29548 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 104 / Wednesday, June 2, 2021 / Notices 

1To view the notice, datasheets, and comments 

we received, go to www.regulations.gov and enter 

APHIS–2018–0066 in the Search field. 

2The number of pests in the initial notice was 18, 

but is 17 in this notice, as the Bambusoideae taxa 

was subsequently removed from the quarantine pest 

list for reasons explained in this notice. 

3Myrtaceae is a host of Austropuccinia psidii, 

which is a quarantine pest only for the State of 

Hawaii. 

4The NAPPRA lists can be viewed at https://

www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/ 

import-information/permits/plants-and-plantproducts-permits/plants-for-planting/ct_nappra. 

5 83 FR 11845–11867, Docket No. APHIS–2008– 

0011. 

6 DA–2013–18, ‘‘Importation of Host Material of 

Anoplophora chinensis and A. glabripennis,’’ May 

9, 2013. 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection 

Service 

[Docket No. APHIS–2018–0066] 

Notice of Decision To Add Taxa of 

Plants for Planting That Are 

Quarantine Pests or Hosts of 

Quarantine Pests to the Lists of Plants 

for Planting Whose Importation Is Not 

Authorized Pending Pest Risk Analysis 

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health 

Inspection Service, USDA. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: We are advising the public of 

our decision to add 26 taxa of plants for 

planting that are quarantine pests 

(weeds), all Myrtaceae taxa (when 

destined to Hawaii), and 43 other taxa 

of plants for planting that are hosts of 

17 quarantine pests, to our lists of plants 

for planting whose importation is now 

not authorized pending pest risk 

analysis. A previous notice made 

datasheets available for public comment 

that listed the evidence we used to 

determine that the taxa are quarantine 

pests or hosts of quarantine pests. This 

notice responds to the comments we 

received and announces final versions 

of the datasheets. 

DATES: The changes to the lists will be 

made on July 2, 2021. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. 

Indira Singh, Botanist, Plants for 

Planting Policy, IRM, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 

River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 

20737–1236; Indira.Singh@usda.gov; 

(301) 851–2020. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

Under the regulations in ‘‘Subpart 

H—Plants for Planting’’ (7 CFR 319.37– 

1 through 319.37–23, referred to below 

as the regulations), the Animal and 

Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) 

of the U.S. Department of Agriculture 

(USDA) prohibits or restricts the 

importation of plants for planting to 

prevent the introduction of quarantine 

pests into the United States. Quarantine 

pest is defined in § 319.37–1 as a plant 

pest or noxious weed that is of potential 

economic importance to the United 

States and not yet present in the United 

States, or present but not widely 

distributed and being officially 

controlled. 

The regulations in § 319.37–4(a) 

provide for the listing of plants for 

planting whose importation is not 

authorized pending pest risk analysis 

(NAPPRA) in order to prevent the 

introduction of quarantine pests into the 

United States. Those regulations 

establish two lists of taxa whose 

importation is NAPPRA: A list of taxa 

of plants for planting that are quarantine 

pests, and a list of taxa of plants for 

planting that are hosts of quarantine 

pests. Paragraph (b) of § 319.37–4 

describes the process for adding plant 

taxa to the NAPPRA category. 

In accordance with that process, on 

November 25, 2019, we published in the 

Federal Register (84 FR 64825–64826, 

Docket No. APHIS–2018–0066) a 

notice 1 that announced our 

determination that 26 taxa of plants for 

planting are quarantine pests, and that 

all Myrtaceae taxa (when destined to 

Hawaii) and 43 other taxa of plants for 

planting are hosts of 18 2 quarantine 

pests. The notice also made available 

datasheets that detail the scientific 

evidence we evaluated in making the 

determination that the taxa are 

quarantine pests or hosts of a quarantine 

pest and are being added to the 

NAPPRA category. 

We solicited comments concerning 

the notice and the datasheets for 60 days 

ending January 24, 2020, and extended 

the deadline for comments until 

February 25, 2020. We received 132 

comments from producers, importers, 

industry groups, conservationists, 

scientists, plant pathologists, ecologists, 

administrators, teachers, students, and 

private citizens. This notice responds to 

the comments we received and 

announces the final versions of the 

datasheets. 

Most commenters supported our 

addition of Myrtaceae 3 propagative 

material to Hawaii to the NAPPRA list 

because of the risk posed to important 

tree species, particularly ohi’a 

(Metrosideros polymorpha), which is 

part of the native ecosystem and 

provides habitat for threatened and 

endangered animal species. Most 

commenters expressed no concerns with 

the other taxa we proposed to add to the 

NAPPRA list. Commenter concerns are 

addressed below by topic. 

NAPPRA Lists 

One commenter stated that 

Crocosmia, Pterocarya, Tectona, Cassia, 

Abies, and many other species that 

APHIS designates as NAPPRA do not 

appear on the APHIS NAPPRA website 

and that the only place where plant taxa 

are designated as NAPPRA is in the 

USDA Plants for Planting Manual. The 

commenter suggested that APHIS make 

a comprehensive list of all NAPPRA 

plants, with pests of concern for each, 

so that the reasons why a previously 

approved plant can no longer come in 

are made clear to the public. 

All NAPPRA plants are listed in 

chapter 6 of the USDA Plants for 

Planting Manual. The APHIS website 

also lists the NAPPRA weeds and hosts 

of quarantine pests of Round 1, Round 

2, and Round 3.4 A 2018 final rule 5

moved about 120 plant genera, 

including Abies, Cassia, Crocosmia, 

Poaceae, and all herbaceous Fabaceae 

from the Prohibited List in § 319.37–2(a) 

to the NAPPRA category. We intend to 

update our APHIS website to have a 

complete list of taxa restricted through 

NAPPRA notices. 

Another commenter noted that hosts 

cited in a 2013 Asian longhorned beetle 

(ALB)/citrus longhorned beetle (CLB) 

Federal Order 6 were included in a 

revised Federal Order but not added to 

the NAPPRA tables on the APHIS 

website. 

The commenter is correct. The 2013 

ALB/CLB Federal Order added 

Cunninghamia, Pterocarya, and Tectona 

as hosts of Anoplophora chinensis. We 

will update the Round 1 table on the 

APHIS website accordingly. 

One commenter suggested that APHIS 

go to ports where non-native invasive 

species are likely to enter the United 

States and locate and remove all such 

pests 500 acres inland from the site. The 

commenter stated that this ‘‘Early 

Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR)’’ 

has been successful in the past. 

The purpose of EDRR is to detect, 

identify, assess, and make a rapid 

response to verified new domestic 

infestations that are determined to be 

invasive. The purpose of listing plants 

on NAPPRA is to prevent entry of 

unwanted plants and pests at United 

States ports of entry. Domestic issues 

involving new invasive species are 

therefore beyond the scope of this 

NAPPRA notice. 

NAPPRA Exemptions 

In some cases, APHIS exempts 

imports of plants that are hosts of 

quarantine pests from NAPPRA 


jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 104 / Wednesday, June 2, 2021 / Notices 29549 

7 82 FR 27786–27792, Docket No. APHIS–2012– 

0076. 

8 84 FR 64825–64826, Docket No. APHIS–2018– 

0066. 

requirements when there is significant 

trade of that plant between the 

exporting country and the United States. 

We allow such importation based on 

inspection findings indicating that the 

imported plants are generally pest free 

and from which the risk of introducing 

quarantine pests is low. 

One commenter stated that Canada 

should be exempt from NAPPRA 

requirements for imports of Cestrum 

spp. and Gynura spp. on the basis of 

existing significant trade between 

Canada and the United States. The 

commenter cited import data indicating 

the number of plants exported to the 

United States under the US/Canada 

Greenhouse Grown Plant Certification 

Program. 

Based on the information cited by the 

commenter, we have determined that 

Canada meets the threshold for 

significant trade with the United States 

and is exempt from NAPPRA 

requirements for Cestrum spp. and 

Gynura spp. 

Similarly, a commenter stated that 

Guatemala should be exempt from 

NAPPRA requirements for Zea spp. 

seeds based on significant trade with the 

United States. Another commenter 

provided import data for Pennisetum 

glaucum (Cenchrus americanus) millet 

seeds from Chile and requested a 

significant trade exemption from 

NAPPRA requirements for this 

commodity. 

Based upon significant trade history 

documented by the United States 

importers and provided by the national 

plant protection organization of 

Guatemala since the publication of the 

notice 7 in the Federal Register on June 

19, 2017, we agree with the commenter 

and have determined that Zea spp. from 

Guatemala meets the threshold to be 

considered exempt from NAPPRA 

listing. As is the case with Zea spp., 

additional documentation from United 

States importers (and confirmed by 

APHIS data) has demonstrated 

significant trade history of Pennisetum 

glaucum seeds from Chile. Therefore, as 

stated in the notice we published on 

November 25, 2019,8 we are exempting 

Pennisetum glaucum from Chile and 

Zea spp. from Guatemala from NAPPRA 

restrictions. 

One commenter asked APHIS to allow 

for the opportunity to have the NAPPRA 

lists reviewed if the industry 

subsequently finds and can document 

that a history of significant trade exists 

between the exporting country and the 

United States. 

If data can be provided for significant 

trade between the United States and the 

exporting country, we will re-evaluate 

the NAPPRA status of the taxon for that 

country. 

Imports of Myrtaceae Cut Flowers and 

Greenery Into Hawaii 

Many commenters stated that 

restrictions on Myrtaceae cut flowers 

and greenery are also needed for 

effective protection of Hawaii, and that 

port-of-entry inspections have not been 

successful in saving Hawaii from the 

introduction of pests and pathogens. 

Some commenters noted that cut 

foliage can transmit plant diseases and 

that its importation into Hawaii 

constitutes a gap with respect to 

phytosanitary protection. One such 

commenter noted that cut greens are 

suspected to have been the original 

pathway for Austropuccinia psidii to 

enter Hawaii, adding that the disease 

has been intercepted by State inspectors 

on greenery shipped from Florida. 

APHIS understands that cut flowers 

and greenery are a potential pathway for 

the entry of several pests and pathogens. 

While imported plants that pose a threat 

to Hawaii will be added to the NAPPRA 

lists, cut flowers and greenery are not 

regulated under ‘‘Subpart H—Plants for 

Planting,’’ but rather a different subpart, 

‘‘Subpart P—Cut Flowers,’’ and are thus 

outside the scope of this notice. 

Separate regulatory action is required to 

address that pathway. 

A commenter noted that we did not 

propose to add Ceratocystis lukuohia 

and Ceratocystis huliohia to NAPPRA. 

The commenter added that these pests 

are killing ohi’a trees in Hawaii and 

asked that APHIS publish a new 

proposal to add these species to the list. 

When a plant taxon is placed on 

NAPPRA, its importation becomes 

restricted. While our determination to 

list Myrtaceae in NAPPRA was based on 

it being a host of myrtle rust 

(Austropuccinia psidii), we will base 

future decisions on pest risk 

assessments that address all quarantine 

pests and pathogens associated with 

Myrtaceae, including Ceratocystis spp. 

Potential Economic Effects 

Two commenters in the State of 

Hawaii expressed concern that the 

addition of the Myrtaceae family to the 

NAPPRA list would have a negative 

impact on their floral businesses. 

One commenter, a wholesale flower 

importer, stated that local farms are 

unable to provide the volume that the 

industry requires, and that insufficient 

time exists for the floral industry in 

Hawaii to prepare for the proposed 

changes. Another commenter 

representing a flower bouquet business 

asked us to reconsider listing 

Eucalyptus, a member of the Myrtaceae 

family, under NAPPRA for plants 

destined for Hawaii. 

The underlying principle of the 

NAPPRA lists is to safeguard U.S. 

agriculture with the least possible effect 

on trade. While the addition of taxa to 

the NAPPRA lists may make it more 

difficult for Hawaiian business to obtain 

Myrtaceae plants from other countries, 

the economic impact is outweighed by 

the potentially devastating effects of 

introducing quarantine pests into 

Hawaii on agriculture, forests, and 

endangered species. We also note that 

the commenters’ primary concern was 

not with NAPPRA, but with parallel 

restrictions imposed by the State of 

Hawaii on the interstate movement of 

Myrtaceae plants into Hawaii from other 

State and territories. 

Another commenter urged APHIS to 

consider broader bans of living plant 

material to and from Hawaii. With the 

ongoing introduction of new plants, 

insects, and pathogens into Hawaii, the 

commenter stated that the current 

framework and methodology for 

inspecting imported and exported plant 

materials is untenable. 

We are making no changes based on 

the comments, as we consider the 

current framework for inspections 

adequate to manage phytosanitary risk. 

Taxa added to the NAPPRA list are only 

prohibited entry to the United States if 

they are determined to be quarantine 

pests or until a pest risk analysis is 

conducted that has identified 

appropriate mitigation measures to 

prevent the introduction of quarantine 

pests for which they are hosts. 

Bambusoideae 

We are removing the Poaceae 

subfamily Bambusoideae taxa from the 

NAPPRA quarantine pest list as the 

subfamily is already regulated under 

NAPPRA for Ustilago sharaiana and 

other quarantine pests. 

General Comments 

One commenter noted that some of 

the plant taxa included in the proposal 

that APHIS names as being vulnerable 

to various pests or pathogens are 

invasive in the United States, namely 

Syzygium jambos, Bambusoideae, and 

Euonymus, and asked if this is an 

appropriate priority. 

The commenter’s concern about 

Syzygium jambos and Euonymus being 

invasive has been addressed through 

restricting their importation into the 

United States by listing them as 


jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES
29550 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 104 / Wednesday, June 2, 2021 / Notices 

NAPPRA. Bambusoideae has been 

deleted from this notice as it is already 

regulated under NAPPRA. 

A commenter stated that the NAPPRA 

listing of Elm mottle virus (EMoV) does 

not clarify whether the purpose is to 

protect North American elm species or 

other hosts, such as hydrangea and lilac. 

The listing of EMoV is for all hosts, 

including lilac (Syringa), which is listed 

in this notice, and Hydrangea, which is 

already on the NAPPRA list. 

Comment Period 

A commenter needed more time to 

develop a response and requested that 

we extend the comment period. 

We extended the comment period for 

an additional 30 days. 

Therefore, in accordance with the 

regulations in § 319.37–4, we are adding 

26 taxa of plants for planting that are 

quarantine pests (weeds), and all 

Myrtaceae taxa (when destined to 

Hawaii) and 43 other taxa of plants for 

planting that are hosts of 17 quarantine 

pests whose importation is now 

NAPPRA. We are exempting Zea spp. 

from Guatemala, Pennisetum glaucum 

(syn. Cenchrus americanus) from Chile, 

and Gynura spp. and Cestrum spp. from 

Canada from the NAPPRA listing. We 

are also adding Jasminum spp. plants 

for planting from South Africa to 

NAPPRA, and Catharanthus spp. plants 

for planting from Canada to NAPPRA. 

A complete list of taxa added to the 

NAPPRA list and the restrictions placed 

on their importation can be found on 

the APHIS website at https://

www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/ 

planthealth/import-information/ 

permits/plants-and-plant-productspermits/plants-for-planting/ct_nappra. 

Congressional Review Act 

Pursuant to the Congressional Review 

Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), the Office of 

Information and Regulatory Affairs 

designated this rule as not a major rule, 

as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). 

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1633 and 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 27th day of 

May 2021. 

Mark Davidson, 

Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant 

Health Inspection Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–11559 Filed 6–1–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–34–P 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Forest Service 

Newspapers Used for Publication of 

Legal Notices in the Southwestern 

Region: Arizona, New Mexico, and 

Parts of Oklahoma and Texas 

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: This notice lists the 

newspapers that will be used by all 

Ranger Districts, Grasslands, Forests, 

and the Regional Office of the 

Southwestern Region to publish legal 

notices. The intended effect of this 

action is to inform interested members 

of the public which newspapers the 

Forest Service will use to publish 

notices of proposed actions, notices of 

decision, and notices of opportunity to 

file an objection. This will provide the 

public with constructive notice of Forest 

Service proposals and decisions, 

provide information on the procedures 

to comment or object, and establish the 

date that the Forest Service will use to 

determine if comments or objections 

were timely. 

DATES: Publication of legal notices in 

the listed newspapers will begin on the 

date of this publication and continue 

until further notice. 

ADDRESSES: Roxanne Turley, Regional 

Administrative Review Coordinator, 

Forest Service, Southwestern Region; 

333 Broadway SE, Albuquerque, NM 

87102–3498. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Roxanne Turley, Regional 

Administrative Review Coordinator; 

(505) 842–3178 or roxanne.turley@

usda.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

administrative procedures at 36 CFR 

parts 218 and 219 require the Forest 

Service to publish notices in a 

newspaper of general circulation. The 

content of the notices is specified in 36 

CFR parts 218 and 219. In general, the 

notices will identify: The decision or 

project by title or subject matter; the 

name and title of the official making the 

decision; how to obtain additional 

information; and where and how to file 

comments or objections. The date the 

notice is published will be used to 

establish the official date for the 

beginning of the comment or objection 

period. Where more than one 

newspaper is listed for any unit, the first 

newspaper listed is the primary 

newspaper of record and which 

publication date shall be used for 

calculating the time period to file 

comment or an objection. 

Southwestern Regional Office 

Regional Forester 

—Notices of Availability for Comment 

and Decisions and Objections 

affecting National Forest System 

Lands in the State of New Mexico for 

any projects of Region-wide impact, 

or for any projects affecting more than 

one National Forest or National 

Grassland in New Mexico:— 

‘‘Albuquerque Journal’’, Albuquerque, 

New Mexico. 

—Regional Forester Notices of 

Availability for Comment and 

Decisions and Objections affecting 

National Forest System lands in the 

State of Arizona for any projects of 

Region-wide impact, or for any 

projects affecting more than one 

National Forest in Arizona: —‘‘The 

Arizona Republic’’, Phoenix, Arizona. 

—Regional Forester Notices of 

Availability for Comment and 

Decisions and Objections affecting 

National Grasslands in New Mexico, 

Oklahoma, and Texas are listed by 

Grassland and location as follows: 

Kiowa National Grassland —‘‘Union 

County Leader’’, Clayton New 

Mexico 

Rita Blanca National Grassland in 

Cimarron County, Oklahoma— 

‘‘Boise City News’’, Boise City, 

Oklahoma 

Rita Blanca National Grassland in 

Dallam County, Texas—‘‘The 

Dalhart Texan’’, Dalhart, Texas 

Black Kettle National Grassland in 

Roger Mills County, Oklahoma— 

‘‘Cheyenne Star’’, Cheyenne, 

Oklahoma 

Black Kettle National Grassland in 

Hemphill County, Texas—‘‘The 

Canadian Record’’, Canadian, Texas 

McClellan Creek National Grassland 

in Gray County, Texas—‘‘The 

Pampa News’’, Pampa, Texas 

—Regional Forester Notices of 

Availability for Comment and 

Decisions and Objections affecting 

only one National Forest or National 

Grassland unit will appear in the 

newspaper of record elected by each 

National Forest or National Grassland, 

as listed below. 

Arizona National Forests 

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests 

Notices for Availability for 

Comments, Decisions and Objections by 

Forest Supervisor, Alpine Ranger 

District, Black Mesa Ranger District, 

Lakeside Ranger District, and 

Springerville Ranger District are 

published in: —‘‘The White Mountain 

Independent’’, Apache County, Arizona. 


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