Notices

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USDA PREPARES ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND REOPENS COMMENT PERIOD REGARDING SOUTH AMERICAN CACTUS MOTH

September 17, 2008

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is advising the public that it has prepared an environmental assessment relative to the establishment of domestic quarantine regulations for the South American cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum. The environmental assessment documents APHIS’ review and analysis of environmental impacts associated with the proposed rulemaking. APHIS is making this environmental assessment available to the public for review and comment.

In addition, APHIS has determined that the South American cactus moth is present in the state of Mississippi, which was not included in the quarantined area in APHIS’ proposal to establish regulations for the South American cactus moth. APHIS is reopening the comment period on that proposal to allow interested persons to submit comments on the addition of Mississippi to the proposed quarantined area, as well as on other aspects of the proposal.

This action is scheduled for publication in the Sept. 18 Federal Register.

Consideration will be given to comments received on or before Oct. 20. You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/
main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2006-0153 to submit or view comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send two copies of your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0153, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A 03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737 1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0153.

Note to Reporters: Public notices and other APHIS information are available on the Internet. Go to the APHIS news release page at http://www.aphis.usda.gov and click on the “Newsroom” button. For additional information about this topic contact David Sacks at (301) 734-5271 or by e-mail at david.sacks@aphis.usda.gov.