Field Release of Aphelinus glycinis for the Biological Control of the Soybean Aphid in the Continental United States; Availability of an Environmental Assessment, 46373 [2012-19026]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 150 (Friday, August 3, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 46373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-19026]


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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 150 / Friday, August 3, 2012 / 
Notices

[[Page 46373]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No APHIS-2012-0061]


Field Release of Aphelinus glycinis for the Biological Control of 
the Soybean Aphid in the Continental United States; Availability of an 
Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are advising the public that a draft environmental 
assessment has been prepared by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service relative to the proposed release of Aphelinus glycinis for the 
biological control of the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines, in the 
continental United States. We are making this environmental assessment 
available to the public for review and comment.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
September 4, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0061.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2012-0061, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.
    The environmental assessment and any comments we receive may be 
viewed at https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0061 
or in our reading room, which 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) 799-7039 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Shirley A. Wager-Page, Chief, Pest 
Permitting Branch, Registration, Identification, Permitting, and Plant 
Safeguarding, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 134, Riverdale, MD 
20737-1236; (301) 851-2323.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The soybean aphid, Aphis glycinis, which is native to Asia, was 
found in North America in 2000 and has since become a major pest in 
America. It infested 42 million acres alone in 2003, resulting in 
decreased soybean yields and greatly increased control costs. The 
soybean aphid has invaded most soybean production regions in North 
America, including numerous U.S. States and three Canadian Provinces.
    The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing 
to issue permits for the field release of the insect Aphelinus glycinis 
to reduce the severity of soybean damage from infestations of soybean 
aphid in the United States. Permitting the release of this parasite 
species is necessary to determine its impact on soybean aphid 
populations and its ability to survive in the target area.
    APHIS' review and analysis of the potential environmental impacts 
associated with these proposed field tests are documented in detail in 
an environmental assessment entitled ``Field Release of Aphelinus 
glycinis for the Biological Control of the Soybean Aphid in the 
Continental United States'' (March 2012). We are making this 
environmental 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 a link to 
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 the title of the environmental 
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 1); and (4) APHIS' NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 
372).

    Done in Washington, DC, this 30th day of July 2012.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-19026 Filed 8-2-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P