Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for a Field Trial of Genetically Engineered Bahiagrass, 29606-29607 [E6-7820]

Download as PDF 29606 Notices Federal Register Vol. 71, No. 99 Tuesday, May 23, 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 Agricultural Marketing Service [Docket Number FV–05–308] United States Standards for Grades of Pea Pods Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Reopening and extension of the comment period. rmajette on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the comment period on the proposed United States Standards for Grades of Pea Pods is reopened and extended. DATES: Comments must be received by June 22, 2006. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to the Standardization Section, Fresh Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 1661 South Building, Stop 0240, Washington, DC 20250–0240; fax (202) 720–8871; E-mail FPB.DocketClerk @usda.gov. Comments should make reference to the dates and page number of this issue of the Federal Register and will be made available for public inspection in the above office during regular business hours and on the Internet. The draft of the proposed United States Standards for Grades of Pea Pods is available by accessing the AMS’s Fresh Products Branch Web site on the Internet at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/ fpbdocketlist.htm. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheri L. Emery, at the above address or call (202) 720–2185; E-mail Cheri.Emery @usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A notice was published in the Federal Register, January 24, 2006, (71 FR 3817) requesting comments on the possible development of United States Standards VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:14 May 22, 2006 Jkt 208001 for Grades of Pea Pods. The proposed U.S. standard would provide industry with a common language and a uniform basis for trading, thus promoting the orderly and efficient marketing of pea pods. The comment period ended on March 27, 2006. A request was received from a packer/ shipper of pea pods, expressing the need for additional time to review the proposed U.S. standard. The packer/ shipper requested the comment period be extended to allow them the opportunity to submit comments. After reviewing the request, AMS is reopening and extending the comment period in order to allow sufficient time for interested persons, including the packer/shipper, to file comments. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627. Dated: May 17, 2006. Lloyd C. Day, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. E6–7799 Filed 5–22–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2006–0022] Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for a Field Trial of Genetically Engineered Bahiagrass Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: We are advising the public that an environmental assessment has been prepared for a proposed field trial using two transgenic grass lines. The trial consists of Argentine bahiagrass plants that are genetically engineered to express resistance to the herbicide glufosinate and resistance to the antibiotic kanamycin. Each of 4 sets of 12 genetically engineered bahiagrass plants will be encircled with a ring of several untransformed cultivars of bahiagrass. The purpose of the field trial is to study the likelihood of hybrid formation as a result of pollen movement from the transgenic plants to the nontransgenic plants. Data gained from this field experiment also will be used to evaluate current confinement PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 practices for this species of transgenic grass. After assessment of the application and review of the relevant scientific information, we have concluded that this field test will not present a risk of introducing or disseminating a plant pest. We have completed an environmental assessment and have concluded that this field test will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. Based on its finding of no significant impact, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared for this field test. DATES: Effective Date: May 23, 2006. ADDRESSES: You may read the environmental assessment (EA) and the finding of no significant impact (FONSI) 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. The EA, FONSI, and decision notice are available on the Internet at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/ aphisdocs/05_29402r_ea.pdf. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Patricia Beetham, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, APHIS, Suite 6B81, 4700 River Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737–1236; (301) 734–0664. To obtain copies of the EA and FONSI, contact Ms. Ingrid Berlanger at (301) 734–4885; e-mail: ingrid.e.berlanger@aphis.usda.gov. Under 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,’’ the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulates, 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 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\23MYN1.SGM 23MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 99 / Tuesday, May 23, 2006 / Notices 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 21, 2005, APHIS received a permit application (APHIS No. 05– 294–02r) from the University of Florida in Marianna, FL, for a field trial using lines of transgenic Argentine bahiagrass. Permit application 05–294–02r describes two transgenic lines of Argentine bahiagrass, Paspalum notatum Flugge cv. Argentine: Line ‘B9’ has been genetically engineered to express the phosphinothricin acetyl transferase (bar) gene from Streptomyces hygroscopicus, which confers resistance to glufosinate herbicides. Expression of this gene is controlled by the polyubiquitin (ubi) promoter, ubi 5’ flanking region and the ubi first intron sequences from Zea mays, and the 35S 3’ region from Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (CaMV). In addition to the gene sequences above, line ‘P’ has also been genetically engineered to express the neomycin phosphotransferase gene (nptII) from Escherichia coli, which confers resistance to the antibiotic kanamycin. Expression of this gene is controlled by the enhanced 35S promoter from CaMV, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) intron from Zea mays, and the 35S 3’ region from CaMV. Constructs were inserted into the recipient organisms by microprojectile bombardment. 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 field test is for research on transgenic bahiagrass plants, particularly to investigate the frequency of cross-hybridization between transgenic Argentine bahiagrass with different bahiagrass cultivars under field conditions. Additionally, the data gathered during this study will be used to assess the confined status of this field release and refine the confinement conditions necessary for future releases of this grass species. On March 7, 2006, APHIS published a notice 1 in the Federal Register (71 FR 11372–11373, Docket No. APHIS–2006– 0022) announcing the availability of an environmental assessment (EA) for the proposed field trial. During the 30-day comment period, APHIS received no comments. Only typographical errors in the EA have been corrected since its draft form, and these do not change the substance of the EA. Pursuant to its regulations (7 CFR part 340) promulgated under the Plant Protection Act, APHIS has determined that this field trial will not pose a risk of the introduction or dissemination of a plant pest. Additionally, based upon analysis described in the EA, APHIS has determined that the action proposed in Alternative C of the EA, to issue the permit with additional permit conditions, will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. You may read the finding of no significant impact (FONSI) and decision notice on the Internet or in the APHIS reading room (see ADDRESSES above). The EA and FONSI were 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 and FONSI 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 17th day of May 2006. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E6–7820 Filed 5–22–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2006–0076] Availability of an Environmental Assessment for a Biological Control Agent for Old World Climbing Fern Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments. rmajette on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES AGENCY: 1 To view the notice and EA, go to https:// www.regulations.gov, click on the ‘‘Advanced Search’’ tab, and select ‘‘Docket Search.’’ In the Docket ID field, enter APHIS–2006–0022, then click on ‘‘Submit.’’ Clicking on the Docket ID link in the search results page will produce a list of all documents in the docket. VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:14 May 22, 2006 Jkt 208001 SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 29607 Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment relative to the control of Old World climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum. The environmental assessment considers the effects of, and alternatives to, the release of a nonindigenous gall mite, Floracarus perrepae, for the biological control of Old World climbing fern in Florida. We are making the environmental assessment available to the public for review and comment. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 22, 2006. You may submit comments by either of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and, in the lower ‘‘Search Regulations and Federal Actions’’ 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–2006–0076 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through the site’s ‘‘User Tips’’ link. Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS–2006–0076, 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– 2006–0076. Reading Room: You may read any comments that we receive on the environmental assessment 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. Joseph Vorgetts, Entomologist, Pest Permit Evaluation Branch, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737–1237; (301) 734–5405. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ADDRESSES: E:\FR\FM\23MYN1.SGM 23MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 23, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29606-29607]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2006-0022]


Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No 
Significant Impact for a Field Trial of Genetically Engineered 
Bahiagrass

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: We are advising the public that an environmental assessment 
has been prepared for a proposed field trial using two transgenic grass 
lines. The trial consists of Argentine bahiagrass plants that are 
genetically engineered to express resistance to the herbicide 
glufosinate and resistance to the antibiotic kanamycin. Each of 4 sets 
of 12 genetically engineered bahiagrass plants will be encircled with a 
ring of several untransformed cultivars of bahiagrass. The purpose of 
the field trial is to study the likelihood of hybrid formation as a 
result of pollen movement from the transgenic plants to the 
nontransgenic plants. Data gained from this field experiment also will 
be used to evaluate current confinement practices for this species of 
transgenic grass. After assessment of the application and review of the 
relevant scientific information, we have concluded that this field test 
will not present a risk of introducing or disseminating a plant pest. 
We have completed an environmental assessment and have concluded that 
this field test will not have a significant impact on the quality of 
the human environment. Based on its finding of no significant impact, 
the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that an 
environmental impact statement need not be prepared for this field 
test.

DATES: Effective Date: May 23, 2006.

ADDRESSES: You may read the environmental assessment (EA) and the 
finding of no significant impact (FONSI) 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. The EA, FONSI, and decision notice are 
available on the Internet at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/aphisdocs/
05_29402r_ea.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Patricia Beetham, Biotechnology 
Regulatory Services, APHIS, Suite 6B81, 4700 River Road Unit 147, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-0664. To obtain copies of the EA 
and FONSI, contact Ms. Ingrid Berlanger at (301) 734-4885; e-mail: 
ingrid.e.berlanger@aphis.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under 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,'' the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) regulates, 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

[[Page 29607]]

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 21, 2005, APHIS received a permit application (APHIS No. 
05-294-02r) from the University of Florida in Marianna, FL, for a field 
trial using lines of transgenic Argentine bahiagrass. Permit 
application 05-294-02r describes two transgenic lines of Argentine 
bahiagrass, Paspalum notatum Flugge cv. Argentine:
    Line `B9' has been genetically engineered to express the 
phosphinothricin acetyl transferase (bar) gene from Streptomyces 
hygroscopicus, which confers resistance to glufosinate herbicides. 
Expression of this gene is controlled by the polyubiquitin (ubi) 
promoter, ubi 5' flanking region and the ubi first intron sequences 
from Zea mays,  and the 35S 3' region from Cauliflower Mosaic Virus 
(CaMV).
    In addition to the gene sequences above, line `P' has also been 
genetically engineered to express the neomycin phosphotransferase gene 
(nptII) from Escherichia coli, which confers resistance to the 
antibiotic kanamycin. Expression of this gene is controlled by the 
enhanced 35S promoter from CaMV, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) intron 
from Zea mays, and the 35S 3' region from CaMV.
    Constructs were inserted into the recipient organisms by 
microprojectile bombardment.
    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 field 
test is for research on transgenic bahiagrass plants, particularly to 
investigate the frequency of cross-hybridization between transgenic 
Argentine bahiagrass with different bahiagrass cultivars under field 
conditions. Additionally, the data gathered during this study will be 
used to assess the confined status of this field release and refine the 
confinement conditions necessary for future releases of this grass 
species.
    On March 7, 2006, APHIS published a notice \1\ in the Federal 
Register (71 FR 11372-11373, Docket No. APHIS-2006-0022) announcing the 
availability of an environmental assessment (EA) for the proposed field 
trial. During the 30-day comment period, APHIS received no comments. 
Only typographical errors in the EA have been corrected since its draft 
form, and these do not change the substance of the EA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ To view the notice and EA, go to https://www.regulations.gov, 
click on the ``Advanced Search'' tab, and select ``Docket Search.'' 
In the Docket ID field, enter APHIS-2006-0022, then click on 
``Submit.'' Clicking on the Docket ID link in the search results 
page will produce a list of all documents in the docket.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pursuant to its regulations (7 CFR part 340) promulgated under the 
Plant Protection Act, APHIS has determined that this field trial will 
not pose a risk of the introduction or dissemination of a plant pest. 
Additionally, based upon analysis described in the EA, APHIS has 
determined that the action proposed in Alternative C of the EA, to 
issue the permit with additional permit conditions, will not have a 
significant impact on the quality of the human environment. You may 
read the finding of no significant impact (FONSI) and decision notice 
on the Internet or in the APHIS reading room (see ADDRESSES above).
    The EA and FONSI were 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 
and FONSI 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 17th day of May 2006.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-7820 Filed 5-22-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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