Availability of an Environmental Assessment for a Biological Control Agent for Air Potato, 3076-3077 [2011-981]

Download as PDF mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES 3076 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 12 / Wednesday, January 19, 2011 / Notices quality of the human environment. Based on the risk analysis, we have reached a preliminary determination that field testing this veterinary vaccine will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment, and that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared. We intend to authorize shipment of this vaccine for field testing following the close of the comment period for this notice unless new substantial issues bearing on the effects of this action are brought to our attention. We also intend to issue a U.S. Veterinary Biological Product license for this vaccine, provided the field test data support the conclusions of the environmental assessment and the issuance of a finding of no significant impact and the product meets all other requirements for licensing. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before February 18, 2011. 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– 2010–0126 to submit or view comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send one copy of your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2010–0126, 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– 2010–0126. 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: Dr. Albert P. Morgan, Section Leader, Operational Support Section, Center for Veterinary Biologics, Policy, Evaluation, and Licensing, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 148, Riverdale, MD 20737– 1231; phone (301) 734–8245, fax (301) 734–4314. For information regarding the environmental assessment or the risk VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:04 Jan 18, 2011 Jkt 223001 analysis, or to request a copy of the environmental assessment (as well as the risk analysis with confidential business information removed), contact Dr. Patricia L. Foley, Risk Manager, Center for Veterinary Biologics, Policy, Evaluation, and Licensing, VS, APHIS, 1920 Dayton Avenue, P.O. Box 844, Ames, IA 50010; phone (515) 337–6100, fax (515) 337–6120. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act (21 U.S.C. 151 et seq.), a veterinary biological product must be shown to be pure, safe, potent, and efficacious before a veterinary biological product license may be issued. A field test is generally necessary to satisfy prelicensing requirements for veterinary biological products. Prior to conducting a field test on an unlicensed product, an applicant must obtain approval from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), as well as obtain APHIS’ authorization to ship the product for field testing. To determine whether to authorize shipment and grant approval for the field testing of the unlicensed product referenced in this notice, a risk analysis was prepared to assess the potential effects of this product on the safety of animals, public health, and the environment. Based on the risk analysis, APHIS has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) 1 concerning the field testing of the following unlicensed veterinary biological product: Requester: Merial, Inc. Product: Feline Leukemia Vaccine, Live Canarypox Vector. Field Test Locations: Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, and Tennessee. The above-mentioned product consists of a live recombinant canarypox vector expressing certain feline leukemia virus proteins. The vaccine is for use in healthy cats at 8 weeks of age or older as an aid in the prevention of disease due to feline leukemia virus. 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 1b), and (4) APHIS’ NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372). 1 The risk analysis (with confidential business information removed) and the EA may be viewed on Regulations.gov (see ADDRESSES above for a link to Regulations.gov). PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Unless substantial issues with adverse environmental impacts are raised in response to this notice, APHIS intends to issue a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) based on the EA and authorize shipment of the above product for the initiation of field tests following the close of the comment period for this notice. Because the issues raised by field testing and by issuance of a license are identical, APHIS has concluded that the EA that is generated for field testing would also be applicable to the proposed licensing action. Provided that the field test data support the conclusions of the original EA and the issuance of a FONSI, APHIS does not intend to issue a separate EA and FONSI to support the issuance of the product license, and would determine that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared. APHIS intends to issue a veterinary biological product license for this vaccine following completion of the field test provided no adverse impacts on the human environment are identified and provided the product meets all other requirements for licensing. Authority: 21 U.S.C. 151–159. Done in Washington, DC, this 12th day of January 2011. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2011–980 Filed 1–18–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2010–0115] Availability of an Environmental Assessment for a Biological Control Agent for Air Potato Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments. AGENCY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) relative to the control of air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera). The EA considers the effects of, and alternatives to, the release of an insect, Lilioceris cheni, into the continental United States for use as a biological control agent to reduce the severity of air potato infestations. We are making the EA available to the public for review and comment. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\19JAN1.SGM 19JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 12 / Wednesday, January 19, 2011 / Notices We will consider all comments that we receive on or before February 18, 2011. 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-2010-0115 to submit or view comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send one copy of your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2010–0115, 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– 2010–0115. 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., 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. Shirley Wager-Page, Chief, Pest Permitting Branch, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737–1237; (301) 734–8453. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DATES: mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES Background The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing to issue permits for the release of an insect, Lilioceris cheni, into the continental United States for use as a biological control agent to reduce the severity of air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) infestations. Air potato is a twining vine that can grow 65 feet long or greater, capable of climbing and out-competing native vegetation. Air potato was introduced in Florida in 1905 and has since become one of the most aggressive weeds in that State. In 1999, the Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services added air potato to its list of noxious weeds in an attempt to protect the State’s native plant species from being displaced or hybridized. Presently, the air potato is well established in Florida and probably throughout the Gulf States VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:04 Jan 18, 2011 Jkt 223001 where it has the potential to severely disrupt entire ecosystems. Existing air potato management options, which include chemical and mechanical control methods, are ineffective, expensive, temporary, or have non-target impacts. Thus, a permit application has been submitted to APHIS for the purpose of releasing an insect, L. cheni, into the continental United States for use as a biological control agent to reduce the severity of air potato infestations. APHIS’ review and analysis of the proposed action are documented in detail in an environmental assessment (EA) titled ‘‘Field Release of Lilioceris cheni Gressit & Kimoto (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) for Biological Control of Air Potato, Dioscorea bulbifera (Dioscoreaceae), in the Continental United States’’ (September 2010). 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 1b), and (4) APHIS’ NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372). Done in Washington, DC, this 12th day of January 2011. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2011–981 Filed 1–18–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P PO 00000 3077 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2010–0059] Notice of Decision To Revise a Heat Treatment Schedule for Emerald Ash Borer Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: We are advising the public of our decision to revise a heat treatment schedule for the emerald ash borer in the Plant Protection and Quarantine Treatment Manual and to retain the current treatment schedule with a different treatment number. Based on the findings of a treatment evaluation document, which we made available to the public for review and comment through a previous notice, we believe that the revised treatment schedule will be sufficient to treat emerald ash borer. DATES: Effective Date: January 19, 2011. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Inder P. S. Gadh, Senior Risk Manager– Treatments, Regulations, Permits, and Manuals, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737–1236; (301) 734–8758. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Background The regulations in 7 CFR chapter III are intended, among other things, to prevent the introduction or dissemination of plant pests and noxious weeds into or within the United States. Under the regulations, certain plants, fruits, vegetables, and other articles must be treated before they may be moved into the United States or interstate. The phytosanitary treatments regulations contained in part 305 of 7 CFR chapter III (referred to below as the regulations) set out standards for treatments required in parts 301, 318, and 319 of 7 CFR chapter III for fruits, vegetables, and other articles. In § 305.2, paragraph (b) states that approved treatment schedules are set out in the Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Treatment Manual.1 Section 305.3 sets out a process for adding, revising, or removing treatment schedules in the PPQ Treatment Manual. In that section, paragraph (a) sets out the process for adding, revising, 1 The Treatment Manual is available on the Internet at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/ import_export/plants/manuals/index.shtml or by contacting the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Manuals Unit, 92 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 200, Frederick, MD 21702. Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\19JAN1.SGM 19JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 12 (Wednesday, January 19, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3076-3077]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-981]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2010-0115]


Availability of an Environmental Assessment for a Biological 
Control Agent for Air Potato

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 (EA) 
relative to the control of air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera). The EA 
considers the effects of, and alternatives to, the release of an 
insect, Lilioceris cheni, into the continental United States for use as 
a biological control agent to reduce the severity of air potato 
infestations. We are making the EA available to the public for review 
and comment.

[[Page 3077]]


DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
February 18, 2011.

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-2010-0115 to submit or view comments and 
to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send one copy of 
your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2010-0115, 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-2010-0115.
    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., 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. Shirley Wager-Page, Chief, Pest 
Permitting Branch, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 
20737-1237; (301) 734-8453.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing 
to issue permits for the release of an insect, Lilioceris cheni, into 
the continental United States for use as a biological control agent to 
reduce the severity of air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) infestations.
    Air potato is a twining vine that can grow 65 feet long or greater, 
capable of climbing and out-competing native vegetation. Air potato was 
introduced in Florida in 1905 and has since become one of the most 
aggressive weeds in that State. In 1999, the Florida Department of 
Agricultural and Consumer Services added air potato to its list of 
noxious weeds in an attempt to protect the State's native plant species 
from being displaced or hybridized. Presently, the air potato is well 
established in Florida and probably throughout the Gulf States where it 
has the potential to severely disrupt entire ecosystems.
    Existing air potato management options, which include chemical and 
mechanical control methods, are ineffective, expensive, temporary, or 
have non-target impacts. Thus, a permit application has been submitted 
to APHIS for the purpose of releasing an insect, L. cheni, into the 
continental United States for use as a biological control agent to 
reduce the severity of air potato infestations.
    APHIS' review and analysis of the proposed action are documented in 
detail in an environmental assessment (EA) titled ``Field Release of 
Lilioceris cheni Gressit & Kimoto (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) for 
Biological Control of Air Potato, Dioscorea bulbifera (Dioscoreaceae), 
in the Continental United States'' (September 2010). 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 1b), and (4) 
APHIS' NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372).

    Done in Washington, DC, this 12th day of January 2011.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-981 Filed 1-18-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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