ArborGen, LLC; Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for a Controlled Release of Genetically Engineered Eucalyptus, 35215-35216 [E7-12532]
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Notices
Federal Register
Vol. 72, No. 123
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
June 21, 2007.
The Department of Agriculture has
submitted the following information
collection requirement(s) to OMB for
review and clearance under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
Public Law 104–13. Comments
regarding (a) Whether the collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate
of burden including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (c)
ways to enhance the quality, utility and
clarity of the information to be
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Office of Management and Budget
(OMB),
OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or
fax (202) 395–5806 and to Departmental
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail
Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250–
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of having their full effect if received
within 30 days of this notification.
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sponsor a collection of information
unless the collection of information
displays a currently valid OMB control
number and the agency informs
potential persons who are to respond to
the collection of information that such
persons are not required to respond to
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:50 Jun 26, 2007
Jkt 211001
the collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control
number.
Forest Service
Title: Volunteer Application for
Natural Resource Agencies.
OMB Control Number: 0596–0080.
Summary of Collection: The
Volunteer Act of 1972, (Pub. L. 92–300)
as amended, authorizes Federal land
management agencies to use volunteers
and volunteer organizations to plan,
develop, maintain and manage, where
appropriate, trails and campground
facilities, improve wildlife habitat, and
perform other useful and important
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Nation. Agencies will collect
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or screen volunteer applicants or
administer/run volunteer programs that
are crucial to assisting these agencies in
fulfilling their missions.
Description of Respondents:
Individuals or households.
Number of Respondents: 400,000.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
Other (one time).
Total Burden Hours: 500,000.
Forest Service
Title: Predecisional Objection Process
for Hazardous Fuel Reduction Projects
Authorized by the Healthy Forest
Restoration Act of 2003.
OMB Control Number: 0596–0172.
Summary of Collection: On December
3, 2003, President Bush signed into law
the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of
2003 to reduce the threat of destructive
wildfires while upholding
environmental standards and
encouraging early public input during
review and planning processes. One of
the provisions of the Act, in Section 105
requires that not later than 30 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of Agriculture shall
promulgate interim final regulations to
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establish a predecisional administrative
review process. This process services as
the sole means by which a person can
seek administrative review regarding an
authorized hazardous fuel reduction
project on Forest Service (FS) land.
Need and Use of the Information:
Participants in the predecisional
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the intent of Congress without collecting
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Description of Respondents:
Individuals or households; State, Local
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institutions.
Number of Respondents: 121.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 968.
Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E7–12385 Filed 6–26–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
[Docket No. APHIS–2007–0027]
ArborGen, LLC; Availability of an
Environmental Assessment and
Finding of No Significant Impact for a
Controlled Release of Genetically
Engineered Eucalyptus Hybrids
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
E:\FR\FM\27JNN1.SGM
27JNN1
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
35216
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 123 / Wednesday, June 27, 2007 / Notices
environmental assessment for a
proposed controlled field release of
genetically engineered clones of
Eucalyptus hybrids. The purpose of this
release is to continue research on two
constructs that confer cold tolerance
from a previously approved notification
and test the efficacy of a third, claimed
as confidential business information.
After assessing the application,
reviewing pertinent scientific
information, and considering comments
provided by the public, we have
concluded that this field release will not
present a plant pest risk, nor will it 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 release.
DATES: Effective Date: June 28, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may read the
environmental assessment (EA), finding
of no significant impact (FONSI), and
any comments we received on the EA in
our reading room, which 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
at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/
aphisdocs/06_325111r_ea.pdf.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Levis Handley, Biotechnology
Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River
Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737–
1236; (301) 734–5721. 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
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:50 Jun 26, 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 November 21, 2006, the Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS) received a permit application
(APHIS No. 06–325–111r) from
ArborGen, LLC, in Summerville, SC, for
a controlled field release of genetically
engineered Eucalyptus hybrids. Under
this permit, trees planted under a
previously approved notification (05–
256–03n) would be allowed to flower.
Permit application 06–325–111r
describes Eucalyptus trees engineered
with three constructs. Two of these
constructs are intended to confer cold
tolerance and the third genetic construct
is claimed as confidential business
information (CBI). In addition, the trees
have been engineered with a selectable
marker gene, also claimed as CBI. These
DNA sequences were introduced into
Eucalyptus trees using disarmed
Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The subject
Eucalyptus trees are considered
regulated articles under the regulations
in 7 CFR part 340 because they were
created using donor sequences from
plant pests.
On April 20, 2007, APHIS published
a notice 1 in the Federal Register (72 FR
19876–19877, Docket No. APHIS 2007–
0027) announcing the availability of an
environmental assessment (EA) for a
controlled release of genetically
engineered Eucalyptus hybrids. During
the 30-day comment period, which
ended May 21, 2007, APHIS received
270 comments. There were 153
comments supporting APHIS granting
permit 06–325–111r, the majority of
which were nearly identical form
letters. Respondents supporting the
approval of the permit were foresters,
paper and packaging companies, or from
related industries, academia,
agricultural biotech companies, and
individuals. There were 67 respondents
who submitted 102 comments opposed
to APHIS granting the permit. One
opposing comment came in the form of
a petition bearing 5,495 signatories.
Respondents opposing APHIS granting
this permit were primarily from 13
public interest groups; other
respondents included academia and
individuals. APHIS has addressed the
issues raised during the comment
period and has provided responses to
these comments as an attachment to the
finding of no significant impact
(FONSI).
Pursuant to the regulations
promulgated under the Plant Protection
Act, APHIS has determined that this
field release will not pose a risk of
introducing or disseminating a plant
pest. Additionally, based upon analysis
described in the EA, APHIS has
determined that the action proposed in
Alternative C 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 the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this
notice.
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
Eucalyptus trees, 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 25th day of
June 2007.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E7–12532 Filed 6–26–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
[Docket No. APHIS–2007–0020]
Resident Canada Goose Management;
Record of Decision
Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
1 To
view the notice and the comments we
received go to https://www.regulations.gov, click on
the ‘‘Advanced Search’’ tab, and select ‘‘Docket
Search.’’ In the Docket ID field, enter APHIS–2007–
0027, then click ‘‘Submit.’’ Clicking on the Docket
ID link in the search results page will produce a list
of all documents in the docket.
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
SUMMARY: This notice advises the public
of the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service’s Record of Decision
E:\FR\FM\27JNN1.SGM
27JNN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 123 (Wednesday, June 27, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35215-35216]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-12532]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2007-0027]
ArborGen, LLC; Availability of an Environmental Assessment and
Finding of No Significant Impact for a Controlled Release of
Genetically Engineered Eucalyptus Hybrids
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
[[Page 35216]]
environmental assessment for a proposed controlled field release of
genetically engineered clones of Eucalyptus hybrids. The purpose of
this release is to continue research on two constructs that confer cold
tolerance from a previously approved notification and test the efficacy
of a third, claimed as confidential business information. After
assessing the application, reviewing pertinent scientific information,
and considering comments provided by the public, we have concluded that
this field release will not present a plant pest risk, nor will it 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 release.
DATES: Effective Date: June 28, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may read the environmental assessment (EA), finding of
no significant impact (FONSI), and any comments we received on the EA
in our reading room, which 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 at
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/aphisdocs/06_325111r_ea.pdf.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Levis Handley, Biotechnology
Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD
20737-1236; (301) 734-5721. 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 November 21, 2006, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service (APHIS) received a permit application (APHIS No. 06-325-111r)
from ArborGen, LLC, in Summerville, SC, for a controlled field release
of genetically engineered Eucalyptus hybrids. Under this permit, trees
planted under a previously approved notification (05-256-03n) would be
allowed to flower.
Permit application 06-325-111r describes Eucalyptus trees
engineered with three constructs. Two of these constructs are intended
to confer cold tolerance and the third genetic construct is claimed as
confidential business information (CBI). In addition, the trees have
been engineered with a selectable marker gene, also claimed as CBI.
These DNA sequences were introduced into Eucalyptus trees using
disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The subject Eucalyptus trees are
considered regulated articles under the regulations in 7 CFR part 340
because they were created using donor sequences from plant pests.
On April 20, 2007, APHIS published a notice \1\ in the Federal
Register (72 FR 19876-19877, Docket No. APHIS 2007-0027) announcing the
availability of an environmental assessment (EA) for a controlled
release of genetically engineered Eucalyptus hybrids. During the 30-day
comment period, which ended May 21, 2007, APHIS received 270 comments.
There were 153 comments supporting APHIS granting permit 06-325-111r,
the majority of which were nearly identical form letters. Respondents
supporting the approval of the permit were foresters, paper and
packaging companies, or from related industries, academia, agricultural
biotech companies, and individuals. There were 67 respondents who
submitted 102 comments opposed to APHIS granting the permit. One
opposing comment came in the form of a petition bearing 5,495
signatories. Respondents opposing APHIS granting this permit were
primarily from 13 public interest groups; other respondents included
academia and individuals. APHIS has addressed the issues raised during
the comment period and has provided responses to these comments as an
attachment to the finding of no significant impact (FONSI).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ To view the notice and the comments we received go to http:/
/www.regulations.gov, click on the ``Advanced Search'' tab, and
select ``Docket Search.'' In the Docket ID field, enter APHIS-2007-
0027, then click ``Submit.'' Clicking on the Docket ID link in the
search results page will produce a list of all documents in the
docket.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pursuant to the regulations promulgated under the Plant Protection
Act, APHIS has determined that this field release will not pose a risk
of introducing or disseminating a plant pest. Additionally, based upon
analysis described in the EA, APHIS has determined that the action
proposed in Alternative C 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 the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice.
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 Eucalyptus trees, 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 25th day of June 2007.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E7-12532 Filed 6-26-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
