related quarantine, foreign: Rhododendron established in growing media; importation,
[Federal Register: June 1, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 104)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 29675-29676]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01jn98-33]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
7 CFR Part 319
[Docket No. 89-154-4]
Importation of Rhododendron Established in Growing Media
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of extension of comment period.
SUMMARY: We are extending the comment period on a proposal to allow the importation of Rhododendron established in growing media. Final action on that proposal had been deferred to allow consultation regarding the action with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, in accordance with the Endangered Species Act. That consultation has been completed, and, as a result, the proposed action has been limited to Rhododendron imported from Europe only. This extension of the comment period will allow interested groups and individuals with additional time to prepare comments on the proposal.
DATES: Consideration will be given only to comments received on or before July 30, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Please send an original and three copies of your comments to Docket No. 89-154-3, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, suite 3C03, 4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comments refer to Docket No. 89-154-3. Comments received may be inspected 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 comments are requested to call ahead on (202) 690-2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Pete M. Grosser, Senior Import Specialist, PIMT, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 140, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-6799.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background
On September 7, 1993, we published in the Federal Register a proposed rule (58 FR 47074-47084, Docket No. 89-154-1) to allow the importation of five genera of plants established in growing media. That proposal is referred to below as ``the proposed rule.'' We accepted comments on the proposed rule for a period of 90 days, ending December 6, 1993.
In a final rule published in the Federal Register on January 13, 1995, and effective on February 13, 1995 (60 FR 3067-3078, Docket No. 89-154-2), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) finalized provisions for the importation of Alstroemeria, Ananas, Anthurium, and Nidularium. The final rule postponed action on Rhododendron established in growing media.
On April 30, 1998, we published in the Federal Register (63 FR 23683-23685, Docket No. 89-154-3) a notice reopening and extending the comment period on the proposal to allow the importation of Rhododendron established in growing media. Final action on the initial proposal had been deferred to allow consultation regarding the action with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, in accordance with the Endangered Species Act. That consultation has been completed, and, as a result, the notice also announced APHIS's intention to limit the proposed action to Rhododendron imported from Europe only.
[[Page 29676]]
Comments were required to be received on or before June 1, 1998. We received two requests to extend the period during which comments will be accepted. The requests were from trade organizations. In response, we are extending the comment period on Docket No. 89-154-3 until July 30, 1998. This action will allow interested groups and individuals additional time to prepare and submit comments.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 150dd, 150ee, 150ff, 151-167, 450, 2803, and 2809; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.2(c).
Done in Washington, DC, this 27th day of May 1998. Charles P. Schwalbe, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 98-14421Filed5-29-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
