Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Environmental Monitoring, 8793-8794 [2023-02814]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 28 / Friday, February 10, 2023 / Notices decision-making for producers seeking to protect themselves against future infection. Without information on the most likely routes of disease introduction, flock managers are unable to implement updated science-informed approaches to preventing infection and/or spread. Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; State, local or Tribal government. Number of Respondents: 270. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion. Total Burden Hours: 155. Ruth Brown, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2023–02869 Filed 2–9–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2023–0003] Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Environmental Monitoring 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 environmental monitoring. SUMMARY: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before April 11, 2023. DATES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov. Enter APHIS– 2023–0003 in the Search field. Select the Documents tab, then select the Comment button in the list of documents. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2023–0003, 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 regulations.gov or in our reading room, which is located in lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 ADDRESSES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:41 Feb 09, 2023 Jkt 259001 room 1620 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 environmental monitoring, contact Mr. Kai Caraher, Biological Scientist-Staff Officer, Permitting and Compliance Coordination Branch, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 150, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851–2345; kai.caraher@ usda.gov. For information on the information collection reporting process, contact Mr. Joseph Moxey, APHIS’ Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, at (301) 851–2483; joseph.moxey@usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Environmental Monitoring. OMB Control Number: 0579–0117. Type of Request: Revision to and extension of approval of an information collection. Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides leadership in ensuring the health and care of animals and plants, improves agricultural productivity and competitiveness, and contributes to the national economy and the public health. APHIS is committed to accomplishing its mission in a manner that promotes and protects the integrity of the environment. This includes APHIS’ compliance with all applicable environmental statutes and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), (2) the Council on Environmental Quality’s NEPAimplementing regulations (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), (3) USDA’s NEPAimplementing regulations (7 CFR part 1b), and (4) APHIS’ NEPAImplementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372). APHIS engages in environmental monitoring for certain activities that we conduct to control or eradicate certain pests and diseases. We monitor those activities that have the greatest potential for harm to the human environment to ensure that the mitigation measures developed to avoid that harm are enforced and effective. In many cases, monitoring is required where APHIS programs are conducted close to habitats of endangered and threatened species. This monitoring is developed in coordination with the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Fish and Wildlife PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 8793 Service, in compliance with the Endangered Species Act (50 U.S.C. 17.11 and 17.12). APHIS field personnel and State cooperators jointly use an APHIS-provided environmental monitoring form to collect information concerning the effects of pesticide use in these sensitive areas. The goal of environmental monitoring is to track the potential impact that APHIS activities may have on the environment and to use this knowledge in making any necessary adjustments in future program actions. We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of this information collection activity, 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 0.20 hours per response. Respondents: Growers, pesticide appliers, and State department of agriculture personnel. Estimated annual number of respondents: 10. Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 3. Estimated annual number of responses: 25. Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 5 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. E:\FR\FM\10FEN1.SGM 10FEN1 8794 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 28 / Friday, February 10, 2023 / Notices Done in Washington, DC, this 6th day of February 2023. Anthony Shea, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2023–02814 Filed 2–9–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2019–0002] Notice of Availability of a Supplemental Environmental Assessment for Release of Aphalara itadori From Murakami, Japan for the Biological Control of Japanese, Giant, and Bohemian Knotweeds in the Contiguous United States 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 a supplemental environmental assessment (EA) relative to a 2020 EA for the release of Aphalara itadori for the biological control of Japanese, Giant, and Bohemian knotweeds (Fallopia japonica, F. sachalinensis, and F. x bohemica), significant invasive weeds, within the contiguous United States. This supplement analyzes the potential impacts of the release of A. itadori from Murakami, Japan, that may be more effective than the present Hokkaido and Kyushu lines of A. itadori in reducing infestations of knotweeds, particularly hybrid knotweed, which is the most abundant type of knotweed in the United States. We are making the supplemental EA available to the public for review and comment. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before March 13, 2023. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • FederaleRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov. Enter APHIS– 2019–0002 in the Search field. Select the Documents tab, then select the Comment button in the list of documents. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2019–0002, 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 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:41 Feb 09, 2023 Jkt 259001 receive on this docket may be viewed at www.regulations.gov or in our reading room, which is located in room 1620 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. Robert S. Pfannenstiel, Acting Assistant Director, Pests, Pathogens and Biocontrol Permitting, Plant Health Programs, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737–1231; (301) 851–2198; email: bob.pfannenstiel@usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Invasive knotweeds in North America are a complex of three closely related species in the family Polygonaceae that were introduced from Japan during the late 19th century. They include Fallopia japonica (Japanese knotweed), F. sachalinensis (Giant knotweed), and the hybrid between the two, F. x bohemica (Bohemian knotweed). These large herbaceous perennials have spread throughout much of North America, with the greatest infestations in the Pacific Northwest, the northeast of the United States, and eastern Canada. While capable of growing in diverse habitats, the knotweeds have become especially problematic along the banks and floodplains of rivers and streams, where they crowd out native plants and potentially affect stream nutrients and food webs. While several States have active control programs against knotweeds, the inaccessibility of some of the infestations and the difficulty with which the plants are killed suggest that complete eradication of knotweeds within the United States is unlikely. Previously, the Hokkaido and Kyushu biotypes of the insect, Aphalara itadori, were chosen as potential biological control organisms. The biotypes were expected to reduce the severity of infestations of Japanese, Giant, and Bohemian knotweed, and they are known to be highly host specific due to their intimate relationship with their host plants. On May 28, 2019, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published in the Federal Register (84 FR 24463–24464, Docket No. APHIS– 2019–0002) 1 a notice in which we announced the availability, for public review and comment, of an 1 To view the notice, supporting documents, and the comments we received, go to https:// www.regulations.gov. Enter APHIS–2019–0002 in the Search field. PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 environmental assessment (EA) that examined the potential environmental impacts associated with the release of A. itadori from Kyushu and Hokkaido, Japan, for the biological control of Japanese, Giant, and Bohemian knotweed within the contiguous United States. After soliciting and reviewing comments on the EA, we prepared a finding of no significant impact (FONSI). On November 30, 2020, we published in the Federal Register (85 FR 76515–76516, Docket No. APHIS– 2019–0002) a notice in which we announced the availability of the final EA and FONSI. In June 2021, APHIS received a request to issue permits for the environmental release of A. itadori sourced from Murakami, Japan, into the contiguous United States. Environmental release of the Murakami line of A. itadori may be more effective than the Hokkaido and Kyushu lines. It is native to a climate and photoperiod better matched to the primary target knotweed regions of the United States. It is recently collected and thus fieldadapted (not lab-adapted as are currently permitted lines). It also performs particularly well on hybrid knotweed (F. x bohemica), the most abundant knotweed type in the United States. Before permits are issued for the release of A. itadori from Murakami, Japan, APHIS needs to analyze the potential impacts of the release of A. itadori from Murakami, Japan. Accordingly, APHIS has prepared a supplemental EA titled ‘‘Field Release of the Knotweed Psyllid Aphalara itadori (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) from Murakami, Japan for Classical Biological Control of Japanese, Giant, and Bohemian Knotweeds, Fallopia japonica, F. sachalinensis, and F. x bohemica (Polygonaceae), in the Contiguous United States, Supplemental Environmental Assessment’’ (November 2022). We are making the supplemental 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 supplemental EA may be viewed on the Regulations.gov website or in our reading room (see ADDRESSES above for instructions 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 supplemental EA has been prepared in accordance with: (1) The National Environmental Policy Act of E:\FR\FM\10FEN1.SGM 10FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 28 (Friday, February 10, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8793-8794]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-02814]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2023-0003]


Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an 
Information Collection; Environmental Monitoring

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 environmental monitoring.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before April 
11, 2023.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov. 
Enter APHIS-2023-0003 in the Search field. Select the Documents tab, 
then select the Comment button in the list of documents.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2023-0003, 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 regulations.gov or in our reading room, which is located 
in room 1620 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 environmental 
monitoring, contact Mr. Kai Caraher, Biological Scientist-Staff 
Officer, Permitting and Compliance Coordination Branch, PPQ, APHIS, 
4700 River Road Unit 150, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851-2345; 
[email protected]. For information on the information collection 
reporting process, contact Mr. Joseph Moxey, APHIS' Paperwork Reduction 
Act Coordinator, at (301) 851-2483; [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Environmental Monitoring.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0117.
    Type of Request: Revision to and extension of approval of an 
information collection.
    Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of 
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides leadership in 
ensuring the health and care of animals and plants, improves 
agricultural productivity and competitiveness, and contributes to the 
national economy and the public health.
    APHIS is committed to accomplishing its mission in a manner that 
promotes and protects the integrity of the environment. This includes 
APHIS' compliance with all applicable environmental statutes and 
regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 
1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), (2) the Council on 
Environmental Quality's NEPA-implementing regulations (40 CFR parts 
1500-1508), (3) USDA's NEPA-implementing regulations (7 CFR part 1b), 
and (4) APHIS' NEPA-Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372).
    APHIS engages in environmental monitoring for certain activities 
that we conduct to control or eradicate certain pests and diseases. We 
monitor those activities that have the greatest potential for harm to 
the human environment to ensure that the mitigation measures developed 
to avoid that harm are enforced and effective. In many cases, 
monitoring is required where APHIS programs are conducted close to 
habitats of endangered and threatened species. This monitoring is 
developed in coordination with the U.S. Department of the Interior's 
Fish and Wildlife Service, in compliance with the Endangered Species 
Act (50 U.S.C. 17.11 and 17.12). APHIS field personnel and State 
cooperators jointly use an APHIS-provided environmental monitoring form 
to collect information concerning the effects of pesticide use in these 
sensitive areas. The goal of environmental monitoring is to track the 
potential impact that APHIS activities may have on the environment and 
to use this knowledge in making any necessary adjustments in future 
program actions.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of this information collection activity, 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 0.20 hours per response.
    Respondents: Growers, pesticide appliers, and State department of 
agriculture personnel.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 10.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 3.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 25.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 5 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.


[[Page 8794]]


    Done in Washington, DC, this 6th day of February 2023.
Anthony Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-02814 Filed 2-9-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P


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