[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 163 (Thursday, August 24, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40131-40132]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-17877]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2017-0047]


Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection; 
Citrus Black Spot

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: New 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 approval of an information collection associated 
with the requirements for the interstate movement of regulated articles 
to prevent the spread of citrus black spot.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
October 23, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0047.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2017-0047, 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-2017-
0047 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 citrus black spot, 
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: Citrus Black Spot.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-XXXX.
    Type of Request: Approval of a new information collection.
    Abstract: As authorized by the Plant Protection Act (PPA, 7 U.S.C. 
7701 et seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture, either independently or in 
cooperation with States, may carry out operations or measures to 
detect, eradicate, suppress, control, prevent, or retard the spread of 
plant pests that are new to or not widely distributed within the United 
States. This authority has been delegated to the Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, which administers regulations to implement the PPA. Under 
the PPA, the Secretary may also issue regulations requiring plants and 
plant products moved in interstate commerce to be subject to remedial 
measures determined necessary to prevent the spread of the pest.
    APHIS issued Federal Orders for citrus black spot (CBS, Guignardia 
citricarpa) and established requirements for the movement of regulated 
articles such as citrus (Citrus spp.) fruit, all

[[Page 40132]]

citrus plants and plant parts, including leaves for consumption, and 
any other products, articles, or means of conveyance that an inspector 
determines presents a risk of spreading CBS.
    CBS, a fungal disease marked by dark, speckled spots or blotches on 
the rinds of fruit, is an economically significant citrus disease. It 
causes early fruit drop, reduces crop yield, and renders the highly 
blemished fruit unmarketable. While all commercial citrus cultivars are 
susceptible to CBS, the most vulnerable are lemons and late-maturing 
varieties of oranges like Valencia. These varieties are widely grown 
commercially in Florida and in other citrus-producing areas of the 
United States. The greatest risk of transmission of CBS is associated 
with infected nursery stock and decomposing citrus leaves that have 
fallen in groves. There is also a risk of disease transmission if 
infected leaves, plant debris, or fruit are not adequately covered or 
secured during transport.
    To safeguard U.S. agriculture, APHIS requires the respondents 
listed below to complete information collection activities, such as 
compliance agreements, certificates, limited permits, individually 
numbered trip tickets, disposal site approvals, and inspections.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget to approve our 
use of these information collection activities for 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 burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.26 hours per response.
    Respondents: U.S. producers, growers, packers, inspectors, 
individuals, and State officials.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 265.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 94.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses: 25,038.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 6,712 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 17th day of August 2017.
Michael C. Gregoire,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-17877 Filed 8-23-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P