[Federal Register: August 4, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 149)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 41389]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04au98-3]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

7 CFR Part 301

[Docket No. 97-102-3]

 
Mediterranean Fruit Fly; Removal of Quarantined Area

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Affirmation of interim rule as final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim 
rule that amended the Mediterranean fruit fly regulations by removing 
the quarantined area in Los Angeles County, CA, from the list of 
quarantined areas. We have determined that the Mediterranean fruit fly 
has been eradicated from this area and that restrictions on the 
interstate movement of regulated articles from this area are no longer 
necessary. As a result of the interim rule, there are no longer any 
areas in California quarantined because of the Mediterranean fruit fly.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The interim rule was effective on April 16, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael B. Stefan, Operations 
Officer, Domestic and Emergency Programs, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road 
Unit 134, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236, (301) 734-8247; or e-mail: 
michael.b.stefan@usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In an interim rule effective April 16, 1998, and published in the 
Federal Register on April 21, 1998 (63 FR 19651-19652, Docket No. 97-
102-2), we amended the Mediterranean fruit fly regulations (contained 
in 7 CFR 301.78 through 301.78-10) by removing the quarantined area in 
Los Angeles County, CA, from the list of quarantined areas in 
Sec. 301.78-3(c). That action relieved unnecessary restrictions on the 
interstate movement of regulated articles from the quarantined area. 
Also, as a result of that action, there are no longer any areas in 
California quarantined because of the Mediterranean fruit fly.
    Comments on the interim rule were required to be received on or 
before June 22, 1998. We did not receive any comments. The facts 
presented in the interim rule still provide a basis for the rule.
    This action also affirms the information contained in the interim 
rule concerning Executive Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act, Executive Orders 12372 and 12988, and the Paperwork Reduction Act.
    Further, for this action, the Office of Management and Budget has 
waived the review process required by Executive Order 12866.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 301

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

PART 301--DOMESTIC QUARANTINE NOTICES

    Accordingly, we are adopting as a final rule, without change, the 
interim rule that amended 7 CFR part 301 and that was published at 63 
FR 19651-19652 on April 21, 1998.

    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).

    Done in Washington, DC, this 29th day of July 1998.
Craig A. Reed,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 98-20793 Filed 8-3-98; 8:45 am]
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