Oregon State University; Availability of an Environmental Assessment for Controlled Release of Genetically Engineered Populus Species and Hybrids, 39378-39379 [E7-13922]

Download as PDF 39378 Notices Federal Register Vol. 72, No. 137 Wednesday, July 18, 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 Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES July 12, 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 collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 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– 7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720–8681. An agency may not conduct or 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 16:02 Jul 17, 2007 Jkt 211001 the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Risk Management Agency Title: Standard Reinsurance Agreement Plan of Operations. OMB Control Number: 0563–0069. Summary of Collection: The Federal Crop Insurance Act, Title 7 U.S.C. Chapter 36 Section 1508(k) authorizes the Federal Crop Insurance to provide reinsurance to approved insurance providers that insure producers of any agricultural commodity under one or more acceptable plans. The Standard Reinsurance Agreement is a financial agreement between FCIC and the company to provide subsidy and reinsurance on eligible crop insurance. The Plan of Operation provides the information the insurer is required to file for the initial and each subsequent reinsurance year. Need and Use of the Information: FCIC uses the information as a basis for the approval of the insurer’s financial and operational capability of delivering the crop insurance program and for evaluating the insurer’s performance regarding implementation of procedures for training and quality control. If the information were not collected, FCIC would not be able to reinsure the crop business. Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Farms. Number of Respondents: 40,276. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually. Total Burden Hours: 144,264. Charlene Parker, Departmental Information Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. E7–13837 Filed 7–17–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–08–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2007–0018] Oregon State University; Availability of an Environmental Assessment for Controlled Release of Genetically Engineered Populus Species and Hybrids Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 SUMMARY: We are advising the public that an environmental assessment has been prepared for a proposed controlled field release of genetically engineered (transgenic) clones of Populus species and hybrids. The purpose of this controlled field release is to examine the effects of the genetic constructs on the intended traits—reproductive sterility, reduced stature, reduced light response, and modified lignin content. We are making the environmental assessment available to the public for review and comment. We will consider all comments received on or before August 17, 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–2007– 0018 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–2007–0018, 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– 2007–0018. 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 available on the Internet at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/ brs/aphisdocs/06_25001r_ea.pdf. Other Information: Additional information about APHIS and its DATES: E:\FR\FM\18JYN1.SGM 18JYN1 pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 137 / Wednesday, July 18, 2007 / Notices programs is available on the Internet at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Biotechnology Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737–1236; (301) 734– 7324. To obtain copies of the environmental assessment, contact Ms. Cynthia Eck, Document Control Officer, 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 7, 2006, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) received a permit application (APHIS No. 06–250–01r) from Oregon State University, in Corvallis, OR, for a controlled field release of genetically engineered Populus alba and Populus hybrids. A previous environmental assessment (EA) was prepared for a subset of trees in this release under Permit 95–031–01R. Under that permit, trees engineered with sterility constructs were allowed to flower. Since the researcher intends to add more trees to the permit and allow these additional trees to flower, a new EA has been prepared that updates the previous EA. Permit application 06–250–01r describes 95 genetic constructs that can be categorized into reproductive sterility genes, genes affecting stature or light response, genes aimed to modify tree chemistry, and activation tagging mutants aimed at the development of ‘‘experimental domesticates.’’ These DNA sequences were introduced into Populus plants using disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens and also contain regulatory sequences from the plant pests cauliflower mosaic virus, tobacco mosaic virus, Aspergillus nidulans, and Agrobacterium VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:02 Jul 17, 2007 Jkt 211001 tumefaciens. The subject Populus plants are considered regulated articles under the regulations in 7 CFR part 340 because they were created using donor sequences from plant pests. 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 Populus plants, an EA has been prepared. 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). Copies of the EA may be viewed on the https://Regulations.gov Web site or in our reading room (see ADDRESSES above) and 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 12th day of July 2007. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E7–13922 Filed 7–17–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2007–0102] Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for the Importation of Eggplant and Okra From Ghana Into all Areas of the United States and the Importation of Peppers From Ghana Into the Continental United States Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: We are advising the public that we have prepared a pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated with the importation of eggplant and okra from Ghana into all areas of the United States and the importation of peppers from Ghana into the continental United States. Based on that analysis, we believe that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 39379 introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation of eggplant, okra, and peppers from Ghana. We are making the pest risk analysis available for review and comment. DATES: We will consider all comments we receive on or before September 17, 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 Docket No. APHIS–2007–0102 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions 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–2007–0102, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737– 1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS–2007–0102. Reading Room: You may read any comments that 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. Other Information: Additional information about APHIS and its programs is available on the Internet at https://www.aphis.usda.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Sharon Porsche, Import Specialist, Commodity Import Analysis and Operations, Plant Health Programs, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737–1231; (301) 734– 8758. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the regulations in‘‘Subpart—Fruits and Vegetables’’ (7 CFR 319.56 through 319.56–46, referred to below as the regulations), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits or restricts the importation of fruits and vegetables into the United States from certain parts of the world to E:\FR\FM\18JYN1.SGM 18JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 137 (Wednesday, July 18, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39378-39379]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-13922]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2007-0018]


Oregon State University; Availability of an Environmental 
Assessment for Controlled Release of Genetically Engineered Populus 
Species and Hybrids

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 controlled field release of 
genetically engineered (transgenic) clones of Populus species and 
hybrids. The purpose of this controlled field release is to examine the 
effects of the genetic constructs on the intended traits--reproductive 
sterility, reduced stature, reduced light response, and modified lignin 
content. We are making the environmental assessment available to the 
public for review and comment.

DATES: We will consider all comments received on or before August 17, 
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-2007-0018 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-
2007-0018, 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-2007-0018.
    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 available on the Internet at: https://
www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/aphisdocs/06_25001r_ea.pdf.
    Other Information: Additional information about APHIS and its

[[Page 39379]]

programs is available on the Internet at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Biotechnology Regulatory Services, 
APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-
7324. To obtain copies of the environmental assessment, contact Ms. 
Cynthia Eck, Document Control Officer, 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 7, 2006, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) received a permit application (APHIS No. 06-250-01r) 
from Oregon State University, in Corvallis, OR, for a controlled field 
release of genetically engineered Populus alba and Populus hybrids. A 
previous environmental assessment (EA) was prepared for a subset of 
trees in this release under Permit 95-031-01R. Under that permit, trees 
engineered with sterility constructs were allowed to flower. Since the 
researcher intends to add more trees to the permit and allow these 
additional trees to flower, a new EA has been prepared that updates the 
previous EA.
    Permit application 06-250-01r describes 95 genetic constructs that 
can be categorized into reproductive sterility genes, genes affecting 
stature or light response, genes aimed to modify tree chemistry, and 
activation tagging mutants aimed at the development of ``experimental 
domesticates.'' These DNA sequences were introduced into Populus plants 
using disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens and also contain regulatory 
sequences from the plant pests cauliflower mosaic virus, tobacco mosaic 
virus, Aspergillus nidulans, and Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The subject 
Populus plants are considered regulated articles under the regulations 
in 7 CFR part 340 because they were created using donor sequences from 
plant pests.
    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 Populus plants, an EA has 
been prepared. 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). Copies of the EA 
may be viewed on the https://Regulations.gov Web site or in our reading 
room (see ADDRESSES above) and 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 12th day of July 2007.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E7-13922 Filed 7-17-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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