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CFR Citation: 7 CFR Part 301

Docket ID: [Docket No. 03-057-1]

NOTICE: RULES

ACTION: Plant-related quarantine, domestic:

DOCUMENT ACTION: Interim rule and request for comments.

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Japanese Beetle; Domestic Quarantine and Regulations

DATES: This interim rule is effective July 18, 2003. We will consider all comments that we receive on or before September 22, 2003.

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: We are amending the Japanese beetle quarantine and regulations to add Colorado and Montana to the list of protected States. This action is necessary to prevent the spread of Japanese beetle into noninfested areas of the United States.

SUMMARY: Japanese beetle,

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

The Japanese beetle feeds on fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants and is capable of causing damage to over 300 potential hosts. The Japanese beetle quarantine and regulations, contained in 7 CFR 301.48 through 301.488 (referred to below as the regulations), quarantine the States of Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia and restrict the interstate movement of aircraft from regulated airports in these States in order to prevent the spread of the Japanese beetle to noninfested States where the Japanese beetle could become established. Those noninfested States where the Japanese beetle could become established (referred to below as protected States) are listed in Sec. 301.48(b).

The Japanese beetle is active during daylight hours only. Under Sec. 301.482 of the regulations, an inspector of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) may designate any airport within a quarantined State as a regulated airport if he or she determines that adult populations of Japanese beetle exist during daylight hours at the airport to the degree that aircraft using the airport constitute a threat to spread the Japanese beetle and aircraft destined for protected States may be leaving the airport.

Also, under Sec. 301.484 of the regulations, aircraft from regulated airports may move interstate to a protected State only if: (1) An inspector, upon visual inspection of the airport and/or the aircraft, determines that the aircraft does not present a threat to spread the Japanese beetle because adult beetle populations are not present; or (2) the aircraft is opened and loaded only while it is enclosed in a hangar that APHIS has determined to be free of and safeguarded against Japanese beetle; or (3) the aircraft is loaded during the hours of 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. (generally nondaylight hours) only or lands and departs during those hours and, in either situation, is kept completely closed while on the ground during the hours of 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; or (4) if opened and loaded during daylight hours, the aircraft is inspected, treated, and safeguarded in accordance with the requirements described in Sec. 301.484(d).

As noted previously, paragraph (b) of Sec. 301.48 lists noninfested States that are protected by the regulations. Prior to the effective date of this interim rule, the States listed were Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. When the list in Sec. 301.48(b) was established in the 1970's, Colorado and Montana opted not to be listed because of the belief that the Japanese beetle could not survive in the States' climates. However, in recent years, State officials in Colorado and Montana have trapped increasing numbers of Japanese beetles in the vicinity of Denver International Airport and Billings Logan International Airport, respectively. In the case of Colorado, Japanese beetles have been found at several nurseries receiving stock from Japanese beetle infested Eastern States. In view of the increase in trap catches and the growing amount of shrub and turf areas under irrigation (especially in urban areas) in those States, Colorado and Montana State officials have informed APHIS that they now wish to be listed as protected States. Therefore, in this interim rule we are amending the regulations in Sec. 301.48(b) by adding Colorado and Montana to the list of protected States. [[Page 43614]]

Emergency Action

This rulemaking is necessary on an emergency basis to provide protection from the Japanese beetle to Colorado and Montana during the 2003 season of Japanese beetle activity, which begins in midJune in many parts of the country. Under these circumstances, the Administrator has determined that prior notice and opportunity for public comment are contrary to the public interest and that there is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553 for making this rule effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.

We will consider comments we receive during the comment period for this interim rule (see DATES above). After the comment period closes, we will publish another document in the Federal Register. The document will include a discussion of any comments we receive and any amendments we are making to the rule.

Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Flexibility Act

This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12866. For this action, the Office of Management and Budget has waived its review under Executive Order 12866.

This emergency situation makes timely compliance with section 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) impracticable. We are currently assessing the potential economic effects of this action on small entities. Based on that assessment, we will either certify that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities or publish a final regulatory flexibility analysis.

Executive Order 12372

This program/activity is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under No. 10.025 and is subject to Executive Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials. (See 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V.)

Executive Order 12988

This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. This rule: (1) Preempts all State and local laws and regulations that are inconsistent with this rule; (2) has no retroactive effect; and (3) does not require administrative proceedings before parties may file suit in court challenging this rule. Paperwork Reduction Act

This interim rule contains no information collection or recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 301

Agricultural commodities, Plant diseases and pests, Quarantine, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.
Accordingly, 7 CFR part 301 is amended as follows:
PART 301DOMESTIC QUARANTINE NOTICES
1. The authority citation for part 301 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 77017772; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.

Section 301.7515 also issued under Sec. 204, Title II, Pub. L. 106113, Stat. 1501A293; sections 301.7515 and 301.7516 also issued under Sec. 203, Title II, Pub. L. 106224, 114 Stat. 400 (7 U.S.C. 1421 note).
Sec. 301.48 [Amended]
2. In Sec. 301.48, paragraph (b) is amended by adding the word ``Colorado,'' after the word ``California,'' and by adding the word ``Montana,'' after the word ``Idaho,''.

Done in Washington, DC, this 18th day of July 2003. Peter Fernandez,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 0318851 Filed 72303; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 341034P

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Dr. S. Anwar Rizvi, Program Manager, Invasive Species and Pest Management, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 134, Riverdale, MD 207371236; (301) 7344313.