APHIS-2004-0024: Nursery Stock Regulations

Someone sent this link to the helpdesk. It appears from a cursory review that the public has until March 10 to provide feedback:
http://docket.epa.gov/edkfed/do/EDKStaffCollectionDetailView?objectId=0b0007d4804fb613

This is an opportunity to read the docket and submit a comment to APHIS, if you feel compelled to do so.

Note: Even though this may be a divisive issue among some of our members, I felt it was important to bring the matter forward so that those who are interested can become better informed and can voice their opinion directly to APHIS. Please do not make provocative comments or in any way attempt to engage in a debate on this issue here.

I made my comment to APHIS, and, thank you, Terry.

Yes, thank you for posting this Terry.

**To have your comment considered, it must be received on or before March 10th.**

Edited to say:

Wow!! they did it and extended the comment period for a month. New end date is April 11th.

This message was edited Mar 11, 2005 7:32 AM

They ARE considering prolonging the time to receive comments....so that may be a good comment to post!

Carol

Carol
Where did you find that APHIS is considering extending the comment period?

Thanks, Terry.

Here is an email I received this morning....Marge says it better than I can!

Thanks to all who have taken time to comment. APHIS heard the
requests for a time extension and has granted one.

The comment period has been extended until April 11, 2005.

This may be the single most important issue the gardening community
ever has to face; the proposed regulations will affect gardeners in
every country. Since there is no central organization to speak for
horticulture, it is important that we do not ignore this opportunity,
thinking someone else will take care of it. There is no someone
else; we are it.

While comments have been coming in on the docket site, I hope more of
you will make the time to take advantage of this extension and send
in your comments. APHIS will respond to your concerns if they are
stated in a civil manner; clear reasoning supported by personal
experience is especially helpful; rants of frustration with past or
present are not.

It would also be very helpful if you are able to get the word out to
smaller nurseries and growers who are either not online; not on the
mailing lists or too busy keeping their heads above water to keep up
with regulatory issues. These regulations will affect them directly
and they need to know about them so that they are able express their
needs and concerns to APHIS.

Unfortunately, one cannot create a direct link to the actual
document. To find it, go to the main docket list page:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor/ppq.html

If the above URL breaks on your email program, use this one:
http://tinyurl.com/3v8wy

The first item on the page listing, Nursery Stock Regulations, is
the notice of the extension of the comment period - you cannot reach
the document from it.

Scroll down the page. The docket is about the 18th item down the
page.

You will see this:

Nursery Stock Regulations
Docket No. 03-069-1
Advance notice of proposed rulemaking and request for comments
7 CFR Part 319
Published December 10, 2004
69 FR 71736-71744

Text | PDF | EDOCKET

The above three items are the links on the APHIS site to the actual
document. The first is to a text file on the web. The second
downloads an Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file to your computer. The third
links to the page with comments that have been made, which contains
links that you can use to submit your own comment.

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@hort.net
Editor: Gardening in Shade
Shadyside Garden Designs
-----------------------------------------------
Current Article: Until April 11
http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/shade_gardening
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Thanks for the update!

This is definately an important regulation that will affect many of us. I intend to read it and the comments many times before posting my own opinion. Jessamine

Carol, as you may have noticed, we took the liberty of copying Marge's information (with credit to her) and the link and including it in a recent weekly PlantScout status reports to all participating companies. We typically don't send unsolicited messages, but since these 60-some companies normally receive a weekly message from us, it seemed a good thing to pass along.