Washington, DC
May 23, 2006
[Federal Register: May 23, 2006
(Volume 71, Number 99)]
[Notices]
[Page 29606-29607]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23my06-19]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2006-0022]
Availability of an environmental assessment and finding of no
significant impact for a field trial of genetically engineered
bahiagrass
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: We are advising the public that an environmental
assessment has been prepared for a proposed field trial using
two transgenic grass lines. The trial consists of Argentine
bahiagrass plants that are genetically engineered to express
resistance to the herbicide glufosinate and resistance to the
antibiotic kanamycin. Each of 4 sets of 12 genetically
engineered bahiagrass plants will be encircled with a ring of
several untransformed cultivars of bahiagrass. The purpose of
the field trial is to study the likelihood of hybrid formation
as a result of pollen movement from the transgenic plants to the
nontransgenic plants. Data gained from this field experiment
also will be used to evaluate current confinement practices for
this species of transgenic grass. After assessment of the
application and review of the relevant scientific information,
we have concluded that this field test
will not present a risk of introducing or disseminating a plant
pest. We have completed an environmental assessment and have
concluded that this field test will not have a significant
impact on the quality of
the human environment. Based on its finding of no significant
impact, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has
determined that an environmental impact statement need not be
prepared for this field test.
DATES: Effective Date: May 23, 2006.
Full document in PDF format:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-7820.pdf
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