[Federal Register: March 26, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 58)]
[Notices]               
[Page 14732]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26mr98-124]

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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Drug Enforcement Administration
[DEA Number 175N]

 
Public Meetings for Environmental Documentation on Herbicidal 
Eradication

AGENCY: Drug Enforcement Administration.

ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the ``Draft Supplement to 
the Environmental Impact Statements for Cannabis Eradication in the 
Contiguous United States and Hawaii'' (DSEIS) is available for public 
review and comment and that public meetings will be held regarding this 
document. On August 13, 1996, we announced our intent to supplement the 
programmatic EIS's on eradication of Cannabis on Federal and non-
Federal lands and welcomed comments (FR 61 42056). The DSEIS is an 
update of the latest scientific information regarding the herbicidal 
alternatives in the original environmental impact statement (EIS) 
documentation.
    In 1985 and 1986, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) 
published progammatic EISs for its Cannabis eradication program. The 
first EIS was prepared for Cannabis eradication on Federal lands in the 
continental United States, and the second EIS was prepared for the 
program as it pertained to non-Federal lands, Indian lands, and the 
State of Hawaii, including Native Hawaiian Homestead lands. The 
alternatives analyzed in detail in the EIS include the use of manual, 
mechanical, and herbicidal eradication methods.
    In the DSEIS, changes to the herbicidal eradication alternatives in 
the 1985 and 1986 EISs were analyzed. The changes analyzed were (1) the 
addition of triclopyr as an approved program herbicide; (2) elimination 
of paraquat as an approved program herbicide; and (3) changes in 
program delivery, including elimination of broadcast aerial 
applications of herbicides, use of new technology in aerial directed 
treatments of herbicides, use of marker dyes, and use of amine 
formulations of 2,4-D..

DATES: Five public meetings will be held.

Tuesday, May 12, 1998, 4 pm-8 pm, Denver, Colorado, Renaissance Denver, 
3801 Quebec Street, Denver, Colorado 80207 (Ball Room)
Friday, May 15, 1998, 4 pm-8 pm, Honolulu, Hawaii, Ala Moana Hotel, 410 
Atkins Drive, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814 (Hibiscus Ball Room)
Tuesday, May 19, 1998, 4 pm-8 pm, Boise, Idaho, Boise Center on the 
Grove, 850 West Front Street, Boise, Idaho 83702 (The Summit Room)
Thursday, May 21, 1998, 4 pm-8 pm, Atlanta, Georgia, Westin Atlanta 
Airport, 4736 Best Road, Atlanta, GA 30337 (Grand Ball Room 1)
Wednesday, May 27, 1998, 4 pm-8 pm, Washington, DC Metro Area, Holiday 
Eisenhower Metro Center, 2460 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314 
(Eisenhower Station Ball)

    The public comment period will be open for 45 days beginning with 
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's formal Notice of 
Availability, anticipated to appear in the Federal Register on April 
17, 1998. The DSEIS will be mailed to the names on the mailing list.

CONTACTS: Comments and participation at the public meetings are 
invited. Speakers are requested to present one original and three 
copies of the written text of their presentation to register. Speakers 
may pre-register by facsimile at (301) 734-3640 any time of day or by 
calling Ms. Vicki Wickheiser, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Speakers should 
identify which meeting they plan to attend. Speakers may also register 
starting at 3 p.m. the day of the meeting. Again, they should present 
written text as described above.

ADDRESSES: Comments and participation at the public meetings are 
invited. Speakers are requested to submit text of their presentation 
to: Ms. Vicky Wickheiser, DOA/APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 149, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1228. Anyone unable to attend one of the above 
meetings, who wishes to submit written comments to the DSEIS may submit 
them to the above address prior to June 1, 1998.

Copies of the Draft DSEIS

    Copies of the DSEIS have been sent to all agencies and individuals 
who responded to the DSEIS Federal Register Notice of Intent, and to 
all respondents from the Original EIS Mailing list who responded 
positively to a mailing list query, and to other individuals that have 
requested copies of the document. Persons wishing copies of this DSEIS 
should immediately contact: Mr. Jack Edmundson, DOA/APHIS, 4700 River 
Road, Unit 149, Riverdale, MD 20737-1228, phone (301)-734-4844, 
facsimile (301)-734-5992.
    Copies of the DSEIS will be available until May 10, 1998. There 
will be a limited number of copies of the DSEIS at each public meeting. 
We have also arranged to have Internet online access to the document 
through the Drug Enforcement Administration's web site: <www.usdoj.gov/
dea> Click on Programs then select Cannabis.

    Dated: March 13, 1998.
Donnie R. Marshall,
Acting Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. 98-7828 Filed 3-25-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-09-M