[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 53 (Friday, March 19, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 13540]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6771]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 53 / Friday, March 19, 1999 / 
Notices  

[[Page 13540]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary
[Docket No. 99-018-1]


Declaration of Emergency Because of Citrus Canker

    A serious outbreak of citrus canker is occurring in Florida. Citrus 
canker is a plant disease that is harmful to citrus plants and citrus 
fruit. It spreads rapidly, producing premature fruit drop, and leaf, 
stem, and fruit lesions. While damaged fruit is safe to eat it has 
little or no market value. The only way to detect the disease is to 
visually survey for infected trees. Once infected trees are found, 
removal and destruction of the infected trees, usually by burning, is 
the only effective control measure. It is also necessary to quarantine 
infested areas to delay or stop the spread of the disease.
    This infestation of citrus canker in Florida was first detected in 
1995 and was initially limited to about 14 square miles near the Miami 
International Airport in Dade County. The infestation has spread both 
naturally, aided by tropical storms and tornadoes, and through the 
movement of infected and contaminated articles. There are now four 
areas in Florida affected with citrus canker: An area of approximately 
500 square miles in Dade and Broward Counties; an area of about 60 
square miles in Manatee County; two citrus groves in Collier County; 
and most recently, two commercial citrus groves and a number of 
residential properties in Hendry County.
    Citrus canker poses a serious threat to citrus production in the 
State of Florida. Although, to date, the infestation has been generally 
limited to residential areas, the continued spread of the disease could 
affect Florida's commercial citrus producing areas, causing estimated 
losses of at least $200 million annually.
    To eliminate this threat to Florida's most important industry, the 
State is conducting an eradication program. Since 1995, the State has 
spent approximately $21 million on survey, regulatory, and control 
activities. In addition, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS) has spent approximately $6 million, mostly from its contingency 
fund, to provide technical assistance to the State and to carry out 
regulatory activities designed to prevent the spread of the disease.
    Despite these efforts, however, the disease has continued to 
spread. The FY 1999 appropriations for APHIS do not contain adequate 
funding for effective assistance to Florida in efforts to control and 
eradicate citrus canker, nor does APHIS' FY 2000 budget request. 
Furthermore, redirecting funds within APHIS' existing budget would 
seriously impair its ongoing programs. Thus, additional resources are 
necessary to enable APHIS to continue to assist Florida in the control 
and eradication of citrus canker and to help avoid significant economic 
losses to the Nation's citrus industry.
    Therefore, in accordance with the provisions of the Act of 
September 25, 1981, 95 Stat. (7 U.S.C. 147b), I declare that there is 
an emergency that threatens the citrus industry of this country and 
hereby authorize the transfer and use of such funds as may be necessary 
from appropriations or other funds available to the agencies or 
corporations of the United States Department of Agriculture to assist 
the State of Florida in controlling and eradicating citrus canker.
    Before any funds authorized under this declaration are transferred, 
distributed, or applied to the citrus canker eradication effort, 
however, APHIS will conduct reviews and analyses that are applicable to 
any proposed actions, including reviews and analyses required under the 
National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, 
Executive Order 12898 of February 11, 1994--Federal Actions to Address 
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income 
Populations, and Executive Order 13045 of April 21, 1997--Protection of 
Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks, among 
others. Consistent with these requirements, the public will be provided 
ample opportunity for participation, notice of which will be published 
in the Federal Register.

    Effective Date: This declaration of emergency shall become 
effective March 15, 1999.
Dan Glickman,
Secretary of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 99-6771 Filed 3-18-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P