[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 18 (Thursday, January 27, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4859-4860]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-1780]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2010-0028]


Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No 
Significant Impact for a Biological Control Agent for Asian Citrus 
Psyllid

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment and finding 
of no significant impact relative to the control of Asian citrus 
psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama). The environmental assessment 
considers the effects of, and alternatives to, the release of an 
insect, Tamarixia radiata, into the continental United States for use 
as a biological control agent to reduce the severity of Asian citrus 
psyllid infestations. Based on our finding of no significant impact, we 
have determined that an environmental impact statement need not be 
prepared.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Shirley A. Wager-Page, Chief, Pest 
Permitting Branch, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 
20737-1237; (301) 734-8453.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing 
to issue permits for the release of an

[[Page 4860]]

insect, Tamarixia radiata, into the continental United States for use 
as a biological control agent to reduce the severity of Asian citrus 
psyllid (ACP) infestations.
    On May 20, 2010, we published in the Federal Register (75 FR 28233-
28234, Docket No. APHIS-2010-0028) a notice \1\ in which we announced 
the availability, for public review and comment, of an environmental 
assessment (EA) relative to the control of ACP.
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    \1\ To view the notice, environmental assessment, finding of no 
significant impact, and the comments we received, go to http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2010-0028.
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    The EA, titled ``Proposed Release of a Parasitoid (Tamarixia 
radiata Waterston) for the Biological Control of Asian Citrus Psyllid 
(Diaphorina citri Kuwayama) in the Continental United States'' 
(November 2009), considered the effects of, and alternatives to, the 
release of Tamarixia radiata into the continental United States for use 
as a biological control agent to reduce the severity of ACP 
infestations.
    We solicited comments on the EA for 30 days ending on June 21, 
2010. We received four comments by that date. All of the commenters 
were supportive of the proposed action.
    Based on the information contained in the EA, we have determined 
that the environmental release of the insect Tamarixia radiata is not 
expected to result in a significant impact to the human environment, 
and an environmental impact statement does not need to be prepared.
    The EA and finding of no significant impact 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 1b), and (4) APHIS' NEPA Implementing 
Procedures (7 CFR part 372).

    Done in Washington, DC, this 21st day of January 2011.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-1780 Filed 1-26-11; 8:45 am]
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