related quarantine, domestic: Fire ant, imported,

[Federal Register: November 10, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 217)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 62919]

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

[DOCID:fr10no98-1]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

7 CFR Part 301

[Docket No. 97-101-3]

Imported Fire Ant Quarantined Areas

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Affirmation of interim rules as final rule.

SUMMARY: We are adopting as a final rule, without change, two interim rules that amended the imported fire ant regulations by designating as quarantined areas all or portions of 9 counties in Arkansas, 10 counties in North Carolina, 3 counties in Oklahoma, 5 counties in South Carolina, 15 counties in Tennessee, and 13 counties in Texas. The interim rules were necessary in order to impose certain restrictions on the interstate movement of regulated articles from these areas to prevent the artificial spread of the imported fire ant to noninfested areas of the United States.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Affirmation effective November 10, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ron Milberg, Operations Officer, Operational Support, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 134, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236, (301) 734-5255; or e-mail: ron.p.milberg@usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

In an interim rule effective and published in the Federal Register on January 28, 1998 (63 FR 4151-4154, Docket No. 97-101-1), we amended Sec. 301.81-3(e) of the imported fire ant regulations by designating as quarantined areas all or portions of 10 counties in North Carolina, 3 counties in Oklahoma, 5 counties in South Carolina, 15 counties in Tennessee, and 13 counties in Texas. In another interim rule, effective and published in the Federal Register on July 2, 1998 (63 FR 36155- 36156, Docket No. 97-101-2), we amended Sec. 301.81-3(e) of the imported fire ant regulations by designating as quarantined areas 9 counties in Arkansas. The interim rules were necessary in order to impose certain restrictions on the interstate movement of regulated articles from these areas to prevent the artificial spread of the imported fire ant to noninfested areas of the United States.

Comments on the first interim rule (Docket No. 97-101-1) were required to be received on or before March 30, 1998. Comments on the second interim rule (Docket No. 97-101-2) were required to be received on or before August 31, 1998. We did not receive any comments on either interim rule. Therefore, for the reasons given in the interim rules, we are adopting the interim rules as a final rule.

This action also affirms the information contained in the interim rules 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 the review process required by Executive Order 12866.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 301

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

PART 301--DOMESTIC QUARANTINE NOTICES

Accordingly, we are adopting as a final rule, without change, two interim rules that amended 7 CFR 301 and that were published at 63 FR 4151-4154 on January 28, 1998, and 63 FR 36155-36156 on July 2, 1998.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 147a, 150bb, 150dd, 150ee, 150ff, 161, 162, and 164-167; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.2(c).

Done in Washington, DC, this 30th day of October, 1998. Craig A. Reed, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 98-30135Filed11-9-98; 8:45 am]

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