[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 18, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5526-5527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-01016]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2016-0107]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Importation of Emerald Ash Borer Host Material From Canada

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment 
request.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's 
intention to request an extension of approval of an information 
collection associated with the regulations for the importation of 
emerald ash borer host material from Canada to prevent the introduction 
and spread of emerald ash borer in the United States.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before March 
20, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2016-0107.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2016-0107, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.
    Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may 
be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2016-
0107 or in our reading room, which 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) 799-7039 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the regulations for 
the importation of emerald ash borer host

[[Page 5527]]

material from Canada, contact Dr. Robert Baca, Assistant Director, 
Permitting and Compliance Coordination, Compliance and Environmental 
Coordination Branch, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 150, Riverdale, 
MD 20737; (301) 851-2292. For copies of more detailed information on 
the information collection, contact Ms. Kimberly Hardy, APHIS' 
Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851-2483.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Importation of Emerald Ash Borer Host Material from Canada.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0319.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Plant Protection Act (PPA, 7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) 
authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to restrict the importation, 
entry, or interstate movement of plants, plant products, and other 
articles to prevent the introduction of plant pests into the United 
States or their dissemination within the United States.
    As authorized by the PPA, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) regulates the importation of plants for planting into 
the United States from certain parts of the world as provided in 
``Subpart--Plants for Planting'' (7 CFR 319.37 through 319.37-14). This 
subpart restricts, among other things, the importation of living 
plants, plant parts, and seeds for propagation. In addition, APHIS 
regulates the importation of lumber and other wood articles as provided 
in ``Subpart-Logs, Lumber, and Other Wood Articles'' (7 CFR 319.40-1 
through 319.40-11). This subpart lists requirements for the importation 
of various logs, lumber, and other unmanufactured wood products into 
the United States. Both subparts contain regulations that restrict or 
prohibit the importation of emerald ash borer (EAB) host material from 
Canada to prevent the introduction and spread of EAB into the United 
States. EAB (Agrilus planipennis) is a destructive wood-boring insect 
that attacks ash trees. These regulations involve information 
collection activities, including phytosanitary certificates, permit 
applications, notices, notifications, agreements, records, and 
certificates of inspection.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of these information collection activities for an additional 3 
years.
    The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public 
(as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. 
These comments will help us:
    (1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, 
electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies; e.g., 
permitting electronic submission of responses.
    Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average 0.56 hours per response.
    Respondents: Importers of plants for planting and logs, lumber, and 
other wood articles from Canada; and the Canadian Food Inspection 
Agency.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 7.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 6.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 39.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 22 hours. (Due to 
averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of 
the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per 
response.)
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 11th day of January 2017.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-01016 Filed 1-17-17; 8:45 am]
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