[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 180 (Tuesday, September 17, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48905-48906]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-20097]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2008-0142]


Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding 
of No Significant Impact for the Biological Control of Yellow 
Starthistle

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are advising the public that we have prepared a final 
environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact relative 
to the release of Ceratapion basicorne for the biological control of 
yellow starthistle, Centaurea solstitialis (Asteraceae), in the 
continental United States. 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. Colin D. Stewart, Assistant 
Director, Pests, Pathogens, and Biocontrol Permits, Permitting and 
Compliance Coordination, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 851-2327; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Yellow starthistle is a highly invasive weed 
that has become one of California's worst pests since its introduction 
prior to 1860. Since then, it has been reported in 41 of the 48 
contiguous U.S. States, with the heaviest infestations in the States of 
California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Yellow starthistle infests 
grassland habitats and displaces desirable plants in both natural and 
grazing areas. Its flowers have inch-long spines that deter feeding by 
and cause injury to grazing animals and lower the utility of 
recreational lands.
    On March 10, 2009, we published in the Federal Register (74 FR 
10224-10225, Docket No. APHIS-2008-0142) 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

[[Page 48906]]

associated with the release of Ceratapion basicorne for the biological 
control of yellow starthistle, Centaurea solstitialis (Asteraceae), in 
the continental United States.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ To view the notice, supporting documents, and the comments 
we received, go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2008-0142.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We solicited comments on the EA for 30 days ending April 9, 2009. 
We received one comment by that date. Our response to the comment is 
included in the final EA.
    In this document, we are advising the public of our finding of no 
significant impact (FONSI) regarding the release of C. basicorne for 
the biological control of yellow starthistle in the continental United 
States. The finding, which is based on the EA, reflects our 
determination that release of C. basicorne will not have a significant 
impact on the quality of the human environment. Concurrent with this 
announcement, we will issue a permit for the release of C. basicorne 
for the biological control of yellow starthistle.
    The EA and FONSI may be viewed on the Regulations.gov website (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) 799-7039 to facilitate 
entry into the reading room. In addition, copies may be obtained by 
calling or writing to the individual listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.
    The EA and FONSI 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 11th day of September 2019.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-20097 Filed 9-16-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P