This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this
section. 

# Notices Federal Register 

### 31078

Vol. 79, No. 104

Friday, May 30, 2014

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service** 

**[Docket No. APHIS–2014–0037]**

**Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection;**  **Karnal Bunt; Importation of Wheat and Related Articles** 

**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 associated with the regulations for the importation of wheat and related articles from regions affected with Karnal bunt.

**DATES :**  We will consider all comments that we receive on or before July 29,

2014.

**ADDRESSES :**  You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2014-0037

.

• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2014–0037, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238.

Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at http:// www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=
APHIS-2014-0037 or in our reading room, which 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 (202) 799–7039 before coming.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  For information on the regulations for the importation of wheat and related articles from regions affected with Karnal bunt, contact Mr. William Aley, Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist, PPIP, RPM, PHP, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851–2130. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS’ Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851–

2908.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 

Title: Karnal Bunt; Importation of Wheat and Related Articles.

OMB Number: 0579–0240. Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection.

Abstract: Under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq. ), the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized, among other things, to prohibit or restrict the importation, entry, or interstate movement of plants, plant products, biological control organism, noxious weeds, means of conveyances, and other articles to prevent the introduction of plant pests or noxious weeds into the United States or their dissemination within the United States. This authority has been delegated to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

Karnal bunt is a fungal disease of wheat ( Triticum aestivum ), durum wheat ( Triticum durum ), and triticale ( Triticum aestivum X Secale cereale), a hybrid of wheat and rye. Karnal bunt is caused by the smut fungus Tilletia indica (Mitra) Mundkhur and is spread by spores, primarily through movement of infected seed. Karnal bunt is found in Afghanistan, India, Iraq, Pakistan, and portions of Mexico and the United
States.

To prevent the introduction and spread of various wheat diseases, including Karnal bunt, APHIS’ regulations in ‘‘Subpart—Wheat Diseases’’ (7 CFR 319.59–1 through 319.59–4) prohibit the importation of wheat seed, plants, straw, and other products into the United States from regions affected with Karnal bunt.

The regulations require that certain regulated articles imported from Karnal bunt-free areas within regions regulated for Karnal bunt be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate that must be completed by an official of the national plant protection organization of the region of origin. The certificate must include a declaration stating that the regulated articles originated in areas where Karnal bunt is not known to occur, as attested to either by survey results or by testing for bunted kernels

or spores.

We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of this information collection activity 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 1.2 hours per response.

Respondents: U.S. importers/ exporters of wheat and the national plant protection organization of the region of origin.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 500.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.

Estimated annual number of

responses: 500.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 600 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


### 31079 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 104 / Friday, May 30, 2014 / Notices

1 On March 6, 2012, APHIS published in the Federal Register (77 FR 13258–13260, Docket No. APHIS–2011–0129) a notice describing our public review process for soliciting public comments and information when considering petitions for determinations of nonregulated status for GE organisms. To view the notice, go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS2011-0129.

2 To view the notice, the petition, and the comments we received, go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS2012-0090. for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

Done in Washington, DC, this 23rd day of May 2014. Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 2014–12549 Filed 5–29–14; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–34–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service** 

**[Docket No. APHIS–2012–0090]**

**Syngenta Seeds, Inc., and Bayer CropScience AG; Availability of Plant**  **Pest Risk Assessment, Environmental Assessment, Preliminary Finding of No**  **Significant Impact, and Preliminary Determination of Nonregulated Status**  **of Soybean Genetically Engineered for Herbicide Resistance** 

**AGENCY :**  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared a preliminary determination regarding a request from Syngenta Seeds, Inc., and Bayer CropScience AG seeking a determination of nonregulated status of soybean designated as SYHTOH2, which has been genetically engineered for resistance to the herbicide glufosinate and phydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibiting herbicides such as isoxaflutole and mesotrione. We are also making available for public review our plant pest risk assessment, environmental assessment, and preliminary finding of no significant impact for the preliminary determination of nonregulated status.

**DATES :**  We will consider any information that we receive on or before June 30, 2014.

**ADDRESSES :**  You may submit any information by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0090.

• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your information to Docket No. APHIS–2012–0090, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238.

Supporting documents for this petition and any other information we receive on this docket may be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0090 or in our reading room, which 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 (202) 799–7039 before coming.

Supporting documents for this petition are also available on the APHIS Web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ biotechnology/petitions

_ table

_ pending.shtml under APHIS Petition Number 12–215–01p.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Dr. John Turner, Director, Environmental Risk Analysis Programs, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737– 1236; (301) 851–3954, email: john.t.turner@aphis.usda.gov. To obtain copies of the supporting documents for this petition, contact Ms. Cindy Eck at (301) 851–3892, email: cynthia.a.eck@ aphis.usda.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Under the authority of the plant pest provisions of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq. ), the regulations in 7 CFR part 340, ‘‘Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or Produced Through Genetic Engineering Which Are Plant Pests or Which There Is Reason to Believe Are Plant Pests,’’ regulate, among other things, the introduction (importation, interstate movement, or release into the environment) of organisms and products altered or produced through genetic engineering that are plant pests or that there is reason to believe are plant pests. Such genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products are considered ‘‘regulated articles.’’

The regulations in § 340.6(a) provide that any person may submit a petition to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) seeking a determination that an article should not be regulated under 7 CFR part 340. APHIS received a petition (APHIS Petition Number 12–215–01p) from Syngenta Seeds, Inc., (Syngenta) and Bayer CropScience AG (BCS) of Research Triangle Park, NC, seeking a determination of nonregulated status of soybean ( Glycine max) designated as event SYHTOH2, which has been genetically engineered to withstand exposure to the herbicide glufosinate and p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibiting herbicides such as isoxaflutole and mesotrione. The petition states that this soybean is unlikely to pose a plant pest risk and, therefore, should not be a regulated article under APHIS’ regulations in 7 CFR part 340.

According to our process 1 for soliciting public input when considering petitions for determinations of nonregulated status of GE organisms, APHIS accepts written comments regarding a petition once APHIS deems it complete. In a notice 2 published in the Federal Register on February 27, 2013, (78 FR 13305–13307, Docket No. APHIS–2012–0090), APHIS announced the availability of the Syngenta/BCS petition for public comment. APHIS solicited comments on the petition for 60 days ending on April 29, 2013, in order to help identify potential environmental and interrelated economic impacts that APHIS may determine should be considered in our evaluation of the petition.

APHIS received 28 comments on the petition. Several of these comments included electronic attachments consisting of many identical or nearly identical letters, for a total of 584 comments. Issues raised during the comment period include concernsregarding the development of herbicideresistant weeds, potential impacts on organic farmers, and health concerns. APHIS has evaluated the issues raised during the comment period and, where appropriate, has provided a discussion of these issues in our environmental assessment (EA).

After public comments are received on a completed petition, APHIS evaluates those comments and then provides a second opportunity for public involvement in our decisionmaking process. According to our public input process (see footnote 1), the second opportunity for public involvement follows one of two approaches, as described below.

If APHIS decides, based on its review of the petition and its evaluation and analysis of comments received during the 60-day public comment period on the petition, that the petition involves a GE organism that raises no substantive new issues, APHIS will follow Approach 1 for public involvement. Under Approach 1, APHIS announces in the Federal Register the availability of