[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 63 (Thursday, April 1, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17126-17127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7309]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. 03-112-3]


Vaccination of Wild Bison; Confirmation of Finding of No 
Significant Impact

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: We are confirming our finding that the assistance of the 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in the subcutaneous 
vaccination of wild, free-ranging bison in the Greater Yellowstone Area 
with Strain RB51 vaccine to help prevent the spread of brucellosis will 
not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. 
Additionally, we are advising the public of the availability of our 
discussion of issues raised by the public in response to an 
environmental assessment regarding that vaccination and the finding of 
no significant impact.

ADDRESSES: To obtain copies of the environmental assessment, finding of 
no significant impact, and our discussion of comments received, contact 
the National Center for Animal Health Programs, Veterinary Services, 
APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 43, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-
4923. The documents are also available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/es/vsdocs.html. At that Web site page, click on 
the link for ``Subcutaneous Vaccination of Wild, Free-ranging Bison in 
the Greater Yellowstone Area, Environmental Assessment, November 
2003.''
    You may also read the environmental assessment, finding of no 
significant impact, and comments received and our discussion of those 
comments 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.
    APHIS documents published in the Federal Register, and related 
information, including the names of organizations and individuals who 
have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at 
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Arnold Gertonson, Yellowstone 
Brucellosis Coordinator, National Center for Animal Health Programs, 
VS, APHIS, Building B MSC 3E13, 2150 Centre Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 
80526-8117; (970) 494-7363.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Brucellosis is a contagious disease caused by Brucella bacteria. It 
can infect cattle, bison, elk, other animals, and humans. In cattle, 
bison, and elk, the specific disease organism is Brucella abortus. In 
infected cattle and bison, the disease organism localizes in lymph 
nodes, reproductive organs, and/or the udder, causing abortion in 
females and systemic effects in both males and females. Brucellosis is 
transmitted through contaminated and untreated

[[Page 17127]]

milk and milk products and through direct contact with an infected 
aborted fetus or calf, afterbirth, or other reproductive tract 
discharges.
    Brucellosis is considered one of the most serious diseases of 
livestock. While its hallmark symptom is abortion, brucellosis can also 
result in decreased milk production, weight loss in animals, 
infertility, and lameness. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) has worked for years to eliminate this disease from the 
United States.
    The only known reservoir of Brucella abortus in the United States 
occurs in wild, free-ranging populations of bison and elk in the 
Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA), which comprises areas of Idaho, 
Montana, and Wyoming. The significance of wildlife in the GYA as a 
reservoir of brucellosis and potential source of infection for cattle 
in the GYA has been widely recognized. Additionally, free-ranging bison 
herds in the GYA are a natural resource of great importance.
    To address the issue of brucellosis in the GYA, the U.S. Department 
of the Interior's National Park Service, the State of Montana, and 
their cooperators (including the U.S. Department of Agriculture) 
developed an Interagency Bison Management Plan for the bison herd in 
Yellowstone National Park (YNP). One of the disease management 
requirements of the plan is for eligible bison to be vaccinated against 
brucellosis. The Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) has requested 
APHIS's assistance with the vaccination against brucellosis of wild, 
free-ranging bison calves and non-pregnant yearlings that leave YNP and 
migrate onto State, private, or other Federal lands.
    On December 5, 2003, we published in the Federal Register (68 FR 
68020-68021, Docket No. 03-112-1) a notice in which we announced the 
availability, for public review and comment, of an environmental 
assessment (EA) examining the potential environmental effects of 
APHIS's involvement in the vaccination described above. Additionally, 
we announced the availability of a finding of no significant impact 
(FONSI) in which we set forth our determination that subcutaneous 
vaccination of free-ranging bison of the GYA with Strain RB51 vaccine 
would not significantly impact human health or the environment.
    In the notice of availability, we solicited comments on the EA and 
FONSI for 30 days ending on January 5, 2004. On January 14, 2004, we 
published a notice in the Federal Register (69 FR 2110, Docket No. 03-
112-2) in which we reopened the comment period and extended it until 
January 20, 2004. We received a total of 143 comments by January 20, 
2004.
    The commenters addressed a wide range of issues, including:
     Whether the EA met the procedural requirements 
of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Some 
commenters expressed the view that APHIS's release of a FONSI before 
the public had a chance to comment on the EA constituted a violation of 
NEPA. Others questioned whether the EA contained all of the elements 
required of an EA under NEPA.
     Which alternative presented in the EA should be 
adopted
     Whether bison are affected by brucellosis and 
whether there have been any reported cases of free-ranging bison 
transmitting the disease to cattle.
     The natural role of brucellosis in the 
environment.
     Issues regarding the potential impacts of 
vaccination on bison and nontarget species, including the efficacy and 
safety of the Strain RB51 vaccine, the potential for stress-related 
maladies in bison because of vaccination, and potential erosion of the 
wild nature of the YNP bison herd due to handling during the 
vaccination process.
     Whether the EA addressed the concerns of Native 
Americans.
     Requests that APHIS conduct an economic analysis 
to assess the costs and benefits of a vaccination program and the 
potential effects on the local economy.
    We have reviewed and considered all issues raised by the 
commenters. Based on that review, we are confirming our determination 
that APHIS' assistance with the vaccination will not significantly 
impact human health or the environment. We are also making available to 
the public our discussion of all issues raised by the commenters in a 
document titled ``Analysis of Comments Received on Subcutaneous 
Vaccination of Wild, Free-Ranging Bison in the Greater Yellowstone 
Area, Environmental Assessment/FONSI.'' Instructions for viewing that 
document, the EA, and the FONSI are included under the heading 
ADDRESSES at the beginning of this notice.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 26th day of March 2004.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 04-7309 Filed 3-31-04; 8:45 am]
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