Department of Agriculture – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This collection is a revision of a currently approved collection. This information collection includes the requirement for case management services to individuals participating in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training (E&T) program as mandated by the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (FNA), as amended. The current information collection also includes four other provisions of the FNA and SNAP regulations that are being merged into other existing information collections. Those provisions include State agencies notifying individuals who have been determined ill-suited by an E&T provider for a particular E&T component; State agency notification to inform Able- bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWD) about work requirements and the ABAWD time limit through a written notice and oral explanation; the requirement that State agencies inform SNAP households not otherwise exempt from the general work requirements in writing of available employment and training services at the time of recertification if these individuals are members of households that contain at least one adult, with no elderly or disabled individuals, and with no earned income at the their last recertification or required report; and the addition of four data elements to the FNS-583 reports (SNAP Employment and Training Program Activity Report).

The Rural Utilities Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and Rural Housing Service, agencies that comprise the Rural Development (RD) Mission Area within the United States Department of Agriculture, published a final rule with comment in the Federal Register on September 15, 2020, to establish the special authority authorized by Section 6210 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which will assist rural families and small businesses in gaining access to broadband service by permitting recipients of loans, grants, and loan guarantees from RD to use up to 10 percent of the amount provided to construct broadband infrastructure in areas not served by the minimum acceptable level of broadband service. The final rule described the procedures by which these agencies will consider projects eligible for special broadband authority. Through this action, the agencies are confirming the final rule as it was published and providing responses to the public comments that were received.

The Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is seeking nominations for the Greater Rocky Mountain Resource Advisory Committee (GRM RAC) pursuant to the Secure Rural Schools Act (the Act) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). Additional information on the Greater Rocky Mountain Resource Advisory Committee can be found by visiting the Committee website at https:// www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r2/home/?cid=fseprd972168.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announces its' intention to request an extension of a currently approved information collection and invites comments on this information collection.

The Forestry Research Advisory Committee (FRAC) will hold a public meeting according to the details shown below. The Committee is authorized under the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 (the Act) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). The purpose of this Committee is to make recommendations to and advise the Secretary of Agriculture on forestry research. The Agriculture and Food Act directs the Secretary to appoint the FRAC which advises on how to efficiently accomplish the purposes of the McIntire-Stennis Act of 1962. The FRAC focuses on developing and utilizing the Nation's forest resources, forestry schools, and forest industries. FRAC recommendations support states in carrying out a program of forestry research through land-grant colleges or agricultural experiment stations and other state-supported colleges and universities that offer graduate training in forestry. The FRAC also provides advice related to the Forest Service research program which is authorized by the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978.

This proposed rule invites comments on the establishment of an industry-funded promotion, research, and information program for natural grass sod products. The proposed Natural Grass Sod Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order) was submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) by Turfgrass Producers International (TPI), a group of natural grass sod producers. The proposed Order also announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intent to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of new information collection requirements to implement the program.

This amendment to NIFA regulations updates the list of institutions that are granted Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACU) certification by the Secretary and are eligible for HSACU programs for the period starting July 1, 2023, and ending July 1, 2024.

The Forest Service published a document in the Federal Register of September 21, 2023, concerning new recreation fee sites on the Shoshone National Forest. The document contained incorrect contact information and supplementary information.

This document revises the delegations of authority from the Secretary of Agriculture and general officers of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reflect changes and additions to the delegations as summarized below.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to revise the U.S. Standards for Grades of Pecans in the Shell and the U.S. Standards for Grades of Shelled Pecans by replacing the current grades with U.S. Extra Fancy, U.S. Fancy, U.S. Choice, and U.S. Standard grades. The proposal also includes updating terminology, definitions, and defect scoring guides.

This document invites comments on a proposed amendment to Marketing Order No. 927, which regulates the handling of pears grown in Oregon and Washington. The proposed amendment would revise the Fresh Pear Committee's approval requirement for recommending modifications to the marketing order's fresh pear handling regulations from 80 to 75 percent.

This rule implements a recommendation from the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee (Committee) to increase the assessment rate established for the 2023 and subsequent fiscal periods. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, FSIS is announcing its intention to renew the approved information collection regarding the Salmonella Initiative Program (SIP). FSIS is making no changes to the current collection. The approval for this information collection will expire on February 29, 2024.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget for an extension of and revision to the currently approved information collection for the Child Nutrition Labeling Program.

The Tongass National Forest is proposing to establish several new recreation fee sites. Recreation fee revenues collected at the new recreation fee sites would be used for operation, maintenance, and improvement of the sites. An analysis of nearby recreation fee sites with similar amenities shows the recreation fees that would be charged at the new recreation fee sites are reasonable and typical of similar recreation fee sites in the area.

The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland are proposing to establish multiple new recreation fee sites. Recreation fee revenues collected at the new recreation fee sites would be used for operation, maintenance, and improvement of the sites. An analysis of nearby recreation fee sites with similar amenities shows the recreation fees that would be charged at the new recreation fee sites are reasonable and typical of similar recreation fee sites in the area.

This rulemaking proposes amendments to Marketing Order No. 981, which regulates the handling of almonds grown in California. The proposed amendments would modify certain marketing order provisions to facilitate orderly administration of the program. Additionally, the proposed amendments would modernize, simplify, or align language with current industry practices and definitions, and would establish authority to borrow funds. The proposal would also establish authority for the Almond Board of California (Board) to accept advanced assessments.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) announces its' intention to request a revision of a currently approved information collection and invites comments on this information collection.

The Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board will hold a public meeting according to the details shown below. The Board is authorized under the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974, the National Forest Management Act of 1976, the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). The purpose of the Board is to provide advice and recommendations on a broad range of forest issues such as forest plan revisions or amendments, forest health including fire, insect and disease, travel management, forest monitoring and evaluation, recreation fees, and site-specific projects having forest- wide implications.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with the regulations for the commercial transportation of equines to slaughtering facilities.