[Federal Register: February 8, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 25)] [Notices] [Page 6034] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr08fe99-29] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. 98-118-1] Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Strategy: Risk Reduction in the Florida Medfly Eradication Program AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We are advising the public that a final environmental assessment has been prepared by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to explore risk reduction strategies relative to Medfly program activities in the State of Florida. Additionally, APHIS has prepared a strategy regarding risk reduction in the Florida Medfly eradication program. This notice announces the availability of both documents for public inspection. ADDRESSES: The environmental assessment and the strategy are available for public inspection at USDA, room 1141, South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing to inspect those documents are requested to call ahead on (202) 690-2817 to facilitate entry into the reading room. To request copies of the environmental assessment or the strategy, write to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please refer to the title of the environmental assessment or strategy when requesting copies. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael B. Stefan, Operations Officer, Domestic and Emergency Operations, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 134, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-8247. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), (Medfly) is one of the world's most destructive pests of fruit and vegetables. The Medfly has been introduced into Florida a total of 13 times, including its first introduction in 1929. Because of the Medfly's potential for rapid range expansion, Medfly outbreaks in Florida represent major threats to agriculture, the environment, and the quality of life in Florida and other U.S. mainland States. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture cooperates with the Florida State Department of Agriculture to eradicate Medfly and to prevent future infestations. All Medfly outbreaks in Florida have been successfully eradicated using a combination of nonchemical and chemical control methods. Consistent with our continued goal of preventing and eradicating Medfly infestations, we are committed to reexamining the Florida Medfly program for the purpose of achieving maximum risk reduction, including minimizing risks to the environment and human health. As part of that commitment, we have prepared environmental analyses and risk assessments, held a number of public meetings, and analyzed comments from the public regarding the Florida Medfly program in order to establish a final Florida Medfly program risk reduction strategy. This notice announces the availability of two documents that identify various means to potentially reduce risk in the Florida Medfly program: Risk Reduction Strategy, Florida Medfly Program, Environmental Assessment, June 1998. Strategy: Risk Reduction in Florida Medfly Eradication Programs, January 1999. The environmental assessment has been prepared in accordance with: (1) The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), (2) regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), (3) USDA regulations implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1b), and (4) APHIS' NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372). Done in Washington, DC, this 2nd day of February 1999. Joan M. Arnoldi, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 99-2939 Filed 2-5-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-34-P