Availability of an Environmental Assessment for a Proposed Field Release of Genetically Engineered Safflower, 5263-5264 [E7-1790]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 23 / Monday, February 5, 2007 / Notices implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1b), and (4) APHIS’ NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372). In accordance with § 340.6(d) of the regulations, we are publishing this notice to inform the public that APHIS will accept written comments regarding the petition for a determination of nonregulated status from interested or affected persons for a period of 60 days from the date of this notice. We are also soliciting written comments from interested or affected persons on the EA prepared to examine any environmental impacts of the proposed determination for the subject soybean event. The petition and the EA and any comments we receive are available for public review, and copies of the petitions and the EA are available as indicated in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice. After the comment period closes, APHIS will review the data submitted by the petitioner, all written comments received during the comment period, and any other relevant information. After reviewing and evaluating the comments on the petition and the EA and other data and information, APHIS will furnish a response to the petitioner, either approving the petition in whole or in part, or denying the petition. APHIS will then publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing the regulatory status of Monsanto’s glyphosate-tolerant soybean and the availability of APHIS’ written decision. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7701–7772 and 7781– 7786; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.8, and 371.3. Done in Washington, DC, this 30th day of January 2007. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E7–1793 Filed 2–2–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2006–0190] Availability of an Environmental Assessment for a Proposed Field Release of Genetically Engineered Safflower Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: We are advising the public that an environmental assessment has been prepared for a proposed field release involving a transgenic safflower VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:07 Feb 02, 2007 Jkt 211001 line that has been genetically engineered to express, within the seeds, a carp growth hormone fused to an Arabidopsis oleosin. The purpose of this field release is to obtain a seed increase of material harvested in Chile for future use as a supplement in aquaculture meal. We are making the environmental assessment available to the public for review and comment. DATES: We will consider all comments received on or before March 7, 2007. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov, select ‘‘Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’’ from the agency drop-down menu, then click ‘‘Submit.’’ In the Docket ID column, select APHIS–2006– 0190 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov, including instruction 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–2006–0190, 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– 2006–0190. Reading Room: You may read the environmental assessment (EA) and any comments we receive on this docket 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 is also available on the Internet at https://aphis.usda.gov/brs/ aphisdocs/06_25001r_ea.pdf. 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. Patricia Beetham, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737– 1236; (301) 734–0664. To obtain copies of the environmental assessment, contact Ms. Cynthia Eck at (301) 734– 0667; e-mail: cynthia.a.eck@aphis.usda.gov. PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 5263 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 in the environment of a regulated article. On September 5, 2006, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) received a permit application (APHIS No. 06–250–02r) from SemBioSys Genetics, Inc. of West Sacramento, CA, for a field trial using a line of transgenic safflower. Permit application 06–250–02r describes a transgenic safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) cultivar that has been genetically engineered to express a fusion protein consisting of oleosin from Arabidopsis thaliana and carp growth hormone (somatotropin) from Cyprinus carpio exclusively within its seeds. Expression of the fusion protein is controlled by the phaseolin promoter and terminator sequences from Phaseolus vulgaris L. (common bean). Constructs were inserted into the recipient organisms via a disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens vector system. The seed from these safflower plants will be ground and incorporated into aquaculture feed to be used in experimental fish feeding studies by SemBioSys and is not for commercial production. The subject safflower is considered a regulated article under the regulations in 7 CFR part 340 because it has been genetically engineered using the recombinant DNA technique using a vector derived from the plant pest Agrobacterium tumefaciens. To provide the public with documentation of APHIS’ review and analysis of any potential environmental impacts and plant pest risks associated with the proposed release of these transgenic safflowers, an environmental assessment (EA) has been prepared. The EA was prepared in accordance with: (1) The National Environmental Policy Act SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\05FEN1.SGM 05FEN1 5264 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 23 / Monday, February 5, 2007 / Notices 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. 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 30th day of January 2007. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E7–1790 Filed 2–2–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Revised Land and Resource Management Plan; Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, South Lake Tahoe, CA Notice of initiation to revise the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Land and Resource Management Plan. ACTION: mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES SUMMARY: The Forest Service will revise the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Plan (hereafter referred to as the Forest Plan). This notice describes the documents available for review and how to obtain them; summarizes the need to change the Forest Plan and the initial scope of revision based upon management review and determination; provides information concerning public participation and collaboration; and includes the names and addresses of agency officials who can provide additional information. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Forest Plan Revision—LTBMU, 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. E-mail: commentspacificsouthwest-ltbmu@fs.fed.us. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Chaponot at (530) 543–2742 or Robert King at (530) 543–2619; or e-mail the revision team at : commentspacificsouthwest-ltbmu@fs.fed.us. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Documents Available for Review The Comprehensive Evaluation Report is the Forest Plan revision analysis document that provides an evaluation of current ecological, economic, and social conditions and trends; these contribute to sustainability VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:07 Feb 02, 2007 Jkt 211001 within the Forest Service lands managed by the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU). Publication and review of the Comprehensive Evaluation Report (CER) formally launches LTBMU’s Forest Plan Revision process. The information detailed in the CER analysis, and further distilled within the forest supervisor’s management review and revision theme areas are provided for public and agency review and comment. This document is now available for review (see Public Participation and Collaboration subtopic). Components of the Forest Plan As required under the National Forest Management Act, Terri Marceron, Forest Supervisor, LTBMU has made a determination that conditions exist that warrant a revision of the existing 1988 Forest Plan (see Forest Supervisor’s Determination—Preliminary Need for Change Topics). The Management Review is the preamble to the Comprehensive Evaluation Report document; it describes the scope of the plan revision, rationale, and formal determination to proceed with revision of the LTBMU Forest Plan. The information contained in the CER, in concert with information acquired from substantive comments, will be used to structure a revised plan. The revised Forest Plan will include the following components: Desired conditions, objectives, guidelines, suitability of areas and special areas (Reference: CFR 219.7). Forest Supervisor’s Determination— Preliminary Need for Change Topics Much of the direction contained in the 1988 Forest Plan is still valid. The parts of the plan that are working well will be carried forward into the revised Plan, limiting the revision to areas where new regulations and policy, new science, resource information, and changing social, economic, and ecologic conditions and trends have created a need for updated guidance. Through the public participation and collaboration process the Forest Supervisor has determined that the Forest Plan Revision will focus on four preliminary themes: • Ecosystem restoration, • Recreation management, • Land use, • Planning and adaptive management. (Reference: CER Management Review; and CER Chapter 2) Comment Requested The Forest Service is seeking public comments about the appropriateness of PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 the specific preliminary Need for Change topics identified in the CER document. Public comments should fall within two specific areas: (1) Whether the scope and appropriate representation of the four major theme areas identified in the CER is addressed adequately, and with the appropriate science; and (2) Specific issue areas of importance to the public that were not addressed adequately in the information presented in the full CER document. Substantive comments received by 19 March 2007 will be of the most value in evaluating public response to the adequacy of the need for change themes outlined in the Comprehensive Evaluation Report. Planning Process Schedule The revision process for the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit officially begins in January 2007 with the publication of this Notice of Initiation in the Federal Register. The final revised Forest Plan is scheduled to be issued for pre-decisional review in July 2008. Final approval of the revised LTBMU Forest Plan is scheduled to occur October 2008. As of the publication date of this notice, it is the intent of the Forest Supervisor, Terri Marceron, consistent with national Forest Service policy, that the revised forest plan will be published as a Categorical Exclusion (Reference: Forest Service Handbook FSH 1909.12, Ch. 30, Jan. 31, 2006). Responsible Official Terri Marceron, Forest Supervisor, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit at 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. Public Participation and Collaboration The revision process is designed to provide continued opportunities for public collaboration in the management of public land in the Lake Tahoe Basin and provide open participation in the development of the revised Forest Plan. Pursuant to 36 CFR 219.13(a), only parties that participate in the planning process through the submission of written comments can submit an objection upon publication of the revised Forest Plan decision (see Planning Process Schedule). For additional information on the Forest Plan revision processes, access the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Web site at: https://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu/projects/. Likewise, interested members of the public can request to receive LTBMU Forest Plan revision information updates via U.S. Mail delivery, by mailing a request to: Forest Plan Revision—LTBMU, 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, e-mailing: E:\FR\FM\05FEN1.SGM 05FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 23 (Monday, February 5, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5263-5264]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-1790]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2006-0190]


Availability of an Environmental Assessment for a Proposed Field 
Release of Genetically Engineered Safflower

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 release involving a transgenic 
safflower line that has been genetically engineered to express, within 
the seeds, a carp growth hormone fused to an Arabidopsis oleosin. The 
purpose of this field release is to obtain a seed increase of material 
harvested in Chile for future use as a supplement in aquaculture meal. 
We are making the environmental assessment available to the public for 
review and comment.

DATES: We will consider all comments received on or before March 7, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://
www.regulations.gov, select ``Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service'' from the agency drop-down menu, then click ``Submit.'' In the 
Docket ID column, select APHIS-2006-0190 to submit or view public 
comments and to view supporting and related materials available 
electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov, including 
instruction 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-
2006-0190, 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-2006-0190.
    Reading Room: You may read the environmental assessment (EA) and 
any comments we receive on this docket 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 is also available on the Internet at https://
aphis.usda.gov/brs/aphisdocs/06_25001r_ea.pdf.
    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. Patricia Beetham, Biotechnology 
Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 
20737-1236; (301) 734-0664. To obtain copies of the environmental 
assessment, contact Ms. Cynthia Eck at (301) 734-0667; e-mail: 
cynthia.a.eck@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 in the environment of a regulated 
article.
    On September 5, 2006, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) received a permit application (APHIS No. 06-250-02r) 
from SemBioSys Genetics, Inc. of West Sacramento, CA, for a field trial 
using a line of transgenic safflower. Permit application 06-250-02r 
describes a transgenic safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) cultivar that 
has been genetically engineered to express a fusion protein consisting 
of oleosin from Arabidopsis thaliana and carp growth hormone 
(somatotropin) from Cyprinus carpio exclusively within its seeds. 
Expression of the fusion protein is controlled by the phaseolin 
promoter and terminator sequences from Phaseolus vulgaris L. (common 
bean). Constructs were inserted into the recipient organisms via a 
disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens vector system. The seed from these 
safflower plants will be ground and incorporated into aquaculture feed 
to be used in experimental fish feeding studies by SemBioSys and is not 
for commercial production.
    The subject safflower is considered a regulated article under the 
regulations in 7 CFR part 340 because it has been genetically 
engineered using the recombinant DNA technique using a vector derived 
from the plant pest Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
    To provide the public with documentation of APHIS' review and 
analysis of any potential environmental impacts and plant pest risks 
associated with the proposed release of these transgenic safflowers, an 
environmental assessment (EA) has been prepared. The EA was prepared in 
accordance with: (1) The National Environmental Policy Act

[[Page 5264]]

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.

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 30th day of January 2007.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E7-1790 Filed 2-2-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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