[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 239 (Thursday, December 12, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 76376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-31308]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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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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 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 239 / Thursday, December 12, 2002 / 
Notices  

[[Page 76376]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. 02-060-2]


Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No 
Significant Impact

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: We are advising the public that an environmental assessment 
and finding of no significant impact have been prepared by the Animal 
and Plant Health Inspection Service relative to the control of rush 
skeletonweed (Chondrilla juncea). The environmental assessment 
considers the effects of, and alternatives to, the release of a 
nonindigenous organism, Chondrilla root moth (Bradyrrhoa gilveolella), 
into the environment for use as a biological control agent to reduce 
the severity of rush skeletonweed infestations. Based on its finding of 
no significant impact, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
has determined that an environmental impact statement need not be 
prepared.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the environmental assessment and finding of no 
significant impact are available for public inspection in our reading 
room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of the USDA South 
Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC. 
Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, 
please call (202) 690-2817 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Robert V. Flanders, Branch Chief, 
Pest Permit Evaluation, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1228; (301) 734-5930.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is 
considering an application from the University of Montana for a permit 
to release a nonindigenous organism, Chondrilla root moth (Bradyrrhoa 
gilveolella), to reduce the severity of rush skeletonweed (Chondrilla 
juncea) in the continental United States.
    Native to Eurasia, rush skeletonweed has become established in the 
District of Columbia and several States including California, Delaware, 
Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, New 
York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia. 
This invasive weed infests roadsides, railways, rangelands, pastures, 
grain fields, coastal sand dunes, and shaley hillsides in mountainous 
regions. Rush skeletonweed causes losses in infested grain fields, 
reduces rangeland forage production, and reduces plant and animal 
diversity.
    On July 25, 2002, we published in the Federal Register (67 FR 
48610-48611, Docket No. 02-060-1) a notice in which we announced the 
availability, for public review and comment, of an environmental 
assessment (EA) that examined the potential effects of the release of 
the Chondrilla root moth into the environment for use as a biological 
control agent to reduce the severity of rush skeletonweed infestations. 
Chondrilla root moth larvae feed on the roots of rush skeletonweed, 
causing the plant to die or increasing its susceptibility to pathogenic 
fungi.
    We solicited comments on the EA for 30 days ending on August 26, 
2002. We received one comment by that date. The commenter supported the 
proposed action.
    In this document, we are advising the public of APHIS' record of 
decision and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) regarding the 
proposed field release of the Chondrilla root moth into the environment 
for use as a biological control agent to reduce the severity of rush 
skeletonweed infestations. The decision, which is based on the analysis 
found in the EA, reflects our determination that release of the 
organism will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human 
environment.
    The environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact 
may be viewed on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq by 
following the link for ``Documents/Forms Retrieval System'' then 
clicking on the triangle beside ``6--Permits--Environmental 
Assessments,'' and selecting document number 0037. You may request 
paper copies of the environmental assessment and finding of no 
significant impact by calling or writing to the person listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please refer to the title of the 
environmental assessment when requesting copies. The environmental 
assessment and finding of no significant impact are also available for 
review in our reading room (information on the location and hours of 
the reading room is listed under the heading ADDRESSES at the beginning 
of this notice).
    The EA and FONSI have been prepared in accordance with: (1) The 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (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 1), and (4) 
APHIS' NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372).

    Done in Washington, DC this 6th day of December 2002.
Peter Fernandez,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 02-31308 Filed 12-11-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P