Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Black Stem Rust; Identification Requirements for Addition of Rust-Resistant Varieties, 51007-51008 [2020-18136]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
51007
Notices
Federal Register
Vol. 85, No. 161
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
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–2020–0076]
Notice of Request for Revision to and
Extension of Approval of an
Information Collection; Black Stem
Rust; Identification Requirements for
Addition of Rust-Resistant Varieties
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 black stem rust
quarantine and regulations.
DATES: We will consider all comments
that we receive on or before October 19,
2020.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
by either of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov/#!docket
Detail;D=APHIS-2020-0076.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:
Send your comment to Docket No.
APHIS–2020–0076, 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/#!docket
Detail;D=APHIS-2020-0076 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
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:34 Aug 18, 2020
Jkt 250001
sure someone is there to help you,
please call (202) 799–7039 before
coming.
For
information on black stem rust
quarantine and regulations, contact Mr.
Allen Proxmire, National Policy
Manager, PHP, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River
Road Unit 26, Riverdale, MD 20737;
(301) 851–2307. For more information
on the information collection process,
contact Mr. Joseph Moxey, APHIS’
Information Collection Coordinator;
(301) 851–2483.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title:
Black Stem Rust; Identification
Requirements for Addition of RustResistant Varieties.
OMB Control Number: 0579–0186.
Type of Request: Revision to and
extension of approval of an information
collection.
Abstract: Under the Plant Protection
Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.), the Secretary
of Agriculture is authorized to prohibit
or 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.
Black stem rust is one of the most
destructive plant diseases of small
grains that is known to exist in the
United States. The disease is caused by
a fungus that reduces the quality and
yield of infected wheat, oat, barley, and
rye crops by robbing host plants of food
and water. In addition to infecting small
grains, the fungus lives on a variety of
alternate host plants that are species of
the genera Berberis, Mahoberberis, and
Mahonia. The fungus is spread from
host to host by wind-borne spores.
The black stem rust quarantine and
regulations, contained in 7 CFR 301.38
through 301.38–8 (referred to below as
the regulations), quarantine the
conterminous 48 States and the District
of Columbia and govern the interstate
movement of certain plants of the
genera Berberis, Mahoberberis, and
Mahonia, known as barberry plants. The
species of these plants are categorized as
either rust-resistant or rust-susceptible.
Rust-resistant plants do not pose a risk
of spreading black stem rust or of
contributing to the development of new
races of rust; rust-susceptible plants do
pose such risks.
Paragraph (b) of § 301.38–2 provides
the requirements for the submission of
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
a request to the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service to add a
variety to the list of rust-resistant
barberry varieties in the regulations. A
request must include a description of
the variety, including a written
description and color pictures that can
be used by an inspector to clearly
identify the variety and distinguish it
from other varieties. This requirement
helps to ensure that State plant
inspectors can clearly determine
whether plants moving into or through
their States are rust-resistant varieties
listed in § 301.38–2.
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: Nurseries.
Estimated annual number of
respondents: 2.
Estimated annual number of
responses per respondent: 2.
Estimated annual number of
responses: 4.
Estimated total annual burden on
respondents: 4 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
E:\FR\FM\19AUN1.SGM
19AUN1
51008
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 161 / Wednesday, August 19, 2020 / Notices
for OMB approval. All comments will
also become a matter of public record.
Done in Washington, DC, this 13th day of
August 2020.
Mark Davidson,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–18136 Filed 8–18–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
[Docket No. APHIS–2020–0030]
State University of New York College
of Environmental Science and
Forestry; Petition for Determination of
Nonregulated Status for BlightResistant Darling 58 American
Chestnut
Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
We are advising the public
that the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) has received
a petition from the State University of
New York College of Environmental
Science and Forestry (ESF) seeking a
determination of nonregulated status for
blight-resistant Darling 58 American
chestnut (Castanea dentata). The
petition has been submitted in
accordance with our regulations
concerning the introduction of certain
genetically engineered organisms. We
are making available for public
comment the ESF petition and
requesting public input regarding
potential issues and impacts that APHIS
should be considering in our evaluation
of the petition.
DATES: We will consider all comments
that we receive on or before October 19,
2020.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
by either of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2020-0030.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:
Send your comment to Docket No.
APHIS–2020–0030, Regulatory Analysis
and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station
3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118,
Riverdale, MD 20737–1238.
The petition and any comments we
receive on this docket may be viewed at
https://www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2020-0030 or
in our reading room, which is located in
room 1141 of the USDA South Building,
14th Street and Independence Avenue
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:34 Aug 18, 2020
Jkt 250001
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.
The petition is also available on the
APHIS website at: https://
www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/
biotechnology/permits-notificationspetitions/petitions/petition-status under
APHIS petition 19–309–01p.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Cindy Eck, Biotechnology Regulatory
Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit
147, Riverdale, MD 20737–1236; (301)
851–3892, email: cynthia.a.eck@
usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Under the authority of the plant pest
provisions of the Plant Protection Act (7
U.S.C. 7701 et seq.), the regulations in
7 CFR part 340, ‘‘Introduction of
Organisms and Products Altered or
Produced Through Genetic Engineering
Which Are Plant Pests or Which There
Is Reason to Believe Are Plant Pests,’’
regulate, among other things, the
introduction (importation, interstate
movement, or release into the
environment) of organisms and products
altered or produced through genetic
engineering that are plant pests or that
there is reason to believe are plant pests.
Such organisms and plants developed
using genetic engineering are
considered ‘‘regulated articles.’’
The regulations in § 340.6(a) provide
that any person may submit a petition
to the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) seeking a
determination that an article should not
be regulated under 7 CFR part 340.
Paragraphs (b) and (c) of § 340.6
describe the form that a petition for a
determination of nonregulated status
must take and the information that must
be included in the petition.
APHIS has received a petition (APHIS
Petition Number 19–309–01p) from the
State University of New York College of
Environmental Science and Forestry
(ESF), seeking a determination of
nonregulated status for Darling 58
American chestnut (Castanea dentata).
The ESF petition states that Darling 58
American chestnut has been genetically
engineered for fungal resistance to
chestnut blight caused by Cryphonectria
parasitica and is unlikely to pose a
plant pest risk and, therefore, should
not be a regulated article under APHIS’
regulations in 7 CFR part 340.
As described in the petition,
resistance to this exotic pathogen in
Darling 58 American chestnuts was
enhanced by adding a gene for an
enzyme called oxalate oxidase (OxO).
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
This enzyme has no direct fungicidal
properties, but rather detoxifies oxalic
acid (oxalate) produced by the fungus,
preventing the acid from killing the
chestnut’s tissues, which can lead to
lethal cankers on the tree. In the
presence of OxO, the damage caused by
the oxalate is significantly restricted,
resulting in superficial cankers. For this
reason, the tree can coexist with the
fungus in a manner similar to Asian
chestnut species in the fungus’ natural
range.
Data were gathered on multiple
parameters and used by the applicant to
evaluate agronomic characteristics and
product performance. These and other
data are used by APHIS to determine if
the new variety poses a plant pest risk.
Paragraph (d) of § 340.6 provides that
APHIS will publish a notice in the
Federal Register providing 60 days for
public comment for petitions for a
determination of nonregulated status.
On March 6, 2012, we published in the
Federal Register (77 FR 13258–13260,
Docket No. APHIS–2011–0129) a
notice 1 describing our process for
soliciting public comment when
considering petitions for determinations
of nonregulated status for organisms
developed using genetic engineering. In
that notice, we indicated that APHIS
would accept written comments
regarding a petition once APHIS
deemed it complete.
In accordance with § 340.6(d) of the
regulations and our process for
soliciting public input when
considering petitions for determinations
of nonregulated status for organisms
developed using genetic engineering, we
are publishing this notice to inform the
public that APHIS will accept written
comments regarding the petition for a
determination of nonregulated status
from interested or affected persons for a
period of 60 days from the date of this
notice. The petition is available for
public review and comment, and copies
are available as indicated under
ADDRESSES and FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT above. We are
interested in receiving comments
regarding potential environmental and
interrelated economic issues and
impacts that APHIS may determine
should be considered in our evaluation
of the petition. We are particularly
interested in receiving comments
regarding biological, cultural, or
ecological issues, and we encourage the
submission of scientific data, studies, or
research to support your comments.
1 To view the notice, go to https://
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS2011-0129.
E:\FR\FM\19AUN1.SGM
19AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 161 (Wednesday, August 19, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51007-51008]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-18136]
========================================================================
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. 85 , No. 161 / Wednesday, August 19, 2020 /
Notices
[[Page 51007]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2020-0076]
Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an
Information Collection; Black Stem Rust; Identification Requirements
for Addition of Rust-Resistant Varieties
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Revision to and extension of approval of an information
collection; comment request.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: 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 black stem rust quarantine
and regulations.
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before
October 19, 2020.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2020-0076.
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to
Docket No. APHIS-2020-0076, 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-2020-
0076 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 black stem rust
quarantine and regulations, contact Mr. Allen Proxmire, National Policy
Manager, PHP, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 26, Riverdale, MD 20737;
(301) 851-2307. For more information on the information collection
process, contact Mr. Joseph Moxey, APHIS' Information Collection
Coordinator; (301) 851-2483.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Black Stem Rust; Identification
Requirements for Addition of Rust-Resistant Varieties.
OMB Control Number: 0579-0186.
Type of Request: Revision to and extension of approval of an
information collection.
Abstract: Under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.),
the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to prohibit or 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.
Black stem rust is one of the most destructive plant diseases of
small grains that is known to exist in the United States. The disease
is caused by a fungus that reduces the quality and yield of infected
wheat, oat, barley, and rye crops by robbing host plants of food and
water. In addition to infecting small grains, the fungus lives on a
variety of alternate host plants that are species of the genera
Berberis, Mahoberberis, and Mahonia. The fungus is spread from host to
host by wind-borne spores.
The black stem rust quarantine and regulations, contained in 7 CFR
301.38 through 301.38-8 (referred to below as the regulations),
quarantine the conterminous 48 States and the District of Columbia and
govern the interstate movement of certain plants of the genera
Berberis, Mahoberberis, and Mahonia, known as barberry plants. The
species of these plants are categorized as either rust-resistant or
rust-susceptible. Rust-resistant plants do not pose a risk of spreading
black stem rust or of contributing to the development of new races of
rust; rust-susceptible plants do pose such risks.
Paragraph (b) of Sec. 301.38-2 provides the requirements for the
submission of a request to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service to add a variety to the list of rust-resistant barberry
varieties in the regulations. A request must include a description of
the variety, including a written description and color pictures that
can be used by an inspector to clearly identify the variety and
distinguish it from other varieties. This requirement helps to ensure
that State plant inspectors can clearly determine whether plants moving
into or through their States are rust-resistant varieties listed in
Sec. 301.38-2.
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: Nurseries.
Estimated annual number of respondents: 2.
Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 2.
Estimated annual number of responses: 4.
Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 4 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
[[Page 51008]]
for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public
record.
Done in Washington, DC, this 13th day of August 2020.
Mark Davidson,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-18136 Filed 8-18-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
