Department of Agriculture 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Roadless Area Conservation National Advisory Committee (Committee) will meet in Washington, DC. The purpose of this first meeting is organizational in nature: The Committee members will meet for the first time, be welcomed by Department of Agriculture and Forest Service Leadership, institute administrative procedures and rules of order, and plan for future petition reviews.

The USDA Forest Service will prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Hidden Cedar Project. The Notice of Availability of the Draft EIS for the Hidden Cedar project was published Federal Register (66 FR 29799) on June 1, 2001 and the notice of the Final EIS (67 FR 47538-47539) was published on July 19, 2002. The Record of Decision on this project was administratively appealed to the Regional Forester per 36 CFR part 215. The Regional Forester affirmed my decision on September 27, 2002. However, due to information that has been identified since the availability of the final EIS and ROD I have determined a need for a supplement. On May 18, 2005, I withdrew the Record of Decision for the Hidden Cedar project. The purpose for the withdrawal was to further address analysis issues raised through the recent opinion issued through the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Lands Council v. Powell, 395 F.3d 1015-1046 (9th Cir. 2005).

The Forest Service is revising the Land and Resource Management Plan (hereafter referred to as Forest Plan) for the Uwharrie National Forest (UNF). This notice provides: 1. A summary of the need to change the Forest Plan; 2. Information on how the public can comment on the need to change, when those comments are due, and how comments can be submitted; 3. A list of documents available for review and how to get them; 4. How the public can participate in the planning process; 5. Who to contact for more information.

This is a request by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) for proposals for applications for cooperative agreements for FY 2006 to help underserved and limited resource farmers and ranchers become more efficient operators and more economically viable. FY 2005 funding for similar cooperative agreements was $2 million. This notice is being issued prior to passage of a final Department of Agriculture Appropriations Bill to allow applicants sufficient time to prepare and submit proposals and give FSA sufficient time to process applications within FY 2006. An additional Notice of Funding Availability will be published announcing the funding level for FY 2006 once an appropriations act has been enacted. FSA requests proposals from eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, land grant institutions, including Tuskegee University, State governments, and Federally- Recognized Indian Tribal Governments, interested in competitively awarded cooperative agreements, to demonstrate innovative and unique approaches to equip underserved and limited-resource farmers and ranchers, including beginning farmers and ranchers, to become more efficient and economically viable. Proposals should demonstrate innovative and unique ways to help underserved and limited-resource farmers and ranchers improve their economic viability through training, technical assistance, improved farming practices, and more effective marketing approaches. Underserved and limited-resource farmers and ranchers have different challenges to economic viability due to location, educational assets, age, and landownership. The need to properly address these challenges through education, training, technical assistance and the most creative ways of outreach is critical to the continued existence of the small farm. People in, or entering into, farming have an array of backgrounds and varied levels of current farm and farm business experience and knowledge. More and more qualified alien immigrants are entering American farming. Often, they are unfamiliar with productive marketing practices, acquisition of land, government assistance, and crop and animal production diversity. While there are no significant legal obstacles to becoming a farmer in the United States, many barriers to successful farming exist. Among those barriers are (1) increasing capital expenses, (2) progressive managerial requirements, and (3) competition with large-scale producers. Among limited-resource farmers, a subgroup, the underserved farmer, faces even more barriers to achieving success. In recognition of the dynamic needs of limited-resource and underserved farmers, FSA solicits proposals for innovative approaches to assisting the diverse limited- resource and underserved farm community.

The Glenn/Colusa County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Willows, California. Agenda items to be covered include: (1) Introductions, (2) approval of minutes, (3) public comment, (4) project proposals/possible action, (5) Web site update, (6) general discussion, (7) next agenda.

The Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC), Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP), has scheduled a meeting on November 30, 2005 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Oregon Convention Center, downstairs conference room A106, 777 NE., Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland, OR 97232, 503-235-7575. The purpose of the meeting is to review progress on addressing key findings and trends from the April 19-20, 2005 Science and the Northwest Forest Plan, Knowledge Gained Over a Decade conference hosted by the USDA, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, and to collect advice regarding the implementation improvement strategies being drafted. The meeting is open to the public and fully accessible for people with disabilities. A 10-minute time slot is reserved for public comments at 9:10 a.m. Interpreters are available upon request at least 10 days prior to the meeting. Written comments may be submitted for the meeting record. Interested persons are encouraged to attend.

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment concerning authorization to ship for the purpose of field testing, and then to field test, an unlicensed Canine Melanoma Vaccine, DNA, for use in dogs. The environmental assessment, which is based on a risk analysis prepared to assess the risks associated with the field testing of this vaccine, examines the potential effects that field testing this veterinary vaccine could have on the quality of the human environment. Based on the risk analysis, we have reached a preliminary determination that field testing this veterinary vaccine will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment, and that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared. We intend to authorize shipment of this vaccine for field testing following the close of the comment period for this notice unless new substantial issues bearing on the effects of this action are brought to our attention. We also intend to issue a U.S. Veterinary Biological Product license for this vaccine, provided the field test data support the conclusions of the environmental assessment and the issuance of a finding of no significant impact and the product meets all other requirements for licensing.

The Forest Service, USDA, will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on a site-specific proposal to improve forest health and sustainability on National Forest lands in the Natapoc Mountain area of the Wenatchee River Ranger District, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests. The proposal will include a variety of vegetative treatments and road management actions, as further described in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. Approximately 4,588 acres would be treated in the proposed project area. The analysis area is located within the Wenatchee River watershed near Plain, Washington, approximately 12 miles north of the city of Leavenworth. It is generally bounded by U.S. Highway 2 and State Highway 207 to the west, and the Wenatchee River to the north, east and west, and includes parts of the following townships: T27N, R17E; T26N, R17E; and T25N, R17E., Williamette Meridian. The proposal is designed to meet the following needs: (1) Promote the restoration of forest structure, composition, and age class distribution, to a more sustainable condition; (2) reduce the risks from wildfire, insects, and disease to late-successional habitat in the Deadhorse Late Successional Reserve and Natapoc Managed Late Successional Area; and (3) reduce hazardous fuels within the wildland- urban interface, particularly in areas adjacent to private property. The direction in the Wenatchee National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (1990), as amended by the Northwest Forest Plan (1994; 2004), provides the overall guidance for management of this area. Activities would be implemented between 2006 and approximately 2016 by a combination of private contracting, Forest Service personnel, cooperative agreements, and volunteers.

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 Lassen National Forest's Lassen County Resource Advisory Committee will meet Wednesday, November 16th and Thursday, November 17th in Susanville, California for a business meeting. The meetings are open to the public.

The Responsible Officials (Forest Supervisors) for the Colville National Forest and the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests will exercise their option to adjust the land management plan revision process from compliance with the 1982 planning regulations, to conformance with new planning regulations adopted in January 2005. This adjustment will have the following effects: 1. The new rule redefines forest plans to be more strategic and flexible to better facilitate adaptive management and public collaboration. 2. The new rule focuses more on the goals of ecological, social, and economic sustainability and less on prescriptive means of producing goods and services. 3. The Responsible Official who will approve the final plan will now be the Forest Supervisor instead of the Regional Forester. 4. The Colville National Forest and the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests will establish an environmental management system (per ISO 14001:2004(E)) prior to completion of the revised forest plan. 5. Upon completion of final rulemaking, the planning and decision- making process may be categorically excluded from analysis and documentation in an environmental impact statement and record of decision (see draft rule at Federal Register Vol. 70, No. 3, January 5, 2005, p. 1062). 6. The emphasis on public involvement will shift from public comment on a range of alternative plans, to a collaborative process intended to yield a single, broadly supported plan. 7. Administrative review has changed from a post-decision appeals process to a pre-decision objection process.

The USDA Forest Service, Tahoe National Forest, Sierraville Ranger District gives notice of the Agency's intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to disclose the environmental effects of applying silvicultural and fuel treatment prescriptions to treatment units totaling approximately 5,057 acres. This project is part of the Herger-Feinstein Quincy Library Group Forest Recovery Act Pilot Project. The proposed treatments would take place on the Sierraville Ranger District, and be implemented within the next 5 years.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension of an approved information collection. The information collection is supporting the regulation of 7 CFR Part 1404, which provides for the voluntary assignment of cash payments made by Farm Service Agency or CCC to a third party. In addition, a payment recipient may voluntarily elect to have a cash payment made jointly to the payment recipient and a third party.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, to disclose potential effects to the human environment. The section of Coal Creek that traverses Cedar City, Utah, has channel stability and capacity deficiencies that pose a threat to existing infrastructure and development due to flooding. The NRCS proposes to modify the Coal Creek channel to safely convey floodwaters from a 100-year flood event. In conjunction with the proposed channel improvements, two irrigation diversion/drop structures on Coal Creek (the Main Street Diversion and the Woodbury Diversion) will have to be reconstructed to eliminate significant channel and capacity restrictions. In conjunction with the reconstruction of the diversion structures, sedimentation facilities would be constructed to remove gravel from water diverted from the Main Street Diversion. Also as part of this project, Cedar City proposes to improve and expand an existing parkway along Coal Creek to enhance aesthetic values and provide recreational opportunities for community residents and visitors. The Draft EIS presents detailed analyses for three alternatives. Alternative ANo Action, would continue the frequency and level of dredging and other management actions as they are currently planned. Existing channel and structural deficiencies would not be corrected. Alternative BRelocate Main Street Diversion, would remove the Main Street diversion/drop structure currently in use and relocate it to near 200 East. Implementation of this alternative would require approximately 3,250 feet of pipeline to be installed, flood and slope/ grading-related channel modifications from Center Street to I-15, and the continuation of periodic dredging as necessary. A sedimentation basin would be constructed to remove gravels from diverted irrigation water. The Woodbury diversion/drop structure would be reconstructed. Under this alternative, the parkway would be extended to Airport Road and landscaped. Parkway Option B1 proposes a crosswalk at the Main Street Bridge. Parkway Option B2 proposes to access existing sidewalks from the pedestrian bridge at 400 North to cross Main Street and avoid additional property acquisition. Alternative CReplace Main Street Diversion, would modify the Main Street diversion/drop structure by removing approximately half the drop. Implementation of this alternative would require approximately 3,000 feet of pipeline to be installed, flood and slope/grading-related channel modifications from Center Street to west of I-15, and the continuation of periodic dredging as necessary. Two sedimentation basins would be constructed to remove gravels from diverted irrigation water. The Woodbury diversion/drop structure would be reconstructed. Under this alternative, the parkway would be extended to Airport Road and landscaped. In addition, a historic pedestrian truss bridge would be removed to prevent channel constriction and potential flooding. Parkway Option C1 would construct an elevated pedestrian pathway under the Main Street Bridge. Parkway Option C2 would construct a large box culvert for pedestrian use just north of the bridge and under Main Street. As required by the NRCS for water projects, the National Economic Development (NED) benefit-cost process was used to determine benefit- cost ratios for each alternative. The alternative with the highest benefit-cost ratio (3.47:1) and thus designated as the NED Alternative was Alternative C, Parkway Option C1. Accordingly, the NRCS selected Alternative C, Parkway Option C1, as the Preferred Alternative. Written comments regarding this Draft EIS should be mailed to: Marnie Wilson, Coal Creek EIS, USDANRCS, Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building, 125 South State Street, Room 4402, Salt Lake City, UT 84138- 1100. Project information is also available on the Internet at: https:// www.ut.nrcs.usda.gov under Public Notices. Comments must be received no later than 45 days after this notice is published (December 26, 2005). Comments may also be submitted by sending a facsimile to (801) 524- 4593, or by e-mail to Marnie.Wilson@ut.usda.gov (please include the words ``Coal Creek Comment'' in the subject line of the E-mail).

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is providing notification to all interested parties regarding additional actions pursuant to the September 20, 2005 announcement to ease transportation issues exacerbated by Hurricane Katrina. CCC is seeking proposals from interested parties for unloading barges of agricultural commodities located in the New Orleans area to make them available to transport 2005-crop agricultural commodities.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), are jointly announcing a public meeting to discuss and solicit information on an approach for providing consistency and predictability with respect to which of the two agencies should have jurisdiction over certain types of food products that contain meat and poultry as ingredients, as well as the opening of a joint agency docket to receive written comments. This notice outlines that approach and solicits comments on it and on the specific questions asked in section II below.

This rule finalizes an interim final rule published June 20, 2005 that was effective August 5, 2005, amending the Extra Long Staple (ELS) Cotton Competitiveness Payment Program of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). The interim rule changed the ELS cotton price used to calculate the payment rate from the ``average domestic spot price quotation for base quality U.S. Pima cotton'' to the ``American Pima c.i.f. Northern Europe'' price. The change was made to reduce the cost to the Federal Government of operating the program by incorporating a reference price more indicative of actual ELS cotton world market prices. This final rule makes changes from the interim final rule in the prices used to calculate the payment rate from ``American Pima c.i.f. Northern Europe'' and ``c.i.f. Northern Europe'' price quotes to ``U.S. Pima C/F Far East'' and ``C/F Far East,'' respectively. This change is made in response to comments and for other reasons as discussed.

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, November 21, 2005 in Sundance, Wyoming for a business meeting. The meeting is open to the public.