[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 147 (Wednesday, July 30, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44214-44215]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-17467]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2008-0074]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Importation of Gypsy Moth Host Material From Canada

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment 
request.

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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 in support of regulations to prevent the introduction of 
gypsy moth from Canada into noninfested areas of the United States.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
September 29, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2008-0074 to submit or view comments and 
to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
    <bullet> Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send two copies of 
your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2008-0074, Regulatory Analysis and 
Development, PPD, APHIS, Station3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to 
Docket No. APHIS-2008-0074.
    Reading Room: 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.
    Other Information: Additional information about APHIS and its 
programs is available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on regulations for the 
importation of gypsy moth host material from Canada, contact Mr. Weyman 
Fussell, Program Manager, Pest Detection and Management Program, PPQ, 
APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 134, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-
5705. 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: Importation of Gypsy Moth Host Material From Canada.
    OMB Number: 0579-0142.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: As authorized by the Plant Protection Act (PPA, 7 U.S.C. 
7701 et seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture may prohibit or restrict 
the importation, entry, exportation, or movement in interstate commerce 
of any plant, plant

[[Page 44215]]

product, biological control organism, noxious weed, means of 
conveyance, or other article if the Secretary determines that the 
prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent a plant pest or 
noxious weed from being introduced into or disseminated within the 
United States. This authority has been delegated to the Animal and 
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which administers regulations 
to implement the PPA. Regulations governing the importation of gypsy 
moth host material into the United States from Canada are contained in 
7 CFR 319.77 through 319.77-5.
    These regulations are intended to prevent the introduction of gypsy 
moth into noninfested areas of the United States by placing certain 
inspection and documentation requirements on gypsy moth host material 
(i.e., regulated articles) imported from Canada. These regulated 
articles are: Trees without roots (e.g., Christmas trees), trees with 
roots, shrubs with roots and persistent woody stems, logs and pulpwood 
with back attached, outdoor household articles, and mobile homes and 
their associated equipment. Under the regulations, phytosanitary 
certificates, certificates of origin, or signed homeowner statements 
will be required for some of these regulated articles, depending on 
their place of origin in Canada and their destination in the United 
States. These requirements necessitate the use of information 
collection activities.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of these information collection activities 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 0.03632 hours per response.
    Respondents: Canadian plant health authorities; growers, exporters, 
shippers of Christmas trees, shrubs, logs, pulpwood, and other articles 
from gypsy moth-infested Provinces in Canada; private individuals 
entering the United States with mobile homes or outdoor household 
articles.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 147.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 15.1700.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 2,230.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 81 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 for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 24th day of July 2008.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-17467 Filed 7-29-08; 8:45 am]
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