Wood Packaging Material Used in Domestic Commerce; Pest Mitigation Relating to Firewood Movement; Public Meetings, 41368-41369 [E9-19643]

Download as PDF 41368 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 157 / Monday, August 17, 2009 / Notices Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Also, environmental objections that could be raised at the draft EIS stage, but that are not raised until after completion of the final EIS, may be waived or dismissed by the courts. City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of these court rulings, it is very important that those interested in this proposed action participate by the close of the 45 day comment period so that comments and objections are made available to the Forest Service at a time when it can meaningfully consider them and respond to them in the final EIS. To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft EIS should be as specific as possible. It is also helpful if comments refer to specific pages or chapters of the draft EIS. Comments may also address the adequacy of the draft EIS or the merits of the alternatives formulated and discussed in the statement. Reviewers may wish to refer to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at 40 CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points. Comments received, including the names and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record on this proposal and will be available for public inspection. (Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Section 21) Dated: July 8, 2009. Karen L. Hayden, Feather River District Ranger. [FR Doc. E9–19371 Filed 8–14–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2009–0066] mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES Wood Packaging Material Used in Domestic Commerce; Pest Mitigation Relating to Firewood Movement; Public Meetings AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of public meetings. SUMMARY: This is a notice to inform the public of four upcoming meetings to discuss mitigation measures that could be applied to wood packaging material VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:55 Aug 14, 2009 Jkt 217001 (e.g., crates, dunnage, wooden spools, pallets, packing blocks) used in domestic commerce to decrease the risk of the artificial spread of plant pests such as the emerald ash borer and the Asian longhorned beetle. These and other plant pests that could be transported interstate by wood packaging material pose a serious threat to U.S. agriculture and to natural, cultivated, and urban forests. We will also be holding a meeting in order to solicit public comments and ideas concerning potential strategies for mitigating the risk of artificial spread of plant pests via the movement of firewood. DATES: The meetings concerning wood packaging material will be held on August 27, 2009, in Washington, DC; on September 2, 2009, in Portland, OR; on September 15, 2009, in Houston, TX; and on September 29, 2009, in Grand Rapids, MI. The meetings in each location will be held from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration will be from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. for each meeting. The meeting concerning the creation of a Federal firewood strategy will be held on August 27, 2009, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Washington, DC. Registration will be from 12 noon to 1 p.m. ADDRESSES: The public meetings regarding wood packaging material and the creation of a Federal firewood strategy will be held in Washington, DC. in the Jefferson Auditorium at the USDA South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. The remaining meetings regarding wood packaging material will be held at the following locations: • Portland, OR. The Embassy Suites Hotel, 319 SW Pine Street, Portland, OR. • Houston, TX. The Crowne Plaza Houston I–10 West, 14703 Park Row, Houston, TX. • Grand Rapids, MI. The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, 187 Monroe Avenue, NW., Grand Rapids, MI. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul Chaloux, National Emerald Ash Borer Program Manager, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 137, Riverdale, MD 20737–1236; (301) 734–0917. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Domestic Wood Packaging Material Public Meetings As part of its ongoing efforts to safeguard plant health, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is considering options for strengthening our response to the risks of the artificial spread of plant pests such as the pine shoot beetle Tomicus piniperda (Scolytidae) and the Asian longhorned beetle Anaplophora glabripennis PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (Cerambycidae) that are associated with the interstate movement of wood packaging material (WPM). In order to provide individuals and organizations an opportunity to discuss options for strengthening our response to the risks associated with the interstate movement of WPM, the potential impacts of increased use of alternative packaging materials, the environmental issues relating to these options, and any other topics of concern, we plan to hold several public meetings. Our goal is to gather feedback and input from a wide range of stakeholders to assist us in making an informed decision regarding our objectives and direction in relation to the interstate movement of WPM. Topics for discussion at each meeting will include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following: • Pest risks. What is the magnitude of the pest risks associated with WPM moving interstate? What treatments or other measures would be effective in reducing pest risks associated with WPM moving interstate and to what degree would these risks be reduced by these approaches? • Compliance. Would responsibility lie with the manufacturer, end user, shipper, or elsewhere for ensuring that WPM meets any standards that might be developed? How could APHIS best monitor compliance with any such standards? If treatment of some kind were required for all WPM moving interstate, would a phase-in period be required, and if so, how long should this period last? • Alternative materials. To what extent could alternative packing materials (processed wood packaging materials, plastic packing materials, or other alternatives) be substituted for WPM in interstate commerce? What would the environmental, economic, and other impacts be of any such substitution? • Environmental impacts. What would the environmental impacts be if treatment or other measures were required for WPM moving interstate? • Cost. What would the economic impacts be if treatment or other measures were required for WPM moving interstate? Federal Firewood Strategy Public Meeting In addition, we are seeking suggestions from the public regarding the creation of a Federal firewood strategy in order to better mitigate the pest risks associated with the movement of firewood within the United States. Specifically, we are seeking any potential strategies that may be used to E:\FR\FM\17AUN1.SGM 17AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 157 / Monday, August 17, 2009 / Notices control the movement of invasive plant pests via the movement of firewood. There are many potential approaches to addressing this issue, including voluntary, regulatory, and outreachbased programs. On-site registration will begin at 8 a.m. on the day of each meeting concerning wood packaging material and at noon for the meeting concerning Federal firewood strategy. All participants must register on the day of the meeting. If you require special accommodations, such as a sign language interpreter, or if you have any questions regarding the meetings, please call or write the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Persons attending the August 27, 2009, meetings in Washington, DC, will be required to sign in at the entrance to the USDA South Building located at 14th Street and Independence Avenue, entering through Wing 7. Photo identification is required to gain access to the building. The nearest Metro station is the Smithsonian station on the Blue/Orange Lines, which is within walking distance. Done in Washington, DC, this 11th day of August 2009. William H. Clay, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E9–19643 Filed 8–14–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES ACTION: SUMMARY: The Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee will be meeting to assign monitors on 2008 projects and hold a short public forum (question and answer session). The meeting is being held pursuant to the authorities in the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 106–393) and under the Secure Rural Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106– 393). The meeting is open to the public. DATES: The meeting will be held on August 25, 2009, 6:30 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Bitterroot National Forest, Supervisor Office, 1801 N First Street, Hamilton, Montana. Send written comments to Daniel G Ritter, District Ranger, Stevensville Ranger District, 88 Main Street, Stevensville, MT 59870, by VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:55 Aug 14, 2009 Jkt 217001 facsimile (406) 777–7423, or electronically to dritter@fs.fed.us. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Ritter, Stevensville District Ranger and Designated Federal Officer, Phone: (406) 777–5461. Dated: August 5, 2009. David T. Bull, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. E9–19496 Filed 8–14–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE M DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). Agency: U.S. Census Bureau. Title: Service Annual Survey. Form Number(s): SA–22T thru SA– 813 (81 forms total). OMB Control Number: 0607–0422. Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection. Burden Hours: 271,284. Number of Respondents: 78,730. Average Hours Per Response: 3 hours and 27 minutes. Needs and Uses: The U.S. Census Bureau requests an extension with revision of the current OMB approval of the Service Annual Survey (SAS). Today, over 50 percent of all economic activity is accounted for by services that are narrowly defined to exclude retail and wholesale trade. The U.S. Census Bureau currently measures the total output of most of these service industries annually in its Service Annual Survey. This survey currently covers all or some of: Transportation and Warehousing; Information; Finance and Insurance; Real Estate and Rental and Leasing; Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services; Administration and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services; Health Care and Social Assistance; Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation; and Other Services. The survey will expand to cover two new sectors, Utilities and Educational Services, and all industries within the sectors mentioned above. Data from the SAS are essential to a better understanding and higher quality estimates of economic growth, real output, prices, and productivity for our nation’s economy. A broad spectrum of government and private stakeholders use these data in analyzing business and PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 41369 economic sectors; developing statistics on services; forecasting economic growth; and compiling data on productivity, prices and gross domestic product (GDP). In addition, trade and professional organizations use these data to analyze industry trends, benchmark their own statistical programs and develop forecasts. Private businesses use these data to measure market share, analyze business potential and plan investments. Comprehensive, comparative annual data on the services sector are not available from any other source. Annually, the SAS collects total revenue, total expenses, and general expense detail items. Some sectors also collect revenue detail items that are specific to a particular industry. The availability of these data greatly improve the quality of the intermediateinputs and value-added estimates in BEA’s annual input-output and GDP by industry accounts. The data produced in the SAS are critical to the accurate measurement of total economic activity. The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the primary Federal user, uses the information to develop the national income and product accounts, compile benchmark and annual input-output tables, and compute GDP by industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) uses these data as inputs to its Producer Price Indexes and in developing productivity measurements. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) use the data for program planning and development of the National Health Expenditure Accounts. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) uses these data to assess the impact of regulatory policies. International agencies use the data to compare total domestic output to changing international activity. Private industry also uses these data as a tool for marketing analysis. Affected Public: Business or other forprofit; not-for-profit institutions. Frequency: Annually. Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory. Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, sections 182, 224 and 225. OMB Desk Officer: Brian HarrisKojetin, (202) 395–7314. Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, (202) 482–0266, Department of Commerce, Room 7845, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at dhynek@doc.gov). Written comments and recommendations for the proposed E:\FR\FM\17AUN1.SGM 17AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 157 (Monday, August 17, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41368-41369]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-19643]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2009-0066]


Wood Packaging Material Used in Domestic Commerce; Pest 
Mitigation Relating to Firewood Movement; Public Meetings

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

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

SUMMARY: This is a notice to inform the public of four upcoming 
meetings to discuss mitigation measures that could be applied to wood 
packaging material (e.g., crates, dunnage, wooden spools, pallets, 
packing blocks) used in domestic commerce to decrease the risk of the 
artificial spread of plant pests such as the emerald ash borer and the 
Asian longhorned beetle. These and other plant pests that could be 
transported interstate by wood packaging material pose a serious threat 
to U.S. agriculture and to natural, cultivated, and urban forests. We 
will also be holding a meeting in order to solicit public comments and 
ideas concerning potential strategies for mitigating the risk of 
artificial spread of plant pests via the movement of firewood.

DATES: The meetings concerning wood packaging material will be held on 
August 27, 2009, in Washington, DC; on September 2, 2009, in Portland, 
OR; on September 15, 2009, in Houston, TX; and on September 29, 2009, 
in Grand Rapids, MI. The meetings in each location will be held from 9 
a.m. to noon. Registration will be from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. for each 
meeting.
    The meeting concerning the creation of a Federal firewood strategy 
will be held on August 27, 2009, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Washington, 
DC. Registration will be from 12 noon to 1 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The public meetings regarding wood packaging material and 
the creation of a Federal firewood strategy will be held in Washington, 
DC. in the Jefferson Auditorium at the USDA South Building, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. The remaining meetings 
regarding wood packaging material will be held at the following 
locations:
     Portland, OR. The Embassy Suites Hotel, 319 SW Pine 
Street, Portland, OR.
     Houston, TX. The Crowne Plaza Houston I-10 West, 14703 
Park Row, Houston, TX.
     Grand Rapids, MI. The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, 187 Monroe 
Avenue, NW., Grand Rapids, MI.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul Chaloux, National Emerald Ash 
Borer Program Manager, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 137, Riverdale, 
MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-0917.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Domestic Wood Packaging Material Public Meetings

    As part of its ongoing efforts to safeguard plant health, the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture (USDA) is considering options for 
strengthening our response to the risks of the artificial spread of 
plant pests such as the pine shoot beetle Tomicus piniperda 
(Scolytidae) and the Asian longhorned beetle Anaplophora glabripennis 
(Cerambycidae) that are associated with the interstate movement of wood 
packaging material (WPM).
    In order to provide individuals and organizations an opportunity to 
discuss options for strengthening our response to the risks associated 
with the interstate movement of WPM, the potential impacts of increased 
use of alternative packaging materials, the environmental issues 
relating to these options, and any other topics of concern, we plan to 
hold several public meetings. Our goal is to gather feedback and input 
from a wide range of stakeholders to assist us in making an informed 
decision regarding our objectives and direction in relation to the 
interstate movement of WPM. Topics for discussion at each meeting will 
include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:
     Pest risks. What is the magnitude of the pest risks 
associated with WPM moving interstate? What treatments or other 
measures would be effective in reducing pest risks associated with WPM 
moving interstate and to what degree would these risks be reduced by 
these approaches?
     Compliance. Would responsibility lie with the 
manufacturer, end user, shipper, or elsewhere for ensuring that WPM 
meets any standards that might be developed? How could APHIS best 
monitor compliance with any such standards? If treatment of some kind 
were required for all WPM moving interstate, would a phase-in period be 
required, and if so, how long should this period last?
     Alternative materials. To what extent could alternative 
packing materials (processed wood packaging materials, plastic packing 
materials, or other alternatives) be substituted for WPM in interstate 
commerce? What would the environmental, economic, and other impacts be 
of any such substitution?
     Environmental impacts. What would the environmental 
impacts be if treatment or other measures were required for WPM moving 
interstate?
     Cost. What would the economic impacts be if treatment or 
other measures were required for WPM moving interstate?

Federal Firewood Strategy Public Meeting

    In addition, we are seeking suggestions from the public regarding 
the creation of a Federal firewood strategy in order to better mitigate 
the pest risks associated with the movement of firewood within the 
United States. Specifically, we are seeking any potential strategies 
that may be used to

[[Page 41369]]

control the movement of invasive plant pests via the movement of 
firewood. There are many potential approaches to addressing this issue, 
including voluntary, regulatory, and outreach-based programs.
    On-site registration will begin at 8 a.m. on the day of each 
meeting concerning wood packaging material and at noon for the meeting 
concerning Federal firewood strategy. All participants must register on 
the day of the meeting. If you require special accommodations, such as 
a sign language interpreter, or if you have any questions regarding the 
meetings, please call or write the person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.
    Persons attending the August 27, 2009, meetings in Washington, DC, 
will be required to sign in at the entrance to the USDA South Building 
located at 14th Street and Independence Avenue, entering through Wing 
7. Photo identification is required to gain access to the building. The 
nearest Metro station is the Smithsonian station on the Blue/Orange 
Lines, which is within walking distance.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 11th day of August 2009.
William H. Clay,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E9-19643 Filed 8-14-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

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