2017-02871. Plant Pest Regulations; Update of Provisions

AGENCY:

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

SUMMARY:

We are extending the comment period for our proposed rule that would revise our regulations regarding the movement of plant pests to propose criteria regarding the movement and environmental release of biological control organisms, and to establish regulations to allow the importation and movement in interstate commerce of certain types of plant pests without restriction by granting exceptions from permitting requirements for those pests. The proposal would also revise our regulations regarding the movement of soil. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.

DATES:

The comment period for the proposed rule published on January 19, 2017 (82 FR 6980) is extended. We will consider all comments that we receive on or before April 19, 2017.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/​#!docketDetail;​D=​APHIS-2008-0076.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2008-0076, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov/​#!docketDetail;​D=​APHIS-2008-0076 or 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 [phone] before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dr. Colin D. Stewart, Assistant Director, Pests, Pathogens, and Biocontrol Permits Branch, Plant Health Programs, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On January 19, 2017, we published in the Federal Register (82 FR 6980-7005, Docket No. APHIS-2008-0076) a proposal to revise our regulations regarding the movement of plant pests to propose criteria regarding the movement and environmental release of biological control organisms and to establish regulations to allow the importation and movement in interstate commerce of certain types of plant pests without restriction by granting exceptions from permitting requirements for those pests. We also proposed to revise our regulations regarding the movement of soil.

Comments on the proposed rule were required to be received on or before March 20, 2017. We are extending the comment period on Docket No. APHIS-2008-0076 for an additional 30 days. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 7701-7772, 7781-7786, and 8301-8317; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.

Done in Washington, DC, this 7th day of February 2017.

Michael C. Gregoire,

Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.