Department of Agriculture March 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This rule revises the handling requirements for California nectarines and peaches by modifying the grade, size, maturity, and pack requirements for fresh shipments of these fruits, beginning with 2005 season shipments. This rule also authorizes continued shipments of ``CA Utility'' quality nectarines and peaches, and revises weight-count standards for fruit in volume-filled containers. The marketing orders regulate the handling of nectarines and peaches grown in California and are administered locally by the Nectarine Administrative and Peach Commodity Committees (committees). This rule will enable handlers to continue to ship fresh nectarines and peaches in a manner that meets consumer needs, increases returns to producers and handlers, and reflects current industry practices.

This document announces assistance under the Farm Service Agency's Tree Assistance Program (TAP) regulations in 7 CFR part 783 as authorized by the Military Construction and Appropriations Act, 2005. The first part of this notice announces the availability of assistance for claims under TAP related to Orchardists and Forest Land Owners. The second part proposes funding for special Tree Assistance Program benefits with respect to Pecan Tree Producers. The provisions in this notice for orchard and forest timber assistance are final. For pecan tree assistance, a period is allowed for comments since it is proposed that ``other appropriate activities'' allowed for assistance would only include those related to pruning and tree rehabilitation. This notice is intended to provide notice to those producers who may qualify for this assistance, and provide conditions for eligibility required by the Act under which it is funded.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to request a revision and extension of a currently approved information collection. This collection is necessary to support the procurement of agricultural commodities for CCC's domestic and export food donation programs. CCC issues invitations to purchase or process commodities for food donation programs on a monthly, multi-month, quarterly, and yearly basis. Special invitations, however, are issued throughout the month.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) are seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension of an approved information collection associated with the acreage report for the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). This information collection is needed to administer the program.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on proposed information collections. The FNS-674 Form is a standard form used by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to collect information necessary to grant access to FNS computer systems. The collected data will be used to identify all users granted access to FNS internal systems as required by USDA and FNS Security Policy.

This document confirms the effective date of the direct final rule that makes miscellaneous amendments to the Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR), 48 CFR ch 4.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service's (RUS) invites comments on this information collection for which RUS intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks comments on the intent of the USNA to renew an information collection that expires on May 31, 2005. The information collection serves as a means to collect fees to be charged for certain uses of the facilities, grounds, and services. This includes fees for use of the grounds and facilities, as well as for commercial photography and cinematography. Fees generated will be used to defray USNA expenses or to promote the missions of the USNA.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking research and other work associated with revising an official grade standard, is soliciting comments on a possible revision to the United States Standards for Grades of Fresh Asparagus. At a 2003 meeting of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, AMS was asked to review all the fresh fruit and vegetable grade standards for usefulness in serving the industry. As a result, AMS has noted that currently there are no provisions to allow purple or white asparagus to be graded using the standards. Therefore, AMS is soliciting comments on the possible revision of the color requirements in the grade standards. Additionally, AMS is seeking comments regarding any other revisions that may be necessary to better serve the industry.

The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), operating through the Risk Management Agency (RMA), announces the availability of approximately $500,000 for Commodity Partnerships for Small Agricultural Risk Management Education Sessions (the Commodity Partnerships Small Sessions Program). The purpose of this partnership agreement program is to deliver training and information in the management of production, marketing, and financial risk to U.S. agricultural producers. The program gives priority to educating producers of crops currently not insured under Federal crop insurance, specialty crops, and underserved commodities, including livestock and forage. A maximum of 50 partnership agreements will be funded, with no more than five in each of the ten designated RMA Regions. The maximum award for any partnership agreement will be $10,000. Recipients of awards must demonstrate non-financial benefits from a partnership agreement and must agree to the substantial involvement of RMA in the project. Funding availability for this program may be announced at approximately the same time as funding availability for similar but separate programsCFDA No. 10.455 (Community Outreach and Assistance Partnerships), CFDA No. 10.456 (Risk Management Research Partnerships), CFDA No. 10.457 (Commodity Partnerships for Risk Management Education), and CFDA No. 10.458 (Crop Insurance Education in Targeted States). Prospective applicants should carefully examine and compare the notices for each program.

The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), operating through the Risk Management Agency (RMA), announces the availability of approximately $4.0 million for Commodity Partnerships for Risk Management Education (the Commodity Partnerships program). The purpose of this partnership agreement program is to deliver training and information in the management of production, marketing, and financial risk to U.S. agricultural producers. The program gives priority to educating producers of crops currently not insured under Federal crop insurance, specialty crops, and underserved commodities, including livestock and forage. A maximum of 40 partnership agreements will be funded, with no more than four in each of the ten designated RMA Regions. The maximum award for any partnership agreement will be $150,000. Recipients of awards must demonstrate non-financial benefits from a partnership agreement and must agree to the substantial involvement of RMA in the project. Funding availability for this program may be announced at approximately the same time as funding availability for similar but separate programsCFDA No. 10.455 (Community Outreach and Assistance Partnerships), CFDA No. 10.456 (Risk Management Research Partnerships), CFDA No. 10.458 (Crop Insurance Education in Targeted States) and CFDA No. 10.459 (Commodity Partnerships for Small Agricultural Risk Management Education Sessions). Prospective applicants should carefully examine and compare the notices for each program. Full Text of Announcement

This rule further amends prior interim final rules that increased the quantity of Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil produced in the Far West that handlers may purchase from, or handle for, producers during the 2004-2005 marketing year. This rule increases the Native spearmint oil salable quantity by an additional 85,936 pounds from 1,267,562 pounds to 1,353,498 pounds, and the allotment percentage by an additional 4 percent from 59 percent to 63 percent. The Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee), the agency responsible for local administration of the marketing order for spearmint oil produced in the Far West, unanimously recommended this rule to avoid extreme fluctuations in supplies and prices and to help maintain stability in the Far West spearmint oil market.

We are amending the regulations by adding the Mexican States of Campeche, Quintana Roo, Sonora, and Yucatan to the lists of regions considered free of classical swine fever (CSF). We have conducted a series of risk evaluations and have determined that these four States have met our requirements for being recognized as free of this disease. This action allows the importation into the United States of pork, pork products, live swine, and swine semen from these regions. In addition, this rule requires live swine, pork, and pork products imported into the United States from the four Mexican States to be certified as having originated in one of those States or in another region recognized by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service as free of CSF and as not having been commingled, prior to export to the United States, with animals and animal products from regions where CSF exists.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the National Agricultural Library's intent to request approval for new information collection relating to the information needs of Library customers and potential customers, and customers' satisfaction with current Library services. This voluntary survey gives current and potential customers the opportunity to provide feedback that will assist Library staff in revising current services or creating new ones to meet customers' information needs more effectively.

Rural Development announces the availability of up to $22.8 million in competitive grant funds for fiscal year (FY) 2005 to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy improvements for agricultural producers and rural small businesses. Of the $22.8 million, $11.4 million will be set aside through August 31, 2005, for guaranteed loans. These funds will be administered under a final rule to be published in the Federal Register later this fiscal year. Any guaranteed loan funds not obligated by August 31, 2005, will be made available for competitive grants under this notice. In order to be eligible for grant funds, the agricultural producer or rural small business must demonstrate financial need. The grant request must not exceed 25 percent of the eligible project costs.

The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Echo Trail Area Forest Management Project. The Record of Decision will disclose how the Forest Service will manage vegetation to meet landscape ecosystem objectives in the Project Area. The project Area encompasses about 126,000 acres of National Forest System land. The Proposed Action would provide approximately 80 million board feet of timber to local and regional timber markets; harvest approximately 16,006 acres of mature and overmature stands in the Jack Pine/Black Spruce, Dry-mesic Red and White Pine, and Lowland Conifer landscape ecosystems; thin about 838 acres of pine; do timber stand improvement activities on about 287 acres and diversity planting on about 981 acres; and provide road access across National Forest System land to State and county forested lands. The transportation system would also be analyzed to provide roads for forest resource management. A range of alternatives, including a no- action alternative, will be developed to respond to significant issues. The proposed project is located on the LaCroix and Kawishiwi Ranger Districts, Cook and Ely, Minnesota, Superior National Forest. In addition , the Proposed Action may create temporary openings greater than 1,000 acres.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule which decreased the assessment rate established for the South Texas Onion Committee (Committee) for the 2004-05 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.03 to $0.02 per 50-pound equivalent of onions handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order which regulates the handling of onions grown in South Texas. Authorization to assess onion handlers enables the Committee to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the program. The fiscal period began August 1 and ends July 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

This document announces the sign-up CSP-05-01 for the Conservation Security Program (CSP). This sign-up will be open from March 28, 2005, through May 27, 2005, in selected 8-digit watersheds in all 50 States and the Caribbean.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing the availability of, and requesting public comment on, two draft risk assessments. The first is a quantitative risk assessment of Salmonella in ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products. The second is a quantitative risk assessment of Clostridium perfringens in RTE and heat-treated, but not RTE, products. The Agency prepared the draft risk assessments to provide scientific information in support of lethality and stabilization performance standards that the Agency proposed for the processing of such products in a notice of proposed rulemaking published February 27, 2001 (66 FR 12590). FSIS is holding a public meeting to present and discuss these draft risk assessments.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting comments on its proposal to create a new voluntary U.S. Standard for Grades of Field Grown Leaf Lettuce. This action is being taken at the request of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, which asked AMS to identify commodities that needed grade standards developed to facilitate commerce. The proposed standards would provide industry with a common language and uniform basis for trading, thus promoting the orderly and efficient marketing of field grown leaf lettuce.

Pursuant to the authorities in the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463) and under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-393) the Black Hills National Forests' Crook County Resource Advisory Committee will meet Monday, April 19, 2005 in Sundance, Wyoming for a business meeting. The meeting is open to the public.

Pursuant to the authorities in the Federal Advisory Committees Act (Pub. L. 92-463) and under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-393) the Modoc National Forest's Modoc Resource Advisory Committee will meet Monday, April 4th, 2005, May 2nd, 2005 and June 6th, 2005 in Alturas, California for business meetings. The meetings are open to the public.