[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 75 (Tuesday, April 18, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20770-20774]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9670]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

7 CFR Part 301

[Docket No. 99-077-1]
RIN 0579-AB17


Karnal Bunt; Regulated Areas

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: We propose to amend the Karnal bunt regulations by removing 
from regulated areas any noninfected acreage that is more than 3 miles 
from a field or area associated with a bunted wheat kernel. This action 
would reduce the size of the areas that are regulated because of Karnal 
bunt in La Paz, Maricopa, and Pinal Counties of Arizona. We also 
propose to specify that mechanized harvesting equipment must be cleaned 
and disinfected before leaving a regulated area only if it has been 
used to harvest host crops that test positive for Karnal bunt. This 
action would relieve restrictions on the movement of mechanized 
harvesting equipment from all areas regulated because of Karnal bunt. 
We believe these actions would not result in a significant risk of 
spreading Karnal bunt.

DATES: We invite you to comment on this docket. We will consider all 
comments that we receive by June 19, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Please send your comment and three copies to: Docket No. 99-
077-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Suite 3C03, 
4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.
    Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. 99-077-1.
    You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our 
reading room. The reading room 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.
    APHIS documents published in the Federal Register, and related 
information, including the names of organizations and individuals who 
have commented on APHIS rules, are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Vedpal S. Malik, National Karnal 
Bunt Coordinator, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 134, Riverdale, MD 
20737-1236; (301)734-6774.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    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 
fungus Tilletia indica (Mitra) Mundkur and is spread through the 
movement of infected seed. In the absence of measures taken by the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prevent its spread, the 
establishment of Karnal bunt in the United States could have 
significant consequences with regard to the export of wheat to 
international markets. The regulations regarding Karnal bunt are set 
forth in 7 CFR 301.89-1 through 301.89-14 (referred to below as the 
regulations).

Regulated Areas in Arizona

    The regulations in Sec. 301.89-3(e) provide the criteria for 
classifying a field or area as a regulated area for Karnal bunt. Under 
those criteria, a field or area would be classified as a regulated area 
when it is:
    <bullet> A field planted with seed from a lot found to contain a 
bunted wheat kernel;
    <bullet> A distinct definable area that contains at least one field 
that was found during survey to contain a bunted

[[Page 20771]]

wheat kernel (the distinct definable area may include an area where 
Karnal bunt is not known to exist but where intensive surveys are 
required because of the area's proximity to a field found during survey 
to contain a bunted kernel); or
    <bullet> A distinct definable area that contains at least one field 
that was found during survey to contain spores consistent with Karnal 
bunt and has been determined to be associated with grain at a handling 
facility containing a bunted wheat kernel (the distinct definable area 
may include an area where Karnal bunt is not known to exist but where 
intensive surveys are required because of the area's proximity to a 
field that has been associated with grain at a handling facility 
containing a bunted kernel).
    The boundaries of distinct definable areas are determined using the 
criteria in paragraphs (b) through (d) of Sec. 301.89-3, which provide 
for the regulation of less than an entire State, the inclusion of 
noninfected acreage in a regulated area, and the temporary designation 
of nonregulated areas as regulated areas. Paragraph (c) of Sec. 301.89 
states that the Administrator may include noninfected acreage within a 
regulated area due to its proximity to an infestation or inseparability 
from the infected locality for regulatory purposes, as determined by:
    <bullet> Projections of the spread of Karnal bunt along the 
periphery of the infestation;
    <bullet> The availability of natural habitats and host materials 
within the noninfected acreage that are suitable for establishment and 
survival of Karnal bunt; and
    <bullet> The necessity of including noninfected acreage within the 
regulated area in order to establish readily identifiable boundaries.
    When we include noninfected acreage in a regulated area for one or 
more of these reasons, the noninfected acreage, along with the rest of 
the acreage in the regulated area, is intensively surveyed. Negative 
results from surveys of the noninfected acreage provide assurance that 
all infected acreage is within the regulated area. In effect, the 
noninfected acreage serves as a buffer zone between fields or areas 
associated with a bunted kernel and areas outside of the regulated 
area.
    Based on 4 years of experience surveying noninfected acreage 
included in regulated areas, we have determined that a buffer zone of 
no more than 3 miles around a field or area associated with a bunted 
kernel is sufficient.
    The regulations at Sec. 301.89-3(f) set the boundaries for 
regulated areas in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas. Certain 
regulated areas in Arizona, California, and Texas include noninfected 
acreage. In those regulated areas in California and Texas, the buffer 
zone does not extend more than 3 miles. However, in Arizona, regulated 
areas include additional noninfected acreage--in some cases up to 6 
miles from a field or area associated with a bunted kernel--when the 
area is within contiguous agricultural acreage.
    We propose to reduce the size of the regulated areas in Arizona by 
removing noninfected acreage that is more than 3 miles from a field or 
area associated with a bunted wheat kernel. This action would reduce 
the size of the areas in La Paz, Maricopa, and Pinal Counties of 
Arizona that are regulated because of Karnal bunt and would create a 
uniform and consistent standard for setting the boundaries of regulated 
areas in all affected States.
    As a result of our proposal to reduce the size of the regulated 
areas in Maricopa and Pinal Counties so that they include only a 3-mile 
buffer zone around a field or area associated with a bunted kernel, we 
also propose to add 10 fields in Maricopa County and 5 fields in Pinal 
County to the respective county lists of individual fields classified 
as regulated areas. These 15 fields are currently part of larger 
regulated areas in Pinal and Maricopa Counties that would be broken up 
by our removing some noninfected acreage from regulation. These fields 
were planted in 1995 with lots of seed that contained bunted wheat 
kernels, so we believe it necessary to continue to regulate these 
fields. However, because crops from these fields have never tested 
positive for Karnal bunt, we see no need to establish a buffer zone 
around these fields.
    The areas in La Paz, Maricopa, and Pinal Counties of Arizona that 
we propose to designate as regulated areas are described in 
Sec. 301.89(f) in the rule portion of this document.

Mechanized Harvesting Equipment

    Section 301.89-12 of the regulations requires cleaning and 
disinfection of mechanized harvesting equipment and seed conditioning 
equipment. Currently, mechanized harvesting equipment and seed 
conditioning equipment must be cleaned and disinfected before leaving a 
regulated area after harvesting any Karnal bunt host crops in regulated 
areas.
    We propose to amend the regulations to require that mechanized 
harvesting equipment be cleaned and disinfected before leaving a 
regulated area only if it has been used to harvest host crops that test 
positive for Karnal bunt.
    Our regulations concerning the testing of Karnal bunt host crops 
(see Sec. 301.89-6) require that harvested host crops be tested for the 
presence of Karnal bunt prior to movement from the field or before 
commingling with other grains. This testing occurs before, or while, 
harvesting equipment is in the field. Harvesting equipment presents a 
risk only if contaminated by positive host crops. Therefore, instead of 
requiring all mechanized harvesting equipment to be cleaned and 
disinfected before leaving the regulated area, we can focus 
requirements on that equipment that presents a risk of spreading Karnal 
bunt without causing delays for the operators of mechanized harvesting 
equipment. This action would reduce the use of corrosive chemicals for 
cleaning and disinfection in regulated areas and relieve restrictions 
on the movement of mechanized harvesting equipment from areas regulated 
because of Karnal bunt.
    In connection with this change, we also propose to amend 
Sec. 301.89-2(i), which lists mechanized harvesting equipment as a 
regulated article. We would specify that mechanized harvesting 
equipment is a regulated article only if it has been used to harvest 
host crops that test positive for Karnal bunt.
    The cleaning and disinfection requirements for seed conditioning 
equipment would remain unchanged because that equipment handles only 
seed, which presents a greater risk for the artificial spread of Karnal 
bunt.

Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12866. 
The rule has been determined to be significant for the purposes of 
Executive Order 12866 and, therefore, has been reviewed by the Office 
of Management and Budget.
    We have prepared an economic analysis for this action, which is set 
forth below. The analysis addresses the effects on small entities, as 
required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act, and serves as the cost-
benefit analysis required by Executive Order 12866.
    We propose to amend the Karnal bunt regulations by removing from 
regulated areas any noninfected acreage that is more than 3 miles from 
a field or area associated with a bunted wheat kernel. This action 
would reduce the size of the areas that are regulated because of Karnal 
bunt in La Paz, Maricopa, and Pinal Counties of Arizona. We also 
propose to specify that mechanized harvesting equipment must be cleaned

[[Page 20772]]

and disinfected before leaving a regulated area only if it has been 
used to harvest host crops that test positive for Karnal bunt. This 
action would relieve restrictions on the movement of mechanized 
harvesting equipment from all areas regulated because of Karnal bunt.

Regulated Areas in Arizona

    As a result of the proposed reduction of regulated areas in La Paz, 
Maricopa, and Pinal Counties of Arizona, the regulated agricultural 
acreage in central Arizona would decline by about 131,000 acres, 
reducing the regulated acreage in Arizona as a whole by about one-
third, from 389,000 acres to 258,000 acres. The total regulated 
agricultural acreage in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas 
would decline by about 25 percent, from approximately 484,000 acres to 
353,000 acres.
    This change would benefit an estimated five wheat producers 
operating in the areas that would no longer be regulated. These five 
producers would benefit because they would be able to move their wheat 
without restriction. Currently, wheat grain may be moved from a 
regulated area only if it tests negative for bunted kernels, and 
commercial wheat seed may not be moved from a regulated area.
    However, the benefits for these producers are not likely to be 
significant for two reasons. First, grain is tested for Karnal bunt at 
no cost to producers in all regulated areas. For producers who would be 
affected by this change, the elimination of the current testing 
requirement would remove an inconvenience only, not a financial burden. 
Second, very little commercial wheat seed is, or is expected to be, 
grown in the areas that would be removed from regulation. Because of 
that, the elimination of the current restriction on moving commercial 
seed would have only a minimal economic effect on producers in the 
affected areas.
    It is possible that, by giving affected producers new status as 
deregulated growers, the rule could serve to enhance the perception of 
the quality of the producers' wheat crop. This could, in turn, lead to 
higher wheat prices. However, even if producers were to benefit from 
higher prices for their wheat, those prices are not likely to increase 
significantly.

Mechanized Harvesting Equipment

    The proposed change to the requirements for cleaning and 
disinfecting mechanized harvesting equipment would primarily benefit 
custom combine harvesters, who routinely move their machines into and 
out of regulated areas in the course of harvesting wheat for multiple 
producers. They would benefit because they would no longer be required 
to clean and disinfect their combines prior to moving them out of the 
regulated area, as long as the machines had not been used to harvest 
host crops that tested positive for Karnal bunt.
    Currently, there are about 67 harvesters, including both custom 
operators and producers who use their own combines, operating 124 
combines in regulated areas. Many of these 67 harvesters could benefit 
from this rule. However, the exact number who would benefit--and the 
extent to which each would benefit--is unknown, since the information 
needed to make that determination (i.e., the operating characteristics 
for each of the harvesters) is not available. It is not uncommon, for 
example, for custom harvesters to move the same combine into and out of 
the regulated area several times in the same crop season, a situation 
that occurs when cutting wheat that matures at different times.
    The regulations allow for several different cleaning methods, but 
most combine operators choose a steam treatment, which takes a minimum 
of 8 hours and costs from about $500 to $600 per cleaning. In addition 
to the cost of cleaning itself, combine operators also incur an 
indirect cost of approximately $2,000 for each steam cleaning, 
representing lost income associated with the cleaning down time. For a 
combine harvester, therefore, each steam cleaning can cost up to about 
$2,600.
    The economic effect of the proposed change to the regulations would 
vary depending on the operator's business practices and other factors. 
Incurring the cost of five cleanings per year for certain individual 
operators is not uncommon, although some operators must clean their 
equipment more than five times and some fewer than five times. Certain 
operators in the regulated area would not benefit at all from this 
proposed rule because they do not move their equipment from regulated 
areas. However, if a custom harvester avoided the cost of five 
cleanings per year as a result of this proposed rule, the savings would 
amount to approximately $13,000.

Effects on Small Entities

    Virtually all of the wheat producers and firms that would be 
affected by this proposed rule are likely to be categorized as small 
according to the Small Business Administration (SBA) size 
classification. Economic impacts resulting from this proposed rule 
would therefore largely affect small entities.
    The wheat producers that could be affected by the proposed changes 
to the regulations are all assumed to be small entities. This 
assumption is based on composite data for providers of the same and 
similar services. There were a total of 6,135 farms in Arizona in 1997. 
Of those 6,135 farms, which include wheat farms, 89 percent had annual 
sales of less than $0.5 million, the SBA's small entity threshold for 
wheat farms. However, for the reasons discussed above, we do not expect 
this proposed rule to have a significant economic effect on these 
entities.
    The combine operators that could be affected by the proposed 
changes to the regulations are also all assumed to be small entities. 
In 1996, there were 282 U.S. firms primarily engaged in mechanical 
harvesting and related activities (SIC 0722), including combining of 
crops. Of the 282 firms, 95 percent (or 268) had less than $5.0 million 
in annual sales, the SBA's small entity threshold for businesses in 
that SIC category. Further, in 1996, the per firm average sales for all 
of the 268 firms in SIC 0722 that met the SBA's definition of a small 
entity was $551,571. Therefore, based on our calculation of $13,000 in 
potential savings for many of these firms, the economic benefits of 
this proposal would represent 2 percent of annual sales, which would 
not amount to a significant economic effect on these firms.
    Under these circumstances, the Administrator of the Animal and 
Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that this action would 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

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 proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, 
Civil Justice Reform. If this proposed rule is adopted: (1) All State 
and local laws and regulations that are inconsistent with this rule 
will be preempted; (2) no retroactive effect will be given to this 
rule; and (3) administrative proceedings will not be required before 
parties may file suit in court challenging this rule.

[[Page 20773]]

Paperwork Reduction Act

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

Lists of Subjects in Part 301

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

    Accordingly, we propose to amend 7 CFR part 301 as follows:

PART 301--DOMESTIC QUARANTINE NOTICES

    1. The authority citation for part 301 would continue to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 147a, 150bb, 150dd, 150ee, 150ff, 161, 162, 
and 164-167; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.2(c).

    2. In Sec. 301.89-2, paragraph (i) would be revised to read as 
follows:


Sec. 301.89-2  Regulated articles.

* * * * *
    (i) Mechanized harvesting equipment used in the production of 
wheat, durum wheat, and triticale that test positive from Karnal bunt;
* * * * *
    3. In Sec. 301.89-3, paragraph (f), the entry for Arizona would be 
revised to read as follows:


Sec. 301.89-3  Regulated areas.

* * * * *
    (f) * * *
ARIZONA
    La Paz County. Beginning at the southeast corner of sec. 33, T. 5 
N., R. 21 W.; then west to the Colorado River; then north along the 
Colorado River to the west edge of sec. 26, T. 6 N., R. 22 W.; then 
north to the northwest corner of sec. 26, T. 6 N., R. 22 W.; then east 
to the northeast corner of sec. 27, T. 6 N., R. 21 W.; then south to 
the southeast corner of sec. 10, T. 5 N., R. 21 W.; then west to the 
southwest corner of sec. 10, T. 5 N., R. 21 W.; then south to the point 
of beginning; and
    Beginning at the southeast corner of sec. 36, T. 7 N., R. 21 W.; 
then west to the southwest corner of sec. 31, T. 7 N., R. 21 W.; then 
north to the northwest corner of sec. 7, T. 7 N., R. 21 W.; then east 
to the northwest corner of sec. 8, T. 7 N., R. 21 W.; then north to the 
northwest corner of sec. 5, T. 7 N., R. 21 W.; then east to the 
northwest corner of sec. 4, T. 7 N., R. 21 W.; then north to the 
northwest corner of sec. 33, T. 8 N., R. 21 W.; then east to the 
northeast corner of sec. 34, T. 8 N., R. 21 W.; then south to the 
northeast corner of sec. 3, T. 7 N., R. 21 W.; then east to the 
northeast corner of sec. 2, T. 7 N., R. 21 W.; then south to the 
northeast corner of sec. 11, T. 7 N., R. 21 W.; then east to the 
northeast corner of sec. 12, T. 7 N., R. 21 W.; then south to the point 
of beginning.
    Maricopa County. Beginning at the southeast corner of sec. 12, T. 6 
S., R. 6 W.; then west to the southwest corner of sec. 7, T. 6 S., R. 6 
W.; then north to the northwest corner of sec. 7, T. 6 S., R. 6 W.; 
then west to the southwest corner of sec. 2, T. 6 S., R. 7 W.; then 
north to the northwest corner of sec. 14, T. 5 S., R. 7 W.; then east 
to the northeast corner of sec. 18, T. 5 S., R. 6 W.; then south to the 
southeast corner of sec. 19, T. 5 S., R. 6 W.; then east to the 
northeast corner of sec. 25, T. 5 S., R. 6 W.; then south to the point 
of beginning; and
    Beginning at the southeast corner of sec. 14, T. 1 S., R. 4 W.; 
then west to the southwest corner of sec. 14, T. 1 S., R. 5 W.; then 
north to the northwest corner of sec. 14, T. 1 N., R. 5 W.; then east 
to the northeast corner of sec. 14, T. 1 N., R. 4 W.; then south to the 
point of beginning; and
    Beginning at the southeast corner of sec. 6, T. 1 S., R. 2 W.; then 
west to the southwest corner of sec. 5, T. 1 S., R. 3 W.; then north to 
the northwest corner of sec. 17, T. 1 N., R. 3 W.; then east to the 
northeast corner of sec. 18, T. 1 N., R. 2 W.; then north to the 
northwest corner of sec. 8, T. 1 N., R. 2 W.; then east to the 
northeast corner of sec. 8, T. 1 N., R. 2 W.; then south to the 
southeast corner of sec. 32, T. 1 N., R. 2 W.; then west to the 
northeast corner of sec. 6, T. 1 S., R. 2 W.; then south to the point 
of beginning; and
    Beginning at the southeast corner of sec. 28, T. 1 S., R. 2 E.; 
then west to the southwest corner of sec. 30, T. 1 S., R. 2 E.; then 
north to the southwest corner of sec. 18, T. 1 S., R. 2 E.; then west 
to the southwest corner of sec. 14, T. 1 S., R. 1 E.; then north to the 
southwest corner of sec. 2, T. 1 S., R. 1 E.; then west to the 
southwest corner of sec. 4, T. 1 S., R. 1 E.; then north to the 
northwest corner of sec. 4, T. 1 S., R. 1 E., then west to the 
southwest corner of sec. 33, T. 1 N., R. 1 W.; then north to the 
southwest corner of sec. 9, T. 1 N., R. 1 W.; then west to the 
southwest corner of sec. 12, T. 1 N., R. 2 W.; then north to the 
southwest corner of sec. 25, T. 2 N., R. 2 W.; then west to the 
southwest corner of sec. 27, T. 2 N., R. 2 W.; then north to the 
northwest corner of sec. 3, T. 3 N., R. 2 W.; then east to the 
northeast corner of sec. 1, T. 3 N., R. 1 W.; then south to the 
northwest corner of sec. 19, T. 3 N., R. 1 E.; then east to the 
northeast corner of sec. 23, T. 3 N., R. 1 E.; then south to the 
southeast corner of sec. 35, T. 3 N., R. 1 E.; then east to the 
northeast corner of sec. 1, T. 2 N., R. 1 E.; then south to the 
northwest corner of sec. 18, T. 1 N., R. 2 E.; then east to the 
northeast corner of sec. 13, T. 1 N., R. 2 E.; then south to the 
southeast corner of sec. 12, T. 1 S., R. 2 E.; then west to the 
southeast corner of sec. 9, T. 1 S., R. 2 E.; then south to the point 
of beginning; and
    Beginning at the southeast corner of sec. 34, T. 2 N., R. 5 E.; 
then west to the southwest corner of sec. 31, T. 2 N., R. 5 E.; then 
north to the northwest corner of sec. 7, T. 2 N., R. 5 E.; then east to 
the northeast corner of sec. 10, T. 2 N., R. 5 E.; then south to the 
point of beginning; and
    Beginning at the intersection of the Maricopa/Pinal County line and 
the southwest corner of sec. 31, T. 2 S., R. 5 E.; then north to the 
northwest corner of sec. 31, T. 2 S., R. 5 E.; then west to the 
southwest corner of sec. 25, T. 2 S., R. 4 E.; then north to the 
southwest corner of sec. 13, T. 2 S., R. 4 E.; then west to the 
southwest corner of sec. 15, T. 2 S., R. 4 E.; then north to the 
northwest corner of sec. 3, T. 2 S., R. 4 E.; then east to the 
southwest corner of sec. 35, T. 1 S., R. 4 E.; then north to the 
northwest corner of sec. 35, T. 1 S., R. 4 E.; then east to the 
northwest corner of sec. 34, T. 1 S., R. 5 E.; then north to the 
northwest corner of sec. 22, T. 1 S., R. 5 E.; then east to the 
northwest corner of sec. 20, T. 1 S., R. 6 E.; then north to the 
northwest corner of sec. 8, T. 1 S., R. 6 E.; then east to the 
northeast corner of sec. 7, T. 1 S., R. 7 E.; then south to the 
southeast corner of sec. 31, T. 1 S., R. 7 E.; then east to the 
northeast corner of sec. 5, T. 2 S., R. 7 E.; then south to the 
southeast corner of sec. 5, T. 2 S., R. 7 E.; then east to the 
Maricopa/Pinal County line; then south and west along the Maricopa/
Pinal County line to the point of beginning.
    The following individual fields in Maricopa County are regulated 
areas:

301060505                304073005                306013222
301060506                304073010                306013231
301060601                304081410                306020404
301060602                304081413                306020501
301060603                304081415                306020601
301060604                304081417                306020623
301102505                304081505                316123301
301102506                304081506                316123302
303111502                304082202                316123303
303111503                304082302                316131901
303113002                304082303                316131904
304031904                304082607                316132302
304031906                304082703                316132604
304073004
 

    Pinal County. Beginning at the intersection of the Maricopa/Pinal 
County line and the northwest corner of sec. 7, T. 2 S., R. 8 E.; then 
east to the

[[Page 20774]]

northeast corner of sec. 8, T. 2 S., R. 8 E.; then south to the 
southeast corner of sec. 8, T. 2 S., R. 8 E.; then east to the 
northeast corner of sec. 16, T. 2 S., R. 8 E.; then south to the 
southeast corner of sec. 28, T. 2 S., R. 8 E.; then west to the 
southeast corner of sec. 29, T. 2 S., R. 8 E.; then south to the 
southeast corner of sec. 32, T. 2 S., R. 8 E.; then west to the 
Maricopa/Pinal County line; then north along the Maricopa/Pinal County 
line to the point of beginning; and
    Beginning at the intersection of the Maricopa/Pinal County line and 
the northeast corner of sec. 5, T. 3 S., R. 6 E.; then south to the 
southeast corner of sec. 32, T. 3 S., R. 6 E.; then west to the 
southwest corner of sec. 34, T. 3 S., R. 5 E.; then north to the 
southwest corner of sec. 3, T. 3 S., R. 5 E.; then west to the 
southwest corner of sec. 6, T. 3 S., R. 5 E.; then north to the 
Maricopa/Pinal County line; then east along the Maricopa/Pinal County 
line to the point of beginning; and
    Beginning at the southeast corner of sec. 5, T. 6 S., R. 4 E.; then 
west to the southwest corner of sec. 5, T. 6 S., R. 3 E.; then north to 
the southwest corner of sec. 28, T. 5 S., R. 3 E.; then west to the 
southwest corner of sec. 25, T. 5 S., R. 2 E.; then north to the 
southwest corner of sec. 24, T. 5 S., R. 2 E.; then west to the 
southwest corner of sec. 23, T. 5 S., R. 2 E.; then north to the 
northwest corner of sec. 35, T. 4 S., R. 2 E.; then east to the 
northwest corner of sec. 36, T. 4 S., R. 2 E.; then north to the 
northwest corner of sec. 25, T. 4 S., R. 2 E.; then east to the 
northwest corner of sec. 29, T. 4 S., R. 3 E.; then north to the 
northwest corner of sec. 20, T. 4 S., R. 3 E.; then east to the 
northeast corner of sec. 21, T. 4 S., R. 4 E.; then south to the 
northeast corner of sec. 4, T. 5 S., R. 4 E.; then east to the 
northeast corner of sec. 3, T. 5 S., R. 4 E.; then south to the 
southeast corner of sec. 22, T. 5 S., R. 4 E.; then west to the 
southeast corner of sec. 21, T. 5 S., R. 4 E.; then south to the point 
of beginning.
    The following individual fields in Pinal County are regulated 
areas:

307012207                309033507                309042621
308102604                309042544                309050104
308102605                309042545                309050109
309021801                309042601                309050122
309021804                309042607                309050207
309021812                309042619                309050209
309031304                309042620
 

    Yuma County. The following individual fields in Yuma County are 
regulated areas:

321010208                321040405                323030401
321010210                321040911                323030402
321010211                321040912                323030403
321010224                321040915                323030404
321010301                321040917                323030405
321010302                321040918                323030406
321011103                321040921                323030501
321033501                321040922                323030502
321033502                321041903                323030512
321033503                321041904                323030513
321033516                321041908                323030514
321033517                321041919                323030515
321033518                321042903                323030521
321033519
 

* * * * *
    4. In Sec. 301.89-12, paragraph (a) would be revised to read as 
follows:


Sec. 301.89-12  Cleaning and disinfection.

    (a) Mechanized harvesting equipment that has been used to harvest 
host crops that test positive for Karnal bunt and seed conditioning 
equipment that has been used in the production of any host crops must 
be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with Sec. 301.89-13(a) prior 
to movement from a regulated area.
* * * * *

    Done in Washington, DC, this 12th day of April 2000.
Bobby R. Acord,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 00-9670 Filed 4-17-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-U