[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 49 (Monday, March 14, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 13597]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-5714]


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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. 76, No. 49 / Monday, March 14, 2011 / 
Notices  

[[Page 13597]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2010-0078]


Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No 
Significant Impact for a Biological Control Agent for Hawkweeds

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 (APHIS) has prepared an environmental assessment and 
finding of no significant impact relative to the release of the 
hawkweed gall wasp, Aulacidea subterminalis, into the continental 
United States as a biological control agent to reduce the severity of 
infestations of hawkweeds (Hieracium spp.). Based on its finding of no 
significant impact, APHIS has determined that an environmental impact 
statement need not be prepared.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Shirley A. Wager-Page, Chief, Pest 
Permitting Branch, Plant Health Programs, 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 the hawkweed gall wasp, Aulacidea 
subterminalis, into the continental United States for the biological 
control of hawkweeds (Hieracium pilosella, H. aurantiacum, H. 
floribundum, and H. flagellare).
    On October 21, 2010, we published in the Federal Register (75 FR 
64984-64985, Docket No. APHIS-2010-0078) a notice \1\ in which we 
announced the availability, for public review and comment, of an 
environmental assessment (EA) that examined the potential environmental 
impacts associated with the proposed release of this biological control 
agent into the continental United States.
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    \1\ To view the notice, EA, FONSI, and response to comments, go 
to http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2010-0078.
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    We solicited comments on the EA for 30 days ending November 22, 
2010. We received four comments, from a State agriculture department, a 
State conservation association, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and 
an anonymous commenter. Our responses to the issues raised in the 
comments can be found in Appendix 5 of the final EA (see footnote 1).
    In this document, we are advising the public of our finding of no 
significant impact (FONSI) regarding the release of the hawkweed gall 
wasp into the continental United States for use as a biological control 
agent for the control of hawkweeds. The finding, which is based on the 
EA, reflects our determination that release of this biological control 
agent will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human 
environment.
    The EA and FONSI may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site (see 
footnote 1). Copies of the EA and FONSI are also available for public 
inspection at USDA, room 1141, South Building, 14th Street and 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing to inspect 
copies are requested to call ahead on (202) 690-2817 to facilitate 
entry into the reading room. In addition, copies may be obtained by 
calling or writing the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT. Please refer to the title of the EA when requesting copies.
    The EA has 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 7th day of March 2011.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-5714 Filed 3-11-11; 8:45 am]
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