Plant-related quarantine, domestic: Fire ant, imported,

[Federal Register: May 8, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 89)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 24613]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr08my03-3]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

7 CFR Part 301

[Docket No. 02-114-2]

Imported Fire Ant; Additions to Quarantined Areas

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Affirmation of interim rule as final rule.

SUMMARY: We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that amended the imported fire ant regulations by designating as quarantined areas all or portions of six counties in South Carolina and nine counties in Tennessee and restricting the interstate movement of regulated articles from those areas. This interim rule was necessary to prevent the artificial spread of the imported fire ant to noninfested areas of the United States.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The interim rule became effective on January 30, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Charles L. Brown, Imported Fire Ant Program Manager, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 134, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-8247.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

In an interim rule effective January 30, 2003, and published in the Federal Register on February 5, 2003 (68 FR 5794-5796, Docket No. 02- 114-1), we amended the imported fire ant regulations contained in 7 CFR 301.81 through 301.81-10 by adding all or portions of six counties in South Carolina and nine counties in Tennessee to the list of quarantined areas in Sec. 301.81-3(e). As a result of that interim rule, the interstate movement of regulated articles from these areas is restricted.

Comments on the interim rule were required to be received on or before April 7, 2003. We received two comments by that date. The comments were from private citizens. Both commenters generally supported the interim rule. Therefore, for the reasons given in the interim rule, we are adopting the interim rule as a final rule.

This action also affirms the information contained in the interim rule concerning Executive Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility Act, Executive Orders 12372 and 12988, and the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Further, for this action, the Office of Management and Budget has waived its review under Executive Order 12866.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 301

Agricultural commodities, Plant diseases and pests, Quarantine, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.

PART 301--DOMESTIC QUARANTINE NOTICES

0 Accordingly, we are adopting as a final rule, without change, the interim rule that amended 7 CFR part 301 and that was published at 68 FR 5794-5796 on February 5, 2003.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7711, 7712, 7714, 7731, 7735, 7751, 7752, 7753, 7754, and 7760; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.

Done in Washington, DC, this 2nd day of May 2003. Peter Fernandez, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 03-11437 Filed 5-7-03; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-34-P