Citrus Greening and Asian Citrus Psyllid; Availability of an Environmental Assessment, 46409-46411 [E9-21669]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 173 / Wednesday, September 9, 2009 / Notices
by e-mail to the respondents.
Respondents would return the survey by
e-mail to the address on the survey
form.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting
burden for this collection of information
is estimated to average .25 hours per
response.
Respondents: Importers and receivers.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
200.
Estimated Number of Responses per
Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 50 hours.
Comments are invited on: (1) Whether
the proposed collection of information
is necessary for the proper performance
of the functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have
practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information
including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (3)
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and (4) ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on those who are to respond, including
the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
All responses to this notice will be
summarized and included in the request
for OMB approval. All comments
received will become a matter of public
record.
Dated: September 2, 2009.
Rayne Pegg,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
Service.
[FR Doc. E9–21655 Filed 9–8–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
Information Collection Activity;
Comment Request
Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
cprice-sewell on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES
ACTION:
SUMMARY: In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the
Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites
comments on this information
collection for which RUS intends to
request approval from the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB).
DATES: Comments on this notice must be
received by November 9, 2009.
VerDate Nov<24>2008
15:47 Sep 08, 2009
Jkt 217001
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michele L. Brooks, Director, Program
Development and Regulatory Analysis,
USDA, Rural Utilities Service, 1400
Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522,
Room 5162 South Building,
Washington, DC 20250–1522.
Telephone: (202) 690–1078. Fax: (202)
720–8435. E-mail:
michele.brooks@wdc.usda.gov.
The Office
of Management and Budget’s (OMB)
regulation (5 CFR part 1320)
implementing provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub.
L. 104–13) requires that interested
members of the public and affected
agencies have an opportunity to
comment on information collection and
recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR
1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an
information collection that RUS is
submitting to OMB for extension.
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether
the proposed 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 the burden of
the proposed collection of information
including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (c)
ways to enhance the quality, utility and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and (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. Comments may be sent to:
Michele L. Brooks, Director, Program
Development and Regulatory Analysis,
USDA, Rural Utilities Service, STOP
1522, 1400 Independence Ave., SW.,
Washington, DC 20250–1522. FAX:
(202) 720–8435. E-mail:
michele.brooks@wdc.usda.gov.
Title: Emergency and Imminent
Community Water Assistance Grants.
OMB Control Number: 0572–0110.
Type of Request: Extension of a
currently approved collection.
Abstract: This action amends the
existing regulation for the Emergency
Community Water Assistance Grant
(ECWAG) Program to allow grants to be
made before an emergency has actually
occurred. The ECWAG program was
authorized by the Rural Development
Act of 1972. The grants are made to
public bodies, nonprofit corporations,
and Indian Tribes for the purpose of
improving rural living standards and for
other purposes that create safe and
affordable drinking water in rural areas
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
46409
or towns with a population not
exceeding 10,000 inhabitants.
These grants can be made to construct
or improve drinking water facilities
serving the most financially needy
communities. This revision is
undertaken specifically to respond to
requirements of Section 6009 of the
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act
of 2002 (Pub. L. 107–171). (2002 Farm
Bill).
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting
burden for this collection of information
is estimated to average 1.6 hours per
response.
Respondents: Not-for-profit
institutions; State, local or Tribal
Government.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
100.
Estimated Number of Responses per
Respondent: 2.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 400 hours.
Copies of this information collection
can be obtained from Gale Richardson,
Program Development and Regulatory
Analysis at (202) 720–0992. FAX: (202)
720–8435.
All responses to this notice will be
summarized and included in the request
for OMB approval. All comments will
also become a matter of public record.
Dated: September 2, 2009.
James R. Newby,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. E9–21722 Filed 9–8–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
[Docket No. APHIS–2008–0015]
Citrus Greening and Asian Citrus
Psyllid; Availability of an
Environmental Assessment
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of availability and
request for comments.
SUMMARY: We are advising the public
that an environmental assessment has
been prepared by the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service relative to a
proposed control program for citrus
greening disease and the Asian citrus
psyllid. The environmental assessment
documents our review and analysis of
the potential environmental impacts
associated with the implementation of
this program. We are making this
environmental assessment available to
the public for review and comment.
E:\FR\FM\09SEN1.SGM
09SEN1
46410
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 173 / Wednesday, September 9, 2009 / Notices
DATES: We will consider all comments
that we receive on or before November
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=APHIS2008-0015 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–2008–0015,
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–
2008–0015.
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: Mr.
Patrick Gomes, APHIS, PPQ, 920 Main
Campus Drive, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC
27606–5213; (919) 855–7313.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
cprice-sewell on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES
Background
Citrus greening, also known as
huanglongbing disease of citrus, is
considered to be one of the most serious
citrus diseases in the world. Citrus
greening is a bacterial disease caused by
strains of the bacterial pathogen
‘‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’’ that
attacks the vascular system of host
plants. The bacteria are phloem-limited,
inhabiting the food-conducting tissue of
the host plant, and causes yellow
shoots, blotchy mottling and chlorosis,
reduced foliage, and tip dieback of
citrus plants. Citrus greening greatly
reduces production, destroys the
economic value of the fruit, and can kill
trees. Once a tree is infected with citrus
greening, there is no cure for the
disease. In areas of the world where
citrus greening is endemic, citrus trees
decline and die within a few years and
may never produce usable fruit. Citrus
greening was first detected in the United
States in Miami-Dade County, FL, in
VerDate Nov<24>2008
15:47 Sep 08, 2009
Jkt 217001
2005, and is only known to be present
in the United States in the States of
Florida and Georgia, two parishes in
Louisiana, and two counties in South
Carolina.
The bacterial pathogen causing citrus
greening can be transmitted by grafting,
and under laboratory conditions, by
dodder. There also is some evidence
that seed transmission may occur. The
pathogen can also be transmitted by two
insect vectors in the family Psyllidae:
Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, the Asian
citrus psyllid (ACP), and Trioza erytreae
(del Guercio), the African citrus psyllid.
ACP can also cause economic damage to
citrus in groves and nurseries by direct
feeding. Both adults and nymphs feed
on young foliage, depleting the sap and
causing galling or curling of leaves.
High populations feeding on a citrus
shoot can kill the growing tip. ACP is
currently present in Alabama,
California, Florida, Georgia, Guam,
Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Puerto
Rico, South Carolina, and Texas. Based
on regular surveys of domestic
commercial citrus-producing areas, the
African citrus psyllid is not present in
the United States.
The Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) of the
United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) has undertaken measures to
control the artificial spread of citrus
greening to noninfested areas of the
United States since its introduction in
2005. On September 16, 2005, APHIS
issued a Federal Order designating one
affected county in Florida as a
quarantined area, and imposing
restrictions on the interstate movement
all citrus greening and ACP host
material from this area.1
In January 2006, we issued an
environmental assessment titled ‘‘Citrus
Greening Control Program in Florida
Nurseries’’ (January 2006).2 This
document assessed the environmental
impacts associated with the use of the
pesticide treatments acetamiprid,
chlorpyrifos, fenpropathrin,
imidacloprid, kaolin, and a cyfluthrin/
imidacloprid mixture as part of a
disease control program for citrus
greening and ACP.
On November 2, 2007, we issued a
revised order that designated additional
counties in Florida as areas quarantined
for citrus greening, and that quarantined
32 counties in Texas, the entire States
1 To view the September 2005 Federal Order or
any other Federal order referenced in this
document, go to https://www.aphis.usda.gov/
plant_health/plant_pest_info/citrus_greening/
regs.shtml.
2 To view the 2006 environmental assessment, go
to https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/ea/
downloads/citrusgreening1-06ea.pdf.
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
of Florida and Hawaii, the entire
Territory of Guam, and the entire
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for ACP.
The November 2007 order also
contained treatments that could be
performed on ACP regulated articles to
allow their movement from a
quarantined area to areas of the United
States other than commercial citrusproducing States. The order stated that,
prior to movement, host material (other
than Bergera (Murraya) koenigii, or
curryleaf) had to be treated using an
Environmental Protection Agencyapproved product labeled for use in
nurseries. The articles had to
subsequently be treated with a drench
containing imidacloprid as the active
ingredient within 30 days prior to
movement and with a foliar spray with
a product containing acetamiprid,
chlorpyrifos, or fenpropathrin as the
active ingredient within 10 days prior to
movement. Provided that it did not
originate from an area quarantined for
citrus greening, curryleaf could be
moved interstate to any State following
treatment with methyl bromide
according to the APHIS-approved
treatment schedule MB T101-n-2, found
in 7 CFR part 305.
We accompanied this revised order
with a notice 3 published in the Federal
Register on November 2, 2007 (72 FR
62204–62205; Docket No. APHIS–2007–
0135), in which we announced to the
public the availability of an
environmental assessment titled
‘‘Movement of Regulated Articles from
Citrus Greening and Asian Citrus
Psyllid Quarantine Zones’’ (October
2007). The assessment evaluated the
possible environmental impacts
associated with implementation of the
revised Federal Order, and, in
particular, the treatment schedules
specified within it.
Since issuance of these documents,
we have issued six additional Federal
Orders to designate new areas as
quarantined areas for citrus greening or
ACP. In these orders, we have added
irradiation treatment at 400 gray as an
approved treatment for ACP host
articles, provided that the articles do not
originate from an area that is
quarantined for citrus greening. The
latest Federal Order was issued on July
29, 2009.
Concurrent with the issuance of these
Federal Orders, we have also received
requests from citrus industry
representatives and State plant health
officials in several States with
3 To view the notice and the environmental
assessment, go to https://www.regulations.gov/
fdmspublic/component/
main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2007-0135.
E:\FR\FM\09SEN1.SGM
09SEN1
cprice-sewell on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 173 / Wednesday, September 9, 2009 / Notices
commercial citrus production to
examine the efficacy of in-ground
granular applications containing
dinotefuran and foliar sprays containing
bifenthrin, deltamethrin, dinotefuran, or
a mixture of imidacloprid and
cyfluthrin as pesticide treatments for
ACP. We have found them to be
effective in treating regulated nursery
stock for ACP.
Accordingly, we have completed an
assessment of the environmental
impacts anticipated from a control
program that would incorporate the
provisions of the latest Federal order,
the use of these new granular
applications and foliar sprays as
treatments for ACP, and additional
measures that are currently not included
in the July 29, 2009 Federal Order but
that we consider necessary to prevent
the spread of citrus greening and ACP
to currently unaffected areas of the
United States.
APHIS’ review and analysis of these
potential environmental impacts are
documented in detail in an
environmental assessment titled
‘‘Quarantine and Interstate Movement of
Citrus Greening and Asian Citrus
Psyllid’’ (July 2009). We are making this
assessment 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 environmental assessment may
be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web
site or in our reading room (see
ADDRESSES above for instructions for
accessing the document on
Regulations.gov and information on the
location and hours of the reading room).
You may request paper copies of the
environmental assessment by calling or
writing to the person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please
refer to title of the assessment when
requesting copies.
The environmental assessment 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 1b), and (4) APHIS’ NEPA
Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part
372).
Done in Washington, DC, this 2nd day of
September 2009.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E9–21669 Filed 9–8–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
VerDate Nov<24>2008
15:47 Sep 08, 2009
Jkt 217001
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Doc. No. AMS–TM–09–0060; TM–09–07]
Notice of Meeting of the National
Organic Standards Board
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: In accordance with the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, as
amended, the Agricultural Marketing
Service (AMS) is announcing a
forthcoming meeting of the National
Organic Standards Board (NOSB).
DATES: The meeting dates are Tuesday,
November 3, 2009, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
Wednesday, November 4, 2009, 8 a.m.
to 5 p.m.; and Thursday, November 5,
2009, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Requests from
individuals and organizations wishing
to make oral presentations at the
meeting are due by the close of business
on October 19, 2009.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place
at the Washington Plaza Hotel, 10
Thomas Circle, NW., Washington, DC
20005.
• Requests for copies of the NOSB
meeting agenda, may be sent to Ms.
Valerie Frances, Executive Director,
NOSB, USDA–AMS–TMP–NOP, 1400
Independence Ave., SW., Room 4004–
So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC
20250–0268. The NOSB meeting agenda
and proposed recommendations may
also be viewed at https://
www.ams.usda.gov/nop.
• Comments on proposed NOSB
recommendations may be submitted by
the close of business of October 19,
2009, in writing to Ms. Valerie Frances
at either the postal address above or via
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov only. The
comments should identify Docket No.
AMS–TM–09–0060. It is our intention
to have all comments to this notice
whether they are submitted by mail or
the Internet available for viewing on the
https://www.regulations.gov Web site.
• Requests to make an oral
presentation at the meeting may also be
sent by October 19, 2009, to Ms. Valerie
Frances at the postal address above, by
e-mail at valerie.frances@ams.usda.gov,
via facsimile at (202) 205–7808, or
phone at (202) 720–3252.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Valerie Frances, Executive Director,
NOSB, National Organic Program
(NOP), (202) 720–3252, or visit the NOP
Web site at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/
nop.
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
46411
Section
2119 (7 U.S.C. 6518) of the Organic
Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA),
as amended (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.)
requires the establishment of the NOSB.
The purpose of the NOSB is to make
recommendations about whether a
substance should be allowed or
prohibited in organic production or
handling, to assist in the development
of standards for substances to be used in
organic production, and to advise the
Secretary on other aspects of the
implementation of the OFPA. The
NOSB met for the first time in
Washington, DC, in March 1992, and
currently has six subcommittees
working on various aspects of the
organic program. The committees are:
Compliance, Accreditation, and
Certification; Crops; Handling;
Livestock; Materials; and Policy
Development.
In August of 1994, the NOSB
provided its initial recommendations for
the NOP to the Secretary of Agriculture.
Since that time, the NOSB has
submitted 170 addenda to its
recommendations and reviewed more
than 353 substances for inclusion on the
National List of Allowed and Prohibited
Substances. The Department of
Agriculture (USDA) published its final
National Organic Program regulation in
the Federal Register on December 21,
2000, (65 FR 80548). The rule became
effective April 21, 2001.
In addition, the OFPA authorizes the
National List of Allowed and Prohibited
Substances and provides that no
allowed or prohibited substance would
remain on the National List for a period
exceeding five years unless the
exemption or prohibition is reviewed
and recommended for renewal by the
NOSB and adopted by the Secretary of
Agriculture. This expiration is
commonly referred to as sunset of the
National List. The National List appears
at 7 CFR part 205, subpart G.
The principal purposes of the NOSB
meeting are to provide an opportunity
for the NOSB to receive an update from
the USDA/NOP and hear progress
reports from NOSB committees
regarding work plan items and proposed
action items. The last NOSB meeting
was held on May 4–6, 2009, in
Washington, DC.
At its last meeting, the Board
recommended the addition of three
materials with one on the National List
§ 205.601 for use in crops, one on
§ 205.603 for use in livestock and with
one on § 205.606 for use in handling.
At this meeting, the NOSB will
conclude its review of 11 of the 12
materials scheduled to expire after
September 12, 2011. There are two
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
E:\FR\FM\09SEN1.SGM
09SEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 173 (Wednesday, September 9, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46409-46411]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-21669]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2008-0015]
Citrus Greening and Asian Citrus Psyllid; Availability of an
Environmental Assessment
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are advising the public that an environmental assessment
has been prepared by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
relative to a proposed control program for citrus greening disease and
the Asian citrus psyllid. The environmental assessment documents our
review and analysis of the potential environmental impacts associated
with the implementation of this program. We are making this
environmental assessment available to the public for review and
comment.
[[Page 46410]]
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before
November 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-2008-0015 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-2008-0015, 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-2008-0015.
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: Mr. Patrick Gomes, APHIS, PPQ, 920
Main Campus Drive, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27606-5213; (919) 855-7313.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Citrus greening, also known as huanglongbing disease of citrus, is
considered to be one of the most serious citrus diseases in the world.
Citrus greening is a bacterial disease caused by strains of the
bacterial pathogen ``Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus'' that attacks
the vascular system of host plants. The bacteria are phloem-limited,
inhabiting the food-conducting tissue of the host plant, and causes
yellow shoots, blotchy mottling and chlorosis, reduced foliage, and tip
dieback of citrus plants. Citrus greening greatly reduces production,
destroys the economic value of the fruit, and can kill trees. Once a
tree is infected with citrus greening, there is no cure for the
disease. In areas of the world where citrus greening is endemic, citrus
trees decline and die within a few years and may never produce usable
fruit. Citrus greening was first detected in the United States in
Miami-Dade County, FL, in 2005, and is only known to be present in the
United States in the States of Florida and Georgia, two parishes in
Louisiana, and two counties in South Carolina.
The bacterial pathogen causing citrus greening can be transmitted
by grafting, and under laboratory conditions, by dodder. There also is
some evidence that seed transmission may occur. The pathogen can also
be transmitted by two insect vectors in the family Psyllidae:
Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), and Trioza
erytreae (del Guercio), the African citrus psyllid. ACP can also cause
economic damage to citrus in groves and nurseries by direct feeding.
Both adults and nymphs feed on young foliage, depleting the sap and
causing galling or curling of leaves. High populations feeding on a
citrus shoot can kill the growing tip. ACP is currently present in
Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Louisiana,
Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, and Texas. Based on regular
surveys of domestic commercial citrus-producing areas, the African
citrus psyllid is not present in the United States.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has undertaken measures
to control the artificial spread of citrus greening to noninfested
areas of the United States since its introduction in 2005. On September
16, 2005, APHIS issued a Federal Order designating one affected county
in Florida as a quarantined area, and imposing restrictions on the
interstate movement all citrus greening and ACP host material from this
area.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ To view the September 2005 Federal Order or any other
Federal order referenced in this document, go to https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/citrus_greening/regs.shtml.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In January 2006, we issued an environmental assessment titled
``Citrus Greening Control Program in Florida Nurseries'' (January
2006).\2\ This document assessed the environmental impacts associated
with the use of the pesticide treatments acetamiprid, chlorpyrifos,
fenpropathrin, imidacloprid, kaolin, and a cyfluthrin/imidacloprid
mixture as part of a disease control program for citrus greening and
ACP.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ To view the 2006 environmental assessment, go to https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/ea/downloads/citrusgreening1-06ea.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On November 2, 2007, we issued a revised order that designated
additional counties in Florida as areas quarantined for citrus
greening, and that quarantined 32 counties in Texas, the entire States
of Florida and Hawaii, the entire Territory of Guam, and the entire
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for ACP. The November 2007 order also
contained treatments that could be performed on ACP regulated articles
to allow their movement from a quarantined area to areas of the United
States other than commercial citrus-producing States. The order stated
that, prior to movement, host material (other than Bergera (Murraya)
koenigii, or curryleaf) had to be treated using an Environmental
Protection Agency-approved product labeled for use in nurseries. The
articles had to subsequently be treated with a drench containing
imidacloprid as the active ingredient within 30 days prior to movement
and with a foliar spray with a product containing acetamiprid,
chlorpyrifos, or fenpropathrin as the active ingredient within 10 days
prior to movement. Provided that it did not originate from an area
quarantined for citrus greening, curryleaf could be moved interstate to
any State following treatment with methyl bromide according to the
APHIS-approved treatment schedule MB T101-n-2, found in 7 CFR part 305.
We accompanied this revised order with a notice \3\ published in
the Federal Register on November 2, 2007 (72 FR 62204-62205; Docket No.
APHIS-2007-0135), in which we announced to the public the availability
of an environmental assessment titled ``Movement of Regulated Articles
from Citrus Greening and Asian Citrus Psyllid Quarantine Zones''
(October 2007). The assessment evaluated the possible environmental
impacts associated with implementation of the revised Federal Order,
and, in particular, the treatment schedules specified within it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ To view the notice and the environmental assessment, go to
https://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2007-0135.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since issuance of these documents, we have issued six additional
Federal Orders to designate new areas as quarantined areas for citrus
greening or ACP. In these orders, we have added irradiation treatment
at 400 gray as an approved treatment for ACP host articles, provided
that the articles do not originate from an area that is quarantined for
citrus greening. The latest Federal Order was issued on July 29, 2009.
Concurrent with the issuance of these Federal Orders, we have also
received requests from citrus industry representatives and State plant
health officials in several States with
[[Page 46411]]
commercial citrus production to examine the efficacy of in-ground
granular applications containing dinotefuran and foliar sprays
containing bifenthrin, deltamethrin, dinotefuran, or a mixture of
imidacloprid and cyfluthrin as pesticide treatments for ACP. We have
found them to be effective in treating regulated nursery stock for ACP.
Accordingly, we have completed an assessment of the environmental
impacts anticipated from a control program that would incorporate the
provisions of the latest Federal order, the use of these new granular
applications and foliar sprays as treatments for ACP, and additional
measures that are currently not included in the July 29, 2009 Federal
Order but that we consider necessary to prevent the spread of citrus
greening and ACP to currently unaffected areas of the United States.
APHIS' review and analysis of these potential environmental impacts
are documented in detail in an environmental assessment titled
``Quarantine and Interstate Movement of Citrus Greening and Asian
Citrus Psyllid'' (July 2009). We are making this assessment 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 environmental assessment may be viewed on the Regulations.gov
Web site or in our reading room (see ADDRESSES above for instructions
for accessing the document on Regulations.gov and information on the
location and hours of the reading room). You may request paper copies
of the environmental assessment by calling or writing to the person
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please refer to title of
the assessment when requesting copies.
The environmental assessment 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 1b), and (4) APHIS' NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR
part 372).
Done in Washington, DC, this 2nd day of September 2009.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E9-21669 Filed 9-8-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P