Oral Rabies Vaccine Trial; Availability of a Supplement to an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact, 49444-49445 [2013-19835]

Download as PDF 49444 Notices Federal Register Vol. 78, No. 157 Wednesday, August 14, 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 Council for Native American Farming and Ranching Office of Tribal Relations, USDA. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: This notice announces a forthcoming meeting of The Council for Native American Farming and Ranching (CNAFR) a public advisory committee of the Office of Tribal Relations (OTR). Notice of the meetings are provided in accordance with section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2). This will be the fourth meeting of the CNAFR and will consist of, but not limited to: Hearing public comments; update of USDA programs and activities; and discussion of committee priorities. This meeting will be open to the public. DATES: The meeting will be held on September 9th, 2013 and September 10th, 2013 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The meeting will be open to the public on both days. Note that a period for public comment will be held on September 9th, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and September 10th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel, 480 L’Enfant Plaza SW., Washington, DC 20024. The public comment period and CNAFR meeting will take place within the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel’s Ballroom A. Written Comments: Written comments may be submitted to: John Lowery, Designated Federal Officer, Tribal Relations Manager, Office of Tribal Relations (OTR), 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Whitten Bldg., 500–A, Washington, DC 20250; by Fax: (202) 720–1058; or by email: John.Lowery@osec.usda.gov. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions should be directed to John Lowery, Tribal Relations Manager, OTR, VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:16 Aug 13, 2013 Jkt 229001 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Whitten Bldg., 500A, Washington, DC 20250; by Fax: (202) 720–1058 or email: John.Lowery@osec.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) as amended (5 U.S.C. App. 2), USDA established an advisory council for Native American farmers and ranchers. The CNAFR is a discretionary advisory committee established under the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture, in furtherance of the settlement agreement in Keepseagle v. Vilsack that was granted final approval by the District Court for the District of Columbia on April 28, 2011. The CNAFR will operate under the provisions of the FACA and report to the Secretary of Agriculture. The purpose of the CNAFR is (1) to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on issues related to the participation of Native American farmers and ranchers in USDA farm loan programs; (2) to transmit recommendations concerning any changes to FSA regulations or internal guidance or other measures that would eliminate barriers to program participation for Native American farmers and ranchers; (3) to examine methods of maximizing the number of new farming and ranching opportunities created through the farm loan program through enhanced extension and financial literacy services; (4) to examine methods of encouraging intergovernmental cooperation to mitigate the effects of land tenure and probate issues on the delivery of USDA farm loan programs; (5) to evaluate other methods of creating new farming or ranching opportunities for Native American producers; and (6) to address other related issues as deemed appropriate. The Secretary of Agriculture selected a diverse group of members representing a broad spectrum of persons interested in providing solutions to the challenges of the aforementioned purposes. Equal opportunity practices were considered in all appointments to the CNAFR in accordance with USDA policies. The Secretary selected the members in May 2012. Interested persons may present views, orally or in writing, on issues relating to agenda topics before the CNAFR. Written submissions may be submitted to the contact person on or PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 before September 3rd, 2013. Oral presentations from the public will be heard between approximately 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on September 9th and from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on September 10th, 2013. Those individuals interested in making formal oral presentations should notify the contact person and submit a brief statement of the general nature of the issue they wish to present and the names and addresses of proposed participants by September 3rd, 2013. All oral presentations will be given three (3) to five (5) minutes depending on the number of participants. OTR will also make all agenda topics available to the public via the OTR Web site: https://www.usda.gov/tribalrelations no later than 10 business days before the meeting and at the meeting. In addition, the minutes from the meeting will be posted on the OTR Web site. OTR welcomes the attendance of the public at the CNAFR meetings and will make every effort to accommodate persons with physical disabilities or special needs. If you require special accommodations due to a disability, please contact John Lowery, at least 10 business days in advance of the meeting. Dated: August 8, 2013. Leslie Wheelock, Director, Office of Tribal Relations. [FR Doc. 2013–19725 Filed 8–13–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2013–0046] Oral Rabies Vaccine Trial; Availability of a Supplement to an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared a supplement to an environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact relative to an oral rabies vaccination field trial in New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Vermont, SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\14AUN1.SGM 14AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 157 / Wednesday, August 14, 2013 / Notices and West Virginia. 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. Mr. Richard Chipman, Rabies Program Coordinator, Wildlife Services, APHIS, 59 Chennell Drive, Suite 7, Concord, NH 03301; (603) 223–9623. To obtain copies of the supplement to the environmental assessment or finding of no significant impact, contact Ms. Beth Kabert, Environmental Coordinator, Wildlife Services, 140–C Locust Grove Road, Pittstown, NJ 08867; (908) 735–5654, fax (908) 735–0821, email: beth.e.kabert@aphis.usda.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES The Wildlife Services (WS) program of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) cooperates with Federal agencies, State and local governments, and private individuals to research and implement the best methods of managing conflicts between wildlife and human health and safety, agriculture, property, and natural resources. Wildlife-borne diseases that can affect domestic animals and humans are among the types of conflicts that APHIS–WS addresses. Wildlife is the dominant reservoir of rabies in the United States. On August 16, 2012, APHIS–WS published in the Federal Register (77 FR 49409–49410, Docket No. APHIS– 2012–0052) a notice 1 announcing the availability of an environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) pertaining to the potential environmental impacts associated with the implementation of a field trial to test the safety and efficacy of an experimental oral rabies vaccine for wildlife in New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Vermont, and West Virginia. Based on the FONSI, we determined that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared. On June 5, 2013, we published in the Federal Register (78 FR 33798–33799, Docket No. APHIS–2013–0046) a notice 2 in which we announced the availability, for public review and comment, of a supplement to the earlier 1 To view the notice, the EA and the comments we received on it, and the FONSI, go to https:// www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2012 -0052. The comments, and APHIS’ responses to the comments, are presented in an appendix to the EA. 2 To view the June 2013 notice, the comment we received on it, and the supplement to the EA, go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail; D=APHIS-2013-0046. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:16 Aug 13, 2013 Jkt 229001 EA. Our objectives in issuing the supplement to the EA were as follows: • To examine the potential environmental impacts of expanding the geographic range of the field trial zone in New York; • To examine the potential environmental impacts of the field trial in relation to new information that has become available from public comments, research findings, and data gathering since the issuance of the 2012 FONSI; • To clearly communicate to the public our analysis of the individual and cumulative impacts of the field trial since 2012; and • To document our analysis of our field-trial activities in New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Vermont, and West Virginia since the 2012 FONSI was issued to ensure that program activities remain within the impact parameters analyzed in the original EA. We solicited comments on the supplement to the EA for 30 days ending July 5, 2013. We received one comment by that date. It was from a private citizen who had already submitted five comments on the original EA. The comment contained no new information. In this document, we are advising the public of the availability of an updated FONSI regarding the potential environmental impact associated with our oral rabies vaccine field trial. The finding, which is based on the EA and the supplement to the EA, reflects our determination that the distribution of this experimental wildlife rabies vaccine will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. The supplement to the EA and the updated FONSI may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site (see footnote 2) 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. This notice and the supplemental environmental assessment are also posted on the APHIS Web site at https:// www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/ws/ws_ nepa_environmental_documents.shtml. In addition, copies may be obtained from the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. The supplement to the EA and FONSI have been prepared in accordance with: (1) The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 49445 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 August 2013. Kevin Shea, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2013–19835 Filed 8–13–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2013–0056] Wildlife Services Policy on Wildlife Damage Management in Urban Areas Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s Wildlife Services (APHIS–WS) program is making a policy decision on how to define ‘‘urban rodent control,’’ as referred to in the Act of December 22, 1987. This action is necessary to make it clearer when APHIS–WS may or may not conduct activities and enter into agreements in order to control nuisance rodent species or those rodent species that are reservoirs for zoonotic diseases. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. William H. Clay, Deputy Administrator, Wildlife Services, APHIS, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, 20250; 202–799–7095. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Background Wildlife is a publicly owned natural resource in the United States, and State and Federal wildlife agencies have an affirmative duty and responsibility to administer, protect, manage and conserve fish and wildlife. The mission of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s Wildlife Services (APHIS–WS) program is to provide Federal leadership in managing problems caused by wildlife. This includes determining and implementing both research of and methods for controlling animal species that are injurious to agriculture, horticulture, forestry, animal husbandry, endangered and threatened species, other natural E:\FR\FM\14AUN1.SGM 14AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 14, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49444-49445]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19835]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2013-0046]


Oral Rabies Vaccine Trial; Availability of a Supplement to an 
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service has prepared a supplement to an environmental 
assessment and finding of no significant impact relative to an oral 
rabies vaccination field trial in New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, 
Vermont,

[[Page 49445]]

and West Virginia. 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: Mr. Richard Chipman, Rabies Program 
Coordinator, Wildlife Services, APHIS, 59 Chennell Drive, Suite 7, 
Concord, NH 03301; (603) 223-9623. To obtain copies of the supplement 
to the environmental assessment or finding of no significant impact, 
contact Ms. Beth Kabert, Environmental Coordinator, Wildlife Services, 
140-C Locust Grove Road, Pittstown, NJ 08867; (908) 735-5654, fax (908) 
735-0821, email: beth.e.kabert@aphis.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Wildlife Services (WS) program of the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service (APHIS) cooperates with Federal agencies, State and 
local governments, and private individuals to research and implement 
the best methods of managing conflicts between wildlife and human 
health and safety, agriculture, property, and natural resources. 
Wildlife-borne diseases that can affect domestic animals and humans are 
among the types of conflicts that APHIS-WS addresses. Wildlife is the 
dominant reservoir of rabies in the United States.
    On August 16, 2012, APHIS-WS published in the Federal Register (77 
FR 49409-49410, Docket No. APHIS-2012-0052) a notice \1\ announcing the 
availability of an environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no 
significant impact (FONSI) pertaining to the potential environmental 
impacts associated with the implementation of a field trial to test the 
safety and efficacy of an experimental oral rabies vaccine for wildlife 
in New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Vermont, and West Virginia. Based on 
the FONSI, we determined that an environmental impact statement need 
not be prepared.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ To view the notice, the EA and the comments we received on 
it, and the FONSI, go to http:[sol][sol]www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0052. The comments, and APHIS' responses 
to the comments, are presented in an appendix to the EA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On June 5, 2013, we published in the Federal Register (78 FR 33798-
33799, Docket No. APHIS-2013-0046) a notice \2\ in which we announced 
the availability, for public review and comment, of a supplement to the 
earlier EA. Our objectives in issuing the supplement to the EA were as 
follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ To view the June 2013 notice, the comment we received on it, 
and the supplement to the EA, go to 
http:[sol][sol]www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2013-0046.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     To examine the potential environmental impacts of 
expanding the geographic range of the field trial zone in New York;
     To examine the potential environmental impacts of the 
field trial in relation to new information that has become available 
from public comments, research findings, and data gathering since the 
issuance of the 2012 FONSI;
     To clearly communicate to the public our analysis of the 
individual and cumulative impacts of the field trial since 2012; and
     To document our analysis of our field-trial activities in 
New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Vermont, and West Virginia since the 
2012 FONSI was issued to ensure that program activities remain within 
the impact parameters analyzed in the original EA.
    We solicited comments on the supplement to the EA for 30 days 
ending July 5, 2013. We received one comment by that date. It was from 
a private citizen who had already submitted five comments on the 
original EA. The comment contained no new information.
    In this document, we are advising the public of the availability of 
an updated FONSI regarding the potential environmental impact 
associated with our oral rabies vaccine field trial. The finding, which 
is based on the EA and the supplement to the EA, reflects our 
determination that the distribution of this experimental wildlife 
rabies vaccine will not have a significant impact on the quality of the 
human environment.
    The supplement to the EA and the updated FONSI may be viewed on the 
Regulations.gov Web site (see footnote 2) 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.
    This notice and the supplemental environmental assessment are also 
posted on the APHIS Web site at http:[sol][sol]www.aphis.usda.gov/
regulations/ws/ws_nepa_environmental_documents.shtml. In addition, 
copies may be obtained from the person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.
    The supplement to 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 12th day of August 2013.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-19835 Filed 8-13-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

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