[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 124 (Friday, June 27, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 38284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-16298]


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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. 68, No. 124 / Friday, June 27, 2003 / 
Notices  

[[Page 38284]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. 03-034-2]


Ivy Gourd; 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 a proposed field 
release of a nonindigenous leaf-mining weevil, Acythopeus cocciniae, 
into Guam and Saipan for the biological control of ivy gourd (Coccinia 
grandis). The environmental assessment documents our review and 
analysis of environmental impacts associated with widespread release of 
this agent. 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. Tracy A. Horner, Ecologist, 
Environmental Services, PPD, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 149, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1237; (301) 734-5213.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is 
considering several applications for permits to release the 
nonindigenous leaf-mining weevil Acythopeus cocciniae in order to 
reduce the severity and extent of ivy gourd (Coccinia grandis) 
infestations in Guam and Saipan.
    Ivy gourd is native to Africa, Asia, Fiji, and northern Australia. 
This invasive weed is a rapidly growing, climbing or trailing vine that 
forms thick mats, overgrowing trees and other vegetation, walls, 
fences, and utility poles. Ivy gourd also serves as a host for numerous 
pests of cucurbitaceous crops, including black leaf-footed bug 
(Leptoglossus australis), leafminers (Liriomyza spp.), melon aphid 
(Aphis gossypii), melon fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae), pumpkin 
caterpillar (Diaphania indica), red pumpkin beetle (Aulacophora 
foveicollis), and whiteflies (Bemisia spp.).
    Ivy gourd has been detected in the United States in Guam, Hawaii, 
and Saipan. In July 1999, we prepared an environmental assessment (EA) 
that examined the potential release of A. cocciniae and another weevil 
of the same genus, A. burkhartorum, into the environment for use as 
biological control agents to reduce the severity and extent of ivy 
gourd infestations in the State of Hawaii. APHIS has subsequently 
received permit applications for additional releases of A. cocciniae 
beyond the area considered in the 1999 EA. The applicants propose to 
release A. cocciniae in Guam and Saipan to reduce the severity and 
extent of ivy gourd infestation on those islands.
    A. cocciniae is native to Africa. Adults live up to 200 days and 
feed on the leaves of the ivy gourd, creating numerous holes in the 
lamina. Eggs are laid singly by insertion into the lamina of the 
leaves. The eggs hatch in about 8 days, and the larvae mine the leaves 
for 9 to 10 days thereafter. Pupation takes place within the mine and 
lasts for 15 days. Adult feeding and larval mining can cause drying of 
the leaves and eventual defoliation.
    On April 8, 2003, we published in the Federal Register (68 FR 
17007-17008, Docket No. 03-034-1) a notice in which we announced the 
availability, for public review and comment, of an EA that examined the 
potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed release of 
A. cocciniae in Guam and Saipan for the biological control of ivy 
gourd.
    We solicited comments on the EA for 30 days ending on May 8, 2003. 
We received one comment by that date, from a State agricultural agency. 
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 
release of the nonindigenous leaf-mining weevil A. cocciniae into Guam 
and Saipan for the biological control of ivy gourd.
    The EA and FONSI may be viewed on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/ by following the link for ``Document/Forms 
Retrieval System'' then clicking on the triangle beside ``6--Permits--
Environmental Assessments,'' and selecting document number 0034. You 
may request paper copies of the EA and FONSI by calling or writing to 
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please refer 
to the title of the EA when requesting copies. The EA and FONSI 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 23rd day of June, 2003.
Peter Fernandez,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 03-16298 Filed 6-26-03; 8:45 am]
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