Availability of an Environmental Assessment for Release of Aceria drabae, 57424-57425 [2017-26154]
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sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
57424
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 232 / Tuesday, December 5, 2017 / Notices
Current Actions: Revision/Extension
of approval for a collection of
information.
Type of Review: Revision.
Affected Public: Individuals and
Households, Businesses and
Organizations, State, Local or Tribal
Government.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
30,000.
Below we provide projected average
estimates for the next 3-years:
Average Expected Annual Number of
Activities: 20.
Average Number of Respondents per
Activity: 1.
Annual Responses: 30,000.
Frequency of Response: Once per
request.
Average Minutes per Response: 30.
Burden Hours: 15,000.
Request for Comments: Comments
submitted in response to this notice will
be summarized and/or included in the
request for OMB approval. Comments
are invited on: (a) Whether the
collection of information is necessary
for the proper performance of the
functions of the agency, including
whether the information shall have
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of the burden of the
collection of information; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity
of the information to be collected; (d)
ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on
respondents, including through the use
of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology;
and (e) estimates of capital or start-up
costs and costs of operation,
maintenance, and purchase of services
to provide information. Burden means
the total time, effort, or financial
resources expended by persons to
generate, maintain, retain, disclose, or
provide information to or for a Federal
agency. This includes the time needed
to review instructions to (1) develop,
acquire, install, and utilize technology
and systems for the purpose of
collecting, validating and verifying
information, processing and
maintaining information, and disclosing
and providing information; (2) train
personnel and be able to respond to a
collection of information, to search data
sources, (3) complete and review the
collection of information; and to
transmit or otherwise disclose the
information.
All written comments will be
available for public inspection at
Regulations.gov. An agency may not
conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, a collection of
information unless it displays a
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:43 Dec 04, 2017
Jkt 244001
currently valid Office of Management
and Budget control number.
Gary Washington,
Acting Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017–26109 Filed 12–4–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–KR–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
[Docket No. APHIS–2017–0086]
Availability of an Environmental
Assessment for Release of Aceria
drabae for Biological Control of Hoary
Cress
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 relative to
permitting the release of Aceria drabae
for biological control of hoary cress in
the continental United States. The
environmental assessment considers the
effects of, and alternatives to, the field
release of a mite, Aceria drabae, into the
contiguous United States for use as a
biological control agent to reduce the
severity of hoary cress infestations. We
are making the environmental
assessment available to the public for
review and comment.
DATES: We will consider all comments
that we receive on or before January 4,
2018.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
by either of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov/#!docket
Detail;D=APHIS-2017-0086.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:
Send your comment to Docket No.
APHIS–2017–0086, 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-2017-0086 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.
SUMMARY:
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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.Stewart@aphis.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Hoary cress species (Lepidium draba,
L. appelianum, and L. chalapense) are
herbaceous, perennial plants that grow
in a variety of habitat and soil types.
The hoary cress complex of invasive
weeds is native to the Balkans, the
Caspian Sea region of southwestern
Asia, and the Middle East, and is found
throughout Europe. Hoary cress was
introduced into the United States from
Europe in the late 19th century either
with ship ballast or contaminated
alfalfa, grass, or grain. Since then, hoary
cress has spread to all regions of the
United States except the Southeast.
Hoary cress is a perennial weed that
reproduces from seeds and a spreading
root system. The root system consists of
vertical and lateral roots from which
rosettes and shoots arise. Hoary cress
inhibits and diminishes recreational
opportunities, directly impedes crop
production, minimizes grazing potential
of affected rangelands, degrades wildlife
habitat and native plant communities,
and restricts waterfowl use of wetlands
and stream banks. As a result, farmers,
ranchers, recreationists, sportsmen,
hunters, and the general public are
adversely affected by hoary cress.
Aceria drabae, a mite, was chosen as
a potential biological control agent to
combat hoary cress due to its very
narrow host range and impact on its
host, and since the mite is relatively
widespread in Europe, it should adapt
to varying environmental conditions in
North America. The applicant’s purpose
for releasing A. drabae is to reduce the
severity of infestations of invasive hoary
cress in the contiguous United States.
The Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service’s (APHIS’) review
and analysis of the potential
environmental impacts associated with
the proposed release are documented in
detail in an environmental assessment
(EA) entitled ‘‘Field release of the gall
mite, Aceria drabae (Acari:
Eriophyidae), for classical biological
control of hoary cress (Lepidium draba
L., Lepidium chalapense L., and
Lepidium appelianum Al-Shehbaz)
(Brassicaceae), in the contiguous United
States’’ (September 2017). We are
making the EA available to the public
for review and comment. We will
consider all comments that we receive
on or before the date listed under the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
E:\FR\FM\05DEN1.SGM
05DEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 232 / Tuesday, December 5, 2017 / Notices
heading DATES at the beginning of this
notice.
The EA may be viewed on the
Regulations.gov Web site or in our
reading room (see ADDRESSES above for
a link to Regulations.gov and
information on the location and hours of
the reading room). You may also request
paper copies of the EA by calling or
writing to the person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please
refer to the title of the EA when
requesting copies.
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).
Done in Washington, DC, this 29th day of
November 2017.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–26154 Filed 12–4–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
[Docket No. APHIS–2017–0099]
Notice of Request for Revision to and
Extension of Approval of an
Information Collection; Importation of
Baby Squash and Baby Courgettes
From Zambia
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 baby squash and baby
courgettes from Zambia into the
continental United States.
DATES: We will consider all comments
that we receive on or before February 5,
2018.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
by either of the following methods:
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:13 Dec 04, 2017
Jkt 244001
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov/#!docket
Detail;D=APHIS-2017-0099.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:
Send your comment to Docket No.
APHIS–2017–0099, 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-2017-0099 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
information on the importation of baby
squash and baby courgettes from
Zambia, contact Ms. Dorothy Wayson,
Senior Regulatory Specialist, PPQ,
APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 133,
Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851–2036.
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: Importation of Baby Squash and
Baby Courgettes From Zambia.
OMB Control Number: 0579–0347.
Type of Request: Revision to and
extension of approval of an information
collection.
Abstract: The Plant Protection Act
(PPA, 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. Regulations
authorized by the PPA concerning the
importation of fruits and vegetables into
the United States from certain parts of
the world are contained in ‘‘Subpart—
Fruits and Vegetables’’ (7 CFR 319.56–
1 through 319.56–81).
Section 319.56–48 provides for the
importation of baby squash and baby
courgettes from Zambia into the
continental United States under certain
conditions. These regulations require
the use of certain information collection
activities, such as inspection of
greenhouses, labeling of cartons,
maintaining required trapping records,
greenhouse approval, greenhouse pest
detection notification, and
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
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57425
phytosanitary certificates issued by the
national plant protection organization
(NPPO) of Zambia with an additional
declaration that the baby squash and/or
baby courgettes were produced in
accordance with the regulations.
We are asking the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) to
approve our use of 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 1 hour per
response.
Respondents: Growers, packinghouse
officials, and the NPPO of Zambia.
Estimated annual number of
respondents: 2.
Estimated annual number of
responses per respondent: 5.
Estimated annual number of
responses: 10.
Estimated total annual burden on
respondents: 10 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.
Done in Washington, DC, this 29th day of
November 2017.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–26152 Filed 12–4–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
E:\FR\FM\05DEN1.SGM
05DEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 232 (Tuesday, December 5, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57424-57425]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26154]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2017-0086]
Availability of an Environmental Assessment for Release of Aceria
drabae for Biological Control of Hoary Cress
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 relative to
permitting the release of Aceria drabae for biological control of hoary
cress in the continental United States. The environmental assessment
considers the effects of, and alternatives to, the field release of a
mite, Aceria drabae, into the contiguous United States for use as a
biological control agent to reduce the severity of hoary cress
infestations. We are making the environmental assessment available to
the public for review and comment.
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before
January 4, 2018.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0086.
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to
Docket No. APHIS-2017-0086, 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-
0086 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. 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.Stewart@aphis.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Hoary cress species (Lepidium draba, L. appelianum, and L.
chalapense) are herbaceous, perennial plants that grow in a variety of
habitat and soil types. The hoary cress complex of invasive weeds is
native to the Balkans, the Caspian Sea region of southwestern Asia, and
the Middle East, and is found throughout Europe. Hoary cress was
introduced into the United States from Europe in the late 19th century
either with ship ballast or contaminated alfalfa, grass, or grain.
Since then, hoary cress has spread to all regions of the United States
except the Southeast.
Hoary cress is a perennial weed that reproduces from seeds and a
spreading root system. The root system consists of vertical and lateral
roots from which rosettes and shoots arise. Hoary cress inhibits and
diminishes recreational opportunities, directly impedes crop
production, minimizes grazing potential of affected rangelands,
degrades wildlife habitat and native plant communities, and restricts
waterfowl use of wetlands and stream banks. As a result, farmers,
ranchers, recreationists, sportsmen, hunters, and the general public
are adversely affected by hoary cress.
Aceria drabae, a mite, was chosen as a potential biological control
agent to combat hoary cress due to its very narrow host range and
impact on its host, and since the mite is relatively widespread in
Europe, it should adapt to varying environmental conditions in North
America. The applicant's purpose for releasing A. drabae is to reduce
the severity of infestations of invasive hoary cress in the contiguous
United States.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS') review
and analysis of the potential environmental impacts associated with the
proposed release are documented in detail in an environmental
assessment (EA) entitled ``Field release of the gall mite, Aceria
drabae (Acari: Eriophyidae), for classical biological control of hoary
cress (Lepidium draba L., Lepidium chalapense L., and Lepidium
appelianum Al-Shehbaz) (Brassicaceae), in the contiguous United
States'' (September 2017). We are making the EA available to the public
for review and comment. We will consider all comments that we receive
on or before the date listed under the
[[Page 57425]]
heading DATES at the beginning of this notice.
The EA may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site or in our
reading room (see ADDRESSES above for a link to Regulations.gov and
information on the location and hours of the reading room). You may
also request paper copies of the EA by calling or writing to the person
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please refer to the title
of the EA when requesting copies.
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).
Done in Washington, DC, this 29th day of November 2017.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-26154 Filed 12-4-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
