[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 21, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 76378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-27878]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

7 CFR Part 301

[Docket No. 04-045-2]


Citrus Canker; Quarantined Areas

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Affirmation of interim rule as final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim 
rule that amended the citrus canker regulations by updating the list of 
areas in the State of Florida quarantined because of citrus canker. The 
interim rule was necessary to prevent the spread of citrus canker into 
noninfested areas of the United States and to relieve restrictions that 
were no longer warranted.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The interim rule became effective on September 14, 
2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Lynn Evans-Goldner, Assistant 
Staff Officer, Pest Detection and Management Programs, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 
River Road Unit 137, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236, (301) 734-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    In an interim rule effective and published in the Federal Register 
on September 14, 2004 (69 FR 55315-55320, Docket No. 04-045-1), we 
amended the regulations in ``subpart--Citrus Canker'' (7 CFR 301.75 
through 301.75-16) by updating the list in Sec.  301.75-4 of areas in 
the State of Florida quarantined because of citrus canker. 
Specifically, to reflect the detection of citrus canker in an area 
adjacent to but outside of one current quarantined area in Florida, as 
well as in eight additional counties, we expanded the boundaries of one 
existing quarantined area and added several new areas to the list of 
quarantined areas. We also removed portions of three counties from the 
list of quarantined areas because regular surveys showed them to have 
been free of citrus canker for at least 2 years. These actions were 
necessary to prevent the spread of citrus canker into noninfested areas 
of the United States and to relieve restrictions that were no longer 
warranted.
    Comments on the interim rule were required to be received on or 
before November 15, 2004. We did not receive any comments. Therefore, 
for the reasons given in the interim rule, we are adopting the interim 
rule as a final rule.
    This action also affirms the information contained in the interim 
rule concerning Executive Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act, Executive Orders 12372 and 12988, and the Paperwork Reduction Act.
    Further, for this action, the Office of Management and Budget has 
waived its review under Executive Order 12866.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 301

    Agricultural commodities, Plant diseases and pests, Quarantine, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.

PART 301--DOMESTIC QUARANTINE NOTICES

0
Accordingly, we are adopting as a final rule, without change, the 
interim rule that amended 7 CFR part 301 and that was published at 69 
FR 55315-55320 on September 14, 2004.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 14th day of December, 2004.
Elizabeth E. Gaston,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 04-27878 Filed 12-20-04; 8:45 am]
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