Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for a Biological Control Agent for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, 42675 [2011-18112]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 138 / Tuesday, July 19, 2011 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2010–0029] Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for a Biological Control Agent for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: 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 hemlock woolly adelgid. 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: sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Background The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing to issue permits for the release of an insect, Laricobius osakensis, into the continental United States for use as a biological control agent to reduce the severity of hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae, HWA) infestations. On January 19, 2011, we published in the Federal Register (75 FR 28232– 28233, Docket No. APHIS–2010–0029) a 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 June 21, 2010. We received no comments by that date. In this document, we are advising the public of our finding of no significant impact (FONSI) regarding the release of L. osakensis into the continental United States for use as a biological control agent to reduce the severity of HWA infestations. The finding, which is based on the EA, reflects our determination 1 To view the notice, EA, and FONSI go to https://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/ main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2010-0029. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:20 Jul 18, 2011 Jkt 223001 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 Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372). Done in Washington, DC, this 13th day of July 2011. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2011–18112 Filed 7–18–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2010–0125] Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Animal Health; Meeting Agenda AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is a notice to inform the public of the topics on the agenda for an upcoming meeting of the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Animal Health. The meeting is organized by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to discuss matters of animal health. DATES: The meeting will be held July 22, 2011, from noon to 5 p.m. (eastern daylight time). ADDRESSES: The meeting will be conducted as a multi-site teleconference. Opportunities for public participation are described in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 42675 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael R. Doerrer, Chief Operating Officer, Veterinary Services, APHIS, USDA, 4700 River Road Unit 37, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734–5665; email: SACAH.Management@aphis.usda.gov. The Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Animal Health (the Committee) advises the Secretary of Agriculture on means to prevent, conduct surveillance on, monitor, control, or eradicate animal diseases of national importance. In doing so, the Committee will consider public health, conservation of natural resources, and the stability of livestock economies. In a notice published in the Federal Register on May 19, 2011 (76 FR 28910), we announced that the next meeting of the Committee will be held on July 22, 2011, and that we would publish a notice in advance of that meeting to provide information on the meeting’s agenda. This notice provides that information. At the July 2011 public meeting, topics to be discussed will include: 1. Bovine tuberculosis/brucellosis program update and feedback on new framework. 2. Wildlife Services: Its mission and collaboration with other units and agencies. 3. Changes to the Scrapie Flock Certification Program. 4. National Veterinary Stockpile: Its mission, outreach, and interaction with other agencies in emergency response. 5. Update on the National Animal Health Laboratory Network. 6. Emergency Management and Response: Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccination Supply Challenge. 7. VS 2015: A New Perspective. Additional information, including the final agenda, will be posted on the Committee’s Web site at https:// www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/ acah/. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Participation This meeting will be a multi-site teleconference. Public attendees may join the call in ‘‘listen-only’’ mode. Members of the public who wish to listen in on the teleconference may do so by dialing 1–888–790–3291, followed by a public passcode, 1411045. Questions and written statements for the meetings may be submitted up to 5 working days in advance of the meeting for the Committee’s consideration. Questions and written statements may be sent via e-mail to SACAH.Management@aphis.usda.gov or mailed to the person listed under FOR E:\FR\FM\19JYN1.SGM 19JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 138 (Tuesday, July 19, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 42675]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-18112]



[[Page 42675]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2010-0029]


Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No 
Significant Impact for a Biological Control Agent for Hemlock Woolly 
Adelgid

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: 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 hemlock 
woolly adelgid. 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:

Background

    The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing 
to issue permits for the release of an insect, Laricobius osakensis, 
into the continental United States for use as a biological control 
agent to reduce the severity of hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae, 
HWA) infestations.
    On January 19, 2011, we published in the Federal Register (75 FR 
28232-28233, Docket No. APHIS-2010-0029) a 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ To view the notice, EA, and FONSI go to https://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2010-0029.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We solicited comments on the EA for 30 days ending June 21, 2010. 
We received no comments by that date.
    In this document, we are advising the public of our finding of no 
significant impact (FONSI) regarding the release of L. osakensis into 
the continental United States for use as a biological control agent to 
reduce the severity of HWA 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 Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372).

    Done in Washington, DC, this 13th day of July 2011.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-18112 Filed 7-18-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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