94-23739. Export of American Ginseng Harvested in 1994-1996 Seasons  

  • [Federal Register Volume 59, Number 185 (Monday, September 26, 1994)]
    [Unknown Section]
    [Page 0]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 94-23739]
    
    
    [[Page Unknown]]
    
    [Federal Register: September 26, 1994]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
    50 CFR Part 23
    
    RIN 1018-AC55
    
     
    
    Export of American Ginseng Harvested in 1994-1996 Seasons
    
    AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
    
    ACTION: Proposed rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of 
    Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regulates certain international trade in 
    plant and animal species. Export of plants and animals listed in CITES 
    Appendix II may occur only if the Scientific Authority has advised the 
    permit-issuing Management Authority that such export will not be 
    detrimental to the survival of the species and if the Management 
    Authority is satisfied that the plant or animal specimens to be 
    exported were not obtained in violation of laws for their protection. 
    Export of cultivated specimens of plants listed in Appendix II may 
    occur under certificates issued by the Management Authority if it is 
    satisfied that the plants to be exported were artificially propagated.
        This document announces proposed findings on export of American 
    ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) from the 1994-1996 harvest seasons in 22 
    States. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) reviews 
    information and data on the topics described in this proposed rule as a 
    basis for determining whether to continue approval of export from 
    specified States for the 1994-96 harvest seasons or to initiate 
    changes. For Iowa and Wisconsin, approval is only for 1994. In 
    addition, the State of North Dakota has applied to export cultivated 
    ginseng under a State program; the State of Maine has submitted 
    legislation which has been signed to set up a State program for the 
    export of cultivated ginseng and is working to finalize the details of 
    the program and to apply for export approval; and the State of Michigan 
    has submitted draft legislation and is intending to complete its 
    application to export cultivated ginseng under a State program soon. 
    The Service proposes to approve only exports of cultivated ginseng from 
    those three States, contingent on submission of adequate final State 
    information.
        Monitoring State ginseng programs for 16 years has shown that the 
    States from which ginseng export has been approved are likely to 
    continue to satisfy CITES requirements. To ensure that this is so, the 
    Service plans to continue its monitoring in accordance with the 
    procedures described herein, which have been somewhat streamlined and 
    clarified. This monitoring includes analysis of program reports made 
    available to the Service no later than May 31 each year from each State 
    from which ginseng export is approved. These annual reports document 
    the most recent previous harvest and the current status of the State's 
    program for ginseng.
        The requirement that all ginseng be inspected and certified by 
    State officials is being modified to require that all wild ginseng be 
    inspected and certified by State officials. Cultivated ginseng may be 
    certified by licensed or registered dealers approved by the State to 
    make such an accounting. This change is being considered since: (1) The 
    origin of the roots is declared as to whether the plant was cultivated 
    or taken from the wild; and (2) the marked difference in appearance and 
    price between wild and cultivated ginseng make it reasonably unlikely 
    that wild ginseng would be sold as cultivated ginseng.
    
    DATES: The Service will consider all information and comments received 
    by October 26, 1994, in making its final decision on this proposal. 
    State ginseng program reports are due by May 31 of 1995, 1996, and 
    1997.
    
    ADDRESSES: Please send correspondence concerning this document to 
    Chief, Office of Management Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
    1849 C Street, N.W. (MS-ARLSQ-420C), Washington, DC 20240. Express and 
    messenger deliveries should be addressed to Chief, Office of Management 
    Authority, Room 430, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia 
    22203. Materials received will be available for public inspection by 
    appointment from 7:45 am to 4:15 pm, Monday through Friday, at the 
    Office of Management Authority at the Arlington address.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Management Authority: Marshall P. 
    Jones, Chief, Office of Management Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
    Service, 1849 C Street, N.W. (MS-ARLSQ-420C), Washington, DC 20240; fax 
    number 703-358-2280, telephone 703-358-2095.
        Scientific Authority: Dr. Charles W. Dane, Chief, Office of 
    Scientific Authority (MS-ARLSQ-725), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
    Washington, DC 20240; fax number 703-358-2276, telephone 703-358-1708.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Convention on International Trade in 
    Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regulates certain 
    international trade in CITES-listed species. Export of specimens of 
    species listed in Appendix II of the treaty may only occur upon 
    approval of a Scientific Authority and a Management Authority of the 
    country of export. In the United States, the Scientific Authority and 
    Management Authority responsibilities are assigned to the Secretary of 
    the Interior and are carried out by offices of the U.S. Fish and 
    Wildlife Service.
        CITES provides for listing of whole plants and specifically 
    designated parts and derivatives of Appendix II plants. Since 1973, 
    whole plants and roots of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) have 
    been so listed. In 1985, for reasons unrelated to the trade in American 
    ginseng, the CITES Parties (member countries) revised listing practices 
    and decided to regulate not only whole specimens of plants on Appendix 
    II, but also all their readily recognizable parts and derivatives, 
    unless they were specifically excluded. As a consequence, the listing 
    for ginseng needed restatement, and the listing proposal adopted by the 
    Parties (November 22, 1985, 50 FR 48212) continues to regulate ginseng 
    exports, including plants, whole roots, essentially intact roots, and 
    root chunks and slices [50 CFR 23.23(d)(3)].
        The Service may issue findings yearly or for more than one year. It 
    began making multiyear findings for the export of American ginseng on a 
    State-by-State basis with issuance of the Scientific Authority and 
    Management Authority findings to cover the 1982-84 harvest seasons. On 
    October 4, 1982 (47 FR 43701), the Service reported that it found that 
    the status of wild ginseng did not appear to vary greatly from one year 
    to the next within any given State, and that the existing information 
    compiled was adequate to justify findings under CITES for 3 years. The 
    initial multiyear rule was followed by a second such rule for the 1985-
    87 harvest seasons (50 FR 39691, September 30, 1985; 50 FR 42027, 
    October 17, 1985), and subsequent rules for the 1988-90 seasons (53 FR 
    33815, September 1, 1988) and the 1991-93 seasons (56 FR 41806, August 
    23, 1991).
        The Service uses information compiled since 1977 to make the 
    multiyear findings. This notice concerns the Service's proposed 
    findings to approve the export of American ginseng to be collected in 
    certain States in the 1994-96 harvest seasons. The Service plans to 
    continue to review current biological and harvest information 
    concerning ginseng and those State programs approved for exporting of 
    their ginseng. The State information previously submitted need not be 
    resubmitted if it is incorporated by reference and its validity 
    reaffirmed. The Service is retaining the option to revise 3-year 
    findings whenever warranted by information that shows the need for 
    change. The procedures herein have been somewhat streamlined and 
    clarified, and the Service would welcome comments concerning further 
    simplification of these procedures.
    
    Scientific Authority Criteria
    
        The overall criteria used by the Scientific Authority in finding 
    whether export will not be detrimental to the survival of a species are 
    generally as follows (summarized from a notice of July 11, 1977; 42 FR 
    35800):
        1. Whether such export has occurred in the past and has appreciably 
    reduced numbers or distribution of the species;
        2. Whether such export has or is expected to increase, remain 
    constant, or decrease; and
        3. Whether the life-history parameters of the species and relevant 
    structure and function in its ecosystems indicate that the present or 
    proposed levels of export, considered with the potential impacts of 
    other factors, are expected to appreciably reduce the numbers or 
    distribution of the species, or cause signs of appreciable ecological 
    stress within the species and/or in other species within its 
    ecosystems.
        For ginseng, the evaluation for nondetriment by the Scientific 
    Authority, in accordance with these general criteria, is based on the 
    information and data submitted on the following topics by each affected 
    State and from other appropriate sources. Information previously 
    submitted that remains valid need only be referenced.
        The following information and data for wild ginseng can be 
    conveniently recorded by natural region(s) of the State or by county, 
    preferably on a State map, or in a table of the counties. Ginseng is to 
    be considered wild if it occurs in naturally perpetuated habitat where 
    the species is naturally propagated or with only limited planting of 
    seeds and with no subsequent tending of plants or habitat before 
    harvest.
        1. Historic distribution of ginseng, with indication of optimal 
    habitat.
        2. Location and approximate acreage of statute-protected lands in 
    the State on which wild ginseng occurs and where collecting is 
    prohibited.
        3. Present abundance of ginseng, using the indices of 0 = absent, 1 
    = rare, 2 = occasional, 3 = frequent.
        4. Density within the ginseng populations for each natural region 
    (or county) where present, using the indices of 1 = sparse, 2 = 
    moderate, 3 = dense.
        5. Harvest collecting intensity, using the indices of 0 = none, 1 = 
    light, 2 = moderate, 3 = heavy.
        6. Preferably by natural regions of the State (or by county) rather 
    than statewide, the average number of roots per pound (dry weight) as 
    purchased by dealers.
        7. Information on trends in wild ginseng populations for the State 
    or, if possible, natural regions of the State, indicating whether 
    populations are apparently increasing, stable, decreasing, or being 
    extirpated.
        In addition for the wild ginseng, the following information and 
    data can be provided in narrative form:
        1. Approximate number of ginseng collectors (diggers) in the State 
    and whether the number appears to be increasing, stable, or decreasing.
        2. A description (or copy) of the State's regulations for the 
    annual harvest of wild ginseng, including (a) designated harvest 
    season--preferably to begin after seeds are mature; and (b) harvest 
    requirements, such as (i) minimum size or age of plants allowed to be 
    collected--at least 3-leaf (3-prong) is recommended, and (ii) whether 
    seeds from collected plants are to be planted and only at the harvest 
    sites, etc.
        3. Number of pounds (dry weight) of ginseng roots certified by the 
    State for export.
        4. Information on trends in roots per pound (dry weight) for the 
    State or, if possible, natural regions of the State, indicating whether 
    the number of roots per pound appears to be increasing, stable, or 
    decreasing.
        5. A brief description of any research projects related to 
    ginseng's status that the State has initiated or that are ongoing in 
    the State.
        6. The State's opinion, based on the information and data provided 
    on the topics above and any other information and data that the State 
    may provide, as to whether the removal of the ginseng from the wild in 
    the State might have been adverse for the State's entire population of 
    the species.
         For cultivated ginseng, the following information and data can be 
    provided in map, tabular, or narrative form. Ginseng is considered 
    cultivated when it is artificially propagated and maintained under 
    controlled conditions, for example in intensively or intermittently 
    prepared or managed gardens or patches under artificial or natural 
    shade.
        1. Counties in which ginseng is commercially cultivated.
        2. The number of pounds (dry weight) of cultivated ginseng roots 
    certified by the State for export.
    
    Management Authority Criteria
    
        In addition to the Scientific Authority finding that ginseng 
    exports will not be detrimental to the survival of the species, the 
    Management Authority must be satisfied (1) that the ginseng was not 
    obtained in contravention of laws for its protection, and (2) as to 
    whether it was of wild or cultivated origin.
        Criteria used by the Management Authority in determining a State 
    program's qualifications for export are that the State has adopted and 
    is implementing the following regulatory measures (see 50 FR 39691, 
    September 30, 1985):
        1. A State ginseng law and regulations mandating State licensing or 
    registration of persons purchasing or selling ginseng collected or 
    grown in that State.
        2. State requirements that these licensed or registered ginseng 
    dealers maintain true and complete records of their commerce in the 
    annually harvested ginseng and provide copies of such records to the 
    State in a signed and dated statement at least every 90 days (within 15 
    days of end of each quarter of calendar year) and a year-end accounting 
    of the total commerce for the year.
        3. Dealer records required to show date of transaction, whether 
    roots and plants were wild or cultivated, if roots were dried or fresh 
    (green) at time of transaction, weight of roots, weight or number of 
    plants, State of origin of roots or plants, and identification numbers 
    of the State certificates used to ship ginseng from the State of 
    origin. The name and address of the seller or buyer of record of the 
    ginseng shall be maintained by the dealer on his/her own copy of 
    commerce record forms supplied by the State(s) of licensing and shall 
    be made available to the State ginseng-program manager(s) upon request.
        4. Inspection and certification by State personnel of all wild 
    ginseng harvested in the State to authenticate that ginseng was legally 
    obtained from wild sources within the State. Cultivated ginseng 
    harvested in the State may be certified by licensed or registered 
    dealers approved by the State to make such an accounting of this 
    ginseng.
        Experience has shown the value of an inspection and certification 
    program by State official(s) who can document both the weight of the 
    ginseng roots (weight or number of plants) involved and that they were 
    legally taken from the wild or cultivated in that State. Dealer 
    certification for cultivated ginseng is being considered because the 
    declared origin of the root is indicative of whether it is wild or 
    cultivated and the marked difference in appearance and price between 
    wild and cultivated ginseng makes it reasonably unlikely that wild 
    ginseng would be certified by a State-approved dealer as cultivated. 
    Cultivated ginseng may be recorded by such a dealer and exported with 
    appropriate CITES export documents without further certification by 
    State officials.
        5. Ginseng unsold by March 31 of the year after harvest must be 
    weighed by the State, and the dealer, digger, or root owner given a 
    State weight receipt. Future State export certification of this stock 
    for export is to be issued against the State weight receipt.
        6. Certificate of origin forms for wild ginseng must remain in 
    State control until issued at certification. The certificate of origin 
    forms for all ginseng must contain the following information:
    
    (a) State of origin;
    (b) Serial number of certificate;
    (c) Dealer's State registration number;
    (d) Dealer's shipment number for that harvest season;
    (e) Year of harvest of ginseng being certified;
    (f) Designation as wild or cultivated roots or plants;
    (g) Designation as dried or fresh (green) roots, or live plants;
    (h) Weight of roots or plants (or number of plants) separately 
    expressed both numerically and in writing;
    (i) Verified statement by State ginseng official that the ginseng was 
    obtained in that State in accordance with the State law of that harvest 
    year;
    (j) Name and title of State certifying official;
    (k) Date of certification;
    (l) Signatures of both the dealer and the State official making 
    certification.
    
        This certificate should be issued in triplicate, with the original 
    designated for the dealer's use in commerce, first copy for dealer 
    records, and second copy retained by the State for reference.
        7. State regulations that (a) prohibit export from the State of its 
    ginseng without certification by the State of origin, and (b) require 
    uncertified ginseng supplied to State-registered dealers to be returned 
    to the State of origin within 30 calendar days for certification. 
    Failure to have such ginseng certified will render those roots illegal 
    for commerce under State law.
        Each State from which ginseng export is approved shall, without 
    further notice, make program information on each year's harvest 
    available to the Service's Office of Management Authority no later than 
    May 31 of the subsequent year (e.g., the State's 1994 ginseng data 
    should be received by May 31, 1995). These data should be sufficient to 
    satisfy the Scientific Authority criteria indicated above. The 
    following information is needed to satisfy the Management Authority 
    criteria:
    
        1. Reaffirm the State ginseng program and indicate modifications, 
    if any, concerning:
    
    (a) State ginseng laws and regulations;
    (b) Season of ginseng harvest and commerce;
    (c) State dealer, digger, and/or grower license or registration rules;
    (d) Sample of required ginseng-related licenses, including dates of 
    authorized use;
    (e) Fees for any ginseng-related license or registration;
    (f) Dealer, digger, or grower record maintenance and reporting 
    requirements;
    (g) Sample of current-year dealer certificates and reporting forms;
    (h) Description of State certification system for wild and cultivated 
    ginseng legally harvested within the State, including controls to deter 
    uncertified ginseng from moving out of or into the State;
    (i) Name, address, telephone number, and fax number of State official 
    to contact concerning such information.
    
        2. The State data should also include information on the following:
    
    (a) Pounds (dry weight) of wild and of cultivated ginseng roots and 
    weight or number of live plants (i) harvested and (ii) certified by the 
    State, and (iii) the pounds of each bought and sold from in-State and 
    from out-of-State sources;
    (b) How dealers not resident in the State obtain certification for 
    ginseng roots harvested in that State and how this type of commerce is 
    controlled by State law;
    (c) Ginseng law enforcement procedures, violations discovered, and 
    remedies; and
    (d) A sample of the current-year State certificate of legal take and 
    origin.
    
    Program for Cultivated Ginseng
    
        On October 21, 1980 (45 FR 68944), the Service announced that it 
    would approve export of cultivated ginseng only from States for which 
    the export of wild-collected ginseng was approved because those States 
    had programs that could adequately document the source of the ginseng. 
    On October 4, 1982 (47 FR 43701), the Service announced that it would 
    approve export of cultivated ginseng from other States if procedures 
    had been implemented to minimize the risk that wild-collected plants 
    would be claimed as cultivated. The Service continues to consider 
    granting such approval.
        The State of North Dakota has applied to export cultivated ginseng, 
    and the Service is proposing to approve such exports from this State. 
    North Dakota is considered outside the native range of ginseng. The 
    State of Michigan (which is within the native range of the species) was 
    granted interim approval to export cultivated ginseng from the 1993 
    harvest. The State has been working with the Service to finalize 
    procedures under a new State law and is planning on completing their 
    submission requesting approval of their ginseng program prior to the 
    publication of the final rule. The Service is considering the approval 
    of such exports from this State. The Service's proposal to approve 
    Michigan's program is dependent upon receiving the required 
    information. The State of Maine (which is within the native range of 
    the species) has passed legislation setting up a State program for 
    cultivated ginseng and is working to complete their submission for 
    export approval for cultivated ginseng only. The Service is considering 
    the approval of such exports pending satisfactory completion of the 
    application for export approval.
    
    Previous Export Approval
    
        On August 23, 1991 (56 FR 41806), the Service approved multiyear 
    export of 1991-93 harvested ginseng only from States with a legally 
    regulated ginseng program that provided for a State certification and 
    inspection system and that satisfied the other criteria of the 
    Management Authority and the Scientific Authority. The export of wild 
    and cultivated ginseng harvested from 1991 through 1993 was approved 
    only from the 19 States indicated in the Code of Federal Regulations 
    [50 CFR 23.51(e)(1)]--see the 1991-1993 column in the table at the end 
    of this document. Documents containing information that provided the 
    basis for the Service's findings of legal take and origin are on file 
    at the Office of Management Authority at the address given above.
        Such export approval means that any ginseng legally harvested 
    during those years from Service-approved State programs may be exported 
    at any time when accompanied by appropriate State certification and 
    valid Federal export documents granted by the U.S. Management 
    Authority. For example, ginseng legally harvested in 1992 under a 
    Service-approved State program may be exported in 1994 when accompanied 
    by the 1992 State certificate of origin, a 1994 export document issued 
    by the Management Authority, and an exporter's invoice.
    
    Multiyear Findings
    
        As a result of monitoring State ginseng programs and the status of 
    ginseng since 1977, the Service expects that States from which the 
    export of ginseng has been approved will continue to satisfy CITES 
    requirements and that continued export of ginseng from these States 
    will not be detrimental to the survival of the species. Therefore, 
    States previously approved for export of ginseng for the 1991-93 
    harvest seasons need not submit completely new applications for export 
    program approval for the 1994-96 harvest seasons. However, in relation 
    to both the set of criteria used by the Scientific Authority and the 
    set used by the Management Authority, each State needs to reaffirm the 
    validity of its existing program and to notify the Service of any 
    modifications or changes.
        This report with information on the 1993 harvest, reaffirmation of 
    the ongoing State program, and any new program information should have 
    been received by May 31, 1994, from all States from which ginseng 
    export has been approved for the 1991-93 harvest years (see 56 FR 
    41806; August 23, 1991). The States of Iowa and Wisconsin have been 
    notified of the Service's concerns over the lack of State certification 
    for wild ginseng. Therefore, the Service is proposing to approve export 
    of wild and cultivated ginseng from these two States for 1 year only. 
    Findings allowing further export will be made based on compliance with 
    Service requirements. The Service is proposing to find that the status 
    of the species and State programs is such that the 1994-96 harvests of 
    ginseng for export will not be detrimental to the survival of the 
    species for 17 of the 19 States approved for the 1991-93 harvest 
    seasons. In addition, the Service is proposing the approval of exports 
    of cultivated ginseng from Maine and Michigan, pending receipt of 
    required information, and from North Dakota, which is outside the 
    species' native range.
        Any States wishing to initiate export programs for ginseng should 
    begin working with the Service early so that their finalized request 
    for approval can be submitted by March 31 of the year in which the 
    State anticipates certifying that season's ginseng for export.
        Service export approval is subject to revision prior to the 1995 
    and 1996 harvest seasons if a review of information reveals that 
    Management Authority or Scientific Authority findings on any approved 
    State may need to be changed. The Service proposes not to grant general 
    approval for export of ginseng originating in any State not named in 
    the 1994 codification of 50 CFR 23.51(e), for one or more of the 
    following reasons: (1) The species does not occur there; (2) no harvest 
    of the species is allowed by the State; or (3) the Service does not 
    have current information needed for Management Authority and/or 
    Scientific Authority findings.
        To ensure that States for which ginseng export is approved by the 
    Service maintain successful programs so that export is not detrimental 
    to the survival of this species, the Service plans to annually review 
    the export documents returned from U.S. Department of Agriculture ports 
    and the information and data submitted by the States, including any 
    unexplained changes in harvest levels and any other concerns presented 
    in the State-submitted reports. Taking into account the State 
    evaluations, the Service will continue to make an overall evaluation on 
    the status of ginseng. Notices will be published in the Federal 
    Register in 1995 and 1996 only if new information or changed conditions 
    show reason for revised findings or guidelines.
    
    Export Procedures
    
        Valid Federal CITES documents are necessary to export wild or 
    cultivated ginseng roots, major root parts, or plants. Applications for 
    these documents should be sent to the Office of Management Authority at 
    the address given above.
        Ginseng may only be exported through ports with personnel and/or 
    facilities of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA ports) that have 
    been designated by the U.S. Department of the Interior (49 FR 49238, 
    October 25, 1984; see 50 CFR 24.12). For each export, the exporter must 
    present to the port inspector of the USDA Animal and Plant Health 
    Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine (APHIS/PPQ), the 
    following:
        1. Ginseng roots or plants being exported.
        2. Original State certificates of origin for the ginseng (or 
    foreign export documents for American ginseng imported into the United 
    States). An exporter or dealer may split an original State certificate 
    by striking a line through the original weight on the certificate and 
    stating in numbers and words the new lower weight of ginseng to be 
    exported. This change in weight must be certified by the dealer or 
    exporter with the written words ``I made these changes on (date)'' 
    followed by the full legal signature of the dealer or exporter. The 
    modified State certificate of origin must bear this certified change in 
    ink, in original form, and be readily legible or also given in printed 
    style.
        3. One completed Federal CITES export document (permit or 
    certificate) with two copies.
        4. One copy of the exporter's executed invoice.
        The APHIS/PPQ port inspector may sign and validate the CITES 
    documents only after a satisfactory inspection of the contents of the 
    State certificate(s) of origin, the exporter's invoice, CITES export 
    documentation, and the shipment. Once the CITES documents are 
    validated, the inspector will forward the State certificates, one copy 
    of the CITES export document, and the exporter's invoice to the Office 
    of Management Authority for recordkeeping and reporting. The second 
    copy of the Federal CITES export document goes to the exporter. The 
    original CITES export document authorizes the international shipment of 
    the ginseng and will be collected by the importing country for its 
    recordkeeping and reporting.
    
    Request for Information and Comments
    
        The Service requests information and comments on (1) the status of 
    ginseng throughout its range or in any portion of its range; (2) the 
    proposed findings that the export of ginseng from any of the 22 States 
    with programs to be approved will not be detrimental to the survival of 
    the species; and (3) the status criteria used. Information and comments 
    also are requested on the criteria and procedures and their 
    implementation for determining (1) that exported specimens are 
    accurately declared as wild or cultivated; (2) that the ginseng (roots) 
    originated in a particular State; and (3) that the ginseng is not 
    collected in contravention of laws for its protection.
        The Service also requests information on environmental or economic 
    impacts and effects on small entities (including small businesses, 
    small organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions) that would 
    result from findings for or against export approval. This information 
    may aid the Service in further evaluating the conclusions stated below. 
    This proposed rule is issued under authority of the Endangered Species 
    Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; 87 Stat. 884, as 
    amended), and was prepared by Mark R. Albert and Carol L. Carson, 
    Office of Management Authority, and Charles W. Dane, Bruce MacBryde, 
    and Wayne L. Milstead, Office of Scientific Authority.
    
    Effects of the Rule and Required Determinations
    
        The Service has determined that these proposed findings are not a 
    major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human 
    environment under the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 
    4321-4347), and therefore the preparation of an Environmental Impact 
    Statement is not required.
        This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review 
    under Executive Order 12866. For the 1994-96 harvest seasons, the 
    Service analyzed the impacts and again concluded that the 3-year rule 
    will not have significant economic effects on a substantial number of 
    small entities as outlined under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 
    U.S.C. 601 et seq.). Exporters normally derive their product from 
    ginseng roots harvested in a number of States. Therefore, the approval 
    or disapproval of wild ginseng export from any one State would not 
    significantly affect the industry. Moreover, because the proposed rule 
    would treat exports on a State-by-State basis and proposes to approve 
    export in accordance with State programs, the rule would have little 
    effect on small entities in and of itself. The proposed rule would 
    allow continued international trade in ginseng from the United States 
    in accordance with CITES, and it does not contain any Federalism 
    impacts as described in Executive Order 12612.
        It also has been determined that this proposed rule does not 
    contain information collection requirements that require approval by 
    OMB under 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
    
    List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 23
    
        Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Plants 
    (agriculture), Transportation, Treaties.
    
    Proposed Regulation Promulgation
    
    PART 23--ENDANGERED SPECIES CONVENTION
    
        Accordingly, Part 23, Subpart F of Title 50 (Chapter I, Subchapter 
    B) of the Code of Federal Regulations is proposed for amendment as set 
    forth below:
        1. The authority citation for Part 23 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: Convention on International Trade in Endangered 
    Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 27 U.S.T. 108; and Endangered 
    Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
    
    Subpart F--Export of Certain Species
    
    
    Sec. 23.51  [Amended]
    
        2. In Sec. 23.51, paragraph (e)(1) is proposed to be revised as 
    follows:
    
    
    Sec. 23.51  American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)
    
    * * * * *
        (e)(1) 1982-1996 harvests: 
    
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       Harvest year                                         
                              State                          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                1982 & 1983        1984          1985-1987       1988-1990       1991-1993       1994-1996  
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Alabama.................................................              -               -               -               +               +               + 
    Arkansas................................................              +               +               +               +               +               + 
    Georgia.................................................              +               +               +               +               +               + 
    Illinois................................................              +               +               +               +               +               + 
    Indiana.................................................              +               +               +               +               +               + 
    Iowa....................................................              +               +               +               +               +               * 
    Kentucky................................................              +               +               +               +               +               + 
    Maine...................................................              -               -               -               -               -               c 
    Maryland................................................              +               +               +               +               +               + 
    Michigan................................................              -               -               -               -               -               c 
    Minnesota...............................................              +               +               +               +               +               + 
    Missouri................................................              +               +               +               +               +               + 
    New York................................................              -               -               -               +               +               + 
    North Carolina..........................................              +               +               +               +               +               + 
    North Dakota............................................              -               -               -               -               -               c 
    Ohio....................................................              +               +               +               +               +               + 
    Pennsylvania............................................              -               -               -               +               +               + 
    Tennessee...............................................              +               c               +               +               +               + 
    Vermont.................................................              c               +               +               +               +               + 
    Virginia................................................              +               +               +               +               +               + 
    West Virginia...........................................              +               +               +               +               +               + 
    Wisconsin...............................................              +               +               +               +               +               * 
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    +Export approved for wild and cultivated ginseng roots and plants.                                                                                      
    cExport approved only for cultivated (artificially propagated) ginseng.                                                                                 
    -Export either not requested or not approved.                                                                                                           
    *Export approved for 1994 only.                                                                                                                         
    
        3. With the exception of the Note, Sec. 23.51(e)(2) is proposed to 
    be revised as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 23.51  American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius).
    
    * * * * *
        (e)(2) Conditions on export: All roots and plants must be 
    documented as to State of origin, season of collection, and dry or 
    fresh (green) weight. The State must certify, or for cultivated ginseng 
    authorize certification, whether roots and plants originated in that 
    State, were legally obtained in a particular season, and are wild or 
    cultivated (artificially propagated) specimens. Along with the ginseng 
    to be exported, the following must be presented: a dealer's or 
    exporter's executed invoice, the State certification, and a current 
    CITES export document. The State must maintain a ginseng program as 
    described in the current final rule. Annual program data for the 
    preceding harvest season should be available to the Service's Office of 
    Management Authority by May 31 each year. All other export procedures 
    must be followed as described in 50 CFR parts 13, 14, and 23.
    * * * * *
        Dated: August 18, 1994
    George T. Frampton, Jr.,
    Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
    [FR Doc. 94-23739 Filed 9-23-94; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
09/26/1994
Department:
Interior Department
Entry Type:
Uncategorized Document
Action:
Proposed rule.
Document Number:
94-23739
Dates:
The Service will consider all information and comments received by October 26, 1994, in making its final decision on this proposal. State ginseng program reports are due by May 31 of 1995, 1996, and 1997.
Pages:
0-0 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Federal Register: September 26, 1994
RINs:
1018-AC55: Export of American Ginseng Harvested in 1994-1996
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/1018-AC55/export-of-american-ginseng-harvested-in-1994-1996
CFR: (1)
50 CFR 23.51