[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 140 (Monday, July 23, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 40111]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-14167]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2006-0112]


Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or Produced 
Through Genetic Engineering; Public Forums

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public forums.

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SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service will be holding four public forums to gather public 
comment on a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) related to our 
consideration of revisions to our regulations regarding the 
importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of 
genetically engineered organisms.

DATES: The forums will be held August 1, 2007, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in 
Riverdale, MD; August 3, 2007, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Riverdale, MD; 
August 16, 2007, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Davis, CA; and August 30, 
2007, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Kansas City, MO.

ADDRESSES: The forums will be held at the following locations:
    Riverdale, MD: USDA Center at Riverside, 4700 River Road, 
Riverdale, MD. For directions or facilities information, call (301) 
734-8010.
    Davis, CA: Walter A. Buehler Alumni & Visitors Center, Alpha Gamma 
Rho Hall, University of California, Davis, CA. For directions or 
facilities information, call (530) 754-9195 or visit http://www.alumnicenter.ucdavis.edu/.
    Kansas City, MO: Hilton Kansas City Airport, Osage Rooms A & B, 
8801 NW 112th Street, Kansas City, MO. For directions or facilities 
information, call (816) 891-8900 or visit http://www.hiltonkci.com/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. T. Clint Nesbitt, Biotechnology 
Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 
20737-1238; (301) 734-5673.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 17, 2007, the Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced in the Federal Register (72 
FR 39021-39025, Docket No. APHIS-2006-0112) the availability of a draft 
environmental impact statement (DEIS) related to our consideration of 
revisions to our regulations regarding the importation, interstate 
movement, and environmental release of genetically engineered 
organisms. The DEIS evaluates the alternatives we have identified in 
terms of their potential effects on the human environment compared to 
the effects of our current regulatory program. We believe our ongoing 
evaluation of these alternatives would benefit from the submission of 
additional views and data from the public, and we are especially 
interested in receiving comments on the subset of DEIS alternatives 
described in our July 17, 2007, notice. That notice specified how 
comments from the public may be submitted for consideration, and that 
we would consider comments received on or before September 11, 2007.
    In order to provide additional opportunities for the public to 
comment on the DEIS, APHIS will hold four public forums in three 
locations: Riverdale, MD; Davis, CA; and Kansas City, MO (see ADDRESSES 
above). These informal forums are designed to engage interested 
individuals and elicit comments related to the DEIS. The format will 
consist of informational posters and comment stations. Attendees will 
be able to walk through the forum during the scheduled hours and 
interact with other attendees and APHIS personnel. Brief welcoming 
remarks will be given by APHIS personnel at 4:30 pm and again at 6 p.m. 
local time (the 6 p.m. briefing will not occur at the August 3, 2007, 
meeting in Riverdale, MD). There is no set schedule for each poster 
station, so the public may come and go at any time during the forum 
period. Participants will have the opportunity to record brief oral 
comments with a court reporter or to submit comments in writing, 
following directions provided at the comment stations.
    The purpose of these forums is to provide the public with an 
opportunity to obtain information regarding the DEIS and interact with 
APHIS representatives, and to allow APHIS to gather further information 
on potential impacts on the human environment resulting from possible 
revision of our regulations. Comments received at these public forums 
will be considered along with the comments we receive on the DEIS in 
response to our July 17, 2007, notice.

Parking and Security Procedures for Riverdale, MD Forums

    Please note that a fee of $2.25 is required to enter the parking 
lot at the USDA Center at Riverside. The machine accepts $1 bills or 
quarters. Picture identification is required to be admitted into the 
building. Upon entering the building, visitors should inform security 
personnel that they are attending the DEIS meeting.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 18th day of July 2007.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-14167 Filed 7-20-07; 8:45 am]
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