Pine Shoot Beetle; Additions to Quarantined Areas, 1912-1913 [E7-505]

Download as PDF 1912 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 10 / Wednesday, January 17, 2007 / Rules and Regulations PART 890—FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM § 890.806 When can former spouses change enrollment or reenroll and what are the effective dates? 1. The authority citation for part 890 continues to read as follows: * I Authority: 5 U.S.C. 8913; § 890.303 also issued under 50 U.S.C. 403p, 22 U.S.C. 4069c and 4069c–1; subpart L also issued under sec. 599 C of Pub. L 101–513, 104 Stat. 2064, as amended; § 890.102 also issued under sections 11202(f), 11232(e), and 11246(b) and (c) of Pub. L. 105–33, 111 Stat. 251; and section 721 of Pub. L. 105–261, 112 Stat. 2061 unless otherwise noted. 2. In § 890.301 add new paragraph (i)(4)(iv) to read as follows: I § 890.301 Opportunities for employees who are not participants in premium conversion to enroll or change enrollment; effective dates. * * * * * (i) * * * (4) * * * (iv) If the discontinuance of the plan, whether permanent or temporary, is due to a disaster, an employee must change the enrollment within 60 days of the disaster, as announced by OPM. If an employee does not change the enrollment within the time frame announced by OPM, the employee will be considered to be enrolled in the standard option of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan. The effective date of enrollment changes under this provision will be set by OPM when it makes the announcement allowing such changes. * * * * * 3. In § 890.306 add new paragraph (1)(4)(v) to read as follows: I § 890.306 When can annuitants or survivor annuitants change enrollment or reenroll and what are the effective dates? mstockstill on PROD1PC61 with RULES * * * * * (1) * * * (4) * * * (v) If the discontinuance of the plan, whether permanent or temporary, is due to a disaster, an annuitant must change the enrollment within 60 days of the disaster, as announced by OPM. If an annuitant does not change the enrollment within the time frame announced by OPM, the annuitant will be considered to be enrolled in the standard option of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan. The effective date of enrollment changes under this provision will be set by OPM when it makes the announcement allowing such changes. * * * * * 4. In § 890.806 add new paragraph (j)(4)(iv) to read as follows: I VerDate Aug<31>2005 13:05 Jan 16, 2007 Jkt 211001 * * * * (j) * * * (4) * * * (iv) If the discontinuance of the plan, whether permanent or temporary, is due to a disaster, the former spouse must change the enrollment within 60 days of the disaster, as announced by OPM. If the former spouse does not change the enrollment within the time frame announced by OPM, the former spouse will be considered to be enrolled in the standard option of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan. The effective date of enrollment changes under this provision will be set by OPM when it makes the announcement allowing such changes. * * * * * I 5. In § 890.1108 add new paragraph (h)(4)(iv) to read as follows: § 890.1108 Opportunities to change enrollment; effective dates. * * * * * (h) * * * (4) * * * (iv) If the discontinuance of the plan, whether permanent or temporary, is due to a disaster, the enrollee must change the enrollment within 60 days of the disaster, as announced by OPM. If the enrollee does not change the enrollment within the time frame announced by OPM, the enrollee will be considered to be enrolled in the standard option of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan. The effective date of enrollment changes under this provision will be set by OPM when it makes the announcement allowing such changes. * * * * * regulations by adding counties in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio to the list of quarantined areas and by designating the States of Michigan, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania, in their entirety, as quarantined areas based on their decision not to enforce intrastate movement restrictions. The interim rule also added the States of Connecticut and Rhode Island, in their entirety, to the list of quarantined areas based on projections of the natural spread of pine shoot beetle that make it reasonable to believe that the pest is present in those States. The interim rule was necessary to prevent the spread of pine shoot beetle, a pest of pine trees, into noninfested areas of the United States. DATES: Effective on January 17, 2007, we are adopting as a final rule the interim rule published at 71 FR 58243–58246 on October 3, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Weyman Fussell, Program Manager, Pest Detection and Management Programs, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 134, Riverdale, MD 20737–1231; (301) 734– 5705. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background AGENCY: The regulations in 7 CFR 301.50 through 301.50–10 (referred to below as the regulations) restrict the interstate movement of certain regulated articles from quarantined areas in order to prevent the spread of pine shoot beetle (PSB) into noninfested areas of the United States. In an interim rule 1 effective and published in the Federal Register on October 3, 2006 (71 FR 58243–58246, Docket No. APHIS–2006–0117), we amended the regulations by adding Jo Daviess and Stark Counties, IL; Dearborn County, IN; Dubuque and Scott Counties, IA; Bergen, Hunterdon, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren Counties, NJ; Columbia, Orange, and Ulster Counties, NY; and Highland, Jackson, Ross, and Scioto Counties, OH, to the list of quarantined areas in § 301.50– 3(c). In addition, we designated the States of Michigan, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania, in their entirety, as quarantined areas based on their decision not to enforce intrastate movement restrictions. Finally, we added the States of Connecticut and Rhode Island, in their entirety, to the SUMMARY: We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that amended the pine shoot beetle 1 To view the interim rule, go to https:// www.regulations.gov, click on the ‘‘Advanced Search’’ tab, and select ‘‘Docket Search.’’ In the Docket ID field, enter APHIS–2006–0117, then click ‘‘Submit.’’ Clicking on the Docket ID link in the search results page will produce a list of all documents in the docket. [FR Doc. E7–533 Filed 1–16–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6325–39–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 7 CFR Part 301 [Docket No. APHIS–2006–0117] Pine Shoot Beetle; Additions to Quarantined Areas Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Affirmation of interim rule as final rule. PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\17JAR1.SGM 17JAR1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 10 / Wednesday, January 17, 2007 / Rules and Regulations list of quarantined areas based on projections of the natural spread of PSB that make it reasonable to believe that the pest is present in those States. Comments on the interim rule were required to be received on or before December 4, 2006. We did not receive any comments. Therefore, for the reasons given in the interim rule, we are adopting the interim rule as a final rule. This action also affirms the information contained in the interim rule concerning Executive Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility Act, Executive Orders 12372 and 12988, and the Paperwork Reduction Act. Further, for this action, the Office of Management and Budget has waived its review under Executive Order 12866. these services under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (AMA). EFFECTIVE DATE: February 16, 2007. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information concerning program operations, contact John Giler, Deputy Director, Field Management Division, at his E-mail address: john.c.giler@usda.gov or by telephone (202) 720–0228. For information concerning fee development contact, contact Ms. Patricia Donohue-Galvin, Director, Budget and Planning Staff, at her E-mail address: patricia.donohuegalvin@usda.gov or by telephone (202) 690–0231. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 301 The AMA authorizes official inspection and weighing services, on a user-fee basis, of rice (7 U.S.C. 1622(h)). The AMA provides that reasonable fees be collected from the users of the services to cover, as nearly as practicable, the costs of the services rendered. The regulations in 7 CFR 868 list user fees for inspection and weighing services provided by the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA or Agency). This final rule amends the schedule for fees and charges for inspection and weighing services that GIPSA provides to the rice industry to reflect the costs necessary to operate the program. GIPSA receives no directly appropriated funds to provide inspection and weighing services. Our ability to provide these services depends on user fees. For our user fees to cover our costs so that we can continue to provide services and to inform our customers of user fees in time for advance planning, we proposed to set user fees for our inspection and weighing services for fiscal years 2007 through 2010. GIPSA regularly reviews its user fee programs to determine if the fees are adequate. While GIPSA continues to search for opportunities to reduce its costs, the existing fee schedule will not generate sufficient revenues to cover program costs while maintaining the Agency 3-month operating reserve. The cost of operating the rice program was $4.4 million during fiscal year 2006 and will increase to approximately $4.8 million by fiscal year 2010. These cost increases are due to estimated annual cost of living adjustments for employee salaries and benefits, equipment replacement, and information technology upgrades. Replacing aging rice inspection equipment will cost approximately $50,000. An information Agricultural commodities, Plant diseases and pests, Quarantine, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation. PART 301—DOMESTIC QUARANTINE NOTICES Accordingly, we are adopting as a final rule, without change, the interim rule that amended 7 CFR part 301 and that was published at 71 FR 58243– 58246 on October 3, 2006. I Done in Washington, DC, this 10th day of January 2007. W. Ron DeHaven, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E7–505 Filed 1–16–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration 7 CFR Part 868 RIN 0580–AA92 Fees for Rice Inspection Services Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA. ACTION: Final rule. mstockstill on PROD1PC61 with RULES AGENCY: SUMMARY: This final rule revises the regulations governing the sampling, inspection, weighing, and certification for rice by increasing certain fees charged for the services by approximately 18 percent. Further, the rice fees increase an additional 3 percent each year through fiscal year 2010 and establish a stowage examination fee. These revisions are necessary in order to recover, as nearly as practicable, the costs of performing VerDate Aug<31>2005 13:05 Jan 16, 2007 Jkt 211001 Background PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 1913 technology upgrade to improve certification efficiency and program management will cost approximately $300,000. The estimated costs incorporate plans to introduce program changes that will better control increases in long-term costs. We designed the revised fee structure to fund the rice program this fiscal year and future fiscal years to avoid a continued program deficit. The combination of the initial 18 percent increase and the subsequent annual 3 percent increases will ultimately cover the program’s operating cost and replenish the 3-month retained earnings balance. We are also establishing a new fee for stowage examination services that we will provide as a service upon request. In the April 11, 2006 Federal Register (71 FR 18231–18236), we invited comments on our proposed rule identifying changes to the user fees we charge for rice inspection and weighing services. We solicited comments concerning our proposal for 60 days ending June 12, 2006. By the close of the comment period, we received two comments; one from representatives of a rice mill and one from a rice industry organization. Both commenters opposed the fee increases. The issues raised in these comments are discussed below. The comments, one from a rice industry trade organization and one from a rice mill, both opposed the fee increases. The trade organization stated that the fee increase was excessive and would lead to a reduction in service requested from the industry, resulting in a continuing cycle of fee increases. It also said that the fee increase was preemptive and premature considering the continuing nature of discussion on privatization. The trade organization indicated that GIPSA should eliminate costs, redesign its delivery system in certain locations, and it offered to work with GIPSA to evaluate options. The rice mill stated that the fees charged by GIPSA were much higher than private industry and that the increase would force the industry to look for alternatives. The mill also questioned a statement in the proposed rule concerning the voluntary nature of the inspection service, because GIPSA is the only agency issuing USDA Rice Inspection Certificates. We disagree with these comments. The rice inspection program is authorized under the AMA of 1946 and funded by user fees. The rice fees were last revised in 2003. Since that time, costs have increased and retained earnings have been depleted. Without E:\FR\FM\17JAR1.SGM 17JAR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 17, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1912-1913]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-505]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

7 CFR Part 301

[Docket No. APHIS-2006-0117]


Pine Shoot Beetle; Additions to Quarantined Areas

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Affirmation of interim rule as final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim 
rule that amended the pine shoot beetle regulations by adding counties 
in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio to the list 
of quarantined areas and by designating the States of Michigan, 
Minnesota, and Pennsylvania, in their entirety, as quarantined areas 
based on their decision not to enforce intrastate movement 
restrictions. The interim rule also added the States of Connecticut and 
Rhode Island, in their entirety, to the list of quarantined areas based 
on projections of the natural spread of pine shoot beetle that make it 
reasonable to believe that the pest is present in those States. The 
interim rule was necessary to prevent the spread of pine shoot beetle, 
a pest of pine trees, into noninfested areas of the United States.

DATES: Effective on January 17, 2007, we are adopting as a final rule 
the interim rule published at 71 FR 58243-58246 on October 3, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Weyman Fussell, Program Manager, 
Pest Detection and Management Programs, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road 
Unit 134, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-5705.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The regulations in 7 CFR 301.50 through 301.50-10 (referred to 
below as the regulations) restrict the interstate movement of certain 
regulated articles from quarantined areas in order to prevent the 
spread of pine shoot beetle (PSB) into noninfested areas of the United 
States.
    In an interim rule \1\ effective and published in the Federal 
Register on October 3, 2006 (71 FR 58243-58246, Docket No. APHIS-2006-
0117), we amended the regulations by adding Jo Daviess and Stark 
Counties, IL; Dearborn County, IN; Dubuque and Scott Counties, IA; 
Bergen, Hunterdon, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren Counties, NJ; Columbia, 
Orange, and Ulster Counties, NY; and Highland, Jackson, Ross, and 
Scioto Counties, OH, to the list of quarantined areas in Sec.  301.50-
3(c). In addition, we designated the States of Michigan, Minnesota, and 
Pennsylvania, in their entirety, as quarantined areas based on their 
decision not to enforce intrastate movement restrictions. Finally, we 
added the States of Connecticut and Rhode Island, in their entirety, to 
the

[[Page 1913]]

list of quarantined areas based on projections of the natural spread of 
PSB that make it reasonable to believe that the pest is present in 
those States.
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    \1\ To view the interim rule, go to https://www.regulations.gov, 
click on the ``Advanced Search'' tab, and select ``Docket Search.'' 
In the Docket ID field, enter APHIS-2006-0117, then click 
``Submit.'' Clicking on the Docket ID link in the search results 
page will produce a list of all documents in the docket.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Comments on the interim rule were required to be received on or 
before December 4, 2006. We did not receive any comments. Therefore, 
for the reasons given in the interim rule, we are adopting the interim 
rule as a final rule.
    This action also affirms the information contained in the interim 
rule concerning Executive Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act, Executive Orders 12372 and 12988, and the Paperwork Reduction Act.
    Further, for this action, the Office of Management and Budget has 
waived its review under Executive Order 12866.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 301

    Agricultural commodities, Plant diseases and pests, Quarantine, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.

PART 301--DOMESTIC QUARANTINE NOTICES

0
Accordingly, we are adopting as a final rule, without change, the 
interim rule that amended 7 CFR part 301 and that was published at 71 
FR 58243-58246 on October 3, 2006.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 10th day of January 2007.
W. Ron DeHaven,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-505 Filed 1-16-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

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