Availability of an Environmental Assessment for a Field Test of Two Non-pathogenic, Genetically Engineered Strains of Burkholderia glumae, 33735-33736 [E7-11813]

Download as PDF 33735 Notices Federal Register Vol. 72, No. 117 Tuesday, June 19, 2007 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 No. AMS–FV–07–0078; FV–07–377] Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture. ACTION: Notice of reestablishment of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee and a request for nominations. rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: The USDA reestablished the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (Committee). The purpose of the Committee is to examine the full spectrum of issues faced by the fruit and vegetable industry and provide suggestions and ideas to the Secretary of Agriculture on how USDA can tailor its programs to better meet the fruit and vegetable industry’s needs. USDA also seeks nominations of individuals to be considered for selection as Committee members. DATES: Written nominations must be received on or before July 19, 2007. ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent to Robert C. Keeney, Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 2077–S, Stop 0235, Washington, DC 20250–0235; Facsimile: (202) 720–0016. E-mail: robert.keeney@usda.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Hatch, Designated Federal Official; phone: (202) 690–0182; e-mail: andrew.hatch@usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App.), notice is hereby given that the Secretary of Agriculture reestablished the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee for two years. The purpose of the Committee is to examine the full spectrum of issues VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:32 Jun 18, 2007 Jkt 211001 faced by the fruit and vegetable industry and provide suggestions and ideas to the Secretary on how USDA can tailor its programs to better meet the fruit and vegetable industry’s needs. The Deputy Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service’s Fruit and Vegetable Programs will serve as the Committee’s Executive Secretary. Representatives from USDA mission areas and agencies affecting the fruit and vegetable industry will be called upon to participate in the Committee’s meetings as determined by the Committee Chairperson. Industry members will be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and serve 2-year terms. Membership will consist of up to twenty-five (25) members who represent the fruit and vegetable industry and will include individuals representing fruit and vegetable growers/shippers, wholesalers, brokers, retailers, processors, fresh cut processors, foodservice suppliers, state departments of agriculture, and trade associations. The members of the reestablished Committee will elect the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Committee. In absence of the Chairperson, the ViceChairperson will act in the Chairperson’s stead. The Secretary of Agriculture invites those individuals, organizations, and groups affiliated with the categories listed above to nominate individuals for membership on the reestablished Committee. Nominations should describe and document the proposed member’s qualifications for membership to the Committee, and list their name, title, address, telephone, and fax number. The Secretary of Agriculture seeks a diverse group of members representing a broad spectrum of persons interested in providing suggestions and ideas on how USDA can tailor its programs to meet the fruit and vegetable industry’s needs. Individuals who are nominated will receive necessary forms from USDA for membership. The biographical information and clearance forms must be completed and returned to USDA within 10 working days of notification, to expedite the clearance process that is required before selection of Committee members by the Secretary of Agriculture. Equal opportunity practices will be followed in all appointments to the Committee in accordance with USDA PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 policies. To ensure that the recommendations of the Committee have taken into account the needs of the diverse groups served by USDA, membership shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and limited resource agriculture producers. Dated: June 8, 2007. Lloyd C. Day, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. E7–11724 Filed 6–18–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2007–0021] Availability of an Environmental Assessment for a Field Test of Two Non-pathogenic, Genetically Engineered Strains of Burkholderia glumae Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment for a proposed field trial involving two genetically engineered strains of the bacterium Burkholderia glumae. Burkholderia glumae is a plant pathogen that causes panicle blight in rice. The purpose of this field test is to conduct experiments that will provide information on the pathogenicity of Burkholderia glumae and will assist in the development of control methods to reduce yield loss caused by panicle blight. 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 July 19, 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 E:\FR\FM\19JNN1.SGM 19JNN1 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

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 117 (Tuesday, June 19, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33735-33736]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-11813]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2007-0021]


Availability of an Environmental Assessment for a Field Test of 
Two Non-pathogenic, Genetically Engineered Strains of Burkholderia 
glumae

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment for a 
proposed field trial involving two genetically engineered strains of 
the bacterium Burkholderia glumae. Burkholderia glumae is a plant 
pathogen that causes panicle blight in rice. The purpose of this field 
test is to conduct experiments that will provide information on the 
pathogenicity of Burkholderia glumae and will assist in the development 
of control methods to reduce yield loss caused by panicle blight. 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 July 
19, 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

[[Page 33736]]

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 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 wild-type 
strains, one of which is disease-causing and the other naturally non-
pathogenic, 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.

    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
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