Availability of an Environmental Assessment for a Biological Control Agent for Yellow Starthistle, 10224-10225 [E9-5052]

Download as PDF 10224 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 45 / Tuesday, March 10, 2009 / Notices 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: Dr. Carmen Soileau, Senior Entomolgist, Evaluation and Permitting of Regulated Organisms and Soil, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737–1237; (301) 734–5055. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing to issue permits for release of a nonindigenous blister mite, Aceria salsolae, for the biological control of Russian thistle, Salsola tragus, in the continental United States. Russian thistle or tumbleweed, is a highly invasive weed native to the mountainous regions of southwest Asia. Since the introduction of Russian thistle to South Dakota in the early 1870s, it has spread steadily throughout the central and western regions of the United States and southern Canada. It is an agricultural pest that grows primarily in fallow or disturbed soil, along roadsides and irrigation canals, and in waste areas in arid and semiarid zones. During drought periods, it can invade some habitats and displace native species. The infestation of Russian thistle causes millions of dollars of damage by disrupting automobile traffic, clogging irrigation canals, piling up against fences and houses, and igniting and spreading wildfires. There are currently several control methods for Russian thistle, including herbicides, timed grazing, tilling, and other methods. However, these approaches have proven to be ineffective. Therefore, APHIS is proposing to issue permits for the release of a blister mite, Aceria salsolae, into the environment for use as a biological control agent to reduce the severity of Russian thistle infestations in the continental United States. The proposed biological control agent, A. salsolae, is a mite in the insect family Eriophyid and can be found in Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Greece. The mites are usually hidden in crevices of the leaf axils, flowers, and fruits of the Russian thistle. They feed on the target plant by inserting stylets (needle-like mouth VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:20 Mar 09, 2009 Jkt 217001 parts) into plant cells and feeding on the cell contents. After about 3 weeks, the leaf meristems (growing tips) die and the mites use the wind to disperse to fresh meristems. Feeding on epidermal cells in meristematic tissue causes cell death of the leaf and flower meristems, thus stunting growth of the plant and delaying and reducing reproduction. The mite is not expected to directly harm any plants outside the targeted Russian thistle (sensu lato). Host specific tests of A. salsolae were conducted using a total of 39 species and 12 varieties of host plants from 5 families, including 25 native species of North America. After 4 weeks of laboratory experiments, no live mites were found on any of the nontarget test plants outside the genus Salsola and none of the nontarget plants showed any sign of feeding damage. Furthermore, the results clearly show that there was no population increase on these nontarget plant species, particularly in comparison to the population growth observed on Russian thistle. APHIS’ review and analysis of the potential environmental impacts associated with releasing a biological control agent, A. salsolae, into the environment are documented in detail in an environmental assessment (EA) entitled ‘‘Field Release of Aceria salsolaea (Acari: Eriophyidae), a Mite for Biological Control of Russian Thistle (Salsola tragus), in the Continental United States’’ (October 2008). We are making the EA available to the public for review and comment. We will consider all comments that we receive on or before the date listed under the heading DATES at the beginning of this notice. The EA may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site or in our reading room (see ADDRESSES above for instructions for accessing Regulations.gov and information on the location and hours of the reading room). You may request paper copies of the EA by calling or writing to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please refer to the title of the EA when requesting copies. The EA has been 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 1), and (4) APHIS’ NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372). PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Done in Washington, DC, this 4th day of March 2009. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E9–5043 Filed 3–9–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2008–0142] Availability of an Environmental Assessment for a Biological Control Agent for Yellow Starthistle AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments. SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment relative to the control of yellow starthistle, Centaurea solstitialis (Asteraceae). The environmental assessment considers the effects of, and alternatives to, the release of a weevil, Ceratapion basicorne, into the environment for use as a biological control agent to reduce the severity of yellow starthistle infestations in the continental United States. 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 April 9, 2009. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/ component/ main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS2008–0142 to submit or view comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send two copies of your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2008–0142, 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– 2008–0142. Reading Room: You may read any comments that we receive on the environmental assessment in our reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, SW., E:\FR\FM\10MRN1.SGM 10MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 45 / Tuesday, March 10, 2009 / Notices 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: Dr. Carmen Soileau, Senior Entomolgist, Evaluation and Permitting of Regulated Organisms and Soil, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737–1237; (301) 734–5055. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing to issue permits for release of a weevil, Ceratapion basicorne, into the environment for use as a biological control agent to reduce the severity of yellow starthistle infestations in the continental United States. Yellow starthistle is a highly invasive weed that has become one of California’s worst pests since its introduction prior to 1860. Since then, it has been reported in 41 of the 48 contiguous U.S. States, with the heaviest infestations in the States of California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Yellow starthistle infests grassland habitats and displaces desirable plants in both natural and grazing areas. Its flowers have inch-long spines that deter feeding by and cause injury to grazing animals and lower the utility of recreational lands. Although consumption of yellow starthistle by grazing animals is rare, consumption by horses is toxic. Continued feeding causes ulcers in the mouth and results in brain lesions that cause a fatal syndrome known as ‘‘chewing disease’’ or nigropallidal encephalomalacia. There are currently several control methods for yellow starthistle, including herbicides, mowing, timed grazing, prescribed burns, and other methods. However, these control methods have proven to be ineffective. Therefore, APHIS is proposing to issue permits for the release of a weevil, Ceratapion basicorne, into the environment for use as a biological control agent to reduce the severity of yellow starthistle infestations in the continental United States. The proposed biological control agent, C. basicorne, is native to Europe and southwestern Asia. The weevil has a wide tolerance to climate and is therefore expected to become established throughout the range of VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:20 Mar 09, 2009 Jkt 217001 yellow starthistle if released in the United States. Female C. basicorne lay their eggs in the yellow starthistle leaves from late March to early May. The eggs hatch after approximately 10 days. The larvae then mine in the leaf blade and down the leaf stalk. During the following 2 months, the larvae feed in the root crown while they develop. Adults emerge in June, feed on the yellow starthistle leaves for a few days, and then disappear. Field impact studies in California show that plants infested with C. basicorne have slower growth rates and decreased seed production compared to uninfested plants. Host specificity tests indicate that no plant species outside the subtribe Centaureinae are at risk of larval damage. The closest native species to yellow starthistle are C. americana and C. rothrockii, but they were not able to maintain larval development of C. basicorne. Test results also indicate that there may be low attack and larval damage to C. melitensis, Crupino vulgaris, Cnicus benedictus, and C. cyanus, but risk of attack was not measured in specificity experiments because there is no interest to protect these invasive species in North America. Based on these results, release of C. basicorne in the continental United States is not expected to have any negative cumulative impacts. APHIS’ review and analysis of the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed action are documented in detail in an environmental assessment (EA) entitled ‘‘Field Release of Ceratapion basicorne (Coleotera: Apionidae), a Weevil for Biological Control of Yellow Starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis), in the Continental United States’’ (October 2008). We are making the EA available to the public for review and comment. We will consider all comments that we receive on or before the date listed under the heading DATES at the beginning of this notice. The EA may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site or in our reading room (see ADDRESSES above for instructions for accessing Regulations.gov and information on the location and hours of the reading room). You may request paper copies of the EA by calling or writing to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please refer to the title of the EA when requesting copies. The EA has been 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 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 10225 implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), (3) USDA regulations implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1), and (4) APHIS’ NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372). Done in Washington, DC, this 4th day of March 2009. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E9–5052 Filed 3–9–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Commodity Credit Corporation Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, Department of Agriculture (USDA). ACTION: Notice of request for proposals; request for public comment. SUMMARY: Section 2707 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Act) establishes the Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) by amending Section 1243 of the Food Security Act of 1985 [16 U.S.C. 3843]. The Secretary of Agriculture has delegated the authority for CCPI to the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), who is a Vice President of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). NRCS is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Congress established CCPI to assist potential partners with focusing conservation assistance in defined project areas to achieve high-priority natural resource objectives. In fiscal year (FY) 2009, NRCS will make Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) funds available to owners and operators of agricultural and nonindustrial private forest lands who will participate in CCPI projects. The purpose of this notice is to inform potential partners and producers that include nonindustrial private forest landowners of the availability of CCPI funds and other assistance and to solicit proposals from potential partners who seek to enter into partnership agreements with NRCS to enhance conservation outcomes on agricultural and nonindustrial private forest land. Additionally, NRCS requests public comment on how CCPI can contribute to the Nation’s efforts on energy, climate change, and carbon sequestration within the framework of the Initiative. E:\FR\FM\10MRN1.SGM 10MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 10, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10224-10225]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-5052]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2008-0142]


Availability of an Environmental Assessment for a Biological 
Control Agent for Yellow Starthistle

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment relative to 
the control of yellow starthistle, Centaurea solstitialis (Asteraceae). 
The environmental assessment considers the effects of, and alternatives 
to, the release of a weevil, Ceratapion basicorne, into the environment 
for use as a biological control agent to reduce the severity of yellow 
starthistle infestations in the continental United States. 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 April 
9, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://
www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/
main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2008-0142 to submit or view comments and 
to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send two copies of 
your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2008-0142, 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-2008-0142.
    Reading Room: You may read any comments that we receive on the 
environmental assessment in our reading room. The reading room is 
located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and 
Independence Avenue, SW.,

[[Page 10225]]

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: Dr. Carmen Soileau, Senior 
Entomolgist, Evaluation and Permitting of Regulated Organisms and Soil, 
PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1237; (301) 
734-5055.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing 
to issue permits for release of a weevil, Ceratapion basicorne, into 
the environment for use as a biological control agent to reduce the 
severity of yellow starthistle infestations in the continental United 
States.
    Yellow starthistle is a highly invasive weed that has become one of 
California's worst pests since its introduction prior to 1860. Since 
then, it has been reported in 41 of the 48 contiguous U.S. States, with 
the heaviest infestations in the States of California, Idaho, Oregon, 
and Washington. Yellow starthistle infests grassland habitats and 
displaces desirable plants in both natural and grazing areas. Its 
flowers have inch-long spines that deter feeding by and cause injury to 
grazing animals and lower the utility of recreational lands. Although 
consumption of yellow starthistle by grazing animals is rare, 
consumption by horses is toxic. Continued feeding causes ulcers in the 
mouth and results in brain lesions that cause a fatal syndrome known as 
``chewing disease'' or nigropallidal encephalomalacia.
    There are currently several control methods for yellow starthistle, 
including herbicides, mowing, timed grazing, prescribed burns, and 
other methods. However, these control methods have proven to be 
ineffective. Therefore, APHIS is proposing to issue permits for the 
release of a weevil, Ceratapion basicorne, into the environment for use 
as a biological control agent to reduce the severity of yellow 
starthistle infestations in the continental United States.
    The proposed biological control agent, C. basicorne, is native to 
Europe and southwestern Asia. The weevil has a wide tolerance to 
climate and is therefore expected to become established throughout the 
range of yellow starthistle if released in the United States. Female C. 
basicorne lay their eggs in the yellow starthistle leaves from late 
March to early May. The eggs hatch after approximately 10 days. The 
larvae then mine in the leaf blade and down the leaf stalk. During the 
following 2 months, the larvae feed in the root crown while they 
develop. Adults emerge in June, feed on the yellow starthistle leaves 
for a few days, and then disappear. Field impact studies in California 
show that plants infested with C. basicorne have slower growth rates 
and decreased seed production compared to uninfested plants.
    Host specificity tests indicate that no plant species outside the 
subtribe Centaureinae are at risk of larval damage. The closest native 
species to yellow starthistle are C. americana and C. rothrockii, but 
they were not able to maintain larval development of C. basicorne. Test 
results also indicate that there may be low attack and larval damage to 
C. melitensis, Crupino vulgaris, Cnicus benedictus, and C. cyanus, but 
risk of attack was not measured in specificity experiments because 
there is no interest to protect these invasive species in North 
America. Based on these results, release of C. basicorne in the 
continental United States is not expected to have any negative 
cumulative impacts.
    APHIS' review and analysis of the potential environmental impacts 
associated with the proposed action are documented in detail in an 
environmental assessment (EA) entitled ``Field Release of Ceratapion 
basicorne (Coleotera: Apionidae), a Weevil for Biological Control of 
Yellow Starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis), in the Continental United 
States'' (October 2008). We are making the EA available to the public 
for review and comment. We will consider all comments that we receive 
on or before the date listed under the heading DATES at the beginning 
of this notice.
    The EA may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site or in our 
reading room (see ADDRESSES above for instructions for accessing 
Regulations.gov and information on the location and hours of the 
reading room). You may request paper copies of the EA by calling or 
writing to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. 
Please refer to the title of the EA when requesting copies.
    The EA has been 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 1), and (4) 
APHIS' NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372).

    Done in Washington, DC, this 4th day of March 2009.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E9-5052 Filed 3-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

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