Department of Agriculture January 13, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces the availability of funding for the 2005 Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) Program. The intended effect of this notice is to solicit applications from the private sector and from government agencies for participation in the FY 2005 TASC Program. The TASC Program is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces the availability of approximately $8 million in funding for the Emerging Markets Program (EMP) for fiscal year (FY) 2005. The intended effect of this notice is to solicit applications from the private sector and from government agencies for FY 2005 and awards funds in early July 2005. The EMP is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

The Shasta-Trinity National Forest will host a series of introductory meetings to initiate the collaborative Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Route Designation process on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

This notice lists the newspapers that will be used by all Ranger Districts, Forests, Grasslands, and the Regional Office of the Northern Region to publish legal notices for public comment and decisions subject to appeal and predecisional administrative review under 36 CFR parts 215, 217, and 218. The intended effect of this action is to inform interested members of the public which newspapers will be used to publish legal notices for public comment or decisions; thereby allowing them to receive constructive notice of a decision, to provide clear evidence of timely notice, and to achieve consistency in administering the appeals process.

The National Sheep Industry Improvement Center announces that it is accepting nominations for the Board of Directors of the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center for two voting directors' positions whose terms expire on February 14, 2005. Both positions are for members who are active producers of sheep or goats. Board members manage and oversee the Center's activities. Nominations may only be submitted by National organizations that consist primarily of active sheep or goat producers in the United States and who have as their primary interest the production of sheep or goats in the United States. Nominating organizations should submit: (1) Substantiation that the nominating organization is national in scope; (2) The number and percent of members that are active sheep or goat producers; (3) Substantiation of the primary interests of the organization, and (4) An Advisory Committee Membership Background Information form (Form AD-755) for each nominee. This action is taken in accordance with 7 U.S.C. 2008j(f) which establishes the powers and composition of the Board of Directors for the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center.

This recommended decision invites written exceptions on proposed amendments to the marketing agreement and order (order) for winter pears grown in Oregon and Washington. The amendments are jointly proposed by the Winter Pear Control Committee and the Northwest Fresh Bartlett Marketing Committee, which are responsible for local administration of orders 927 and 931, respectively. Marketing Agreement and Order No. 931 regulates the handling of fresh Bartlett pears grown in Oregon and Washington. The amendments would combine the winter pear and fresh Bartlett orders into a single program under marketing order 927, and would add authority to assess pears for processing. All of the proposals are intended to streamline industry organization and improve the administration, operation, and functioning of the program.