Department of Agriculture – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This rule implements the HAVANA Act of 2021 (the Act) for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Act provides the authority for the Secretary of Agriculture and other agency heads to provide payments to certain individuals who have incurred qualifying injuries to the brain. The rule covers current and former USDA employees and dependents of current or former employees.

The Alpine County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold a public meeting according to the details shown below. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self- Determination Act (the Act) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the committee is to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with Title II of the Act, as well as make recommendations on recreation fee proposals for sites on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest within Alpine County, consistent with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act requirement, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is requesting comments from all interested individuals and organizations on an extension of a currently approved information collection to continue WHIP and the QLA Program. FSA provides payments to eligible producers who suffered eligible crop, tree, bush, and vine losses resulting from a qualifying disaster event. FSA also administers the QLA Program to provide financial assistance to eligible producers who experienced a crop quality loss due to a qualifying disaster event in calendar years 2018 or 2019. The application periods for WHIP and the QLA Program have ended; however, the collection is continuing for additional information that may be needed to verify compliance with program eligibility requirements.

This final rule adjusts the number of members on the United Soybean Board (Board) to reflect changes in production levels that have occurred since the Board was last reapportioned in 2021. As required by the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act (Act), membership on the Board is reviewed every 3-years and adjustments are made accordingly. These adjustments decrease Board membership for the State of North Dakota from four members to three members and increase Board membership for the State of New York from one member to two members, thus the total number of Board members will remain at 77. These changes will be reflected in the Soybean Promotion and Research Order (Order) and become effective with the Secretary of Agriculture's (Secretary) appointments for terms in 2025.

This rule finalizes changes proposed October 3, 2019, by the Department to revise Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) regulations for calculating standard utility allowances (SUAs) and expand allowable shelter expenses to include basic internet costs. It requires State agencies to submit for FNS approval their SUA methodologies at least every five years, and methodology submissions must incorporate any revisions necessary to demonstrate that the baseline expenditure data and underlying methodology reflect recent trends and changes. This rule also provides State agencies with the flexibility necessary to ensure that they meet households' needs while also aligning SUAs with data on low-income household utility costs in a more consistent manner. This rule also finalizes updates proposed April 20, 2016, regarding the treatment of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or other similar energy assistance program payments, in accordance with amendments made to the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 by the Agricultural Act of 2014. The intent of this final rule is to ensure consistency and integrity of SUAs across the country, which the Department believes is good governance.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and the Rural Utilities Service, agencies of the Rural Development (RD) mission area within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, hereinafter collectively referred to as the Agency(ies) to request Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for a an extension of a currently approved information collection in support of compliance with Civil Rights laws.

This notice of availability presents the Record of Decision (ROD) on a Watershed Project PlanProgrammatic Environmental Impact Statement (Plan-PEIS) for the West Fork Kickapoo (WFK) Watershed prepared in partnership with Monroe and Vernon Counties, Wisconsin (Sponsors). This notice announces the plan to proceed with the implementation of Alternative 7Proposed ActionDecommission All Dams and Replace Jersey Valley County Park Dam (WFK-1) with a high hazard, multi-purpose dam, identified in the Plan-PEIS. Alternative 7 proposes to decommission dams by excavating a notch to pass the 100-year flood without impounding water. It also proposes to replace WFK-1 with a high hazard, multi-purpose dam approximately 1,000 feet downstream of the existing dam. This action will avoid environmental impacts to the extent possible and mitigate impacts that are unavoidable.

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS or the Agency), an agency of the Rural Development (RD) mission area within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), published a final rule with comment in the Federal Register on September 16, 2024, to implement the provisions of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 related to the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program and the Agriculture Innovation Center (AIC) Program and to modernize the Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program (RCDG). These changes will also help simplify and streamline RD program delivery. Through this action, RBCS is confirming the final rule as it was published and providing responses to the public comments that were received.

This notice of availability presents the Record of Decision (ROD) on a Watershed Project PlanProgrammatic Environmental Impact Statement (Plan-PEIS) for the Coon Creek Watershed prepared in partnership with La Crosse, Monroe, and Vernon Counties, Wisconsin (Sponsors). This notice announces the plan to proceed with the implementation of Alternative 2Proposed ActionDecommission Dams, identified in the Plan-PEIS. Alternative 2 proposes to decommission all 14 dams by excavating a notch to pass the 100-year flood without impounding water. This action will avoid environmental impacts to the extent possible and mitigate impacts that are unavoidable.

The Departments of the Interior and Agriculture are correcting an amendatory instruction in the final rule that published in the Federal Register on October 17, 2024. That rule revises the regulations concerning the composition of the Federal Subsistence Board, which has authority to administer the subsistence taking and uses of fish and wildlife on public lands in Alaska.

The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, is initiating the land management plan (plan) revision process, pursuant to the 2012 Planning Rule and as directed by the National Forest Management Act, for the Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands located in Southeast Colorado and Southwest Kansas. Currently, the Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands receive management direction from the 1984 Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Comanche and Cimarron National Grasslands Land and Resource Management Plan. Ultimately, this process will result in a new, separate plan for the Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands and will guide all resource management activities on the grasslands for approximately fifteen years, while the remaining portion of the existing 1984 plan for the Pike and San Isabel National Forests will remain unchanged. This notice announces the initiation of the assessment phase, which is the preliminary stage of the plan revision process. The assessment will identify and consider relevant and readily accessible material about ecological, social, and economic conditions and trends in the planning area, including best available scientific information. Findings will be documented in an assessment report. Trends and conditions identified in the assessment will help describe the need to change the plan and inform revision of the plan.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, is adopting multiple categorical exclusions (CEs) from the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Department of Energy (DOE) pursuant to section 109 of the National Environmental Policy Act for future application to Forest Service decisions concerning land management activities that are similar in nature. This notice describes the categories and consultation between the agencies.

We are advising the public of our decision to authorize the importation of fresh Hass avocado (Persea americana var. Hass) fruit from Guatemala into the United States. Based on the findings of a pest risk analysis, which we made available to the public for review and comment, we have determined that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation of fresh Hass avocado fruit from Guatemala.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing its proposed adjusted user fee rates for the costs of providing certain goods and services, including veterinary diagnostic goods and services and veterinary services for imports and exports of live animals and animal products. This includes the basis for any proposed adjusted fee change. This action is necessary because the regulations provide that APHIS will issue such a notice. This action would ensure that the fees charged more closely align with the costs of providing the goods or services.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension with no revision of a currently approved information collection, Bid for Advertised Timber.

We are proposing to authorize the importation of Phalaenopsis spp. orchid plants from Germany and the Netherlands in approved growing media into the United States. As a condition of entry, Phalaenopsis spp. orchid plants in approved growing media from Germany and the Netherlands would have to meet all relevant requirements included in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Plants for Planting Manual and detailed in a bilateral workplan. This proposed action would allow for the importation of Phalaenopsis spp. orchid plants for planting from Germany and the Netherlands in approved growing media while providing protection against the introduction of plant pests.

The Rural Housing Service (RHS or the Agency), a Rural Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), proposes to amend the current regulation for the Multifamily Housing (MFH) Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP). The intent of this proposed rule is to codify the restrictive use language within the GRRHP regulation to clarify that a separate deed restriction must be recorded. This change will allow the Agency to maintain and preserve affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households.

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

The Virginia Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold a public meeting according to the details shown below. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self- Determination Act (the Act) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). The purpose of the committee is to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with Title II of the Act, as well as make recommendations on recreation fee proposals for sites on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, consistent with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act.

This final rule considers public comments submitted in response to the proposed rule revising the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and USDA Foods disaster response regulations. This final rule makes access and parity improvements in USDA's food distribution programs to support access for eligible populations and streamline requirements for program operators.

The Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP) is seeking nominations for one individual to serve on the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee (UAIPAC) as an urban producer. The UAIPAC advises the Secretary of Agriculture on the development of policies and outreach relating to urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production practices. The 12 members appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture are expected to serve a 3-year term.

The Modoc Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold a public meeting according to the details shown below. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self- Determination Act (the Act) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the committee is to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with Title II of the Act, as well as make recommendations on recreation fee proposals for sites on the Modoc National Forest within Modoc County, consistent with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act.

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 new collection. The purpose of this information collection is to provide information on the implementation and effectiveness of modernization projects across all 88 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) State agencies to help identify successes, opportunities for improvement, and areas for additional support from FNS to strengthen project implementation.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension with revision of a currently approved information collection, titled Small Business Timber Sale Set-Aside Program; Appeal Procedures on Recomputation of Shares.