Department of Agriculture August 25, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This rule invites comments on the establishment of additional inspection requirements authorized under the California pistachio marketing order (order). The order regulates the handling of pistachios grown in California and is administered locally by the Administrative Committee for Pistachios (Committee). This rule would modify sampling procedures for dark-stained pistachios which are intended to be dyed or color-coated. It would also establish reinspection requirements for lots of pistachios, which are materially changed after meeting initial aflatoxin, quality, and size requirements. This action is expected to assure the quality of pistachios, improve the marketability of pistachios, and provide handlers more marketing flexibility. The benefits of this action are expected to offset the increased inspection costs.

The USDA Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to document and disclose the potential environmental effects of proposed invasive plant treatments. The Proposed Action is to apply a combination of herbicide, manual and mechanical methods to control known invasive plants within approximately 2,687 acres over 114 treatment areas on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in Washington. The Proposed Action would also establish criteria for responding to infestations that cannot be predicted. This notice revises the Notice to Intent to prepare an EIS announced in the Federal Register on February 23, 2004. Four national forests were combined for analysis in the 2004 NOI; currently, the Forest Service intends to prepare the three separate site-specific statements: One for the Olympic National Forest, one for the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest and the northern portion of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in Washington, and one for the Mount Hood National Forest and the southern portion of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in Oregon. The project has been refined partly in response to comments received during the initial scoping period.

The USDA Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to document and disclose the potential environmental effects of proposed invasive plant treatments. The Proposed Action is to apply a combination of herbicide, mechanical and manual treatments to control known invasive plants within approximately 3,830 acres in 99 treatment areas on the Olympic National Forest in Washington. The Proposed Action would also establish criteria for responding to infestations that cannot be predicted. This notice revises the Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS announced in the Federal Register on February 23, 2004. Four national forests were combined for analysis in the 2004 NOI. Currently, the Forest Service intends to prepare three separate site-specific statements: one for the Olympic National Forest, one for the Gifford- Pinchot National Forest and the northern portion of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in Washington, and one for the Mount Hood National Forest and the southern portion of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in Oregon. The project has been refined partly in response to comments received during the initial scoping period.