Plant Materials Centers, 68743-68744 [E7-23525]
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68743
Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
Vol. 72, No. 234
Thursday, December 6, 2007
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains regulatory documents having general
applicability and legal effect, most of which
are keyed to and codified in the Code of
Federal Regulations, which is published under
50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by
the Superintendent of Documents. Prices of
new books are listed in the first FEDERAL
REGISTER issue of each week.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation
Service
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 613
Plants (agriculture), Soil conservation.
I Accordingly, 7 CFR part 613 is revised
to read as follows:
7 CFR Part 613
Plant Materials Centers
Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA.
ACTION: Final rule.
rmajette on PROD1PC64 with RULES
AGENCY:
PART 613—PLANT MATERIALS
CENTERS
SUMMARY: Minor editorial changes are
being made to clarify and update the
existing regulation on plant materials
centers. Although the changes are
minor, the entire part is published in
this final rule for the convenience of the
reader.
DATES: Effective December 6, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions and comments should be
directed at Diane E. Gelburd, Director,
Ecological Sciences Division. Ms.
Gelburd may be contacted at USDA,
Natural Resources Conservation Service,
Post Office Box 2890, Room 6160—
South, Washington, DC 20013;
telephone: (202) 720–2587; e-mail:
Diane.Gelburd@wdc.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Since Part
613 became effective (49 FR 12188,
March 29, 1989), several changes have
occurred—requiring the need to update
it. These changes include an expanded
mission for the Plant Materials Program,
such as working with threatened and
endangered and pollinator species;
selecting plants that will mitigate odor,
PM–10, and PM–2.5; testing plants for
biofuels and other energy-related
activities; and evaluating plants and
technologies to combat invasive plant
species. Three additional plant
materials centers have been added.
These plant materials centers are
located in Booneville, Arkansas;
Alderson, West Virginia; and Fallon,
Nevada. These changes are minor and
do not significantly affect Part 613.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:21 Dec 05, 2007
Jkt 214001
This rule sets forth general statements
of Agency policy and internal Agency
organization and management.
Therefore, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, it
is found that notice and public
comment is not required. Further, in
light of the minor changes, good cause
is found for making this rule effective
on publication in the Federal Register.
Since this rule relates to internal
Agency management, it is exempt from
Executive Order 12291. Finally, this
action is not a rule as defined by Public
Law 96–354, the Regulatory Flexibility
Act, and thus is exempt from the
provisions of that Act.
Sec.
613.1 Purpose.
613.2 Policy and objectives.
613.3 NRCS responsibilities in plant
materials.
613.4 Special production of plant materials.
613.5 Plant materials centers.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 590a–f 590f, 5908; 7
U.S.C. 1010–1011.
§ 613.1
Purpose.
This part provides NRCS policy on
the operation of plant materials centers.
The centers have responsibilities for
assembling, testing, releasing, and
providing for the commercial
production and use of plant materials
and plant materials technology for
programs of soil, water, and related
resource conservation and development.
§ 613.2
Policy and objectives.
(a) It is NRCS policy to assemble,
comparatively evaluate, release, and
distribute for commercial increase new
or improved plant materials and plant
materials technology needed for broad
programs of resource conservation and
development for agriculture, wildlife,
urban, recreation, and other land uses
and environmental needs. Also, it is
NRCS policy to conduct plant materials
work in cooperation with other agencies
of the Department of Agriculture, such
as the Agricultural Research Service,
and with other Federal and State
research agencies including State
agricultural experiment stations. The
emphasis of the NRCS plant materials
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work is to find suitable plants to address
conservation needs. In contrast, the
emphasis of research agencies and
organizations in plant development is to
improve economically important crops.
The NRCS program of testing and
releasing new seed-propagated plant
materials follows the guidelines in
‘‘Statement of Responsibilities and
Policies Relating to the Development,
Release, and Multiplication of Publicly
Developed Varieties of Seed-Propagated
Crops,’’ which was adopted in June
1972 by land grant colleges and
interested Federal agencies. NRCS
releases improved conservation plant
materials requiring vegetative
multiplication in ways appropriate for
particular States and particular species
by working with experiment stations,
crop improvement associations, and
other State and Federal agencies.
(b) The objective of the plant
materials activity is to select or develop
special and improved plants, and
techniques for their successful
establishment and maintenance to solve
conservation problems and needs
related to:
(1) Controlling soil erosion on all
lands;
(2) Conserving water;
(3) Protecting upstream watersheds;
(4) Reducing sediment movement into
waterways and reservoirs through the
stabilization of critical sediment sources
such as surface mined lands, highway
slopes, recreation sites, and urban and
industrial development areas;
(5) Stabilizing disposal areas for
liquid and solid wastes;
(6) Improving plant diversity and
lengthening the grazing season on
dryland pastures and rangelands;
(7) Managing brush on mountain
slopes with fire-retarding plant cover to
reduce the possibility of fires that
threaten life and property or result in
serious sediment sources;
(8) Improving the effectiveness of
windbreaks and shelterbelts for
reducing airborne sediment, controlling
snow drifting, and preventing crop
damage from wind erosion;
(9) Protecting streambank, pond, and
lake waterlines from erosion by scouring
and wave action;
(10) Improving wildlife food and
cover, including threatened and
endangered and pollinator species;
(11) Selecting special purpose plants
to meet specific needs for environment
protection and enhancement;
E:\FR\FM\06DER1.SGM
06DER1
68744
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 234 / Thursday, December 6, 2007 / Rules and Regulations
(12) Selecting plants that tolerate air
pollution agents and toxic soil
chemicals;
(13) Selecting plants that mitigate
odor, PM–10, and PM–2.5;
(14) Testing plants for biofuels and
other energy-related activities; and
(15) Evaluating plants and techniques
to combat invasive plant species and for
reestablishment of desirable species
after eradication.
rmajette on PROD1PC64 with RULES
§ 613.3 NRCS responsibilities in plant
materials.
NRCS operates or enters into
agreements with State universities or
other State organizations to operate
plant materials centers. Also, NRCS
cooperates, both formally and
informally, with other Federal, State,
county, and nonprofit agencies or
organizations on the selection of plants
and evaluation of plant technology to
increase the capabilities of plant
materials centers. NRCS employs
specialists for testing and selecting plant
materials for conservation uses and the
development of plant materials
technology. NRCS responsibilities are
to:
(a) Identify the resource conservation
needs and cultural management
methods for environmental protection
and enhancement.
(b) Assemble and comparatively
evaluate plant materials at plant
materials centers and on sites where
soil, climate, or other conditions differ
significantly from those at the centers.
(c) Make comparative field plantings
for final testing of promising plants and
techniques in cooperation with
conservation districts and other
interested cooperators.
(d) Release cooperatively improved
conservation plants and maintain the
breeder or foundation stocks in ways
appropriate for particular State and
plant species by working with
experiment stations, crop improvement
associations, and other State and
Federal agencies.
(e) Produce limited amounts of
foundation or foundation-quality seed
and plants available by grant to or by
exchange with conservation districts,
experiment stations, other Federal and
State research agencies, and State seed
certifying organizations that will use the
material to establish seed fields, seed
orchards, or plantings for vegetative
increase.
(f) Encourage and assist conservation
districts, commercial seed producers,
and commercial and State nurseries to
produce needed plant materials for
conservation uses.
(g) Encourage the use of improved
plant materials and plant materials
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:21 Dec 05, 2007
Jkt 214001
technology in resource conservation and
environmental improvement programs.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
§ 613.4 Special production of plant
materials.
40 CFR Part 174
NRCS can produce plant materials in
the quantity required to do a specific
conservation job if this production will
serve the public welfare and only if the
plant materials are not available
commercially. This function will be
performed only until the plant materials
are available commercially. Specific
production of plant materials by NRCS
requires the approval of the Chief.
§ 613.5
Plant materials centers.
(a) The National Plant Materials
Center. The National Plant Materials
Center at Beltsville, Maryland focuses
on national initiatives and provides
coordination for plant materials work
across all 50 States. In addition, the
center provides plants and plant
technology to address resource concerns
in the mid-Atlantic region.
(b) Other Plant Materials Centers.
There are 26 other plant materials
centers; each serves several major land
resource areas. Twenty-four of these
centers are operated by NRCS and two
by cooperating agencies as follows:
(1) Operated by NRCS: Tucson,
Arizona; Booneville, Arkansas;
Lockeford, California; Brooksville,
Florida; Americus, Georgia; Molokai,
Hawaii; Aberdeen, Idaho; Manhattan,
Kansas; Golden Meadows, Louisiana;
East Lansing, Michigan; Coffeeville,
Mississippi; Elsberry, Missouri; Bridger,
Montana; Fallon, Nevada; Cape May
Courthouse, New Jersey; Los Lunas,
New Mexico; Big Flats, New York;
Bismarck, North Dakota; Corvallis,
Oregon; Kingsville, Texas; Knox City,
Texas; Nacogdoches, Texas; Pullman,
Washington; and Alderson, West
Virginia.
(2) Operated by cooperating agencies
with financial and technical assistance
from NRCS: Meeker, Colorado—White
River and Douglas Creek Soil
Conservation Districts with partial
funding from NRCS.
(3) Operated by cooperating agencies
with technical assistance from NRCS:
Palmer, Alaska—State of Alaska,
Department of Natural Resources.
Signed in Washington, DC, on November
20, 2007.
Arlen L. Lancaster,
Chief.
[FR Doc. E7–23525 Filed 12–5–07; 8:45 am]
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[EPA–HQ–OPP–2007–0575; FRL–8340–4]
Bacillus Thuringiensis Vip3Aa19
Protein in Cotton; Extension of a
Temporary Exemption From the
Requirement of a Tolerance
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This regulation extends the
temporary exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance for residues
of the Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3Aa19
protein in cotton when applied or used
as a plant-incorporated protectant (PIP).
Syngenta Seeds, Inc., submitted a
petition to EPA under the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), as
amended by the Food Quality Protection
Act of 1996 (FQPA), requesting the
temporary tolerance exemption be
extended. This regulation eliminates the
need to establish a maximum
permissible level for residues of Bacillus
thuringiensis Vip3Aa19 protein in
cotton when applied or used as a PIP on
cotton. The temporary tolerance
exemption expires on May 1, 2009.
DATES: This regulation is effective
December 6, 2007. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received
on or before February 4, 2008 and must
be filed in accordance with the
instructions provided in 40 CFR part
178 (see also Unit I.C. of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).
ADDRESSES: EPA has established a
docket for this action under docket
identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–
OPP–2007–0575. To access the
electronic docket, go to https://
www.regulations.gov, select ‘‘Advanced
Search,’’ then ‘‘Docket Search.’’ Insert
the docket ID number where indicated
and select the ‘‘Submit’’ button. Follow
the instructions on the regulations.gov
website to view the docket index or
access available documents. All
documents in the docket are listed in
the docket index available in
regulations.gov. Although listed in the
index, some information is not publicly
available, e.g., Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Certain other material, such as
copyrighted material, is not placed on
the Internet and will be publicly
available only in hard copy form.
Publicly available docket materials are
available in the electronic docket at
https://www.regulations.gov, or, if only
E:\FR\FM\06DER1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 234 (Thursday, December 6, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68743-68744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-23525]
========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
Prices of new books are listed in the first FEDERAL REGISTER issue of each
week.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 234 / Thursday, December 6, 2007 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 68743]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
7 CFR Part 613
Plant Materials Centers
AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Minor editorial changes are being made to clarify and update
the existing regulation on plant materials centers. Although the
changes are minor, the entire part is published in this final rule for
the convenience of the reader.
DATES: Effective December 6, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions and comments should be
directed at Diane E. Gelburd, Director, Ecological Sciences Division.
Ms. Gelburd may be contacted at USDA, Natural Resources Conservation
Service, Post Office Box 2890, Room 6160--South, Washington, DC 20013;
telephone: (202) 720-2587; e-mail: Diane.Gelburd@wdc.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Since Part 613 became effective (49 FR
12188, March 29, 1989), several changes have occurred--requiring the
need to update it. These changes include an expanded mission for the
Plant Materials Program, such as working with threatened and endangered
and pollinator species; selecting plants that will mitigate odor, PM-
10, and PM-2.5; testing plants for biofuels and other energy-related
activities; and evaluating plants and technologies to combat invasive
plant species. Three additional plant materials centers have been
added. These plant materials centers are located in Booneville,
Arkansas; Alderson, West Virginia; and Fallon, Nevada. These changes
are minor and do not significantly affect Part 613.
This rule sets forth general statements of Agency policy and
internal Agency organization and management. Therefore, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553, it is found that notice and public comment is not required.
Further, in light of the minor changes, good cause is found for making
this rule effective on publication in the Federal Register. Since this
rule relates to internal Agency management, it is exempt from Executive
Order 12291. Finally, this action is not a rule as defined by Public
Law 96-354, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, and thus is exempt from the
provisions of that Act.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 613
Plants (agriculture), Soil conservation.
0
Accordingly, 7 CFR part 613 is revised to read as follows:
PART 613--PLANT MATERIALS CENTERS
Sec.
613.1 Purpose.
613.2 Policy and objectives.
613.3 NRCS responsibilities in plant materials.
613.4 Special production of plant materials.
613.5 Plant materials centers.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 590a-f 590f, 5908; 7 U.S.C. 1010-1011.
Sec. 613.1 Purpose.
This part provides NRCS policy on the operation of plant materials
centers. The centers have responsibilities for assembling, testing,
releasing, and providing for the commercial production and use of plant
materials and plant materials technology for programs of soil, water,
and related resource conservation and development.
Sec. 613.2 Policy and objectives.
(a) It is NRCS policy to assemble, comparatively evaluate, release,
and distribute for commercial increase new or improved plant materials
and plant materials technology needed for broad programs of resource
conservation and development for agriculture, wildlife, urban,
recreation, and other land uses and environmental needs. Also, it is
NRCS policy to conduct plant materials work in cooperation with other
agencies of the Department of Agriculture, such as the Agricultural
Research Service, and with other Federal and State research agencies
including State agricultural experiment stations. The emphasis of the
NRCS plant materials work is to find suitable plants to address
conservation needs. In contrast, the emphasis of research agencies and
organizations in plant development is to improve economically important
crops. The NRCS program of testing and releasing new seed-propagated
plant materials follows the guidelines in ``Statement of
Responsibilities and Policies Relating to the Development, Release, and
Multiplication of Publicly Developed Varieties of Seed-Propagated
Crops,'' which was adopted in June 1972 by land grant colleges and
interested Federal agencies. NRCS releases improved conservation plant
materials requiring vegetative multiplication in ways appropriate for
particular States and particular species by working with experiment
stations, crop improvement associations, and other State and Federal
agencies.
(b) The objective of the plant materials activity is to select or
develop special and improved plants, and techniques for their
successful establishment and maintenance to solve conservation problems
and needs related to:
(1) Controlling soil erosion on all lands;
(2) Conserving water;
(3) Protecting upstream watersheds;
(4) Reducing sediment movement into waterways and reservoirs
through the stabilization of critical sediment sources such as surface
mined lands, highway slopes, recreation sites, and urban and industrial
development areas;
(5) Stabilizing disposal areas for liquid and solid wastes;
(6) Improving plant diversity and lengthening the grazing season on
dryland pastures and rangelands;
(7) Managing brush on mountain slopes with fire-retarding plant
cover to reduce the possibility of fires that threaten life and
property or result in serious sediment sources;
(8) Improving the effectiveness of windbreaks and shelterbelts for
reducing airborne sediment, controlling snow drifting, and preventing
crop damage from wind erosion;
(9) Protecting streambank, pond, and lake waterlines from erosion
by scouring and wave action;
(10) Improving wildlife food and cover, including threatened and
endangered and pollinator species;
(11) Selecting special purpose plants to meet specific needs for
environment protection and enhancement;
[[Page 68744]]
(12) Selecting plants that tolerate air pollution agents and toxic
soil chemicals;
(13) Selecting plants that mitigate odor, PM-10, and PM-2.5;
(14) Testing plants for biofuels and other energy-related
activities; and
(15) Evaluating plants and techniques to combat invasive plant
species and for reestablishment of desirable species after eradication.
Sec. 613.3 NRCS responsibilities in plant materials.
NRCS operates or enters into agreements with State universities or
other State organizations to operate plant materials centers. Also,
NRCS cooperates, both formally and informally, with other Federal,
State, county, and nonprofit agencies or organizations on the selection
of plants and evaluation of plant technology to increase the
capabilities of plant materials centers. NRCS employs specialists for
testing and selecting plant materials for conservation uses and the
development of plant materials technology. NRCS responsibilities are
to:
(a) Identify the resource conservation needs and cultural
management methods for environmental protection and enhancement.
(b) Assemble and comparatively evaluate plant materials at plant
materials centers and on sites where soil, climate, or other conditions
differ significantly from those at the centers.
(c) Make comparative field plantings for final testing of promising
plants and techniques in cooperation with conservation districts and
other interested cooperators.
(d) Release cooperatively improved conservation plants and maintain
the breeder or foundation stocks in ways appropriate for particular
State and plant species by working with experiment stations, crop
improvement associations, and other State and Federal agencies.
(e) Produce limited amounts of foundation or foundation-quality
seed and plants available by grant to or by exchange with conservation
districts, experiment stations, other Federal and State research
agencies, and State seed certifying organizations that will use the
material to establish seed fields, seed orchards, or plantings for
vegetative increase.
(f) Encourage and assist conservation districts, commercial seed
producers, and commercial and State nurseries to produce needed plant
materials for conservation uses.
(g) Encourage the use of improved plant materials and plant
materials technology in resource conservation and environmental
improvement programs.
Sec. 613.4 Special production of plant materials.
NRCS can produce plant materials in the quantity required to do a
specific conservation job if this production will serve the public
welfare and only if the plant materials are not available commercially.
This function will be performed only until the plant materials are
available commercially. Specific production of plant materials by NRCS
requires the approval of the Chief.
Sec. 613.5 Plant materials centers.
(a) The National Plant Materials Center. The National Plant
Materials Center at Beltsville, Maryland focuses on national
initiatives and provides coordination for plant materials work across
all 50 States. In addition, the center provides plants and plant
technology to address resource concerns in the mid-Atlantic region.
(b) Other Plant Materials Centers. There are 26 other plant
materials centers; each serves several major land resource areas.
Twenty-four of these centers are operated by NRCS and two by
cooperating agencies as follows:
(1) Operated by NRCS: Tucson, Arizona; Booneville, Arkansas;
Lockeford, California; Brooksville, Florida; Americus, Georgia;
Molokai, Hawaii; Aberdeen, Idaho; Manhattan, Kansas; Golden Meadows,
Louisiana; East Lansing, Michigan; Coffeeville, Mississippi; Elsberry,
Missouri; Bridger, Montana; Fallon, Nevada; Cape May Courthouse, New
Jersey; Los Lunas, New Mexico; Big Flats, New York; Bismarck, North
Dakota; Corvallis, Oregon; Kingsville, Texas; Knox City, Texas;
Nacogdoches, Texas; Pullman, Washington; and Alderson, West Virginia.
(2) Operated by cooperating agencies with financial and technical
assistance from NRCS: Meeker, Colorado--White River and Douglas Creek
Soil Conservation Districts with partial funding from NRCS.
(3) Operated by cooperating agencies with technical assistance from
NRCS: Palmer, Alaska--State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources.
Signed in Washington, DC, on November 20, 2007.
Arlen L. Lancaster,
Chief.
[FR Doc. E7-23525 Filed 12-5-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P
