Availability of a Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for a Release of Three Parasitoids for Biological Control of the Lily Leaf Beetle, 47694-47695 [2017-22228]

Download as PDF asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES 47694 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 197 / Friday, October 13, 2017 / Notices inspection of outdoor household articles that are to be moved from a gypsy moth quarantined area to a non-quarantined area to ensure that they are free of all life stages of gypsy moth. Individuals may use a self-inspection checklist, ‘‘It’s the Law; Before Moving, Check For Gypsy Moth.’’ The completed checklist must be signed by the person who performed the inspection and must be kept in the vehicle used to move the outdoor household articles in the event that USDA or State/local officials request it during the movement of the articles. In addition, it is recommended that individuals maintain a copy of the signed checklist for at least 5 years. We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve these information collection activities, as described, for an additional 3 years. The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. These comments will help us: (1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies; e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. Estimate of burden: The public burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.54 hours per response. Respondents: Individuals who complete the self-inspection checklist and State and local officials. Estimated annual number of respondents: 2,500,020. Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 2. Estimated annual number of responses: 5,000,260. Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 2,707,565 hours. (Due to averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per response.) 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:05 Oct 12, 2017 Jkt 244001 Done in Washington, DC, this 11th day of October 2017. Michael C. Gregoire, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2017–22348 Filed 10–12–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2017–0025] Availability of a Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for a Release of Three Parasitoids for Biological Control of the Lily Leaf Beetle Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: We are advising the public that an environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact have been prepared by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service relative to the release of three parasitoids, Diaparsis jucunda, Lemophagus errabundus, and Tetrastichus setifer, for the biological control of the lily leaf beetle in the contiguous 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. Colin D. Stewart, Assistant Director, Pests, Pathogens, and Biocontrol Permits, Permitting and Compliance Coordination, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737– 1231; (301) 851–2237, email: Colin.D.Stewart@aphis.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The lily leaf beetle, Lilioceris lilii (Coleptera:Chrysomelidae), an aggressive pest of lilies and fritillaries, has expanded its range rapidly over the past decade, and is now found in several northeastern and central States, across Canada, and in Washington State. Further expansion is expected based on its historical distribution in nearly all of Europe and parts of North Africa. The Washington State Department of Agriculture is proposing to release three insect parasitoid species for the biological control of the lily leaf beetle; none of these species have been previously released or established in Washington State. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing to issue permits for the field release of the parasitoids Diaparsis SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 jucunda, Lemophagus errabundus, and Tetrastichus setifer into the contiguous United States to reduce the severity of lily leaf beetle infestations. On July 13, 2017, we published in the Federal Register (82 FR 32317–32318, Docket No. APHIS–2017–0025) 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 these biological control agents into the contiguous United States. We solicited comments on the EA for 30 days ending August 14, 2017. We received one comment by that date. The commenter was opposed to the release of the organism on principle, but did not raise any specific or substantive issues. In this document, we are advising the public of our finding of no significant impact (FONSI) regarding the release of Diaparsis jucunda, Lemophagus errabundus, and Tetrastichus setifer into the contiguous United States for the biological control of the lily leaf beetle. The finding, which is based on the EA, reflects our determination that release of these biological control agents 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 1b); and (4) APHIS’ NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372). 1 To view the notice, environmental assessment, finding of no significant impact, and the comment we received, go to https://www.regulations.gov/ docket?D=APHIS-2017-0025. E:\FR\FM\13OCN1.SGM 13OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 197 / Friday, October 13, 2017 / Notices Done in Washington, DC, this 6th day of October 2017. Michael C. Gregoire, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2017–22228 Filed 10–12–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Information Collection; Small Business Timber Sale Set-Aside Program; Appeal Procedures on Recomputation of Shares Forest Service, USDA. Notice; request for comment. AGENCY: ACTION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension with no revision of a currently approved information collection, Small Business Timber Sale Set-Aside Program; Appeal Procedures on Recomputation of Shares. DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before December 12, 2017 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable. ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to Director, Forest Management, Mail Stop 1103, Forest Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250. Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (703) 605–1575, or by email to wosbaprocess@fs.fed.us. Comments submitted in response to this notice may be made available to the public through relevant Web sites and upon request. For this reason, please do not include in your comments information of a confidential nature, such as sensitive personal information or proprietary information. If you send an email comment, your email address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. Please note that responses to this public comment request containing any routine notice about the confidentiality of the communication will be treated as public comments that may be made available to the public notwithstanding the inclusion of the routine notice. The public may inspect the draft supporting statement and/or comments received at Forest Service, USDA, Forest Management Office, Third Floor SW asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:05 Oct 12, 2017 Jkt 244001 Wing, 201 14th Street SW., Washington DC, during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to (202) 205–1766 to facilitate entry to the building. The public may request an electronic copy of the draft supporting statement and/or any comments received be sent via return email. Requests should be emailed to wosbaprocess@fs.fed.us. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Nygaard-Scott, Forest Management Staff, by phone (202) 205– 1766 or by email at wosbaprocess@ fs.fed.us. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Small Business Timber Sale SetAside Program; Appeal Procedures on Recomputation of Shares. OMB Number: 0596–0141. Expiration Date of Approval: 4/30/ 2018. Type of Request: Extension without change of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: The Forest Service adopted the Small Business Timber Sale SetAside Program (Set-Aside Program) on July 26, 1990 (55 FR 30485). The Agency administers the Set-Aside Program in cooperation with the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the authorities of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631), the National Forest Management Act of 1976, and SBA regulations in 13 CFR part 121. The SetAside Program is designed to ensure that small business timber purchasers have the opportunity to purchase a fair proportion of National Forest System timber offered for sale. Under the Set-Aside Program, the Forest Service must recompute the shares of timber sales to be set aside for qualifying small businesses every 5 years based on the actual volume of sawtimber that has been purchased by small businesses. Additionally, shares must be recomputed if there is a change in manufacturing capability, if the purchaser size class changes, or if certain purchasers discontinue operations. In 1992, the Agency adopted new administrative appeal procedures (36 CFR part 215), which excluded the SetAside Program. Prior to adoption of 36 CFR part 215, the Agency had accepted appeals of recomputation decisions under 36 CFR part 217; and therefore decided to establish procedures for providing notice to affected purchasers offering an opportunity to comment on PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 47695 the recomputation of shares (61 FR 7468). The Conference Report accompanying the 1997 Omnibus Appropriation Act (Pub. L. 104–208) directed the Forest Service to reinstate an appeals process for decisions concerning recomputation of Small Business Set-Aside shares, structural recomputations of SBA shares, or changes in policies impacting the SetAside Program prior to December 31, 1996. The Small Business Timber Sale Set-Aside Program; Appeal Procedures on Recomputation of Shares (36 CFR 223.118; 64 FR 411, January 5, 1999) outlines the types of decisions that are subject to appeal, who may appeal decisions, the procedures for appeal decisions, the timelines for appeal, and the contents of the notice of appeal. The Forest Service provides qualifying timber sale purchasers 30days for predecisional review and comment on draft decisions to reallocate shares, including the data used in making the proposed recomputation decision. Within 15 days after the close of the 30-day predecisional review period, an Agency official makes a decision on the shares to be set aside for small businesses and gives written notice of the decision to all parties on the national forest timber sale bidders list for the affected area. The written notice provides the date by which the appeal may be filed and how to obtain information on appeal procedures. Only those timber sale purchasers, or their representatives, who are affected by small business share timber sale setaside recomputation decisions and who have submitted predecisional comments, may appeal recomputation decisions. The appellant must file a notice of appeal with the appropriate Forest Service official within 20 days of the date on the notice of decision. The notice of appeal must include: 1. The appellant’s name, mailing address, and daytime telephone number; 2. The title or type of recomputation decision involved and date of the decision; 3. The name of the responsible Forest Service official; 4. A brief description and date of the decision being appealed; 5. A statement of how the appellant is adversely affected by the decision being appealed; 6. A statement of facts in dispute regarding the issue(s) raised by the appeal; 7. Specific references to law, regulation, or policy that the appellant believes have been violated (if any) and the basis for such an allegation; E:\FR\FM\13OCN1.SGM 13OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 197 (Friday, October 13, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47694-47695]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22228]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2017-0025]


Availability of a Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of 
No Significant Impact for a Release of Three Parasitoids for Biological 
Control of the Lily Leaf Beetle

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: We are advising the public that an environmental assessment 
and finding of no significant impact have been prepared by the Animal 
and Plant Health Inspection Service relative to the release of three 
parasitoids, Diaparsis jucunda, Lemophagus errabundus, and Tetrastichus 
setifer, for the biological control of the lily leaf beetle in the 
contiguous 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. Colin D. Stewart, Assistant 
Director, Pests, Pathogens, and Biocontrol Permits, Permitting and 
Compliance Coordination, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 851-2237, email: 
Colin.D.Stewart@aphis.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The lily leaf beetle, Lilioceris lilii 
(Coleptera:Chrysomelidae), an aggressive pest of lilies and 
fritillaries, has expanded its range rapidly over the past decade, and 
is now found in several northeastern and central States, across Canada, 
and in Washington State. Further expansion is expected based on its 
historical distribution in nearly all of Europe and parts of North 
Africa. The Washington State Department of Agriculture is proposing to 
release three insect parasitoid species for the biological control of 
the lily leaf beetle; none of these species have been previously 
released or established in Washington State. The Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing to issue permits for the 
field release of the parasitoids Diaparsis jucunda, Lemophagus 
errabundus, and Tetrastichus setifer into the contiguous United States 
to reduce the severity of lily leaf beetle infestations.
    On July 13, 2017, we published in the Federal Register (82 FR 
32317-32318, Docket No. APHIS-2017-0025) 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 these biological 
control agents into the contiguous United States.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ To view the notice, environmental assessment, finding of no 
significant impact, and the comment we received, go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=APHIS-2017-0025.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We solicited comments on the EA for 30 days ending August 14, 2017. 
We received one comment by that date. The commenter was opposed to the 
release of the organism on principle, but did not raise any specific or 
substantive issues.
    In this document, we are advising the public of our finding of no 
significant impact (FONSI) regarding the release of Diaparsis jucunda, 
Lemophagus errabundus, and Tetrastichus setifer into the contiguous 
United States for the biological control of the lily leaf beetle. The 
finding, which is based on the EA, reflects our determination that 
release of these biological control agents 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 1b); and (4) 
APHIS' NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372).


[[Page 47695]]


    Done in Washington, DC, this 6th day of October 2017.
Michael C. Gregoire,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-22228 Filed 10-12-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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