[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 96 (Wednesday, May 17, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31245-31246]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12437]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

7 CFR Part 301

[Docket No. 00-004-2]


Asian Longhorned Beetle; Addition to Quarantined Areas

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Affirmation of interim rule as final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim 
rule that amended the Asian longhorned beetle regulations by expanding 
the quarantined area in the city of Chicago, IL, and adding two new 
areas in Cook County, IL. As a result of the interim rule, the 
interstate movement of regulated articles from those areas is 
restricted. The interim rule was necessary on an emergency basis to 
prevent the artificial spread of the Asian longhorned beetle to 
noninfested areas of the United States.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The interim rule became effective on January 27, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ron Milberg, Operations Officer, 
Program Support, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 134, Riverdale, MD 
20737-1236; (301) 734-5255.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In an interim rule effective January 27, 2000, and published in the 
Federal Register on February 2, 2000 (65 FR 4865-4866, Docket No. 00-
004-1), we amended the Asian longhorned beetle regulations contained in 
Sec. 301.51-1 through Sec. 301.51-9 by expanding the quarantined area 
in the city of Chicago, IL, and adding two new areas in Cook County, 
IL, in Sec. 301.51-3. That action restricted the interstate movement of 
regulated articles from those areas.
    Comments on the interim rule were required to be received on or 
before April 3, 2000. We did not receive any comments. Therefore, for 
the reasons given in the interim rule, we are adopting the interim rule 
as a final rule.
    This action also affirms the information contained in the interim 
rule concerning Executive Orders 12866, 12372, and 12988, and the 
Paperwork Reduction Act.
    Further, for this action, the Office of Management and Budget has 
waived the review process required by Executive Order 12866.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This rule affirms an interim rule that amended the Asian longhorned 
beetle regulations by expanding the quarantined area in the city of 
Chicago, IL, and adding two new areas in Cook County, IL. As a result 
of the interim rule, the interstate movement of regulated articles from 
those areas is restricted. The interim rule was necessary on an 
emergency basis to prevent the artificial spread of the Asian 
longhorned beetle to noninfested areas of the United States.
    The following analysis addresses the economic effect of this rule 
on small entities, as required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    The quarantine and restrictions on the interstate movement of 
certain articles from the quarantined areas has been determined to be 
the most effective means of preventing the artificial spread of the 
pest outside the State of Illinois. Biological controls and pesticides 
do not currently appear to be effective alternatives.
    Nonetheless, the interim rule will have no economic effect on 
businesses, large or small, since none are located in the newly 
quarantined 216 acres. The newly quarantined areas consist of a 
residential area, a cemetery, and a forest preserve.
    Under these circumstances, the Administrator of the Animal and 
Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that this action will 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

[[Page 31246]]

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 301

    Agricultural commodities, Plant diseases and pests, Quarantine, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.

PART 301--DOMESTIC QUARANTINE NOTICES

    Accordingly, we are adopting as a final rule, without change, the 
interim rule that amended 7 CFR part 301 and that was published at 65 
FR 4865-4866 on February 2, 2000.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 147a, 150bb, 150dd, 150ee, 150ff, 161, 162, 
and 164-167; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.2(c).

    Done in Washington, DC, this 12th day of May 2000.
Craig A. Reed,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 00-12437 Filed 5-16-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-U