[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 28 (Monday, February 13, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 10444]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-02871]


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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 28 / Monday, February 13, 2017 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 10444]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

7 CFR Parts 318, 319, 330, and 352

[Docket No. APHIS-2008-0076]
RIN 0579-AC98


Plant Pest Regulations; Update of Provisions

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: We are extending the comment period for our proposed rule that 
would revise our regulations regarding the movement of plant pests to 
propose criteria regarding the movement and environmental release of 
biological control organisms, and to establish regulations to allow the 
importation and movement in interstate commerce of certain types of 
plant pests without restriction by granting exceptions from permitting 
requirements for those pests. The proposal would also revise our 
regulations regarding the movement of soil. This action will allow 
interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.

DATES: The comment period for the proposed rule published on January 
19, 2017 (82 FR 6980) is extended. We will consider all comments that 
we receive on or before April 19, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2008-0076.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2008-0076, 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-2008-
0076 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: Dr. Colin D. Stewart, Assistant 
Director, Pests, Pathogens, and Biocontrol Permits Branch, Plant Health 
Programs, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1236; (301) 851-2237.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    On January 19, 2017, we published in the Federal Register (82 FR 
6980-7005, Docket No. APHIS-2008-0076) a proposal to revise our 
regulations regarding the movement of plant pests to propose criteria 
regarding the movement and environmental release of biological control 
organisms and to establish regulations to allow the importation and 
movement in interstate commerce of certain types of plant pests without 
restriction by granting exceptions from permitting requirements for 
those pests. We also proposed to revise our regulations regarding the 
movement of soil.
    Comments on the proposed rule were required to be received on or 
before March 20, 2017. We are extending the comment period on Docket 
No. APHIS-2008-0076 for an additional 30 days. This action will allow 
interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 7701-7772, 7781-7786, and 8301-8317; 21 
U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 7th day of February 2017.
Michael C. Gregoire,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-02871 Filed 2-10-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P