Availability of an Environmental Assessment for Field Testing a Vaccine For Use Against Infectious Bursal Disease, Marek's Disease, and Newcastle Disease, 32785-32786 [2017-14977]

Download as PDF 32785 Notices Federal Register Vol. 82, No. 136 Tuesday, July 18, 2017 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–2017–0020] Availability of an Environmental Assessment for Field Testing a Vaccine For Use Against Infectious Bursal Disease, Marek’s Disease, and Newcastle Disease Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment concerning authorization to ship for the purpose of field testing, and then to field test, an unlicensed Bursal Disease-Marek’s Disease-Newcastle Disease Vaccine, Serotype 3, Live Marek’s Disease Vector. Based on the environmental assessment, risk analysis, and other relevant data, we have reached a preliminary determination that field testing this veterinary vaccine will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. We are making the documents available to the public for review and comment. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before August 17, 2017. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docket Detail;D=APHIS-2017-0020. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2017–0020, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at https:// sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:47 Jul 17, 2017 Jkt 241001 www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D= APHIS-2017-0020 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. Donna Malloy, Operational Support Section, Center for Veterinary Biologics, Policy, Evaluation, and Licensing, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 148, Riverdale, MD 20737–1231; (301) 851– 3426, fax (301) 734–4314. For information regarding the environmental assessment or the risk analysis, or to request a copy of the environmental assessment (as well as the risk analysis with confidential business information redacted), contact Dr. Patricia L. Foley, Risk Manager, Center for Veterinary Biologics, Policy, Evaluation, and Licensing, VS, APHIS, 1920 Dayton Avenue, P.O. Box 844, Ames, IA 50010; phone (515) 337–6100, fax (515) 337–6120. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act (21 U.S.C. 151 et seq.), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is authorized to promulgate regulations designed to ensure that veterinary biological products are pure, safe, potent, and efficacious before a veterinary biological product license may be issued. Veterinary biological products include viruses, serums, toxins, and analogous products of natural or synthetic origin, such as vaccines, antitoxins, or the immunizing components of microorganisms intended for the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of diseases in domestic animals. APHIS issues licenses to qualified establishments that produce veterinary biological products and issues permits to importers of such products. APHIS also enforces requirements concerning production, packaging, labeling, and shipping of these products and sets standards for the testing of these products. Regulations concerning veterinary biological products are contained in 9 CFR parts 101 to 124. A field test is generally necessary to satisfy prelicensing requirements for veterinary biological products. Prior to PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 conducting a field test on an unlicensed product, an applicant must obtain approval from APHIS, as well as obtain APHIS’ authorization to ship the product for field testing. To determine whether to authorize shipment and grant approval for the field testing of the unlicensed product referenced in this notice, APHIS considers the potential effects of this product on the safety of animals, public health, and the environment. Based upon a risk analysis and other relevant data, APHIS has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) concerning the field testing of the following unlicensed veterinary biological product: Requester: Merck Animal Health. Product: Bursal Disease-Marek’s Disease-Newcastle Disease Vaccine, Serotype 3, Live Marek’s Disease Vector. Possible Field Test Locations: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Missouri, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The above-mentioned product is a live Marek’s Disease serotype 3 vaccine virus containing a gene from the Newcastle disease virus and a gene from the infectious bursal disease virus. The attenuated vaccine is intended for use in healthy 18-day-old chicken embryos by the in ovo route or day-old chicks by subcutaneous inoculation, as an aid in the prevention of infectious bursal disease, Marek’s disease, and Newcastle disease. The EA 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 1b), and (4) APHIS’ NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372). We are publishing this notice to inform the public that we will accept written comments regarding the EA from interested or affected persons for a period of 30 days from the date of this notice. Unless substantial issues with adverse environmental impacts are raised in response to this notice, APHIS intends to issue a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) based on the EA and authorize shipment of the above product for the initiation of field tests following the close of the comment period for this notice. E:\FR\FM\18JYN1.SGM 18JYN1 32786 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 136 / Tuesday, July 18, 2017 / Notices Because the issues raised by field testing and by issuance of a license are identical, APHIS has concluded that the EA that is generated for field testing would also be applicable to the proposed licensing action. Provided that the field test data support the conclusions of the original EA and the issuance of a FONSI, APHIS does not intend to issue a separate EA and FONSI to support the issuance of the associated product license, and would determine that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared. APHIS intends to issue a veterinary biological product license for this vaccine following satisfactory completion of the field test, provided no adverse impacts on the human environment are identified and provided the product meets all other requirements for licensing. Authority: 21 U.S.C. 151–159. Done in Washington, DC, this 12th day of July 2017. Michael C. Gregoire, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2017–14977 Filed 7–17–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Information Collection Activity; Comment Request Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: ACTION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS), invites comments on this information collection for which the Agency intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by September 18, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas P. Dickson, Acting Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 1522, Room 5164–S, Washington, DC 20250–1522. Telephone: (202) 690– 4492, Facsimile: (202) 720–8435. Email: Thomas.Dickson@wdc.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) regulation (5 CFR part 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13) requires that interested sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:47 Jul 17, 2017 Jkt 241001 members of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information collection that the Agency is submitting to OMB for extension. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) The accuracy of the Agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Thomas P. Dickson, Acting Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 5164–S, Stop 1522, Washington, DC 20250–1522. Telephone: (202) 690– 4492, Facsimile: (202) 720–8435, Email: Thomas.Dickson@wdc.usda.gov. Title: 7 CFR part 1776, ‘‘Household Water Well System Grant Program’’. OMB Control Number: 0572–0139. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: The Rural Utilities Service supports the sound development of rural communities and the growth of our economy without endangering the environment. RUS provides financial and technical assistance to help communities bring safe drinking water and sanitary, environmentally sound waste disposal facilities to rural Americans in greatest need. The Household Water Well System (HWWS) Grant Program makes grants to qualified private non-profit organizations which will help homeowners finance the cost of private wells. As the grant recipient, non-profit organizations will establish a revolving loan fund lending program to provide water well loans to individuals who own or will own private wells in rural areas. The individual loan recipients may use the funds to construct, refurbish, and service their household well systems for an existing home. The collection of information consists of the materials to file a grant application with the agency, including PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 forms, certifications and required documentation. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 32.35 hours per response. Respondents: Non-profit institutions. Estimated Number of Respondents: 7. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 24. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 776 Hours. Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Rebecca Hunt, Management Analyst, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 205–3660; FAX: (202) 720– 8435. 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. Dated: June 26, 2017. Christopher A. McLean, Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 2017–14979 Filed 7–17–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of the Census Census Scientific Advisory Committee Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is giving notice of a meeting of the Census Scientific Advisory Committee (C–SAC). The Committee will address policy, research, and technical issues relating to a full range of Census Bureau programs and activities, including communications, decennial, demographic, economic, field operations, geographic, information technology, and statistics. The C–SAC will meet in a plenary session from September 14–15, 2017. Last minute changes to the schedule are possible, which could prevent giving advance public notice of schedule adjustments. Please visit the Census Advisory Committees Web site for the most current meeting agenda at: https:// www.census.gov/about/cac.html. The meeting will be available via webcast at: https://www.ustream.tv/uscensusbureau. Topics of discussion will include the following items: • 2020 Systems and Operations • Ranked Statistics • Privacy and Security—Issues as it relates to systems and administrative records data SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\18JYN1.SGM 18JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 136 (Tuesday, July 18, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32785-32786]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-14977]


========================================================================
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. 82, No. 136 / Tuesday, July 18, 2017 / 
Notices

[[Page 32785]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2017-0020]


Availability of an Environmental Assessment for Field Testing a 
Vaccine For Use Against Infectious Bursal Disease, Marek's Disease, and 
Newcastle Disease

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment concerning 
authorization to ship for the purpose of field testing, and then to 
field test, an unlicensed Bursal Disease-Marek's Disease-Newcastle 
Disease Vaccine, Serotype 3, Live Marek's Disease Vector. Based on the 
environmental assessment, risk analysis, and other relevant data, we 
have reached a preliminary determination that field testing this 
veterinary vaccine will not have a significant impact on the quality of 
the human environment. We are making the documents available to the 
public for review and comment.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
August 17, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0020.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2017-0020, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.
    Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may 
be viewed at https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-
0020 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. Donna Malloy, Operational Support 
Section, Center for Veterinary Biologics, Policy, Evaluation, and 
Licensing, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 148, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1231; (301) 851-3426, fax (301) 734-4314.
    For information regarding the environmental assessment or the risk 
analysis, or to request a copy of the environmental assessment (as well 
as the risk analysis with confidential business information redacted), 
contact Dr. Patricia L. Foley, Risk Manager, Center for Veterinary 
Biologics, Policy, Evaluation, and Licensing, VS, APHIS, 1920 Dayton 
Avenue, P.O. Box 844, Ames, IA 50010; phone (515) 337-6100, fax (515) 
337-6120.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act (21 U.S.C. 
151 et seq.), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is 
authorized to promulgate regulations designed to ensure that veterinary 
biological products are pure, safe, potent, and efficacious before a 
veterinary biological product license may be issued. Veterinary 
biological products include viruses, serums, toxins, and analogous 
products of natural or synthetic origin, such as vaccines, antitoxins, 
or the immunizing components of microorganisms intended for the 
diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of diseases in domestic animals.
    APHIS issues licenses to qualified establishments that produce 
veterinary biological products and issues permits to importers of such 
products. APHIS also enforces requirements concerning production, 
packaging, labeling, and shipping of these products and sets standards 
for the testing of these products. Regulations concerning veterinary 
biological products are contained in 9 CFR parts 101 to 124.
    A field test is generally necessary to satisfy prelicensing 
requirements for veterinary biological products. Prior to conducting a 
field test on an unlicensed product, an applicant must obtain approval 
from APHIS, as well as obtain APHIS' authorization to ship the product 
for field testing.
    To determine whether to authorize shipment and grant approval for 
the field testing of the unlicensed product referenced in this notice, 
APHIS considers the potential effects of this product on the safety of 
animals, public health, and the environment. Based upon a risk analysis 
and other relevant data, APHIS has prepared an environmental assessment 
(EA) concerning the field testing of the following unlicensed 
veterinary biological product:
    Requester: Merck Animal Health.
    Product: Bursal Disease-Marek's Disease-Newcastle Disease Vaccine, 
Serotype 3, Live Marek's Disease Vector.
    Possible Field Test Locations: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, 
Missouri, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
    The above-mentioned product is a live Marek's Disease serotype 3 
vaccine virus containing a gene from the Newcastle disease virus and a 
gene from the infectious bursal disease virus. The attenuated vaccine 
is intended for use in healthy 18-day-old chicken embryos by the in ovo 
route or day-old chicks by subcutaneous inoculation, as an aid in the 
prevention of infectious bursal disease, Marek's disease, and Newcastle 
disease.
    The EA 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 1b), and (4) 
APHIS' NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372).
    We are publishing this notice to inform the public that we will 
accept written comments regarding the EA from interested or affected 
persons for a period of 30 days from the date of this notice. Unless 
substantial issues with adverse environmental impacts are raised in 
response to this notice, APHIS intends to issue a finding of no 
significant impact (FONSI) based on the EA and authorize shipment of 
the above product for the initiation of field tests following the close 
of the comment period for this notice.

[[Page 32786]]

    Because the issues raised by field testing and by issuance of a 
license are identical, APHIS has concluded that the EA that is 
generated for field testing would also be applicable to the proposed 
licensing action. Provided that the field test data support the 
conclusions of the original EA and the issuance of a FONSI, APHIS does 
not intend to issue a separate EA and FONSI to support the issuance of 
the associated product license, and would determine that an 
environmental impact statement need not be prepared. APHIS intends to 
issue a veterinary biological product license for this vaccine 
following satisfactory completion of the field test, provided no 
adverse impacts on the human environment are identified and provided 
the product meets all other requirements for licensing.

    Authority:  21 U.S.C. 151-159.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 12th day of July 2017.
Michael C. Gregoire,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-14977 Filed 7-17-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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