### 70529 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 228 / Tuesday, November 26, 2013 / Notices

personal protective equipment (PPE) practices. NIOSH is mandated to
conduct research and make recommendations for the prevention of work-related disease and injury under Section 20 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. 669 and Section 501 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, 30 U.S.C. 951. General authority for these data collection activities by NASS is granted under U.S.C. Title 7, Section 2204(a). This pilot study project will concentrate on assessing pesticide safety practices among Pennsylvania crop farm operators who have personally applied pesticides for crop production using methods other than aerial applications
and enclosed cab vehicles.

Need and Use of the Information: The Pesticide Safety Practices among Pennsylvania Farms Survey will use a sampling universe defined as crop growers in PA. The survey will be conducted in a two step process. First, the screening phrase will consist of an information letter, blank screening form and a postage paid return envelope. Finally, operations will be selected from the screening phase to conduct the survey. The primary goals of the project are: (1) To determine the extent to which PA crop growers use appropriate PPE practices; and (2) when applicable, to identify the factors that cause incorrect PPE practices, and (3) when applicable, identify the factors that would motivate a crop grower to start using correct practices. Without this information NIOSH is not able to verify whether these applicators are using correct practices and potentially at increased risk for pesticide exposure
and related illnesses.

Description of Respondents: PA crop producers who applied pesticides in the past six months using a method other than helicopters, airplanes, or equipment pulled by enclosed cab

tractors or ATVs.

Number of Respondents: 3,000. Frequency of Responses: Reporting:

One time.

Total Burden Hours: 822.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 2013–28307 Filed 11–25–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–20–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE** 

**Agricultural Research Service**

**Notice of Availability for the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and**  **Finding No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Cotton Quality Research** 
**Station Land Transfer**

**AGENCY :**  Agricultural Research Service,

USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has made a FONSI for transferring
the land and real estate at the Cotton Quality Research Station (CQRS) in Clemson, SC, to Clemson University.
The FONSI document is based on impact analysis documented in the EA that was issued for 30-day public comment beginning July 18, 2013, and that was finalized on August 28, 2013.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Cal Mather, Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA ARS SHEMB, NCAUR, 1815 North University Street, Room 2060, Peoria, Illinois 61604; Telephone:
309–681–6608 or email: cal.mather@ ars.usda.gov. You may contact Mr. Mather for a copy of the FONSI document. Copies of the Final EA and FONSI are also available for public inspection during normal business hours at the following Web site and
locations:

• www.clemson.edu/usda-property

• Former CQRS, 133 Old Cherry Road, Clemson, SC 29631

• Strom Thurmond Institute, Special Collections, 230 Kappa St., Clemson, SC

29634

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the United States Department of Agriculture USDA has prepared an EA for the proposed transfer of approximately 10 acres of land and facilities at the Cotton Quality Research Station (CQRS) from the USDA Agricultural Research Service ARS in Clemson, South Carolina, to Clemson University Research Farm Services. As a condition of the transfer, Clemson University is committed to using the property for agricultural research for a period of 25 years, supporting the strategic goals of USDA and establishing a Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Program in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding, effective March 27, 2013. Clemson University will assume responsibility and maintenance of the constructed facilities and land to be conveyed from
USDA.

The property was developed to function as a cotton gin and was converted by USDA for use in the ARS research program. USDA ARS and Clemson University have both utilized the property for agricultural research and development programs since the 1970s. The facility was closed under Public Law (PL) 112–55, Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012. In August 2012, a 5-year revocable permit was issued between USDA and Clemson University that allows Clemson University to utilize the Property for a Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Program and conduct a wide range of research, teaching, extension,
and demonstration activities. Since August 2012 it has been operated by Clemson University under this permit. Under the terms of the PL, the Secretary of Agriculture has the authority to formally transfer the Property from USDA to Clemson University.

The property transfer will be done with no monetary cost to Clemson University and a Quit Claim Deed will be prepared by the USDA to convey the title/property rights to the University. The Quit Claim Deed will incorporate any use restrictions identified by the NEPA process, as well as the 25-year use restriction for agricultural and natural resources research as required by Section 732 of the PL.

Two alternatives are analyzed in the Final EA, the No Action Alternative and the Proposed Action. The Final EA addresses potential impacts of these
alternatives on the natural and human
environment.

• Alternative 1—No Action. The USDA would retain possession of the 10
acres of land and facilities at the 133 Old Cherry Road Property. USDA would no longer operate and/or maintain the property and current research operations at the property would cease. USDA does not have adequate resources to operate and/or maintain the property, which would likely fall into disrepair.

• Alternative 2—Proposed Action. The USDA would formally transfer 10 acres of land at the 133 Old Cherry Road Property to Clemson University. As a condition of the transfer, Clemson University would commit to using the Property for agricultural and natural resources research for a period of 25 years, supporting the strategic goals of USDA and establishing a Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Program. Clemson University would assume responsibility and maintenance of the
constructed facilities and land to be conveyed from USDA.


### 70530 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 228 / Tuesday, November 26, 2013 / Notices

1 The PPQ Treatment Manual is available on the

Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import

_ export/plants/manuals/index.shtml or by contacting the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Manuals Unit, 92 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 200, Frederick, MD 21702.

2 To view the notice, the treatment evaluation document, the environmental assessment, and the comments we received, go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS2012-0064

. In addition, one alternative was
considered in the Final EA but eliminated from detailed study. In this alternative, USDA would retain possession of the land and it would be
transferred to the General Services Administration for disposal. Since it cannot reasonably be determined who would ultimately take possession of the property and how it would be utilized, it was not analyzed in detail in the EA.

The USDA used and coordinated the NEPA commenting process to satisfy the public involvement process for Section
106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470(f) as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3)). One public comment was received during the public comment period but it did not identify any substantial evidence regarding adverse environmental impacts resulting from the proposed
land transfer and did not warrant a change in the Final EA. Based on its analysis of the Final EA for the property transfer, ARS has found that transferring the land and buildings to Clemson University would have no significant impact on the quality of the human environment. Therefore, ARS will not prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for this proposed

action.

Dated: November 19, 2013. Caird E. Rexroad, Jr., Associate Administrator, Agricultural
Research Service.

[FR Doc. 2013–28238 Filed 11–25–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 0518–03–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Animal and Plant Health Inspection**
**Service**

**[Docket No. APHIS–2012–0064]**

**Notice of Determination; New and Revised Treatments for the Imported**  **Fire Ant Program**

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

**ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  We are advising the public that we are adding or revising certain treatment schedules for the Imported Fire Ant Program in the Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Treatment Manual. In a previous notice, we made available to the public for review and
comment a treatment evaluation document that discussed the existing treatment schedules, described the new treatment schedules, and explained why these changes are necessary. We also
made available an environmental assessment that explained pesticide use in the new and revised treatments in the imported fire ant program. Based on the treatment evaluation document, the environmental assessment, and the comments we received, we are announcing our determination to add
those new and revised treatments to the PPQ Treatment Manual.

**DATES :**  Effective Date: November 26,

2013.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Mr. Charles Brown, Director, Emergency Management, Emergency and Domestic Programs, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 135, Riverdale, MD 20737–1236; (301) 851–2119.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Background

The imported fire ant, Solenopsis

invicta Buren and Solenopsis richteri Forel, is an aggressive, stinging insect that, in large numbers, can seriously injure or even kill livestock, pets, and humans. The imported fire ant feeds on crops and builds large, hard mounds that damage farm and field machinery. Imported fire ants are notorious hitchhikers and are readily transported long distances when articles such as soil and nursery stock are shipped outside
the infested area.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) works to prevent further imported fire ant spread by enforcing a Federal quarantine andcooperating with imported fire antinfested States to mitigate the risks
associated with the movement of regulated articles such as nursery stock and used soil-moving equipment.

The regulations in ‘‘Subpart— Imported Fire Ant’’ (7 CFR 301.81 through 301.81–11, referred to below as the regulations) are intended to prevent the imported fire ant from spreading throughout its ecological range within the country. The regulations quarantine
infested States or infested areas within
States and restrict interstate movement of regulated articles to prevent the artificial spread of the imported fire ant.

Sections 301.81–4 and 301.81–5 of the regulations provide, among other things, that regulated articles requiring treatment prior to interstate movement must be treated in accordance with 7 CFR part 305, which contains our phytosanitary treatment regulations.

In § 305.2, paragraph (b) states that approved treatment schedules are set
out in the Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Treatment Manual. 1 Section 305.3 sets out a process for adding, revising, or removing treatment schedules in the PPQ Treatment Manual. In that section, paragraph (a) sets out the process for adding, revising, or removing treatment schedules when
there is no immediate need to make a change.

In accordance with § 305.3(a)(1), we published a notice 2 in the Federal Register on March 6, 2013 (78 FR 14510–14511, Docket No. APHIS–2012– 0064), in which we announced the availability, for review and comment, of a treatment evaluation document (TED) we prepared to discuss the existing treatment schedules, describe the new treatment schedules, and explain why certain changes were necessary. In addition, we prepared an environmental assessment (EA) entitled, ‘‘Pesticide Use in the Imported Fire Ant Program’’ (March 2012) to document our review and analysis of the environmental impacts associated with the new pesticides and new uses for previously approved pesticides.

We solicited comments on the notice for 60 days ending on May 6, 2013. We received four comments by that date, from a State agriculture department, an organization of State plant pest regulatory agencies, an industry association, and a private citizen. All four commenters supported the changes to the PPQ Treatment Manual described in the TED. Therefore, in accordance with § 305.3, we are announcing the
Administrator’s determination to add
the new and revised treatment schedules for use for the imported fire ant program to the PPQ Treatment
Manual.

We are also announcing that we have prepared a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for this action. The FONSI, which is based on the EA and the comments we received, documents our conclusion that the updates to the PPQ Treatment Manual will not have a significant impact on the quality of the
human environment.

The EA and FONSI were 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