Department of Agriculture September 16, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is increasing Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Office application, search, and certificate issuance fees by 20 percent. The last general fee increase in February 2003 is no longer adequate to cover current program obligations for administrative and information technology needs. The PVP Act of 1970 requires that reasonable fees be collected from applicants seeking certificates of protection in order to maintain the program. Also, a technical amendment will allow applicants to send voucher seed samples directly to the public repository.

This proposed rule would amend the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) regulations to reflect recommendations submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) from November 15, 2000, through March 3, 2005. Consistent with the recommendations from the NOSB, this proposed rule would add fifteen substances, along with any restrictive annotations, to the National List. This proposed rule would also amend the mailing address for where to file a Certification or Accreditation appeal.

This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a forthcoming meeting of the Plant Variety Protection Board.

The USDA Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact statement to disclose the environmental effects from construction of defensible fuel profile zones (DFPZs); harvest and reforestation of timber stands; watersted rehabilitation; control of noxious weeds; construction of temporary roads and reconstruction of specified roads; decommissioning of roads; road access restrictions, and underburning forest fuels and debris in the Slapjack project area.