### 7123 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 28 / Friday, February 10, 2012 / Notices

These conditions will be listed in the Fruits and Vegetables Import Requirements database (available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/favir). In addition to these specific measures, fresh pomegranate fruit from India will be subject to the general requirements listed in § 319.56–3 that are applicable to the importation of all fruits and vegetables. Further, for fruits and vegetables requiring treatment as a condition of entry, the phytosanitary treatments regulations in 7 CFR part 305 contain administrative and procedural requirements that must be observed in connection with the application and certification of specific treatments.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 7701–7772, and 7781–7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.

Done in Washington, DC, this 6th day of February 2012. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 2012–3191 Filed 2–9–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–34–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service** 

**[Docket No. APHIS–2011–0130]**

**ArborGen, LLC; Availability of an Environmental Assessment for**  **Controlled Release of a Genetically Engineered Eucalyptus Hybrid** 

**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 an environmental assessment for a proposed controlled field release of a genetically engineered clone of a Eucalyptus hybrid. The purpose of the field release is to assess the effectiveness of gene constructs intended to confer cold tolerance, to test the efficacy of genes introduced to alter lignin biosynthesis, to test the efficacy of genes designed to alter growth, and to test the efficacy of genes designed to alter flowering. We are making the environmental assessment available to the public for review and comment.

**DATES :**  We will consider all comments that we receive on or before March 12,

2012.

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

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/ #!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2011-0130-

0001.

• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2011–0130, 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-2011-0130 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) 690–2817 before coming.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Mr. Evan Chestnut, Policy Analyst, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737–1236; (301) 734– 0942. To obtain copies of the environmental assessment, contact Ms. Cynthia Eck at (301) 734–0667; email: cynthia.a.eck@aphis.usda.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  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 organisms and products are considered ‘‘regulated articles.’’ A permit must be obtained or a notification acknowledged before a regulated article may be introduced. The regulations set forth the permit application requirements and the notification procedures for the importation, interstate movement, or release in the environment of a regulated article.

On February 21, 2011, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) received a permit application (APHIS No. 11–052–101rm) from ArborGen, LLC, in Summerville, SC, for a controlled field release of genetically engineered Eucalyptus hybrids in six locations encompassing a total of 14.7 acres in the States of Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and South Carolina. Five of these locations currently have active APHIS permits (08–011–106rm, 08– 014–101rm, 09–070–10rm, 10–112– 101r, and 11–041–101rm) for environmental release of genetically engineered Eucalyptus hybrids in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and South Carolina. The sixth site in South Carolina has been listed as a holding site for genetically engineered trees in previous APHIS permits and notifications and is a new location for the release of genetically engineered Eucalyptus. ArborGen is requesting that trees be allowed to flower at four locations in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi. At two locations in South Carolina, ArborGen has requested to release trees in containers and have indicated they will not allow these trees to flower at these locations.

Permit application 11–052–101rm describes Eucalyptus trees derived from a hybrid of Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla. The purpose of the field tests is to assess the effectiveness of gene constructs intended to confer cold tolerance; to test the efficacy of genes introduced to alter lignin biosynthesis; to test the efficacy of genes designed to alter growth; and to test the efficacy of genes designed to alter flowering. In addition, the trees have been engineered with a selectable marker that confers resistance to the antibiotic kanamycin. These DNA sequences were introduced into Eucalyptus trees using disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

The subject Eucalyptus trees are considered regulated articles under 7 CFR part 340 because they were created using donor sequences from plant pests.

To provide the public with documentation of APHIS’ review and analysis of any potential environmental impacts and plant pest risks associated with the proposed release under permit of these genetically engineered Eucalyptus trees, APHIS has prepared an environmental assessment (EA). The EA was prepared in accordance with: (1) The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C.

4321 et seq. ), (2) regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), (3) USDA regulations implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1b), and (4) APHIS’ NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372).

The EA may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site or in our reading room. (Instructions for accessing Regulations.gov and information on the location and hours of the reading room are provided under the heading

**ADDRESSES** at the beginning of this notice.) In addition, copies may be obtained by calling or writing to the


### 7124 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 28 / Friday, February 10, 2012 / Notices

individual listed under **FOR FURTHER**

**INFORMATION CONTACT**

.

Done in Washington, DC, this 6th day of February 2012. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 2012–3189 Filed 2–9–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–34–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service** 

**[Docket No. APHIS–2012–0010]**

**Information Sharing With Agency Stakeholders; Public Meeting** 

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

**ACTION :**  Request for information and notice of public meeting.

**SUMMARY :**  We are informing the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is soliciting feedback from our stakeholders in several areas having to do with our partnerships with businesses, academia, and other levels of government. We are also announcing that APHIS is hosting a public meeting to share information about the Agency’s budget, process improvement efforts, and modernization initiatives and to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to share their thoughts on partnerships and the Agency’s critical services.

**DATES :**  The meeting will be held on February 27, 2012, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. We will accept stakeholder feedback on the specific topics raised in this notice until March 23, 2012.

**ADDRESSES :**  The meeting will be held in the Jefferson Auditorium at the USDA South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Ms. Hallie Zimmers, Stakeholder Liaison, Legislative and Public Affairs, APHIS, Room 1153, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250; phone (202) 720–0378.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is currently undertaking a variety of effortsto transform itself into a customerfocused, high-performing organization. In this context, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is focusing on ways to share timely information with its stakeholders and communicate the value APHIS places on our many and diverse stakeholder relationships. As part of a larger effort to enhance stakeholder communication, APHIS is hosting an open meeting with all interested stakeholders to talk about the Agency’s budget, process improvement efforts, and modernization initiatives and to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to share their thoughts on partnerships and the Agency’s critical services. While we welcome commentsand feedback on all aspects of APHISstakeholder partnerships and the Agency’s critical services, we are particularly interested in our stakeholders’ thoughts on the topics discussed below.

In this era of shrinking budgets, Federal Agencies are facing hard choices about the delivery of important services, and APHIS is no exception. Some decisions have already been made with respect to our programs, and we anticipate more difficult choices will be required in the future. This means that it will be more important than ever for APHIS to understand its stakeholders’ concerns and priorities.

1. As we take stock of our current programs and services and consider where, if necessary, there should be strategic cuts or across-the-board reductions, we are interested in hearing from stakeholders about those APHIS activities you most value and where and how you think the Agency might make responsible changes.

• In your opinion, what are the three to five most essential services APHIS provides and why?

• Please share any feedback regarding how you feel we can best structure or provide these services.

• When you or your members seek APHIS’ assistance, do you primarily rely on our local field offices, State offices, regional offices, research centers and field stations, or headquarters for support? Why?

• As we continue to look at ways to improve our processes and enhance customer service, what recommendations do you have for specific efforts we could undertake in
2012?

2. Given limited resources, APHIS is seeking new ways to enhance existing partnerships and build new ones.

• How might we strengthen current partnerships or collaborate in new ways to accomplish critical mission
activities?

• Do you see opportunities for APHIS, State governments, tribes, industry and academia to redefine traditional roles to find efficiencies or improvements in the way we collectively safeguard American agriculture? As best you can, please be specific or provide examples. 3. Please provide any additional comments or feedback you would like to share with APHIS’ leadership, especially as it relates to how you like to see APHIS management communicate with you at the local, regional, and national level. Please be specific.

You may submit your thoughts on these questions by sending them to the person listed under **FOR FURTHER**

**INFORMATION CONTACT** or by using the Web form provided on the APHIS stakeholder information Web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ stakeholders/. Responses may also be submitted via email to Partnerships@aphis.usda.gov.

On-site registration will begin at noon on the day of the meeting. All participants must register. If you require special accommodations, such as a sign language interpreter, or if you have any questions regarding the meeting, please call or write the person listed under **FOR**

**FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**

.

If you are unable to attend the meeting in person, it will be streamed on the Internet as a live Webcast. To view the Webcast, go to http:// www.aphis.usda.gov/stakeholders/ and follow the instructions to access the streaming video and audio in ‘‘listen only’’ mode. We recommend you connect at least 5 minutes prior to the start of the meeting. A recording of the Webcast will be posted to the APHIS stakeholder information page the following day, and a written transcript will be posted to the page as soon as it is available.

Persons attending the February 27, 2012, meeting in Washington, DC, will be required to sign in at the entrance to the USDA South Building located at 14th Street and Independence Avenue, entering through Wing 7. Photo identification is required to gain access to the building. The nearest Metro station is the Smithsonian station on the Blue/Orange Lines, which is within easy walking distance.

Done in Washington, DC, this 6th day of February 2012.
Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 2012–3186 Filed 2–9–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–34–P**