[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 198 (Wednesday, October 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55084-55085]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27529]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. 98-108-1]


Availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: We are advising the public that a draft environmental 
assessment has been prepared by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) relative to the management of conflicts with humans and 
the management of damage caused by nonmigratory Canada geese in the 
Commonwealth of Virginia. The draft environmental assessment has been 
prepared to analyze the environmental impact of APHIS activities to 
manage the conflicts and damage. APHIS is seeking public comments on 
this draft environmental assessment.

DATES: Consideration will be given only to comments received on or 
before November 13, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the environmental assessment are available for 
public inspection at USDA, room 1141, South Building, 14th Street and 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing to inspect 
those documents are requested to call ahead on (202) 690-

[[Page 55085]]

2817 to facilitate entry into the reading room.
    Comments on the draft environmental assessment should be mailed or 
faxed to Mr. Martin Lowney, Director, USDA/APHIS/Wildlife Services, 
P.O. Box 130, Mosely, VA 23120. Fax: (804) 739-7738.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Martin Mendoza, Jr., Director, 
Operational Support Staff, APHIS, Wildlife Services, 4700 River Road, 
Unit 87, Riverdale, MD 20737-1234, (301) 734-7921. For copies of the 
environmental assessment, write to Mr. Martin Mendoza, Jr., at the 
address listed above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: APHIS, Wildlife Services, cooperates with 
Federal agencies, State and local governments, and private individuals 
to research and implement the best methods of managing wildlife to 
protect human health and safety and prevent damage to agriculture, 
property, and natural resources.
    In this document, APHIS is advising the public of the availability 
of, and is seeking public comment on, a draft environmental assessment 
relative to the management by Wildlife Services of conflicts and damage 
caused by nonmigratory Canada geese in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
    The habitat preference, breeding and feeding behavior, and 
adaptability of nonmigratory Canada geese can involve conflicts with 
humans and affect human health and safety in a number of ways, 
including the following: by contaminating surface water and ground 
cover with fecal matter, causing damage to aircraft and other means of 
transportation as a result of collisions, and causing injury to 
approaching humans, especially children, through aggressive action. The 
draft environmental assessment examines the environmental impacts of 
Wildlife Services activities to manage conflicts and damage caused by 
nonmigratory Canada geese in Virginia.
    We are making the draft environmental assessment available for 
public inspection and comment before issuing our final environmental 
assessment.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 426-426c.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 7th day of October, 1998.
Craig A. Reed,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 98-27529 Filed 10-13-98; 8:45 am]
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