APHIS’ NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372). Copies of the EA are available from the individual listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Done in Washington, DC, this 9th day of May 2005. Elizabeth E. Gaston, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 05–9606 Filed 5–12–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. 05–007–2] Ventria Bioscience; Availability of Revised Environmental Assessment, With Consideration for an Additional Test Site in North Carolina, for Field Tests of Genetically Engineered Rice Expressing Lysozyme Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has revised an environmental assessment for confined E:\FR\FM\13MYN1.SGM 13MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 92 / Friday, May 13, 2005 / Notices field tests of rice plants genetically engineered to express the protein lysozyme and has included information on an additional field test site. This environmental assessment is available for public review and comment. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 2, 2005. You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • EDOCKET: Go to https:// www.epa.gov/feddocket to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once you have entered EDOCKET, click on the ‘‘View Open APHIS Dockets’’ link to locate this document. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. 05–007–2, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. 05–007–2. Reading Room: You may read the environmental assessment and any comments that we receive in our reading room. The reading room 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) 690–2817 before coming. Other Information: You may view APHIS documents published in the Federal Register and related information on the Internet at https:// www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/ webrepor.html. ADDRESSES: Dr. Levis Handley, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737– 1236; (301) 734–5721. To obtain copies of the environmental assessment, contact Ms. Ingrid Berlanger, at (301) 734–4885; e-mail ingrid.e.berlanger@aphis.usda.gov. The environmental assessment is also available on the Internet at https:// www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/aphisdocs/ 05_11702r_ea.pdf. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The regulations in 7 CFR part 340, ‘‘Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or Produced Through Genetic Engineering Which Are Plant SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate jul<14>2003 15:59 May 12, 2005 Jkt 205001 Pests or Which There Is Reason To Believe Are Plant Pests,’’ regulate, among other things, the introduction (importation, interstate movement, or release into the environment) of organisms and products altered or produced through genetic engineering that are plant pests or that there is reason to believe are plant pests. Such genetically engineered organisms and products are considered ‘‘regulated articles.’’ A permit must be obtained or a notification acknowledged before a regulated article may be introduced into the United States. The regulations set forth the permit application requirements and the notification procedures for the importation, interstate movement, and release into the environment of a regulated article. On October 28, 2004, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) received a permit application (APHIS permit number 04–309–01r) from Ventria Bioscience, Sacramento, CA, for a permit for a confined field test of rice (Oryza sativa) plants genetically engineered to express a gene coding for the protein lysozyme, rice line LZ159– 53. According to the permit application, the field test would be conducted in Scott County, MO. On February 23, 2005, APHIS published a notice in the Federal Register (70 FR 8762–8763, Docket No. 05–007–1), announcing the availability of an environmental assessment (EA) for the proposed field test and soliciting public comments for 30 days. This 30-day comment period closed on March 25, 2005. During the 30-day comment period, APHIS received 243 comments. Comments were received from rice growers, rice marketing and processing groups, agricultural support businesses, consumer groups, university professionals, private individuals, industry trade organizations, large rice purchasers, growers of crops other than rice, and Federal, State and local government representatives. On April 27, 2005, while APHIS was evaluating these comments, we received a request from Ventria Biosciences to plant rice line LF164–12 in a second site in Washington County, NC (APHIS permit number 05–117–02r). At this time, Ventria Biosciences has not withdrawn its application to conduct a field test in Scott County, MO. However, it is likely that conducting a field test for this growing season is not feasible due to climatic factors in this location. Because APHIS has not yet considered all of the comments associated with the earlier EA and the issues raised in North Carolina are similar to those in Missouri, APHIS has amended the EA to evaluate the issues in North Carolina as PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 25523 well as Missouri. These are covered in Appendices V and VI. In addition to evaluating site-specific issues presented by the North Carolina application, this revised EA also corrects errors in the original EA. These changes are described in the summary of the EA. APHIS is seeking comments on the additional information provided in this revised EA. We are particularly interested in comments related to Appendices V and VI that address issues in North Carolina. APHIS will consider all comments received during the previous comment period (70 FR 8762–8763, Docket No. 05–007–1) as well as any new comments received during this comment period (see DATES above). The expanded EA will be open for public comment for an additional 20 days. The subject rice plants have been genetically engineered, using microprojectile bombardment, to express human lysozyme protein. Expression of the gene is controlled by the rice glutelin 1 promoter, the rice glutelin 1 signal peptide, and the nos (nopaline synthase) terminator sequence from Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The gene is expressed only in the endosperm. In addition, the plants contain the coding sequence for the gene hygromycin phosphotransferase (hpt), an enzyme which confers tolerance to the antibiotic hygromycin. This gene is a selectable marker that is only expressed during plant cell culture and is not expressed in any tissues of the mature plant. Expression of the gene is controlled by the rice glucanase 9 (Gns 9) promoter and the Rice Alpha Amylase 1A (RAmy1A) terminator. The genetically engineered rice plants are considered regulated articles under the regulations in 7 CFR part 340 because they contain gene sequences from plant pathogens. The purpose of the field planting is for pure seed production and for the extraction of lysozyme for a variety of research and commercial products. The planting will be conducted using physical confinement measures. In addition, the experimental protocols and field plot design, as well as the procedures for termination of the field planting, are designed to ensure that none of the subject rice plants persist in the environment beyond the termination of the experiments. To provide the public with documentation of APHIS’ review and analysis of any potential environmental impacts and plant pest risk associated with the proposed confined field planting of the subject rice plants, an environment assessment (EA) has been prepared. The EA was prepared in accordance with (1) The National E:\FR\FM\13MYN1.SGM 13MYN1 25524 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 92 / Friday, May 13, 2005 / Notices Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), (2) regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), (3) USDA regulations implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1b), and (4) APHIS’ NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372). Copies of the EA are available from the individual listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Done in Washington, DC, this 9th day of May 2005. Elizabeth E. Gaston, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 05–9607 Filed 5–12–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Cibola National Forest; New Mexico; Canadian River Tamarisk Control Project Forest Service, USDA. Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service has initiated the process to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Canadian River Tamarisk Control Project on the Cibola National Forest, Kiowa National Grassland. The proposed action would restore the hydrologic function of the Canadian River by eradicating tamarisk (salt cedar) along the river corridor and tributaries, covering 16 miles (approximately 540 acres) that occur on Federal administrative lands. This proposal includes the use of a helicopter to aerially apply the herbicide imazapyr (common trade names Arsenal and Habitat) along with an approved surfactant and drift control agent, and/ or use mechanical treatments and backpack sprayers to apply the same herbicide to cut stumps in designated areas. The objective is to eradicate tamarisk from this section of the Canadian River and promote the reestablishment of native riparian vegetation and habitat conditions for wildlife. Salt cedar has actively invaded the riparian area along the Canadian River, replacing native plants and wildlife. The Canadian River supplies irrigation water to thousands of acres of agriculture land, provides for recreational opportunities, and is home to several indigenous wildlife species. Tamarisk is listed by both the State of VerDate jul<14>2003 15:59 May 12, 2005 Jkt 205001 New Mexico Department of Agriculture and the Federal government as a noxious weed. The State of New Mexico has identified tamarisk as a species that is causing an ecological crisis in several river systems throughout the state, including the Canadian River. Land owners both above and below the National Grassland segment of the Canadian River are in the process of treating their lands to control tamarisk using the same types of treatment methods. This effort would be coordinated with those other treatment efforts within this watershed. Tamarisk is known to cause a change in ecological conditions that tend to eliminate native species and reduce water delivery, due to its ability to transpire large amounts of water during the growing season. Herbicide treatments have been shown to be an effective and efficient method for eradicating tamarisk and returning the riparian habitat to a healthy functioning ecosystem that is beneficial to both the biotic and human environments. The Canadian River Canyon has been identified as an inventoried roadless area. The Canadian River also has eligibility status as a scenic river under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and outstanding remarkable values would be protected until a decision is made on the future use of the river and adjacent lands or until an action is taken by Congress to designate the river as such. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by June 15, 2005. The draft environmental impact statement is expected to be published in October, 2005, and the final environmental impact statement is expected in December 2005. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Deborah Walker, NEPA Coordinator; Cibola National Forest; 2113 Osuna Road NE; Albuquerque, NM 87113 or FAX to 505–346–3901. Copies of the proposed action, project location map, or the Environmental Impact Statement, when available, may be obtained from the Cibola National Forest; 2113 Osuna Road, NE; Albuquerque, NM 87113; or from the Kiowa National Grassland; 714 Main Street; Clayton, NM 88415, or from the Forest Web site at www.fs.fed.us/r3/cibola/projects/ index.shtml. For further information, mail correspondence to Deborah Walker, NEPA Coordinator; Cibola National Forest; 2113 Osuna Road NE; Albuquerque, NM 87113 or phone 505– 346–3888. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Purpose and Need for Action The purpose of the Canadian River Tamarisk Control project is to: 1. Restore the hydrologic function of the Canadian River by eradicating tamarisk along the river corridor and tributaries using methods that have proven to be both safe and effective. 2. Re-establish native riparian species and the habitat it provides for wildlife. 3. Coordinate activities with adjacent landowners both above and below the Kiowa National Grassland boundary in an effort to control tamarisk within the entire Canadian River corridor. Proposed Action The Cibola National Forest, Kiowa National Grassland, proposes to apply imazapyr using aerial and backpack spray application methods to 16 miles of the Canadian River and tributaries. Aerial application would be made using a helicopter with spray boom on an estimated 380 acres where the tamarisk is very dense or where the stands are inaccessible to vehicles. Backpack spray (hand treatment) would be used after tamarisk has been cut with either chainsaws or tractor, and the herbicide is applied to the cut stump, or the herbicide is applied over the top of stems as a foliar application (estimated 160 acres). Backpack spray treatments would occur on Forest Service administered lands near the Mills Canyon campground and in areas where there is a predominance of native riparian vegetation that are accessible by existing roads or trails. A nonionic surfactant and drift control agent (vegetable oil based) would be mixed with imazapyr in order to improve effectiveness. An estimated 1 pound of acid equivalent of active ingredient would be applied per acre. Treatments would be applied between late July and late September. Re-treatments would be applied on a limited basis as needed to control re-sprouting tamarisk for up to five years following initial treatment. Dead trees would remain in place for a minimum of two growing seasons after which hazardous trees would be removed within the campground or other accessible places as needed for public safety. Rehabilitation efforts following treatment would include replanting with native riparian species (i.e., cottonwood, willow, or maple) and reseeding areas disturbed by equipment with native grasses in order to stabilize soil and provide ground cover, as needed. Resource protection measures that would be implemented as part of this proposal include protection of known E:\FR\FM\13MYN1.SGM 13MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 92 (Friday, May 13, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25522-25524]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9607]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. 05-007-2]


Ventria Bioscience; Availability of Revised Environmental 
Assessment, With Consideration for an Additional Test Site in North 
Carolina, for Field Tests of Genetically Engineered Rice Expressing 
Lysozyme

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service has revised an environmental assessment for confined

[[Page 25523]]

field tests of rice plants genetically engineered to express the 
protein lysozyme and has included information on an additional field 
test site. This environmental assessment is available for public review 
and comment.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 
2, 2005.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     EDOCKET: Go to https://www.epa.gov/feddocket to submit or 
view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the 
official public docket, and to access those documents in the public 
docket that are available electronically. Once you have entered 
EDOCKET, click on the ``View Open APHIS Dockets'' link to locate this 
document.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies 
of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. 05-007-2, 
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 
River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your 
comment refers to Docket No. 05-007-2.
    Reading Room: You may read the environmental assessment and any 
comments that we receive in our reading room. The reading room 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) 690-2817 before coming.
    Other Information: You may view APHIS documents published in the 
Federal Register and related information on the Internet at https://
www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Levis Handley, Biotechnology 
Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 
20737-1236; (301) 734-5721. To obtain copies of the environmental 
assessment, contact Ms. Ingrid Berlanger, at (301) 734-4885; e-mail 
ingrid.e.berlanger@aphis.usda.gov. The environmental assessment is also 
available on the Internet at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/aphisdocs/
05_11702r_ea.pdf.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The regulations in 7 CFR part 340, 
``Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or Produced Through 
Genetic Engineering Which Are Plant Pests or Which There Is Reason To 
Believe Are Plant Pests,'' regulate, among other things, the 
introduction (importation, interstate movement, or release into the 
environment) of organisms and products altered or produced through 
genetic engineering that are plant pests or that there is reason to 
believe are plant pests. Such genetically engineered organisms and 
products are considered ``regulated articles.'' A permit must be 
obtained or a notification acknowledged before a regulated article may 
be introduced into the United States. The regulations set forth the 
permit application requirements and the notification procedures for the 
importation, interstate movement, and release into the environment of a 
regulated article.
    On October 28, 2004, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS) received a permit application (APHIS permit number 04-309-01r) 
from Ventria Bioscience, Sacramento, CA, for a permit for a confined 
field test of rice (Oryza sativa) plants genetically engineered to 
express a gene coding for the protein lysozyme, rice line LZ159-53. 
According to the permit application, the field test would be conducted 
in Scott County, MO. On February 23, 2005, APHIS published a notice in 
the Federal Register (70 FR 8762-8763, Docket No. 05-007-1), announcing 
the availability of an environmental assessment (EA) for the proposed 
field test and soliciting public comments for 30 days. This 30-day 
comment period closed on March 25, 2005. During the 30-day comment 
period, APHIS received 243 comments. Comments were received from rice 
growers, rice marketing and processing groups, agricultural support 
businesses, consumer groups, university professionals, private 
individuals, industry trade organizations, large rice purchasers, 
growers of crops other than rice, and Federal, State and local 
government representatives.
    On April 27, 2005, while APHIS was evaluating these comments, we 
received a request from Ventria Biosciences to plant rice line LF164-12 
in a second site in Washington County, NC (APHIS permit number 05-117-
02r). At this time, Ventria Biosciences has not withdrawn its 
application to conduct a field test in Scott County, MO. However, it is 
likely that conducting a field test for this growing season is not 
feasible due to climatic factors in this location. Because APHIS has 
not yet considered all of the comments associated with the earlier EA 
and the issues raised in North Carolina are similar to those in 
Missouri, APHIS has amended the EA to evaluate the issues in North 
Carolina as well as Missouri. These are covered in Appendices V and VI. 
In addition to evaluating site-specific issues presented by the North 
Carolina application, this revised EA also corrects errors in the 
original EA. These changes are described in the summary of the EA.
    APHIS is seeking comments on the additional information provided in 
this revised EA. We are particularly interested in comments related to 
Appendices V and VI that address issues in North Carolina. APHIS will 
consider all comments received during the previous comment period (70 
FR 8762-8763, Docket No. 05-007-1) as well as any new comments received 
during this comment period (see DATES above). The expanded EA will be 
open for public comment for an additional 20 days.
    The subject rice plants have been genetically engineered, using 
micro-projectile bombardment, to express human lysozyme protein. 
Expression of the gene is controlled by the rice glutelin 1 promoter, 
the rice glutelin 1 signal peptide, and the nos (nopaline synthase) 
terminator sequence from Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The gene is 
expressed only in the endosperm. In addition, the plants contain the 
coding sequence for the gene hygromycin phosphotransferase (hpt), an 
enzyme which confers tolerance to the antibiotic hygromycin. This gene 
is a selectable marker that is only expressed during plant cell culture 
and is not expressed in any tissues of the mature plant. Expression of 
the gene is controlled by the rice glucanase 9 (Gns 9) promoter and the 
Rice Alpha Amylase 1A (RAmy1A) terminator. The genetically engineered 
rice plants are considered regulated articles under the regulations in 
7 CFR part 340 because they contain gene sequences from plant 
pathogens.
    The purpose of the field planting is for pure seed production and 
for the extraction of lysozyme for a variety of research and commercial 
products. The planting will be conducted using physical confinement 
measures. In addition, the experimental protocols and field plot 
design, as well as the procedures for termination of the field 
planting, are designed to ensure that none of the subject rice plants 
persist in the environment beyond the termination of the experiments.
    To provide the public with documentation of APHIS' review and 
analysis of any potential environmental impacts and plant pest risk 
associated with the proposed confined field planting of the subject 
rice plants, an environment assessment (EA) has been prepared. The EA 
was prepared in accordance with (1) The National

[[Page 25524]]

Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq.), (2) regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality for 
implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-
1508), (3) USDA regulations implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1b), and (4) 
APHIS' NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372). Copies of the EA 
are available from the individual listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 9th day of May 2005.
Elizabeth E. Gaston,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 05-9607 Filed 5-12-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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