Importation of Acer spp. (Acer buergerianum, A. palmatum, and A. pseudosieboldianum) Dwarf Plants From the Republic of Korea Into the Continental United States, 84110-84111 [2024-24200]

Download as PDF 84110 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 203 / Monday, October 21, 2024 / Notices 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 0.164 hours per response. Respondents: Livestock producers who have received predator damage management services from WS Nonlethal Initiative programs and are located in one of the 12 States (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, or Wyoming). Estimated annual number of respondents: 200. Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 8. Estimated annual number of responses: 1,608. Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 265 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. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Done in Washington, DC, this 15th day of October 2024. Michael Watson, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2024–24215 Filed 10–18–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:27 Oct 18, 2024 Jkt 265001 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2021–0076] Importation of Acer spp. (Acer buergerianum, A. palmatum, and A. pseudosieboldianum) Dwarf Plants From the Republic of Korea Into the Continental United States Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: We are notifying the public that we are removing three Acer spp. (Acer buergerianum, A. palmatum, and A. pseudosieboldianum) dwarf plants from the Republic of Korea from our lists of taxa of plants for planting whose importation into the United States is not authorized pending pest risk analysis, thereby allowing the importation of such Acer spp. into the continental United States, subject to certain conditions. We are taking this action in response to a request from this country and after determining that the plants can be imported, under certain conditions, without resulting in the introduction into, or the dissemination within, the United States of a plant pest. DATES: Imports may be authorized beginning October 21, 2024. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Narasimha Chary Samboju, Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737–1236; (301) 851– 2038. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Background Under the regulations in ‘‘Subpart H—Plants for Planting’’ (7 CFR 319.37– 1 through 319.37–23, referred to below as the regulations), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits or restricts the importation of plants for planting (including living plants, plant parts, seeds, and plant cuttings) to prevent the introduction of quarantine pests into the United States. Quarantine pest is defined in § 319.37– 2 of the regulations as a plant pest or noxious weed that is of potential economic importance to the United States and not yet present in the United States, or present but not widely distributed and being officially controlled. Section 319.37–4 of the regulations provides that certain taxa of plants for planting are not authorized for importation into the United States pending pest risk analysis (NAPPRA) to PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 prevent the introduction of quarantine pests into the United States. Paragraph (e) of § 319.37–4 describes the process for removing taxa from the NAPPRA lists.1 After receiving a request to remove taxa from the NAPPRA lists, APHIS will conduct a pest risk analysis (PRA) in response to such a request and make the PRA available for public review and comment. Following the close of the comment period, we will review all comments received and announce our decision regarding the request in a subsequent notice. On January 31, 2022, we published in the Federal Register (87 FR 4832–4833, Docket No. APHIS–2021–0076) a notice 2 in which we proposed to revise the NAPPRA lists to allow the importation of three Acer spp. (Acer buergerianum, A. palmatum, and A. pseudosieboldianum) dwarf plants from the Republic of Korea (South Korea) into the continental United States, subject to the conditions required for all approved dwarf plants imported under the APHIS Artificially Dwarfed Plants program 3 as well as additional conditions outlined in a risk management document (RMD) accompanying the notice. We solicited comments on the notice for 60 days ending on April 1, 2022. We received three comments by that date, all from private citizens. The issues raised by the commenters are addressed below. All three commenters expressed concern that importing non-native plants, or plants from regions with plant pests, may introduce foreign pests, or otherwise endanger plants native to the United States. We understand the commenters’ concerns but find no basis for changing our recommendations based on the comments. As the documentation associated with the initial notice for comment shows, APHIS thoroughly and sufficiently assessed potential risks from this importation and proposed conditions adequate to mitigate the possible risks. Our methodology for the pest risk assessment that accompanied the initial notice included careful examination of scientific literature, portof-entry pest interception data, and information provided by the Government of the Republic of Korea. 1 To view the NAPPRA lists, go to: https:// www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/ import-information/permits/plants-and-plantproducts-permits/plants-for-planting/ct_nappra. 2 To view the notice, supporting documents, and the comments we received, go to https:// www.regulations.gov/document/APHIS-2021-00760001. 3 To view the requirements of the APHIS Artificially Dwarfed Plants program, go to: https:// www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/ manuals/ports/downloads/plants_for_planting.pdf. E:\FR\FM\21OCN1.SGM 21OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 203 / Monday, October 21, 2024 / Notices From these sources, we developed a list of pests with quarantine significance for the continental United States that occur in the Republic of Korea (on any host) and are associated with the three Acer spp. (anywhere in the world). We are therefore confident the pest risk assessment is thorough and accurate. Based on the pest risk assessment, we prepared the RMD to identify phytosanitary measures that could be applied to the three Acer spp. to mitigate the risk of introducing these pests into the United States. As the commenters did not raise any specific concerns with the information presented in the RMD, we continue to consider the mitigations in the RMD to be sufficient to ensure that pests are not introduced into the United States through this pathway. One of the commenters also stated that, while the PRA considers risks associated with known pests, it does not consider pest species that may present a risk in the future. APHIS continuously monitors foreign countries for quarantine pests. If a new quarantine pest relevant to the importation of these species of Acer from the Republic of Korea arises in the future, APHIS will reassess the associated pest risk and may revise the import restrictions accordingly. Therefore, in accordance with § 319.37–4(e), and based on the reasons outlined in the initial notice, the PRA accompanying the initial notice, and this second notice, we are removing A. buergerianum, A. palmatum, and A. pseudosieboldianum dormant, barerooted dwarf plants from the Republic of Korea from the NAPPRA lists, thereby allowing the importation of such Acer spp. into the continental United States, subject to the pest mitigation measures required for all approved dwarf plants imported under the APHIS Artificially Dwarfed Plants program 4 as well as the additional commodity specific risk management measures described in the RMD accompanying the initial notice.5 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Paperwork Reduction Act In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the recordkeeping and burden requirements associated with this action are included under the Office of Management and Budget control number 0579–0049. E-Government Act Compliance The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is committed to compliance with the E-Government Act 4 See 5 See footnote 3. footnote 2. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:27 Oct 18, 2024 Jkt 265001 to promote the use of the internet and other information technologies, to provide increased opportunities for citizen access to Government information and services, and for other purposes. For information pertinent to E-Government Act compliance related to this notice, please contact Mr. Joseph Moxey, APHIS’ Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, at (301) 851–2533. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1633, 7701–7772, and 7781–7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3. Done in Washington, DC, this 15th day of October 2024. Michael Watson, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2024–24200 Filed 10–18–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Newspapers Used for Publication of Legal Notices by the Intermountain Region, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and Wyoming Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA). ACTION: Notice of newspapers of record. AGENCY: This notice lists the newspapers that will be used by the ranger districts, national forests and regional office of the Intermountain Region to publish legal notices required under Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The intended effect of this action is to inform interested members of the public which newspapers the Forest Service will use to publish notices of proposed actions and notices of decision. This will provide the public with constructive notice of Forest Service proposals and decisions; provide information on the procedures to comment, object, or appeal; and establish the date that the Forest Service will use to determine if comments or appeals/objection were timely. DATES: The list of newspapers will remain in effect for one year from the date of publication, when another notice will be published in the Federal Register. ADDRESSES: Jennifer Purvine, Regional Objections Coordinator, Intermountain Region, 324 25th Street, Ogden, UT 84401. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Purvine, Regional Litigation and Administrative Review Coordinator, Intermountain Region, by phone at 385– SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 84111 262–5117 or by email at Jennifer.Purvine@usda.gov. The administrative procedures at 36 CFR parts 214, 218, and 219 require the Forest Service to publish notices in a newspaper of general circulation. The content of the notices is specified in 36 CFR parts 214, 218, and 219. In general, the notices will identify: the decision or project, by title or subject matter; the name and title of the official making the decision; how to obtain additional information; and where and how to file comments or appeals/objection. The date the notice is published will be used to establish the official date for the beginning of the comment or appeal/ objection period. The newspapers to be used are as follows: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regional Forester, Intermountain Region Regional Forester decisions affecting National Forests in Idaho: Idaho Statesman Regional Forester decisions affecting National Forests in Nevada: Reno Gazette-Journal Regional Forester decisions affecting National Forests in Wyoming: Casper Star-Tribune Regional Forester decisions affecting National Forests in Utah: Salt Lake Tribune Regional Forester decisions that affect all National Forests in the Intermountain Region: Salt Lake Tribune Ashley National Forest Ashley Forest Supervisor decisions: Vernal Express District Ranger decisions for Duchesne, Roosevelt: Uintah Basin Standard Flaming Gorge District Ranger for decisions affecting Wyoming: Rocket Miner Flaming Gorge and Vernal District Ranger for decisions affecting Utah: Vernal Express Boise National Forest Boise Forest Supervisor decisions: Idaho Statesman Cascade District Ranger decisions: The Star-News Emmett District Ranger decisions: Emmett Messenger Index District Ranger decisions for Idaho City and Mountain Home Districts: Idaho Statesman Lowman District Ranger decisions: The Idaho World Bridger-Teton National Forest Bridger-Teton Forest Supervisor and District Ranger decisions: Casper StarTribune E:\FR\FM\21OCN1.SGM 21OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 203 (Monday, October 21, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 84110-84111]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24200]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2021-0076]


Importation of Acer spp. (Acer buergerianum, A. palmatum, and A. 
pseudosieboldianum) Dwarf Plants From the Republic of Korea Into the 
Continental United States

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: We are notifying the public that we are removing three Acer 
spp. (Acer buergerianum, A. palmatum, and A. pseudosieboldianum) dwarf 
plants from the Republic of Korea from our lists of taxa of plants for 
planting whose importation into the United States is not authorized 
pending pest risk analysis, thereby allowing the importation of such 
Acer spp. into the continental United States, subject to certain 
conditions. We are taking this action in response to a request from 
this country and after determining that the plants can be imported, 
under certain conditions, without resulting in the introduction into, 
or the dissemination within, the United States of a plant pest.

DATES: Imports may be authorized beginning October 21, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Narasimha Chary Samboju, Senior 
Regulatory Policy Specialist, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 851-2038.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under the regulations in ``Subpart H--Plants for Planting'' (7 CFR 
319.37-1 through 319.37-23, referred to below as the regulations), the 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture prohibits or restricts the importation of 
plants for planting (including living plants, plant parts, seeds, and 
plant cuttings) to prevent the introduction of quarantine pests into 
the United States. Quarantine pest is defined in Sec.  319.37-2 of the 
regulations as a plant pest or noxious weed that is of potential 
economic importance to the United States and not yet present in the 
United States, or present but not widely distributed and being 
officially controlled. Section 319.37-4 of the regulations provides 
that certain taxa of plants for planting are not authorized for 
importation into the United States pending pest risk analysis (NAPPRA) 
to prevent the introduction of quarantine pests into the United States.
    Paragraph (e) of Sec.  319.37-4 describes the process for removing 
taxa from the NAPPRA lists.\1\ After receiving a request to remove taxa 
from the NAPPRA lists, APHIS will conduct a pest risk analysis (PRA) in 
response to such a request and make the PRA available for public review 
and comment. Following the close of the comment period, we will review 
all comments received and announce our decision regarding the request 
in a subsequent notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ To view the NAPPRA lists, go to: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/import-information/permits/plants-and-plant-products-permits/plants-for-planting/ct_nappra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On January 31, 2022, we published in the Federal Register (87 FR 
4832-4833, Docket No. APHIS-2021-0076) a notice \2\ in which we 
proposed to revise the NAPPRA lists to allow the importation of three 
Acer spp. (Acer buergerianum, A. palmatum, and A. pseudosieboldianum) 
dwarf plants from the Republic of Korea (South Korea) into the 
continental United States, subject to the conditions required for all 
approved dwarf plants imported under the APHIS Artificially Dwarfed 
Plants program \3\ as well as additional conditions outlined in a risk 
management document (RMD) accompanying the notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ To view the notice, supporting documents, and the comments 
we received, go to https://www.regulations.gov/document/APHIS-2021-0076-0001.
    \3\ To view the requirements of the APHIS Artificially Dwarfed 
Plants program, go to: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/plants_for_planting.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We solicited comments on the notice for 60 days ending on April 1, 
2022. We received three comments by that date, all from private 
citizens. The issues raised by the commenters are addressed below.
    All three commenters expressed concern that importing non-native 
plants, or plants from regions with plant pests, may introduce foreign 
pests, or otherwise endanger plants native to the United States.
    We understand the commenters' concerns but find no basis for 
changing our recommendations based on the comments. As the 
documentation associated with the initial notice for comment shows, 
APHIS thoroughly and sufficiently assessed potential risks from this 
importation and proposed conditions adequate to mitigate the possible 
risks. Our methodology for the pest risk assessment that accompanied 
the initial notice included careful examination of scientific 
literature, port-of-entry pest interception data, and information 
provided by the Government of the Republic of Korea.

[[Page 84111]]

From these sources, we developed a list of pests with quarantine 
significance for the continental United States that occur in the 
Republic of Korea (on any host) and are associated with the three Acer 
spp. (anywhere in the world). We are therefore confident the pest risk 
assessment is thorough and accurate.
    Based on the pest risk assessment, we prepared the RMD to identify 
phytosanitary measures that could be applied to the three Acer spp. to 
mitigate the risk of introducing these pests into the United States. As 
the commenters did not raise any specific concerns with the information 
presented in the RMD, we continue to consider the mitigations in the 
RMD to be sufficient to ensure that pests are not introduced into the 
United States through this pathway.
    One of the commenters also stated that, while the PRA considers 
risks associated with known pests, it does not consider pest species 
that may present a risk in the future.
    APHIS continuously monitors foreign countries for quarantine pests. 
If a new quarantine pest relevant to the importation of these species 
of Acer from the Republic of Korea arises in the future, APHIS will 
reassess the associated pest risk and may revise the import 
restrictions accordingly.
    Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  319.37-4(e), and based on the 
reasons outlined in the initial notice, the PRA accompanying the 
initial notice, and this second notice, we are removing A. 
buergerianum, A. palmatum, and A. pseudosieboldianum dormant, bare-
rooted dwarf plants from the Republic of Korea from the NAPPRA lists, 
thereby allowing the importation of such Acer spp. into the continental 
United States, subject to the pest mitigation measures required for all 
approved dwarf plants imported under the APHIS Artificially Dwarfed 
Plants program \4\ as well as the additional commodity specific risk 
management measures described in the RMD accompanying the initial 
notice.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ See footnote 3.
    \5\ See footnote 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.), the recordkeeping and burden requirements associated 
with this action are included under the Office of Management and Budget 
control number 0579-0049.

E-Government Act Compliance

    The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is committed to 
compliance with the E-Government Act to promote the use of the internet 
and other information technologies, to provide increased opportunities 
for citizen access to Government information and services, and for 
other purposes. For information pertinent to E-Government Act 
compliance related to this notice, please contact Mr. Joseph Moxey, 
APHIS' Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, at (301) 851-2533.
    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1633, 7701-7772, and 7781-7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 
and 136a; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 15th day of October 2024.
Michael Watson,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-24200 Filed 10-18-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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