Oral Rabies Vaccine Program; Availability of an Environmental Assessment, 32700-32701 [2019-14536]

Download as PDF 32700 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 131 / Tuesday, July 9, 2019 / Notices khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Agricultural Marketing Service Title: Local Food Directories and Survey. OMB Control Number: 0581–0169. Summary of Collection: The primary legislative basis for conducting farmer’s market research is the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621– 1627). In addition, the Farmer-toConsumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 supports USDA’s work to enhance the effectiveness of direct marketing, such as the development of modern farmers markets, the development of On-Farm Markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and Food Hubs. The Marketing Services Division (MSD), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) identifies marketing opportunities, provides analysis to help take advantage of those opportunities and develops and evaluates solutions including improving farmers markets and other direct-toconsumer marketing activities. Markets are maintained by State Departments of Agriculture, local public authorities, grower organizations and non-profit organizations. Need and Use of the Information: The information will be collected using the form TM–6 ‘‘Farmers’ Market Directory and Survey,’’ the On-Farm Market Questionnaire, CSA Questionnaire, and the Food Hub Questionnaire. Each survey/questionnaire collects the data necessary to populate the USDA National Farmers Market Directory, and the other three direct to customer directories. Combining the collections will reduce the number of times that it seeks to make contact with market managers. Participating market managers are invited to participate in an optional National Farmers Market Managers Survey evaluating the farmer’s market sector. These markets represent a varied range of sizes, geographical locations, types, ownership, structure, and will provide a valid overview of farmers markets in the United States. Information such as the size of market’s, operating times and days, retail and wholesale sales, management structure, and rules and regulations governing the markets are all important questions that need to be answered in the design of a new market. The information developed by the Farmer’s Market Survey will support better designs, development techniques, and operating methods for VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:47 Jul 08, 2019 Jkt 247001 modern farmers markets and outline improvements that can be applied to revitalize existing markets. The three direct marketing channel directories along with the National Farmer’s Market Directory website will provide synergies, give customers a one stop shopping website for a wide variety of locally produced directly marketed farm products, and provide a free advertising venue for agricultural enterprise managers seeking to diversify their farming operation by marketing directly to customers. Description of Respondents: Not-forprofit institutions. Number of Respondents: 8,700. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion. Total Burden Hours: 2,069. Kimble Brown, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2019–14492 Filed 7–8–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2019–0034] Oral Rabies Vaccine Program; Availability of an Environmental Assessment Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments. AGENCY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) relative to an oral rabies vaccination (ORV) program in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. The EA analyzes the proposed expanded use of ONRAB vaccine-baits throughout the ORV distribution zone in those States in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service. The proposed expanded ONRAB vaccine distribution is necessary as a higher level of population immunity in raccoons is desired in order to maximize the effectiveness of ORV programs. We are making the EA available to the public for review and comment. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before August 8, 2019. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docket Detail;D=APHIS-2019-0034. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2019–0034, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. The supplemental environmental assessment and any comments we receive may be viewed at https:// www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D= APHIS-2019-0034 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 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website at https:// www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/ws/ws_ nepa_environmental_documents.shtml. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Richard Chipman, Rabies Program Coordinator, Wildlife Services, APHIS, 59 Chennell Drive, Suite 7, Concord, NH 03301; (603) 223–9623; email: richard.b.chipman@usda.gov. To obtain copies of the supplemental environmental assessment, contact Ms. Beth Kabert, Staff Wildlife Biologist, Wildlife Services, 59 Chennell Drive, Suite 7, Concord, NH 03301; (908) 442– 6761; fax (603) 229–0502; email: beth.e.kabert@usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Wildlife Services (WS) program in the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 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 WS addresses. Wildlife is the dominant reservoir of rabies in the United States. WS conducts an oral rabies vaccination (ORV) program to control the spread of rabies. The ORV program has utilized a vaccinia-rabies glycoprotein (V–RG) vaccine. WS’ use of the V–RG vaccine has resulted in several notable accomplishments, including the elimination of canine rabies from sources in Mexico, the successful control of gray fox rabies virus variant in western Texas, and the E:\FR\FM\09JYN1.SGM 09JYN1 khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 131 / Tuesday, July 9, 2019 / Notices prevention of any appreciable spread of raccoon rabies in the eastern United States. While the prevention of any appreciable spread of raccoon rabies in the eastern United States represents a major accomplishment in rabies management, the V–RG vaccine has not been effective in eliminating raccoon rabies from high-risk spread corridors. This fact prompted WS to evaluate rabies vaccines capable of producing higher levels of population immunity against raccoon rabies to better control the spread of this disease. Since 2011, WS has been conducting field trials to study the immunogenicity and safety of an experimental oral rabies vaccine, a human adenovirus type 5 rabies glycoprotein recombinant vaccine called ONRAB (produced by Artemis Technologies Inc., Guelph, Ontario, Canada). The field trials began in portions of West Virginia, including U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service National Forest System lands. Beginning in 2012, WS expanded field trials into portions of New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Vermont, and new areas of West Virginia, including National Forest System lands, in order to further assess the immunogenicity of ONRAB in raccoons and skunks for raccoon rabies virus variant. WS is now proposing to further expand ONRAB vaccine distribution to enhance rabies management in the United States to protect human and animal health and reduce social costs. The proposed expanded use of ONRAB is necessary as a higher level of population immunity in raccoons is desired in order to maximize the effectiveness of ORV programs, and the RABORAL V–RG vaccine has not produced sufficient levels of population immunity in skunks (primarily striped skunks) in the wild at the current dose. WS has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) in which we analyze the proposed expanded use of ONRAB vaccine-baits throughout the ORV distribution zone in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service. This EA will supersede the 2012 EA ‘‘Field Trial of an Experimental Rabies Vaccine, Human Adenovirus Type 5 Vector in New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Vermont, and West Virginia’’ and the subsequent supplemental EAs issued in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2018. 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 heading DATES at the beginning of this VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:47 Jul 08, 2019 Jkt 247001 notice. The EA may be viewed on the Regulations.gov website or in our reading room (see ADDRESSES above for instructions for accessing Regulations.gov and information on the location and hours of the reading room). In addition, paper copies may be obtained by calling or writing to the individual listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. 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 2nd day of July 2019. Kevin Shea, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2019–14536 Filed 7–8–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2018–0064] Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment; Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Conservation Program Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments. AGENCY: We are advising the public that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its sub-agency, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), are making available a draft environmental assessment for a conservation program pursuant to the Endangered Species Act to benefit the southwestern willow flycatcher, a small, neotropical migrant bird found in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah. The draft environmental assessment examines the environmental effects associated with the selection of the program alternatives and conservation measures that USDA and APHIS propose to implement. We are making the draft environmental assessment available to the public for review and comment. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 32701 We will consider all comments that we receive on or before August 8, 2019. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docket Detail;D=APHIS-2018-0064. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2018–0064, 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-2018-0064 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: Mr. Kai Caraher, Biological Scientist, PHP, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 150, Riverdale, MD 20737–1231; (301) 851– 2345; Kai.Caraher@usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Saltcedar, also known as tamarisk (Tamarix species), is an invasive plant widely established in riparian areas in the western United States. This non-native weed, which can take the form of a shrub or small tree, was introduced into the United States in the latter 19th century. Although saltcedar is an invasive plant, native animals have adapted to its presence. In 1986, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) began research into the potential for biological control of saltcedar. From 1998 to 2000, ARS conducted open field release trials of tamarisk leaf beetles (Diorhabda species) to determine the conditions under which releases could succeed. These field trials took place after ARS consulted with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) permitted the releases after it completed additional environmental risk analyses and provided the public an opportunity to comment on the documents. In 2005, APHIS initiated a biological control program for saltcedar defoliation in the northern United States using the tamarisk leaf beetle as the biological control agent in limited locations DATES: E:\FR\FM\09JYN1.SGM 09JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 131 (Tuesday, July 9, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32700-32701]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-14536]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2019-0034]


Oral Rabies Vaccine Program; Availability of an Environmental 
Assessment

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) 
relative to an oral rabies vaccination (ORV) program in Maine, New 
Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and 
West Virginia. The EA analyzes the proposed expanded use of ONRAB 
vaccine-baits throughout the ORV distribution zone in those States in 
cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service. The proposed expanded ONRAB 
vaccine distribution is necessary as a higher level of population 
immunity in raccoons is desired in order to maximize the effectiveness 
of ORV programs. We are making the EA available to the public for 
review and comment.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
August 8, 2019.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2019-0034.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2019-0034, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.
    The supplemental environmental assessment and any comments we 
receive may be viewed at https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2019-0034 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 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website at 
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/ws/ws_nepa_environmental_documents.shtml.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Richard Chipman, Rabies Program 
Coordinator, Wildlife Services, APHIS, 59 Chennell Drive, Suite 7, 
Concord, NH 03301; (603) 223-9623; email: [email protected]. 
To obtain copies of the supplemental environmental assessment, contact 
Ms. Beth Kabert, Staff Wildlife Biologist, Wildlife Services, 59 
Chennell Drive, Suite 7, Concord, NH 03301; (908) 442-6761; fax (603) 
229-0502; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Wildlife Services (WS) program in the 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 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 WS addresses. 
Wildlife is the dominant reservoir of rabies in the United States.
    WS conducts an oral rabies vaccination (ORV) program to control the 
spread of rabies. The ORV program has utilized a vaccinia-rabies 
glycoprotein (V-RG) vaccine. WS' use of the V-RG vaccine has resulted 
in several notable accomplishments, including the elimination of canine 
rabies from sources in Mexico, the successful control of gray fox 
rabies virus variant in western Texas, and the

[[Page 32701]]

prevention of any appreciable spread of raccoon rabies in the eastern 
United States. While the prevention of any appreciable spread of 
raccoon rabies in the eastern United States represents a major 
accomplishment in rabies management, the V-RG vaccine has not been 
effective in eliminating raccoon rabies from high-risk spread 
corridors. This fact prompted WS to evaluate rabies vaccines capable of 
producing higher levels of population immunity against raccoon rabies 
to better control the spread of this disease.
    Since 2011, WS has been conducting field trials to study the 
immunogenicity and safety of an experimental oral rabies vaccine, a 
human adenovirus type 5 rabies glycoprotein recombinant vaccine called 
ONRAB (produced by Artemis Technologies Inc., Guelph, Ontario, Canada). 
The field trials began in portions of West Virginia, including U.S. 
Department of Agriculture Forest Service National Forest System lands.
    Beginning in 2012, WS expanded field trials into portions of New 
Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Vermont, and new areas of West Virginia, 
including National Forest System lands, in order to further assess the 
immunogenicity of ONRAB in raccoons and skunks for raccoon rabies virus 
variant.
    WS is now proposing to further expand ONRAB vaccine distribution to 
enhance rabies management in the United States to protect human and 
animal health and reduce social costs. The proposed expanded use of 
ONRAB is necessary as a higher level of population immunity in raccoons 
is desired in order to maximize the effectiveness of ORV programs, and 
the RABORAL V-RG vaccine has not produced sufficient levels of 
population immunity in skunks (primarily striped skunks) in the wild at 
the current dose.
    WS has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) in which we 
analyze the proposed expanded use of ONRAB vaccine-baits throughout the 
ORV distribution zone in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, 
Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia in cooperation 
with the U.S. Forest Service. This EA will supersede the 2012 EA 
``Field Trial of an Experimental Rabies Vaccine, Human Adenovirus Type 
5 Vector in New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Vermont, and West Virginia'' 
and the subsequent supplemental EAs issued in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 
2018.
    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 heading DATES at the beginning of this notice. 
The EA may be viewed on the Regulations.gov website or in our reading 
room (see ADDRESSES above for instructions for accessing 
Regulations.gov and information on the location and hours of the 
reading room). In addition, paper copies may be obtained by calling or 
writing to the individual listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    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 2nd day of July 2019.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-14536 Filed 7-8-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

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