Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for a Proposed Field Release of Genetically Engineered Safflower, 33736-33737 [E7-11798]

Download as PDF rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES 33736 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 117 / Tuesday, June 19, 2007 / Notices Docket ID column, select APHIS–2007– 0021 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–2007–0021, 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– 2007–0021. Reading Room: You may read the environmental assessment (EA) and any comments we receive on the EA 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 available on the Internet at https://aphis.usda.gov/brs/ aphisdocs/06_11101r_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. 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. 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 VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:32 Jun 18, 2007 Jkt 211001 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 April 21, 2006, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) received a permit application (APHIS No. 06–111–01r) from Louisiana State University, in Baton Rouge, LA, for a field trial using strains of the bacterium Burkholderia glumae. Permit application 06–111–01r describes four Burkholderia glumae strains: Two wildtype strains, one of which is diseasecausing and the other naturally nonpathogenic, endemic to the United States, and two genetically engineered, non-pathogenic strains that share the same avirulent phenotype. The transgenic strains were created by placing base pairs of a methyltransferase gene into the cloning vector. The introduced vector, along with the methyltransferase gene, will integrate into the bacterial chromosome by homologous recombination. The subject Burkholderia glumae is considered a regulated article under the regulations in 7 CFR part 340 because it is the causal pathological agent of panicle blight in rice, a plant disease occurring in the United States. 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 bacterial strains, we have prepared an environmental assessment (EA). 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). The EA may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site or in our reading room. (Instructions for accessing Regulations.gov and information on the location and hours of the reading room are provided under the heading ADDRESSES at the beginning of this notice.) In addition, copies may be obtained by calling or writing to the individuals 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. PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Done in Washington, DC, this 13th day of June 2007. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E7–11813 Filed 6–18–07; 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 and Finding of No Significant Impact for a Proposed Field Release of Genetically Engineered Safflower 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 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 for future use as a supplement in aquaculture meal. After assessment of the application, review of pertinent scientific information, and consideration of comments provided by the public, we have concluded that these field releases will not present a risk of introducing or disseminating a plant pest. We have completed the environmental assessment and have concluded that this field release 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 these field releases. DATES: Effective Date: June 7, 2007. ADDRESSES: You may read the environmental assessment (EA), the finding of no significant impact (FONSI), and any comments we received 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, FONSI and decision notice, and responses to comments are available on the Internet E:\FR\FM\19JNN1.SGM 19JNN1 rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 117 / Tuesday, June 19, 2007 / Notices at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/ aphisdocs/06_25002r_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 EA, FONSI, and response to comments, 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 this 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. VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:32 Jun 18, 2007 Jkt 211001 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 Agrobacterium tumefaciens. On February 5, 2007, APHIS published a notice in the Federal Register (72 FR 5263–5264, Docket No. APHIS–2006–0190) announcing the availability of an environmental assessment (EA) for the proposed field release. During the 30-day comment period, APHIS received 33 comments. Two comments were from individuals who supported the planting of genetically engineered crops in general, but did not raise any specific points regarding the EA. Conversely, 23 comments were from individuals who were opposed to the use of biotechnology in food crops in general, but did not cite specific plant pest risk issues associated with this particular EA. One public interest group submitted 20,360 nearly identical letters from individuals opposing pharmacological proteins produced in food crops in general without addressing specific issues within the EA. Another public interest group submitted a letter bearing 25 signatures of representatives of various organizations that oppose pharmacological proteins in food crops and addressed specific issues within the EA. In total, eight public interest groups wrote letters in opposition to allowing the planting of the transgenic safflower. APHIS’ responses to these comments are provided as an attachment to the finding of no significant impact (FONSI) and decision notice. Pursuant to the regulations in 7 CFR part 340 promulgated under the Plant Protection Act, APHIS has determined that this field release 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 B of the EA, issue the permit with supplemental permit conditions, will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. You may read the FONSI and decision notice on the Internet or in the APHIS reading room (see ADDRESSES above). Copies may also be obtained from the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. To provide the public with documentation of APHIS’ review and analysis of any potential environmental impacts and plant pest risks associated with proposed release of the transgenic safflower, an EA and FONSI have been prepared. The EA and FONSI were prepared in accordance with (1) The PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 33737 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). 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 13th day of June 2007. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E7–11798 Filed 6–18–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [OR–930–6310–PN–LITU; HAG 07–0097] Notice of Availability of the Final Supplement to the 2004 Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement To Remove or Modify the Survey and Manage Mitigation Measure Standards and Guidelines. U.S. Forest Service (FS), Agriculture; Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCIES: SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA, 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), and the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (NFMA, 16 U.S.C. 1600–1614 et seq.), the FS and BLM (collectively the Agencies) have prepared a Final Supplement to the 2004 Final Environmental Impact Statement To Remove or Modify the Survey and Manage Mitigation Measure Standards and Guidelines (2004 FSEIS). The Agencies are supplementing the analyses contained in the 2004 FSEIS, which proposes to amend Land and Resource Management Plans on National Forests and BLM Districts within the range of the northern spotted owl in western Oregon, western Washington and northwestern California. The Final Supplement is now available. Requests to receive copies of the Final Supplement should be sent to E:\FR\FM\19JNN1.SGM 19JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 117 (Tuesday, June 19, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33736-33737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-11798]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2006-0190]


Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No 
Significant Impact 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 for future 
use as a supplement in aquaculture meal. After assessment of the 
application, review of pertinent scientific information, and 
consideration of comments provided by the public, we have concluded 
that these field releases will not present a risk of introducing or 
disseminating a plant pest. We have completed the environmental 
assessment and have concluded that this field release 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 these field releases.

DATES: Effective Date: June 7, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may read the environmental assessment (EA), the finding 
of no significant impact (FONSI), and any comments we received 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, FONSI and 
decision notice, and responses to comments are available on the 
Internet

[[Page 33737]]

at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/aphisdocs/06_25002r_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 EA, FONSI, and 
response to comments, 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 this 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 Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
    On February 5, 2007, APHIS published a notice in the Federal 
Register (72 FR 5263-5264, Docket No. APHIS-2006-0190) announcing the 
availability of an environmental assessment (EA) for the proposed field 
release. During the 30-day comment period, APHIS received 33 comments. 
Two comments were from individuals who supported the planting of 
genetically engineered crops in general, but did not raise any specific 
points regarding the EA. Conversely, 23 comments were from individuals 
who were opposed to the use of biotechnology in food crops in general, 
but did not cite specific plant pest risk issues associated with this 
particular EA. One public interest group submitted 20,360 nearly 
identical letters from individuals opposing pharmacological proteins 
produced in food crops in general without addressing specific issues 
within the EA. Another public interest group submitted a letter bearing 
25 signatures of representatives of various organizations that oppose 
pharmacological proteins in food crops and addressed specific issues 
within the EA. In total, eight public interest groups wrote letters in 
opposition to allowing the planting of the transgenic safflower. APHIS' 
responses to these comments are provided as an attachment to the 
finding of no significant impact (FONSI) and decision notice.
    Pursuant to the regulations in 7 CFR part 340 promulgated under the 
Plant Protection Act, APHIS has determined that this field release 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 B of the EA, issue 
the permit with supplemental permit conditions, will not have a 
significant impact on the quality of the human environment. You may 
read the FONSI and decision notice on the Internet or in the APHIS 
reading room (see ADDRESSES above). Copies may also be obtained from 
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    To provide the public with documentation of APHIS' review and 
analysis of any potential environmental impacts and plant pest risks 
associated with proposed release of the transgenic safflower, an EA and 
FONSI have been prepared. 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).

    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 13th day of June 2007.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-11798 Filed 6-18-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

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