05-13298. Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Gypsy Moth Host Material From Canada

AGENCY:

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection in support of regulations to prevent the introduction of gypsy moth into noninfested areas of the United States from Canada.

DATES:

We will consider all comments that we receive on or before September 6, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by any of the following methods:

• EDOCKET: Go to http://www.epa.gov/​feddocket to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once you have entered EDOCKET, click on the “View Open APHIS Dockets” link to locate this document.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. 05-031-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. 05-031-1.

Reading Room: You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our reading room. The reading room 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.

Other Information: You may view APHIS documents published in the Federal Register and related information on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/​ppd/​rad/​webrepor.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For information on the regulations regarding importation of gypsy moth host material from Canada, contact Mr. Weyman Fussell, Program Manager, Pest Detection and Management Program, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 134, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; [phone]. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS’ Information Collection Coordinator, at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Importation of Gypsy Moth Host Material from Canada.

OMB Number: 0579-0142.

Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection.

Abstract: As authorized by the Plant Protection Act (PPA, 7 U.S.C. 7701-7772) the Secretary of Agriculture may prohibit or restrict the importation, entry, exportation, or movement in interstate commerce of any plant, plant product, biological control organism, noxious weed, means of conveyance, or other article if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent a plant pest or noxious weed from being introduced into or disseminated within the United States. This authority has been delegated to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which administers regulations to implement the PPA. Regulations governing the importation of gypsy moth host material into the United States from Canada are contained in 7 CFR 319.77 through 319.77-5.

These regulations are intended to prevent the introduction of gypsy moth into noninfested areas of the United States by placing certain inspection and documentation requirements on gypsy moth host material (i.e., regulated articles) from Canada. These regulated articles are: Trees without roots (e.g., Christmas trees), trees with roots, shrubs with roots and persistent woody stems, logs and pulpwood with back attached, outdoor household articles, and mobile homes and their associated equipment. Under the regulations, phytosanitary certificates, certificates of origin, or signed homeowner statements will be required for some of these regulated articles, depending on their place of origin in Canada and their destination in the United States. These requirements necessitate the use of information collection activities.

We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of these information collection activities for an additional 3 years.

The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. These comments will help us:

(1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies; e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.03632 hours per response.

Respondents: Canadian plant health authorities; growers, exporters, shippers of Christmas trees, shrubs, logs, pulpwood, and other articles from gypsy moth-infested Provinces in Canada; private individuals entering the United States with mobile homes or outdoor household articles.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 147.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 15.17007.

Estimated annual number of responses: 2,230.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 81 hours. (Due to averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per response.)

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

Done in Washington, DC, this 29th day of June 2005.

Kevin Shea,

Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.