Oral Rabies Vaccine Trial; Availability of a Supplement to an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact, 42781-42782 [2017-19227]

Download as PDF 42781 Notices Federal Register Vol. 82, No. 175 Tuesday, September 12, 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 Office of the Secretary Improving Customer Service Office of the Secretary, USDA. ACTION: Request for Information (RFI). AGENCY: Consistent with Executive Order 13781, ‘‘Comprehensive Plan for Reorganizing the Executive Branch,’’ and using the authority of the Secretary to reorganize the Department under section 4(a) of Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1953 the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting public comment on the proposed reorganization announced by Secretary Perdue on September 7, 2017. The proposed reorganizations follow a previous reorganization announced on May 11, 2017. DATES: Comments and information are requested on or before October 7, 2017. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding this notice. All submissions must refer to ‘‘Improving Customer Service’’ to ensure proper delivery. • Electronic Submission of Comments. Interested persons may submit comments electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. USDA strongly encourages commenters to submit comments electronically. Electronic submission of comments allows the commenter maximum time to prepare and submit a comment, and ensures timely receipt by USDA. Commenters should follow the instructions provided on that site to submit comments electronically. • Submission of Comments by Mail, Hand delivery, or Courier. Paper, disk, or CD–ROM submissions should be submitted to the Office of Budget and Program Analysis, USDA, Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 101–A, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250. pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:19 Sep 11, 2017 Jkt 241001 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald Bice, Telephone Number: (202) 720–3291. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: USDA is committed to operating efficiently, effectively, and with integrity, and minimizing the burdens on individuals businesses, and communities for participation in and compliance with USDA programs. USDA works to support the American agricultural economy to strengthen rural communities; to protect and conserve our natural resources; and to provide a safe, sufficient, and nutritious food supply for the American people. The Department’s wide range of programs and responsibilities touches the lives of every American every day. I. Executive Orders 13781 Executive Order 13781, ‘‘Comprehensive Plan for Reorganizing the Executive Branch’’, is intended to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of the executive branch. The principles in the Executive Order provide the basis for taking actions to enhance and strengthen the delivery of USDA programs. The Department will continue to work within the Administration on the government-wide reform plan and additional reform efforts. II. Reorganization Actions On September 7, 2017, Secretary Perdue announced his intent to take actions to strengthen customer service and improve efficiencies at USDA by taking the following actions: • Merging the Center for Nutrition and Policy Promotion into the Food and Nutrition Service; • Consolidating the Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration into the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS); • Realigning the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Warehouse function and the International Food Commodity Procurement program into AMS; • Moving the Codex Alimentarius program from the Food Safety and Inspection Service into the Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs; • Realigning the Office of Pesticide Management Policy out of the Agricultural Research Service and into the Office of the Chief Economist; • Establishing the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 through the merger of the Office of Advocacy and Outreach, the Office of Tribal Relations, the Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and the Military Veterans Liaison; • Creating an Office of Innovation within Rural Development; and • Consolidating mission support activities, including information technology, finance, property, procurement, and human resources, at the mission area level. (https:// www.usda.gov/media/press-releases) III. Request for Information USDA is seeking public comment on the actions identified in the September 7, 2017, announcement. USDA notes that this notice is issued solely for information and programplanning purposes. While responses to this notice do not bind USDA to any further actions, all submissions will be reviewed by the appropriate program office, and made publicly available on https://www.regulations.gov. Dated: September 7, 2017. Donald Bice, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration. [FR Doc. 2017–19337 Filed 9–11–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2017–0046] 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, 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. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\12SEN1.SGM 12SEN1 42782 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 175 / Tuesday, September 12, 2017 / Notices 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 and the 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: The Wildlife Services (WS) program in 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 July 17, 2017, we published in the Federal Register (82 FR 32676–32677, Docket No. APHIS–2017–0046) a notice 1 in which we announced the availability, for public review and comment, of a supplement to an environmental assessment (EA) that examined the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed field trial to test the safety and efficacy of an experimental oral rabies vaccine (ORV) for wildlife in New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Vermont, and West Virginia. In addition, the supplement analyzed the geographic shift of the ORV zone in Ohio and the addition of 17 counties in West Virginia so that baits can be applied to the western edge of the ORV zone in West Virginia. We solicited comments on the EA for 30 days ending August 16, 2017. We did not receive any comments. In this document, we are advising the public of our finding of no significant impact (FONSI) relative to the ORV field trial in New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Vermont, and West Virginia. The finding, which is based on the EA and the 2013, 2015, and 2017 supplements 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 2017 supplement to the EA and the FONSI may be viewed on the APHIS pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 1 To view the notice, the EA, and the FONSI, go to https://www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0046. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:19 Sep 11, 2017 Jkt 241001 Web site at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/ wildlifedamage/nepa and on the Regulations.gov Web site (see footnote 1). Copies of the 2017 supplement to the EA and the 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 as described under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. The 2017 supplement to the EA and the 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 6th day of September 2017. Michael C. Gregoire, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2017–19227 Filed 9–11–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2017–0072] Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Bees and Related Articles Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Revision to and extension of approval of an information collection; comment request. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s intention to request a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with the regulations for the importation of bees and related articles into the United States. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before November 13, 2017. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0072. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2017–0072, 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-2017-0072 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: For information on the regulations for the importation of bees and related articles, contact Dr. Colin Stewart, Senior Entomologist, Pest Permit Evaluations, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851–2038, email: Colin.D.Stewart@aphis.usda.gov. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Ms. Kimberly Hardy, APHIS’ Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851–2483. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Bees and Related Articles. OMB Control Number: 0579–0207. Type of Request: Revision to and extension of approval of an information collection. Abstract: The Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to restrict the importation, entry, or interstate movement of plants, plant products, and other articles to prevent the introduction of plant pests into the United States or their dissemination within the United States. Under the Honeybee Act (7 U.S.C. 281–286), the Secretary is authorized to prohibit or restrict the importation of honeybees and honeybee semen to prevent the introduction into the United States of diseases and parasites harmful to honeybees and of undesirable species such as the African honey bee. This authority has been delegated to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The establishment of certain bee diseases, parasites, or undesirable species and subspecies of honeybees in ADDRESSES: E:\FR\FM\12SEN1.SGM 12SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 12, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42781-42782]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19227]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2017-0046]


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.

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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, 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.

[[Page 42782]]


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 and the 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: The Wildlife Services (WS) program in 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 July 17, 2017, we published in the Federal Register (82 FR 
32676-32677, Docket No. APHIS-2017-0046) a notice \1\ in which we 
announced the availability, for public review and comment, of a 
supplement to an environmental assessment (EA) that examined the 
potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed field 
trial to test the safety and efficacy of an experimental oral rabies 
vaccine (ORV) for wildlife in New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Vermont, 
and West Virginia. In addition, the supplement analyzed the geographic 
shift of the ORV zone in Ohio and the addition of 17 counties in West 
Virginia so that baits can be applied to the western edge of the ORV 
zone in West Virginia.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ To view the notice, the EA, and the FONSI, go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0046.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We solicited comments on the EA for 30 days ending August 16, 2017. 
We did not receive any comments.
    In this document, we are advising the public of our finding of no 
significant impact (FONSI) relative to the ORV field trial in New 
Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Vermont, and West Virginia. The finding, 
which is based on the EA and the 2013, 2015, and 2017 supplements 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 2017 supplement to the EA and the FONSI may be viewed on the 
APHIS Web site at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlifedamage/nepa and on 
the Regulations.gov Web site (see footnote 1). Copies of the 2017 
supplement to the EA and the 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 as 
described under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    The 2017 supplement to the EA and the 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 6th day of September 2017.
Michael C. Gregoire,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-19227 Filed 9-11-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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