[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 186 (Monday, September 25, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 57537]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-24545]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 186 / Monday, September 25, 2000 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 57537]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

7 CFR Part 301

[Docket No. 99-097-3]


Melon Fruit Fly Regulations; Regulated Areas, Regulated Articles, 
and Removal of Quarantined Area

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Affirmation of interim rules as final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting as a final rule, without change, two interim 
rules that amended the melon fruit fly regulations. In one interim rule 
published in the Federal Register on February 22, 2000, we established 
the melon fruit fly regulations and quarantined a portion of Los 
Angeles County, CA. The establishment of the melon fruit fly 
regulations and quarantine of a portion of Los Angeles County, CA, were 
necessary on an emergency basis to prevent the spread of the melon 
fruit fly into noninfested areas of the United States. In another 
interim rule published in the Federal Register on June 28, 2000, we 
removed the quarantined portion of Los Angeles County, CA. The removal 
of the quarantined portion of Los Angeles County, CA, was necessary to 
relieve restrictions that were no longer needed to prevent the spread 
of the melon fruit fly because we determined that the melon fruit fly 
was eradicated from this portion of Los Angeles County, CA. This 
portion of Los Angeles County, CA, was the only area in California 
quarantined for the melon fruit fly. Therefore, as a result of the 
interim rule that removed the quarantine on a portion of Los Angeles 
County, CA, there are no longer any areas in the continental United 
States quarantined because of the melon fruit fly.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 25, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Stephen A. Knight, Operations 
Officer, Invasive Species and Pest Management Staff, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 
River Road Unit 134, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-8039.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The melon fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett), is a very 
destructive pest of fruits and vegetables, including melons, mangoes, 
peppers, squash, cucumbers, beans, oranges, and peaches. This pest can 
cause serious economic losses by lowering the yield and quality of 
these fruits and vegetables and by damaging the seedlings and young 
plants of squash, melons, and cucumbers. Heavy infestations can result 
in complete loss of these crops.
    In an interim rule effective February 22, 2000, and published in 
the Federal Register on February 22, 2000 (65 FR 8633-8640, Docket No. 
99-097-1), we established Federal regulations for the melon fruit fly 
in 7 CFR 301.97 through 301.97-10 and quarantined a portion of Los 
Angeles County, CA. In an interim rule effective June 23, 2000, and 
published in the Federal Register on June 28, 2000 (65 FR 39779-39780, 
Docket No. 99-097-2), we amended the melon fruit fly regulations by 
removing Los Angeles County, CA, from the list of quarantined areas in 
Sec. 301.97-3(c). That action relieved unnecessary restrictions on the 
interstate movement of regulated articles from this area.
    Comments on the interim rules were required to be received on or 
before 60 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register. 
We did not receive any comments. Therefore, for the reasons given in 
the interim rules, we are adopting the interim rules as a final rule.
    This action also affirms the information contained in the interim 
rules concerning Executive Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act, Executive Orders 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.

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 rules that amended 7 CFR part 301 and that were published at 65 
FR 8633-8640 on February 22, 2000, and 65 FR 39779-39780 on June 28, 
2000.

    Authority: Title IV, Pub. L. 106-224, 114 Stat. 438, 7 U.S.C. 
7701-7772; 7 U.S.C. 166; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 19th day of September 2000.
Bobby R. Acord,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 00-24545 Filed 9-22-00; 8:45 am]
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