[Federal Register: August 14, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 156)]
[Notices]
[Page 45413-45414]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14au07-35]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2007-0021]
Louisiana State University; Availability of an Environmental
Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for a Field Test of Two
Non-Pathogenic, Genetically Engineered Strains of Burkholderia glumae.
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 has prepared an environmental assessment for a
proposed field test involving two genetically engineered strains of the
bacteria, Burkholderia glumae. Burkholderia glumae is a plant pathogen
that causes panicle blight in rice (Oryza sativa). The purpose of this
field test is to conduct experiments that will provide information on
the pathogenicity of Burkholderia glumae and will assist in the
development of control methods to reduce yield loss caused by panicle
blight. After assessing the application, reviewing pertinent scientific
information, and considering public comment, we have concluded that
this field test will not present a plant pest risk, nor will it have a
significant impact on the quality of the human environment. Based on
its
[[Page 45414]]
finding of no significant impact, the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service has determined that an environmental impact
statement need not be prepared for this field test.
DATES: Effective Date: August 6, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may read the environmental assessment (EA), finding of
no significant impact (FONSI), and our response to the one the comment
we received on the EA 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) 690-2817 before coming. The EA, FONSI and
decision notice, and our response to the public comment are available
on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/aphisdocs/06_11101r_ea.pdf
.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Andrea Huberty, Biotechnology
Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 147, Riverdale, MD
20737-1236; (301) 734-0659. To obtain copies of the EA, FONSI and
decision notice, and our response to the public comment, contact Ms.
Cynthia Eck at (301) 734-0667; e-mail: cynthia.a.eck@aphis.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The regulations in 7 CFR part 340,
``Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or Produced Through
Genetic Engineering Which Are Plant Pests or Which There Is Reason to
Believe Are Plant Pests,'' regulate, among other things, the
introduction (importation, interstate movement, or release into the
environment) of organisms and products altered or produced through
genetic engineering that are plant pests or that there is reason to
believe are plant pests. Such genetically engineered organisms and
products are considered ``regulated articles.'' A permit must be
obtained or a notification acknowledged before a regulated article may
be introduced. The regulations set forth the permit application
requirements and the notification procedures for the importation,
interstate movement, or release in the environment of a regulated
article.
On April 21, 2006, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS) received a permit application (APHIS No. 06-111-01r) from
Louisiana State University, in Baton Rouge, LA for a field test using
strains of the bacterium Burkholderia glumae. Permit application 06-
111-01r describes four Burkholderia glumae strains--two wild-type
strains, one of which is disease-causing and the other naturally non-
pathogenic, endemic to the United States, and two genetically
engineered, non-pathogenic strains that share the same avirulent
phenotype. The transgenic strains were created by placing base pairs of
a methyltransferase gene into the cloning vector. The introduced
vector, along with the methyltransferase gene, will integrate into the
bacterial chromosome by homologous recombination.
The subject Burkholderia glumae is considered a regulated article
under the regulations in 7 CFR part 340 because it is the causal
pathological agent of panicle blight in rice, a plant disease occurring
in the United States.
On June 19, 2007, APHIS published a notice \1\ in the Federal
Register (72 FR 33735-33736, Docket No. APHIS-2007-0021) announcing the
availability of an environmental assessment (EA) for a field test of
two non-pathogenic, genetically engineered strains of Burkholderia
glumae. During the 30-day comment period, which ended on June 19, 2007,
APHIS received one comment, from an academic professional who opposed
APHIS granting the permit. APHIS has addressed the issues raised in the
comment and has provided a response as an attachment to the finding of
no significant impact (FONSI).
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\1\ To view the notice, the EA, and the comment we received, go
to http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2007-0021
.
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Pursuant to the regulations in 7 CFR part 340 promulgated under the
Plant Protection Act, APHIS has determined that this field test will
not pose a risk of introducing or disseminating a plant pest.
Additionally, based upon analysis described in the EA, APHIS has
determined that the action proposed in Alternative C of the EA, issue
the permit with supplemental permit conditions, will not have a
significant impact on the quality of the human environment. You may
read the FONSI and decision notice on the Internet or in the APHIS
reading room (see ADDRESSES above). Copies may also be obtained from
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
The EA and FONSI were 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).
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7701-7772 and 7781-7786; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7
CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.
Done in Washington, DC, this 8th day of August 2007.
Cindy Smith,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E7-15932 Filed 8-13-07; 8:45 am]
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