Under IC 4-22-2-24, notice is hereby given that on January 31, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., at the Indiana Government Center-North, 100 North Senate Avenue, Room N501, Indianapolis, Indiana, the Natural Resources Commission will hold a public hearing on a proposed rule amendment to 312 IAC 18-3-12, which governs standards for the control of the larger pine shoot beetle, by adding Switzerland County to the Indiana state quarantine area.

The proposed rule amendments would not impose requirements or costs under IC 4-22-2-24(d)(3). This rule imposes no costs upon any regulated entity within Switzerland County. However, failure to adopt this rule will result in the imposition of the costs and requirements associated with 7 CFR 301.50 upon all regulated entities located within the 25 Indiana counties that are not presently designated as quarantine areas. No Christmas tree producers exist in Switzerland County. The nursery grower that is located in Switzerland County does not grow pine stock and will not be subject to inspection. Timber buyers in the Switzerland County do not market pine from this county. No small businesses are currently sending regulated materials to nonregulated areas of Indiana or surrounding states; therefore, these businesses do not have to meet additional certification requirements.

Copies of these rules are now on file at the Indiana Government Center-North, 100 North Senate Avenue, Room N501 and Legislative Services Agency, One North Capitol, Suite 325, Indianapolis, Indiana and are open for public inspection.