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

Citation84 FR 48905
Record Number2019-20097
Published date17 September 2019
SectionNotices
CourtAnimal And Plant Health Inspection Service
Federal Register, Volume 84 Issue 180 (Tuesday, September 17, 2019)
[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]
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                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.
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                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.
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                 \1\ To view the notice, supporting documents, and the comments
                we received, go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2008-0142.
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                 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
                

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