Notice2021-16049
Withdrawal of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Control in Commercial Poultry Operations-A National Approach
Primary source
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Published
July 28, 2021
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentAnimal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Abstract
We are advising the public that we are withdrawing a final environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act relative to a national approach for the control of highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks within the United States. We are withdrawing the final environmental assessment and the associated finding of no significant impact pending further evaluation.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 142 (Wednesday, July 28, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 142 (Wednesday, July 28, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40444-40445]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16049]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2015-0058]
Withdrawal of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No
Significant Impact for High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Control in
Commercial Poultry Operations--A National Approach
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: We are advising the public that we are withdrawing a final
environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact that the
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service prepared under the National
Environmental Policy Act relative to a national approach for the
control of highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks within the
United States. We are withdrawing the final environmental assessment
and the associated finding of no significant impact pending further
evaluation.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Lori Miller, PE, Senior Staff
Officer and Environmental Engineer, APHIS Veterinary Services, 4700
River Road, Unit 41, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851-3512.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is
an infectious and often fatal disease of poultry. In December 2014, two
mixed-origin H5 viruses of HPAI were discovered in the United States.
These viruses were subsequently detected in both migratory waterfowl
and domestic poultry and affected domestic poultry production within
the United States.
On February 9, 2016, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS) published a notice in the Federal Register (81 FR 6828, Docket
No.
[[Page 40445]]
APHIS-2015-0058) \1\ announcing the availability of a December 2015
final environmental assessment (EA), entitled ``High Pathogenicity
Avian Influenza Control in Commercial Poultry Operations--A National
Approach,'' (2015 HPAI EA) and a finding of no significant impact
(FONSI) relative to a national approach for the control of HPAI
outbreaks within the United States. The 2015 HPAI EA recommended, and
the FONSI selected, an alternative in which APHIS used its centralized
management of carcass disposal activities to ensure consistency in
responses to HPAI outbreaks throughout the United States. Under this
alternative, APHIS provided information and other support to State and
local authorities to help them determine which depopulation, disposal,
and cleaning and disinfection methods were most appropriate for the
situation.
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\1\ To view the notice and supporting documents, go to
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> and enter APHIS-2015-0058 in the Search field.
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According to the 2015 HPAI EA, ``[g]iven the magnitude of the HPAI
poultry incidents during spring 2015, APHIS want[ed] to ensure adequate
preparation for subsequent incidents in poultry.'' \2\ Therefore, the
2015 HPAI EA was prepared ``to address the potential impacts of
continuing to provide assistance with establishing and enforcing HPAI
quarantines and conducting bird flu control activities as outbreaks
occur across the nation.'' \3\
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\2\ USDA APHIS, High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Control in
Commercial Poultry Operations--A National Approach (Dec. 2015) on
p.7.
\3\ Id.
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In the intervening years since APHIS issued the 2015 HPAI EA and
FONSI, circumstances have changed. First, the 2014/2015 HPAI outbreak
ended in approximately August 2016 and there has not been an HPAI
outbreak of that scale or magnitude in the United States since that
time. Second, avian influenza outbreaks involving HPAI that have
occurred in the United States in the interim have been more localized.
In one instance, APHIS elected to prepare a site-specific EA and FONSI.
Third, APHIS issued the Record of Decision for the Carcass Management
During a Mass Animal Health Emergency Final Programmatic Environmental
Impact Statement (PEIS) on March 17, 2016, after finalizing the 2015
HPAI EA and FONSI. The PEIS provides an analysis of the environmental
effects associated with various carcass management options during a
mass animal health emergency. An HPAI outbreak necessitating the
depopulation of flocks and the subsequent disposal of large amounts of
poultry carcasses could qualify as an animal health emergency and as
such, the analysis in the PEIS is relevant and addresses some of the
same issues addressed in the 2015 HPAI EA and FONSI. Finally, fourth,
APHIS reviewed its 2015 HPAI EA and FONSI. Through its review of the
2015 HPAI EA and FONSI, APHIS acknowledges that the documents could
benefit from more extensive analysis. Additionally, because there is no
current HPAI outbreak, the 2015 HPAI EA and FONSI serve no function at
present. Withdrawal of the 2015 HPAI EA and FONSI will not hamper
APHIS' ability to respond to an outbreak in the future.
Based on the analysis above, pending further evaluation, we are
withdrawing the December 2015 final EA and the FONSI associated with
the notice published on February 9, 2016.
Done in Washington, DC, this 22nd day of July 2021.
Michael Watson,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-16049 Filed 7-27-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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