Availability of Environmental Assessment for a Proposed Field Trial of Genetically Engineered Pink Bollworm, 7503-7504 [E6-1972]

Download as PDF 7503 Notices Federal Register Vol. 71, No. 29 Monday, February 13, 2006 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2006–0015] Availability of Environmental Assessment for a Proposed Field Trial of Genetically Engineered Pink Bollworm Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments. rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: We are advising the public that an environmental assessment has been prepared for a proposed field trial of pink bollworm genetically engineered to express green fluorescence as a marker. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) proposes to use this marked strain to assess the effectiveness of lower doses of radiation to create sterile insects for its pink bollworm sterile insect program. This program, using sterile insect technique, has been conducted by APHIS, with State and grower cooperation, since 1968. Data gained from this field experiment will be used to improve the current program. The environmental assessment is available to the public for review and comment. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before March 15, 2006. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and, in the ‘‘Search for Open Regulations’’ box, select ‘‘Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’’ from the agency drop-down menu, then click on ‘‘Submit.’’ In the Docket ID column, select APHIS–2006–0015 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. After the close VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:38 Feb 10, 2006 Jkt 208001 of the comment period, the docket can be viewed using the ‘‘Advanced Search’’ function in Regulations.gov. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS–2006–0015, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS– 2006–0015. 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: Additional information about APHIS and its programs is available on the Internet at https://www.aphis.usda.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Robyn Rose, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737–1236; (301) 734–0489. To obtain copies of the environmental assessment, contact Ms. Ingrid Berlanger at (301) 734–4885; email: ingrid.e.berlanger@aphis.usda.gov. 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. The regulations set forth the permit application requirements and the notification procedures for the importation, interstate movement, or PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 release into the environment of a regulated article. On April 8, 2005, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) received a permit application (APHIS No. 05–098–01r) from APHIS’s Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Center for Plant Health Science and Technology (CPHST) Decision Support and Pest Management Systems Laboratory in Phoenix, AZ, for a field trial using the pink bollworm (PBW), Pectinophora gossypiella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), that has been genetically engineered to express an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) derived from the jellyfish Aequora victoria. A piggyBac transposable element derived from the plant pest cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni) was used to transform the subject PBW, and expression of the EGFP is controlled through use of the Drosophila melanogaster heat shock protein (hsp70) promoter. The subject transgenic PBW is considered a regulated article under the regulations in 7 CFR part 340 because the recipient organism is a plant pest. The proposed field test will evaluate the feasibility of using F1 sterility systems in a sterile insect program, which is designed to depress PBW populations. The transgenic PBW will be reared in the Phoenix PBW genetic rearing facility and treated with radiation levels suitable to induce F1 sterility. The irradiated insects will be released into no more than four 3-acre field sites of cotton that are adjacent to cotton expressing the Bt toxin, which is toxic to PBW. This release is part of CPHST’s PBW sterile insect program. Information resulting from this research will be used in support of APHIS’s efforts to eradicate the PBW in the United States. Additional information on the PBW eradication plan for the United States may be found at https:// www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/pdmp/cotton/ pinkbollworm/eradication/ eradication.pdf. An environmental assessment (EA) prepared for the Southwest Pink Bollworm Eradication Program may be found at https:// www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/es/ pdf%20files/swpbwea.pdf. To provide the public with documentation of APHIS’s review and analysis of any potential environmental impacts and plant pest risk associated with the proposed release of the E:\FR\FM\13FEN1.SGM 13FEN1 7504 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 29 / Monday, February 13, 2006 / Notices transgenic EGFP PBW, an 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’s NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372). Copies of the EA are available from the individual listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. 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 7th day of February 2006. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E6–1972 Filed 2–10–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2006–0016] Availability of Environmental Assessment for a Proposed Field Trial of Genetically Engineered Tall Fescue and Genetically Engineered Italian Ryegrass Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments. rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: We are advising the public that an environmental assessment has been prepared for a proposed field trial using three transgenic grass lines. The trial consists of tall fescue plants that are genetically engineered for hygromycin resistance and that express the marker beta-glucuronidase, Italian ryegrass plants that are genetically engineered for hygromycin resistance, and Italian ryegrass plants that are genetically engineered to lower the expression of the pollen allergen gene, Lol p1, and that are also hygromycin resistant and express the marker betaglucuronidase. The purpose of the field trial is to study pollen viability, outcrossing, and hybridization between the two types of grasses. The study will also examine the effect of downregulating the Lol p1 gene. Data gained from this field experiment will also be used to evaluate current confinement practices for these species of transgenic grasses. The environmental assessment VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:38 Feb 10, 2006 Jkt 208001 is available to the public for review and comment. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before March 15, 2006. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and, in the ‘‘Search for Open Regulations’’ box, select ‘‘Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’’ from the agency drop-down menu, then click on ‘‘Submit.’’ In the Docket ID column, select APHIS–2006–0016 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. After the close of the comment period, the docket can be viewed using the ‘‘Advanced Search’’ function in Regulations.gov. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS–2006–0016, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS– 2006–0016. 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: Additional information about APHIS and its programs is available on the Internet at https://www.aphis.usda.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Andrea Huberty, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737– 1236; (301) 734–0659. To obtain copies of the environmental assessment, contact Ms. Ingrid Berlanger at (301) 734–4885; e-mail: ingrid.e.berlanger@aphis.usda.gov. 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 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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. The regulations set forth the permit application requirements and the notification procedures for the importation, interstate movement, or release into the environment of a regulated article. On October 5, 2005, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) received permit applications (APHIS Nos. 05–278–01r and 05–278–02r) from the Samuel Robert Noble Foundation in Ardmore, OK, for a field trial using three strains of transgenic grasses. The two permit applications are for three lines of transgenic grasses to be used in a single field trial. Permit application 05–278–01r describes a tall fescue line, Festuca arundinacea, that has been genetically engineered to express betaglucuronidase (gusA) derived from Escherichia coli. Expression of this gene is controlled by cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S gene promoter and terminator sequences and a rice tungro virus (RTBV) intron. This regulated article also contains a separate insertion of a hygromycin phosphotransferase (hph) gene that is regulated by the rice actin promoter and intron sequences and the terminator from the CaMV 35S gene. Permit application 05–278–02r describes two transgenic lines of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorium). Both lines have the same hph gene construct as the regulated article described in permit application 05–278–01r. One line of Italian ryegrass also contains an insertion of a second construct that codes for an antisense Lol p1 gene derived from perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), and a gusA gene derived from E. coli. The antisense Lol p1 gene is under the control of the Zea mays pollen specific Zm 13 promoter and a nos polyadenylation terminator sequence from Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The subject transgenic grasses are considered regulated articles under the regulations in 7 CFR part 340 because they were created using donor sequences from plant pests. The purpose of this proposed introduction is for research on transgenic tall fescue and Italian ryegrass plants, particularly to investigate: • The distance transgenic pollen can travel and still remain viable; E:\FR\FM\13FEN1.SGM 13FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 29 (Monday, February 13, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7503-7504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-1972]


========================================================================
Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 29 / Monday, February 13, 2006 / 
Notices

[[Page 7503]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2006-0015]


Availability of Environmental Assessment for a Proposed Field 
Trial of Genetically Engineered Pink Bollworm

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: We are advising the public that an environmental assessment 
has been prepared for a proposed field trial of pink bollworm 
genetically engineered to express green fluorescence as a marker. The 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) proposes to use this 
marked strain to assess the effectiveness of lower doses of radiation 
to create sterile insects for its pink bollworm sterile insect program. 
This program, using sterile insect technique, has been conducted by 
APHIS, with State and grower cooperation, since 1968. Data gained from 
this field experiment will be used to improve the current program. The 
environmental assessment is available to the public for review and 
comment.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before March 
15, 2006.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://
www.regulations.gov and, in the ``Search for Open Regulations'' box, 
select ``Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service'' from the agency 
drop-down menu, then click on ``Submit.'' In the Docket ID column, 
select APHIS-2006-0015 to submit or view public comments and to view 
supporting and related materials available electronically. After the 
close of the comment period, the docket can be viewed using the 
``Advanced Search'' function in Regulations.gov.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies 
of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS-
2006-0015, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-
03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state 
that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0015.
    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: Additional information about APHIS and its 
programs is available on the Internet at https://www.aphis.usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Robyn Rose, Biotechnology 
Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 
20737-1236; (301) 734-0489. To obtain copies of the environmental 
assessment, contact Ms. Ingrid Berlanger at (301) 734-4885; e-mail: 
ingrid.e.berlanger@aphis.usda.gov.

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. The regulations set forth 
the permit application requirements and the notification procedures for 
the importation, interstate movement, or release into the environment 
of a regulated article.
    On April 8, 2005, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS) received a permit application (APHIS No. 05-098-01r) from 
APHIS's Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Center for Plant Health 
Science and Technology (CPHST) Decision Support and Pest Management 
Systems Laboratory in Phoenix, AZ, for a field trial using the pink 
bollworm (PBW), Pectinophora gossypiella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), 
that has been genetically engineered to express an enhanced green 
fluorescent protein (EGFP) derived from the jellyfish Aequora victoria. 
A piggyBac transposable element derived from the plant pest cabbage 
looper (Trichoplusia ni) was used to transform the subject PBW, and 
expression of the EGFP is controlled through use of the Drosophila 
melanogaster heat shock protein (hsp70) promoter.
    The subject transgenic PBW is considered a regulated article under 
the regulations in 7 CFR part 340 because the recipient organism is a 
plant pest. The proposed field test will evaluate the feasibility of 
using F1 sterility systems in a sterile insect program, which is 
designed to depress PBW populations. The transgenic PBW will be reared 
in the Phoenix PBW genetic rearing facility and treated with radiation 
levels suitable to induce F1 sterility. The irradiated insects will be 
released into no more than four 3-acre field sites of cotton that are 
adjacent to cotton expressing the Bt toxin, which is toxic to PBW. This 
release is part of CPHST's PBW sterile insect program. Information 
resulting from this research will be used in support of APHIS's efforts 
to eradicate the PBW in the United States.
    Additional information on the PBW eradication plan for the United 
States may be found at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/pdmp/cotton/
pinkbollworm/eradication/eradication.pdf. An environmental assessment 
(EA) prepared for the Southwest Pink Bollworm Eradication Program may 
be found at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/es/pdf%20files/swpbwea.pdf.
    To provide the public with documentation of APHIS's review and 
analysis of any potential environmental impacts and plant pest risk 
associated with the proposed release of the

[[Page 7504]]

transgenic EGFP PBW, an 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's NEPA Implementing 
Procedures (7 CFR part 372). Copies of the EA are available from the 
individual listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    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 7th day of February 2006.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-1972 Filed 2-10-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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