4 TAC §20.22
The Texas Department of Agriculture (the department) proposes
an amendment to §20.22, concerning cotton stalk destruction requirements.
The amendment changes the stalk destruction deadline for Zone 2 Areas 1 and
2 from September 15 to September 1 and for Zone 2 Area 3 from September 25
to September 1. The change is proposed to establish a uniform date for all
of Zone 2, which will allow the department and producers to better coordinate
stalk destruction activities in the zone.
Ed Gage, Coordinator for Pest Management/Citrus, has determined that for
the first five year period the amendment is in effect, there will be no fiscal
implications for state government as a result of enforcing or administering
the section, as amended. There will be no fiscal implications for local government
as a result of enforcing or administering the section, as amended.
Mr. Gage has also determined that for each of the first five years the
section, as amended, is in effect the public benefit will be that the change
in cotton stalk destruction dates for Zone 2, Areas 1, 2, and 3 will allow
for greater coordination of stalk destruction in the area as well as compliment
the efforts of producers to achieve boll weevil eradication. There is no anticipated
cost to small businesses or to persons required to comply with the proposal.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Ed Gage, Coordinator for Pest
Management/Citrus, Texas Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 12847, Austin,
Texas 78711. Comments must be received no later than 30 days from the date
of publication of the proposal in the
Texas Register
.
The amendment is proposed in accordance with the Texas Agriculture
Code, §74.006, which provides the department with the authority to adopt
rules as necessary for the effective enforcement and administration of Chapter
74, Subchapter A; and §74.004 which provides the department with the
authority to establish regulated areas, dates and appropriate methods of destruction
of stalks, other parts, and products of host plants for cotton pests.
The code affected by this proposal is the Texas Agriculture Code, Chapter
74, Subchapter A.
§20.22.Stalk Destruction Requirements.
(a)
Deadlines and methods. All cotton plants in a pest management
zone shall be destroyed, regardless of the method used, by the stalk destruction
dates indicated for the zone. Destruction shall be accomplished by the methods
described as follows:
Figure: 4 TAC §20.22(a)
(b) - (c)
(No change.)
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.
Filed with the Office of
the Secretary of State, on April 9, 2001.
TRD-200102017
Dolores Alvarado Hibbs
Deputy General Counsel
Texas Department of Agriculture
Earliest possible date of adoption: May 20, 2001
For further information, please call: (512) 463-4075