Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Field Release of Aphelinus glycinis for the Biological Control of the Soybean Aphid in the Continental United States, 14508-14509 [2013-05140]
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14508
Notices
Federal Register
Vol. 78, No. 44
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
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–2012–0040]
Notice of Affirmation of Addition of a
Treatment Schedule for Methyl
Bromide Fumigation of Cottonseed
Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We are affirming our earlier
determination that it was necessary to
immediately add to the Plant Protection
and Quarantine Treatment Manual a
treatment schedule for methyl bromide
fumigation of cottonseed for the fungal
plant pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f.
sp. vasinfectum (FOV). In a previous
notice, we made available to the public
for review and comment a treatment
evaluation document that described the
new treatment schedule and explained
why we have determined that it is
effective at neutralizing FOV, certain
strains of which are quarantine pests.
DATES: Effective Date: Effective on
March 6, 2013, we are affirming the
addition to the Plant Protection and
Quarantine Treatment Manual of the
treatment described in the notice
published at 77 FR 31564–31566 on
May 29, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Marc Phillips, Import Specialist,
Regulatory Coordination and
Compliance, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River
Road Unit 156, Riverdale, MD 20737;
(301) 851–2114.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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
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15:01 Mar 05, 2013
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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 (b)
sets out the process for adding, revising,
or removing treatment schedules when
there is an immediate need to make a
change. The circumstances in which an
immediate need exists are described in
§ 305.3(b)(1). They are:
• PPQ has determined that an
approved treatment schedule is
ineffective at neutralizing the targeted
plant pest(s).
• PPQ has determined that, in order
to neutralize the targeted plant pest(s),
the treatment schedule must be
administered using a different process
than was previously used.
• PPQ has determined that a new
treatment schedule is effective, based on
efficacy data, and that ongoing trade in
a commodity or commodities may be
adversely impacted unless the new
treatment schedule is approved for use.
• The use of a treatment schedule is
no longer authorized by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency or by
any other Federal entity.
In accordance with § 305.3(b), we
published a notice 2 in the Federal
Register on May 29, 2012 (77 FR 31564–
31566, Docket No. APHIS–2012–0040),
announcing our determination that a
new methyl bromide fumigation
treatment schedule to neutralize the
fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f.
sp. vasinfectum (FOV) on cottonseed
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.
2 To view the notice, the treatment evaluation
document, and the comments we received, go to
https://www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0040.
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(Gossypium spp.) is effective, based on
evidence presented in a treatment
evaluation document (TED) we made
available with the notice. We also
determined that ongoing trade in
cottonseed would be adversely
impacted unless the new treatment
schedule is approved for use. The
treatment was added to the PPQ
Treatment Manual, but was subject to
change based on public comment.
We solicited comments on the notice
for 60 days ending July 30, 2012. We
received four comments by that date.
Three commenters supported the
addition of this treatment to the PPQ
Treatment Manual. The other
commenter objected to the use of methyl
bromide fumigation in general but did
not present any evidence indicating that
the treatment schedule described in the
TED was not effective at neutralizing
FOV on cottonseed.
Therefore, in accordance with the
regulations in § 305.3(b)(3), we are
affirming our addition of a methyl
bromide treatment schedule to
neutralize the FOV, as described in the
TED made available with the previous
notice. The treatment schedule is
numbered T301–e. The treatment
schedule will be listed in the PPQ
Treatment Manual, which is available at
the Web address and mailing address in
footnote 1 of this document.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7701–7772 and 7781–
7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 7 CFR 2.22,
2.80, and 371.3.
Done in Washington, DC, this 28th day of
February 2013.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–05142 Filed 3–5–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
[Docket No. APHIS–2012–0061]
Availability of an Environmental
Assessment and Finding of No
Significant Impact for the Field Release
of Aphelinus glycinis for the Biological
Control of the Soybean Aphid in the
Continental United States
Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, USDA.
AGENCY:
E:\FR\FM\06MRN1.SGM
06MRN1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 44 / Wednesday, March 6, 2013 / Notices
ACTION:
Notice.
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY: We are advising the public
that the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service has prepared an
environmental assessment and finding
of no significant impact relative to the
release of Aphelinus glycinis for the
biological control of soybean aphid,
Aphis glycines, in the continental
United States. 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 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.
On August 3, 2012, we published in
the Federal Register (77 FR 46373,
Docket No. APHIS–2012–0061) 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 September 4, 2012. We
received one comment, from a private
citizen. The commenter opposed the
proposed action but did not offer a
rationale or any information apart from
that opposition.
1 To view the notice, EA, and FONSI go to
https://www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0061.
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15:01 Mar 05, 2013
Jkt 229001
In this document, we are advising the
public of our finding of no significant
impact (FONSI) regarding the release of
Aphelinus glycinis into the continental
United States for use as a biological
control agent to reduce the severity of
soybean aphid 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) 799–7039 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 1); and (4) APHIS’ NEPA
Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part
372).
Done in Washington, DC, this 28th day of
February 2013.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–05140 Filed 3–5–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
[Docket No. APHIS–2012–0060]
Availability of an Environmental
Assessment and Finding of No
Significant Impact for a Biological
Control Agent for Hemlock Woolly
Adelgid
Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We are advising the public
that the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service has prepared an
environmental assessment and finding
of no significant impact relative to the
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14509
release of Scymnus coniferarum to
control 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 A. Wager-Page, Chief, Pest
Permitting Branch, Registration,
Identification, Permitting, and Plant
Safeguarding, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River
Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737–
1236; (301) 851–2323.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing
to issue permits for the release of
Scymnus coniferarum, a native
predaceous beetle from the western
United States, into the eastern United
States for use as a biological control
agent to reduce the severity of hemlock
woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae)
infestations on hemlock.
Hemlock woolly adelgid was
accidentally introduced to the eastern
United States from Asia. Although
native to the western United States, in
the eastern United States, hemlock
woolly adelgid is a destructive pest of
the eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis),
where it causes needle loss, abortion of
buds, and the eventual death of infested
trees.
On August 3, 2012, we published in
the Federal Register (77 FR 46373–
46374, Docket No. APHIS–2012–0060) 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
eastern United States.
We solicited comments on the EA for
30 days ending September 4, 2012. We
received 10 comments by that date.
Nine of the commenters were
supportive of the proposed action. The
remaining commenter opposed the
proposed action but did not offer a
rationale or any information apart from
that opposition.
In this document, we are advising the
public of our finding of no significant
impact (FONSI) regarding the release of
S. coniferarum into the eastern United
States for use as a biological control
agent to reduce the severity of hemlock
woolly adelgid infestations. The finding,
which is based on the EA, reflects our
1 To view the notice, EA, and FONSI go to
https://www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2012–0060.
E:\FR\FM\06MRN1.SGM
06MRN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 6, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14508-14509]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-05140]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2012-0061]
Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No
Significant Impact for the Field Release of Aphelinus glycinis for the
Biological Control of the Soybean Aphid in the Continental United
States
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
[[Page 14509]]
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment and finding
of no significant impact relative to the release of Aphelinus glycinis
for the biological control of soybean aphid, Aphis glycines, in the
continental United States. 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 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.
On August 3, 2012, we published in the Federal Register (77 FR
46373, Docket No. APHIS-2012-0061) 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/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0061.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
We solicited comments on the EA for 30 days ending September 4,
2012. We received one comment, from a private citizen. The commenter
opposed the proposed action but did not offer a rationale or any
information apart from that opposition.
In this document, we are advising the public of our finding of no
significant impact (FONSI) regarding the release of Aphelinus glycinis
into the continental United States for use as a biological control
agent to reduce the severity of soybean aphid 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) 799-7039 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 1); and (4)
APHIS' NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372).
Done in Washington, DC, this 28th day of February 2013.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-05140 Filed 3-5-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
