[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 24 (Friday, February 4, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-2601]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: February 4, 1994]
VOL. 59, NO. 24
Friday, February 4, 1994
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. 90-108-6]
Medfly Cooperative Eradication Program; Record of Decision Based
on the Final Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public of the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service's record of decision for the Medfly Cooperative
Eradication Program final environmental impact statement.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the record of decision and the final environmental
impact statement on which the record of decision is based are available
for review between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
holidays, at the following locations:
APHIS Reading Room, room 1141, South Building, 14th Street and
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250;
USDA-APHIS Library, room G180, Federal Building, 6505 Belcrest
Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782;
USDA-APHIS-PPQ, 9580 Micron Avenue, Suite I, Sacramento,
CA 95827;
USDA-APHIS-PPQ, 3505 Boca Chica Boulevard, Suite 360,
Brownsville, TX 78521-4065;
USDA-APHIS-PPQ, 3505 25th Avenue, Building 1, North,
Gulfport, MS 39501;
USDA-APHIS-PPQ, Blason II, 1st floor, 505 South Lenola
Road, Moorestown, NJ 08057.
Interested persons may obtain copies of the record of decision and
the final environmental impact statement by writing to any of the
addresses listed above with an asterisk or to the address listed below
under ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Harold T. Smith, Branch Chief,
Environmental Analysis and Documentation, BBEP, APHIS, USDA, room 543,
Federal Building, 6505 Belcrest Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782, (301) 436-
8963.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 9, 1993, the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published in the Federal Register (58
FR 18366, Docket No. 90-108-3) a notice advising the public that APHIS
had prepared a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the
Medfly Cooperative Eradication Program. The notice also requested
comments on the draft EIS to be received on or before May 24, 1993. On
May 28, 1993, we published a notice reopening the comment period and
extending it until June 18, 1993 (58 FR 31007, Docket No. 90-108-4). By
close of business June 18, 1993, we had received 255 comments on the
draft EIS. We carefully reviewed and considered all of the comments,
and revised the draft EIS based on suggestions and information offered
in the comments.
On November 26, 1993, we published in the Federal Register (58 FR
62322, Docket No. 90-108-5) a notice advising the public that APHIS, in
cooperation with 12 other Federal and State organizations, had prepared
a final EIS for the Medfly Cooperative Eradication Program. The final
EIS includes a comprehensive analysis of all feasible methods for
controlling the Mediterranean fruit fly. The final EIS was made
available, and locations were provided where interested persons could
review copies.
This notice advises the public that APHIS has prepared a record of
decision based on the final EIS. This record of decision has been
prepared in accordance with: (1) The National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) (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 Guidelines Implementing NEPA (44 FR
50381-50384, August 28, 1979, and 44 FR 51272-51274, August 31, 1979).
The Agency record of decision is set forth below.
Record of Decision; Final Environmental Impact Statement; Medfly
Cooperative Eradication Program
Decision
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) has prepared a final environmental impact
statement (EIS) for the Medfly Cooperative Eradication Program. The EIS
analyzed alternatives for eradication of the Mediterranean fruit fly
(Medfly), a serious pest of agriculture that may in the future infest
areas of the conterminous United States. After considering fully the
analysis presented in the EIS (including supportive documents cited or
incorporated by reference), I have accepted the findings of the EIS.
As described in the EIS, selection of an alternative (and
associated control methods) for future Medfly programs will be on an
individual basis, made only after site-specific assessment of the
individual program areas. The selection of an alternative (and control
methods) will consider the findings of the EIS, the site-specific
assessment, the public response, and any other relevant information
available to APHIS at the time. APHIS will conduct environmental
monitoring, as described in ``Environmental Monitoring Plan, Medfly
Cooperative Eradication Program'' (incorporated by reference in this
record of decision). I have determined that this course of action
includes all practicable means to avoid or minimize environmental harm
from Medfly control measures that may be employed by APHIS in future
cooperative Medfly programs.
Alternatives Considered
The alternatives considered within the EIS include: No action,
Medfly suppression (including chemicals), Medfly suppression (no
chemicals), Medfly eradication (including chemicals), and Medfly
eradication (no chemicals). They were broad in scope and reflect the
major choices that must be made for a future program. The action
alternatives combined variously the use of control methods, also
analyzed within the EIS. The control methods included chemical control,
nonchemical control, and combined control (including integrated pest
management or IPM). They are limited in scope and reflect the specific
means by which the program objectives may be met. The EIS considered
and compared the potential impacts of the alternatives as well as their
component control methods.
Decisional Background
In arriving at this decision, I have considered pertinent risk
analyses, chemical background statements, a biological assessment for
endangered and threatened species, and other technical documents whose
analyses and conclusions were integrated into and summarized within the
EIS. I have also considered APHIS' responsibilities under various
statutes or regulations, the technological feasibilities of the
alternatives and control methods, and public perspectives relative to
environmental issues. Although scientific controversy may exist
relative to the severity of potential impacts, especially with regard
to pesticide impacts, I am satisfied that APHIS has estimated correctly
the impacts of alternatives for Medfly eradication.
APHIS understands the potential consequences of control methods
(especially chemical methods) used for Medfly eradication. Chemical
control methods have greater potential for adverse environmental
consequences than nonchemical control methods. Chemical pesticides have
the potential to adversely affect human health, nontarget species, and
physical components of the environment. APHIS fully appreciates the
dangers pesticides may pose, especially to sensitive members of
communities.
APHIS is committed to the rational use of chemical pesticides and
strives to reduce their use wherever possible. However, APHIS has
statutory obligations that require it to act decisively to eliminate
foreign pest species such as the Medfly. Given the current state of
control technology, we believe that nonchemical control methods (used
exclusively) are not capable of eradicating the Medfly. We know too
that the net result of a decision not to use chemicals would be that
other government entities or commercial growers are likely to use even
more chemicals over a wider area, with correspondingly greater
environmental impact. APHIS is convinced that, if eradication remains
the objective, a coordinated and well-run government program that
limits the use of pesticides to the minimum necessary to do the job is
therefore in the best interests of the public and the environment.
APHIS continues to support and favor the use of IPM strategies in
achieving Medfly eradication.
Final Implementation
In all cases, a site-specific assessment will be made prior to the
time a decision is made on the control methods that will be used on a
particular program. The site-specific assessment will consider
characteristics such as unique and sensitive aspects of the program
area, applicable environmental and program documentation, and
applicable new developments in environmental science or control
technologies. The site-specific assessment will also confirm the
adequacy of or need for additional program mitigative measures. The
site-specific analysis process is described more fully in the EIS.
Site-specific assessments will be made available to the public and
APHIS will consider the public's perspective relative to individual
programs.
To avoid or minimize environmental harm, APHIS will follow all
standard operational procedures and program mitigative measures
developed for the Medfly Cooperative Eradication Program. These
procedures (incorporated by reference in this record of decision) are
fully described in the EIS, and include but are not limited to the
following: Pesticide applicator certification, training and applicator
orientation, special pesticide precautions for pesticide application,
identification of sensitive sites, public notification procedures, and
interagency coordination and consultation.
December 29, 1993.
Lonnie J. King,
Acting Administrator.
Done in Washington, DC, this 1st day of February, 1994.
Lonnie J. King,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 94-2601 Filed 2-3-94; 8:45 am]
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