Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Karnal Bunt; Importation of Wheat and Related Articles, 15934-15935 [2011-6604]

Download as PDF 15934 Notices Federal Register Vol. 76, No. 55 Tuesday, March 22, 2011 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2010–0122] Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Karnal Bunt; Importation of Wheat and Related Articles Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with regulations for the importation of wheat and related articles from regions affected with Karnal bunt. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before May 23, 2011. SUMMARY: 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-2010-0122 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–2010–0122, 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– 2010–0122. 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 srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES ADDRESSES: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:11 Mar 21, 2011 Jkt 223001 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: For information on regulations for the importation of wheat and related articles from regions affected with Karnal bunt, contact Mr. William Aley, Senior Import Specialist, Risk Management and Plants for Planting Policy, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737–1231; (301) 734–5057. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS’ Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851–2908. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Karnal Bunt; Importation of Wheat and Related Articles. OMB Number: 0579–0240. Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection. Abstract: As authorized by the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) (PPA), the Secretary of Agriculture may prohibit or restrict the importation, entry, exportation, or movement in interstate commerce of any plant, plant product, biological control organism, noxious weed, means of conveyance, or other article if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent a plant pest or noxious weed from being introduced into or disseminated within the United States. This authority has been delegated to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which administers regulations to implement the PPA. Karnal bunt is a fungal disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum), durum wheat (Triticum durum), and triticale (Triticum aestivum X Secale cereale), a hybrid of wheat and rye. Karnal bunt is caused by the smut fungus Tilletia indica (Mitra) Mundkhur and is spread by spores, primarily through the movement of infected seed. Karnal bunt is found in Afghanistan, India, Iraq, Pakistan, and portions of Mexico and the United States. PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 To prevent the introduction and spread of various wheat diseases, including Karnal bunt, APHIS’s regulations in Subpart—Wheat Diseases (7 CFR 319.59–1 through 319.59–4) prohibit the importation of wheat seed, straw, and other products into the United States from regions affected with Karnal bunt. The regulations require that certain regulated articles imported from Karnal bunt-free areas within regions regulated for Karnal bunt be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate that must be completed by an official of the national plant protection organization of the region of origin. The certificate must include a declaration stating that the regulated articles originated in areas where Karnal bunt is not known to occur, as attested to either by survey results or by testing for bunted kernals or spores. We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of this information collection activity for an additional 3 years. The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. These comments will help us: (1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies; e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1.2 hours per response. Respondents: U.S. importers/ exporters of wheat, foreign Federal officials. Estimated annual number of respondents: 500. Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1. E:\FR\FM\22MRN1.SGM 22MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 55 / Tuesday, March 22, 2011 / Notices Estimated annual number of responses: 500. Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 600 hours. (Due to averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per response.) 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. Done in Washington, DC, this 16th day of March 2011. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2011–6604 Filed 3–21–11; 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 and Finding of No Significant Impact for a Biological Control Agent for Air Potato Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: We are advising the public that an environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact have been prepared by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service relative to the control of air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera). Based on its finding of no significant impact, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared. 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: SUMMARY: srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD 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. On January 19, 2011, we published in the Federal Register (76 FR 3076–3077, Docket No. APHIS–2010–0115) a VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:11 Mar 21, 2011 Jkt 223001 notice 1 in which we announced the availability, for public review and comment, of an environmental assessment (EA) that examined the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed release of this biological control agent into the continental United States. We solicited comments on the EA for 30 days ending February 18, 2011. We received one comment by that date, from a State agricultural agency. The commenter, who supported the proposed release, asked whether, when the shipments of L. cheni were imported, the identity of the specimens was confirmed and if voucher specimens had been established. The commenter was concerned that the validity of the host specificity testing would be called into question if the identity of the specimens was not firmly established. We have notified the commenter that the identity of the specimens was confirmed at the time of their importation and that voucher specimens have been set aside. In this document, we are advising the public of our finding of no significant impact (FONSI) regarding the release of L. cheni, into the continental United States for use as a biological control agent to reduce the severity of air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) infestations. The finding, which is based on the EA, reflects our determination that release of this biological control agent will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. The EA and FONSI may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site (see footnote 1). Copies of the EA and FONSI are also available for public inspection at USDA, room 1141, South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing to inspect copies are requested to call ahead on (202) 690–2817 to facilitate entry into the reading room. In addition, copies may be obtained by calling or writing to the individual listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. The EA and FONSI have 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 1 To view the notice, EA, and FONSI go to https://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/ component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS– 2010–0115. PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 15935 Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372). Done in Washington, DC, this 16th day of March 2011. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2011–6605 Filed 3–21–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Federal Advisory Committee Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: The Lake Tahoe Federal Advisory Committee (LTFAC) will hold meetings on March 31, 2011, April 6, 2011, and April 19, 2011 at the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. This Committee, established by the Secretary of Agriculture on December 15, 1998 (64 FR 2876), is chartered to provide advice to the Secretary on implementing the terms of the Federal Interagency Partnership on the Lake Tahoe Region and other matters raised by the Secretary. DATES: The meetings will be held March 31, 2011 beginning at 10 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m. and April 6, 2011, beginning at 10 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m. and April 19, 2011 beginning at 10 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. For Further Information or to Request an Accommodation (one week prior to meeting date) Contact: Arla Hains, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Forest Service, 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, (530) 543–2773. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Items to be covered on the agenda on March 31, 2011: (1) Tahoe Working Group presentation on the Southern Nevada Public Management Act (SNPLMA) Round 12 capital project nominations and science themes, and (2) public comment. Items to be covered on the agenda on April 6 include: (1) Followup presentations on the SNPLMA Round 12 capital project nominations and science themes, and (2) public comments. Items to be covered on the agenda on April 9 include (1) LTFAC SNPLMA Round 12 preliminary recommendations for capital projects and science themes, and (2) public comment. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\22MRN1.SGM 22MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 22, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15934-15935]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-6604]


========================================================================
Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 55 / Tuesday, March 22, 2011 / 
Notices

[[Page 15934]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2010-0122]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Karnal Bunt; Importation of Wheat and Related Articles

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment 
request.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's 
intention to request an extension of approval of an information 
collection associated with regulations for the importation of wheat and 
related articles from regions affected with Karnal bunt.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before May 
23, 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-2010-0122 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-2010-0122, 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-2010-0122.
    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: For information on regulations for the 
importation of wheat and related articles from regions affected with 
Karnal bunt, contact Mr. William Aley, Senior Import Specialist, Risk 
Management and Plants for Planting Policy, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road 
Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-5057. For copies of more 
detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. 
Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 
851-2908.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Karnal Bunt; Importation of Wheat and Related Articles.
    OMB Number: 0579-0240.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: As authorized by the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 
et seq.) (PPA), the Secretary of Agriculture may prohibit or restrict 
the importation, entry, exportation, or movement in interstate commerce 
of any plant, plant product, biological control organism, noxious weed, 
means of conveyance, or other article if the Secretary determines that 
the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent a plant pest or 
noxious weed from being introduced into or disseminated within the 
United States. This authority has been delegated to the Animal and 
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which administers regulations 
to implement the PPA.
    Karnal bunt is a fungal disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum), durum 
wheat (Triticum durum), and triticale (Triticum aestivum X Secale 
cereale), a hybrid of wheat and rye. Karnal bunt is caused by the smut 
fungus Tilletia indica (Mitra) Mundkhur and is spread by spores, 
primarily through the movement of infected seed. Karnal bunt is found 
in Afghanistan, India, Iraq, Pakistan, and portions of Mexico and the 
United States.
    To prevent the introduction and spread of various wheat diseases, 
including Karnal bunt, APHIS's regulations in Subpart--Wheat Diseases 
(7 CFR 319.59-1 through 319.59-4) prohibit the importation of wheat 
seed, straw, and other products into the United States from regions 
affected with Karnal bunt.
    The regulations require that certain regulated articles imported 
from Karnal bunt-free areas within regions regulated for Karnal bunt be 
accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate that must be completed by an 
official of the national plant protection organization of the region of 
origin. The certificate must include a declaration stating that the 
regulated articles originated in areas where Karnal bunt is not known 
to occur, as attested to either by survey results or by testing for 
bunted kernals or spores.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of this information collection activity for an additional 3 
years.
    The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public 
(as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. 
These comments will help us:
    (1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, 
electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies; e.g., 
permitting electronic submission of responses.
    Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average 1.2 hours per response.
    Respondents: U.S. importers/exporters of wheat, foreign Federal 
officials.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 500.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.

[[Page 15935]]

    Estimated annual number of responses: 500.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 600 hours. (Due to 
averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of 
the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per 
response.)
    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.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 16th day of March 2011.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-6604 Filed 3-21-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

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