The last finding of melon fruit fly in this area was November 15, 1999. Since then, no evidence of melon fruit fly infestation has been found in this area. Therefore, we are removing Los Angeles County, CA, from the list of quarantined areas in Sec. Melon fruit fly infestations are not known to exist anywhere else in the continental United States. The Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that there is good cause for publishing this interim rule without prior opportunity for public comment.
Immediate action is warranted to remove an unnecessary regulatory burden on the public.
A portion of Los Angeles County, CA, was quarantined due to the possibility that the melon fruit fly could be spread from this area to noninfested areas of the United States. Since this situation no longer exists, immediate action is necessary to remove the quarantine on Los Angeles County, CA, and to relieve the restrictions on the interstate movement of regulated articles from that area. Because prior notice and other public procedures with respect to this action are impracticable and contrary to the public interest under these conditions, we find good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553 to make this action effective less than 30 days after publication. We will consider comments that are received within 60 days of publication of this rule in the Federal Register. After the comment period closes, we will publish another document in the Federal Register.