Department of Agriculture February 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
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Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural BusinessCooperative Service's (RBS) intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (7 CFR 1703, subpart B).
Revision of Delegation of Authority
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency delivering the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Utilities Programs, is amending its regulations to revise the delegation of authority to update key positions and room and phone numbers in the organization and to clarify authority to serve as the Acting Administrator, including in emergency situations where the Continuity of Operations Plan is enacted.
Single Family Housing Loans, Payment Assistance
The Rural Housing Service (RHS) proposes to amend its regulations for Single Family Housing Loans. This action proposes to amend only the amount of payment assistance for which a borrower qualifies. This action is taken to improve distribution of program benefits, simplify the application process, and improve customer service.
Information Collection; Request for Comments; Urgent Removal of Timber
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension of an information collection associated with timber sale contract term extensions for urgent removal of salvage timber from other than National Forest system lands. Regulations at 36 CFR 223.53 allow timber sale purchasers to ask for extensions of certain National Forest timber sale contracts when the manufacturing facilities or logging equipment capacity available to purchasers are insufficient to provide for both the rapid harvest of damaged non- National Forest System timber in need of expeditious removal and the continued harvest of undamaged (green) timber under contract with the Forest Service. When requesting an urgent removal extension purchasers are required to provide documentation supporting the need. The collected information is necessary for the contracting officer to make a determination whether the purchaser meets the conditions for receiving an urgent removal extension on one or more National Forest System timber sale contracts.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request: Request for Administrative Review
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) invites comments on this information collection for which FNS intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The proposed collection is a revision of a currently approved collection.
Information Collection Activity; Comment Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites comments on this information collection for which RUS intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Information Collection Activity; Comment Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites comments on the following information collections for which RUS intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Notice of Sanders County Resource Advisory Committee Meeting
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 Lolo and Kootenai National Forests' Sanders County Resource Advisory Committee will meet on February 16 at 7 p.m. in Thompson Falls, Montana for a business meeting. The meeting is open to the public.
Oriental Fruit Fly; Removal of Quarantined Area
We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that amended the Oriental fruit fly regulations by removing a portion of Los Angeles County, CA, from the list of quarantined areas and removing restrictions on the interstate movement of regulated articles from that area. The interim rule was necessary to relieve restrictions that were no longer needed to prevent the spread of the Oriental fruit fly into noninfested areas of the United States.
Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Meeting, Northwest Forest Plan
The Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC), Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP), has scheduled a meeting on March 8, 2006 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Red Lion Hotel, in the Broadway/St. Johns Conference rooms, 1021 NE Grand Ave., Portland, OR 97232, 503-235-2100. 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 8:50 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.
Information Collection Activity; Comment Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites comments on the following information collections for which RUS intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Information Collection Activity; Comment Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35,as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites comments on this information collection for which RUS intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Business-Cooperative Service's (RBS) intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the program for Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans.
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Business-Cooperative Service's (RBS) intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the program for 7 CFR part 4279.
Tahoe National Forest; Yuba River Ranger District; California; South Yuba Canal Maintenance Project
The USDA Forest Service, Tahoe National Forest, Yuba River Ranger District, gives notice of the Agency's intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to remove hazardous trees located within approximately 150 feet of either side of the centerline of the South Yuba Canal, within the public lands of the Tahoe National Forest.
Pears Grown in Oregon and Washington; Establishment of Continuing Assessment Rates and Modification of the Rules and Regulations
This rule establishes continuing assessment rates for the Fresh Pear Committee and the Processed Pear Committee (Committees) for the 2005-2006 fiscal period and subsequent fiscal periods. The Committees recommended the establishment of three base rates of assessment for any or all varieties or subvarieties of pears classified as ``summer/fall'', ``winter'', and ``other'' for fresh pears and pears for processing, respectively. This rule also modifies handling and reporting requirements in conformance with the amendments made to the marketing order for pears grown in Oregon and Washington on May 21, 2005, and to reflect current pear industry operating practices under the marketing order. The marketing order is locally administered by the Committees. Assessments upon pear handlers are used by the Committees to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period began July 1 and ends June 30. The assessment rates will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Availability of Environmental Assessment for a Proposed Field Trial of Genetically Engineered Tall Fescue and Genetically Engineered Italian Ryegrass
We are advising the public that an environmental assessment has been prepared for a proposed field trial using three transgenic grass lines. The trial consists of tall fescue plants that are genetically engineered for hygromycin resistance and that express the marker beta-glucuronidase, Italian ryegrass plants that are genetically engineered for hygromycin resistance, and Italian ryegrass plants that are genetically engineered to lower the expression of the pollen allergen gene, Lol p1, and that are also hygromycin resistant and express the marker beta-glucuronidase. The purpose of the field trial is to study pollen viability, outcrossing, and hybridization between the two types of grasses. The study will also examine the effect of down-regulating the Lol p1 gene. Data gained from this field experiment will also be used to evaluate current confinement practices for these species of transgenic grasses. The environmental assessment is available to the public for review and comment.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: 38th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States Department of Health and Human Services, are sponsoring a public meeting on March 6, 2006, to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items that will be discussed at the meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants (CCFAC), which will be held in The Hague, The Netherlands, on April 24-28, 2006. The Under Secretary and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the agenda items that will be discussed at this forthcoming session of the CCFAC.
Availability of Environmental Assessment for a Proposed Field Trial of Genetically Engineered Pink Bollworm
We are advising the public that an environmental assessment has been prepared for a proposed field trial of pink bollworm genetically engineered to express green fluorescence as a marker. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) proposes to use this marked strain to assess the effectiveness of lower doses of radiation to create sterile insects for its pink bollworm sterile insect program. This program, using sterile insect technique, has been conducted by APHIS, with State and grower cooperation, since 1968. Data gained from this field experiment will be used to improve the current program. The environmental assessment is available to the public for review and comment.
Public Meeting on Advances in Post-Harvest Reduction of Salmonella in Poultry
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing that it will hold a public meeting on Salmonella Interventions in Poultry Slaughter and Processing on February 23 and February 24, 2006, in Atlanta, Georgia. The meeting will consist of presentations on research and practical experiences aimed at reducing the presence of Salmonella and other enteric microorganisms in poultry slaughter and processing.
Inviting Applications for Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grants and Guaranteed Loans
Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) announces the availability of funds for fiscal year (FY) 2006 to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements for agriculture producers and rural small businesses in eligible rural areas. The amount available for competitive grants is $11.385 million. Approximately $176.5 million in guaranteed loan authority is also available. Any guarantee loan funds that are not obligated by August 1, 2006, will be pooled and revert to the National Office reserve for grant use. USDA is currently in the process of evaluating the potential for a direct loan program to help finance renewable energy and energy efficiency projects for rural small businesses and agricultural producers. Therefore, for purposes of FY 2006, funding will be limited to grants and guaranteed loans. For renewable energy systems, the minimum grant request is $2,500 and the maximum is $500,000. For energy efficiency improvements, the minimum acceptable grant request is $1,500 and the maximum is $250,000. The maximum amount of a guaranteed loan made to a borrower will be $10 million. For FY 2006, the guarantee fee amount is 1.0% (one percent) of the guaranteed portion of the loan and the annual renewal fee is 0.125% (one-eighth of one percent) of the guaranteed portion of the loan.
Dried Prunes Produced in California; Section 610 Review
This action summarizes the results under the criteria contained in section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), of an Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) review of Marketing Order No. 993, regulating the handling of dried prunes produced in California.
Add Kazakhstan, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine to List of Regions in Which Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Subtype H5N1 Is Considered To Exist
We are amending the regulations concerning the importation of animals and animal products by adding Kazakhstan, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine to the list of regions in which highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 is considered to exist. We are taking this action because there have been outbreaks of HPAI subtype H5N1 in those countries. This action is necessary to prevent the introduction of HPAI subtype H5N1 into the United States.
Mediterranean Fruit Fly; Add Portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Santa Clara Counties, CA, to the List of Quarantined Areas
We are amending the Mediterranean fruit fly regulations by adding portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Santa Clara Counties, CA, to the list of quarantined areas and restricting the interstate movement of regulated articles from those areas. This action is necessary on an emergency basis to prevent the spread of the Mediterranean fruit fly into noninfested areas of the United States. We are also amending the regulations to provide for the use of spinosad bait spray as an alternative treatment for premises. This new treatment option will provide an alternative to the use of malathion bait spray for premises that produce regulated articles within the quarantined area but outside the infested core area.
Northeast Yaak SEIS; Kootenai National Forest, Lincoln County, MT
The Forest Service will prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Northeast Yaak project. The Northeast Yaak project includes urban interface fuels treatments, vegetation management, watershed rehabilitation activities, wildlife habitat improvement, and access management changes, including road decommissioning. The project is located in the Northeast Yaak planning subunit on the Three Rivers Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest, Lincoln County, Montana, and northeast of Troy, Montana. The Notice of Availability of the Draft EIS for this project was published in the Federal Register (70 FR 14315) on March 25, 2005, and the notice of the Final EIS (70 FR 38131) on July 1, 2005. The Record of Decision on this project was administratively appealed to the Regional Forester per 36 CFR part 215. The Regional Forester reversed the decision on September 26, 2005, citing an inadequate cumulative effects analysis. A Supplemental EIS is being prepared to further address cumulative effects for the Northeast Yaak project.
Deschutes Provincial Advisory Committee (DPAC); Notice of Meeting
The Deschutes Provincial Advisory Committee will meet on February 27, 2006 starting at 8 a.m. in the DeArmond Room of the Deschutes Services building on 1300 Wall Street, Bend, Oregon. Agenda items will include Pac Status and Rechartering, Biomass and Utilization News, Travel Management Rule, Survey and Manage, Update on Current Litigation and Court Rulings, FERC Licensing, Administrative Site Activity, and Invasive Plant Management. The remainder of the day will include info sharing and a Public Forum from 2 p.m. till 2:30 p.m. All Deschutes Province Advisory Committee Meetings are open to the public.
Regulations for the United States Warehouse Act; Cotton Loans
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) are soliciting comments and views on whether to revise the regulations at 7 CFR parts 735 and 1427 for the purpose of addressing the storage of upland cotton and its impact on loan eligibility.
Notice of the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics Meeting
In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announces a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics.
Notice of Appointment to the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics
The Office of the Secretary of Agriculture announces members appointed to the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics, in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App.
Notice of Intent To Reinstate a Previously Approved Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-113) and Office of Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to request reinstatement with change of a previously approved information collection, the Census of Agriculture.
Notice of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board Meeting
In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App 2, the United States Department of Agriculture announces a meeting of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board (Advisory Board).
Office of Procurement and Property Management; Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Office of Procurement and Property Management's (OPPM) intention to request an extension for and revision to a currently approved information collection for USDA Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Request for Credential, the USDA Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) program. HSPD-12 establishes a mandatory, Government-wide standard for secure and reliable forms of identification (credentials) issued by the Federal Government to its employees and contractors. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) mandated that these credentials be issued to all Federal Government employees, contractors, and other applicable individuals who require long-term access to federally controlled facilities and/or information systems. The HSPD-12 compliant program is jointly owned and administered by the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) and the Office of Procurement and Property Management (OPPM).
Notice of Meeting of the Agricultural Air Quality Task Force
The Agricultural Air Quality Task Force (AAQTF) will meet to continue discussions on air quality issues relating to agriculture.
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is announcing its intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection process in support of the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program.
Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Collect Information
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 a new electronic mailing list subscription form from those working with water quality and water resources.
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Housing Service's intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of Form RD 410-8 ``Applicant Reference Letter.''
Imported Fire Ant; Additions to Quarantined Areas in Arkansas and Tennessee
We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that amended the imported fire ant regulations by designating as quarantined areas all of 1 county in Arkansas and all or portions of 18 counties in Tennessee. As a result of the interim rule, the interstate movement of regulated articles from those areas is restricted. The interim rule was necessary to prevent the artificial spread of imported fire ant to noninfested areas of the United States.
Information Collection; Conservation Reserve Program Hunting and Wildlife, Viewing Revenue Survey
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on a new information collection. A revenue survey will be used in this information collection and is designed to analyze the effect of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) enrollment on opportunities for recreational activities, including hunting and fishing, as required by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, Pub. L. 107-171.
Procurement of Commodities for Foreign Donation; Public Meeting
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) will conduct a public meeting to discuss the proposed rule, Procurement of Commodities for Foreign Donation, published in the Federal Register on December 16, 2005 (70 FR 74717).
Notice of New Fee Site; Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (Title VIII, Pub. L. 108-447)
The Gila National Forest proposes to begin charging a fee for the overnight rental of the Kingston Administrative Site and the Straight Gulch Cabin. Rentals of Forest Service cabins in Arizona have shown that the public appreciates and enjoys the availability of historic rental cabins. Funds from the rentals will be used for the continued operation and maintenance of the Kingston Administrative Site and the Straight Gulch Cabin. The Kingston Administrative Site is located in T16S, R8W, Section 17, NMPM, and the Straight Gulch Cabin is located in T10S, R9W, Section 6, NMPM, on the Black Range Ranger District.
Ante-Mortem Inspection of Horses
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending the Federal meat inspection regulations to provide for a voluntary fee-for- service program under which official establishments that slaughter horses will be able to apply for and pay for ante-mortem inspection. The fiscal year (FY) 2006 Appropriations Act prohibits the use of appropriated funds to pay the salaries or expenses of FSIS personnel to conduct ante-mortem inspection of horses. The Joint Explanatory Statement of the Committee of Conference on the FY 2006 appropriations bill for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, however, provides that the Department of Agriculture is obliged to provide for inspection of meat for human consumption. FSIS is establishing this fee-for-service program under the Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA). Post-mortem inspection and other inspection activities authorized by the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) at official establishments that slaughter horses would continue to be paid for with appropriated funds, except for overtime or holiday inspection services.
Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Security Program
This document announces the sign-up CSP-06-01 for the Conservation Security Program (CSP). This sign-up will be open from February 13, 2006, through March 31, 2006, in selected 8-digit watersheds in all 50 States, Guam, and the Caribbean.
Sierra County, CA, Resource Advisory Committee
The Sierra County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet on February 28, 2006, in Sierraville, California. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss issues relating to implementing the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Payments to States) and the expenditure of Title II funds benefiting National Forest System lands on the Humboldt-Toiyabe, Plumas and Tahoe National Forests in Sierra County.
Siskiyou County Resource Advisory Committee
The Siskiyou County Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Yreka, California, February 20, 2006. The meeting will include routine business, presentations on a large project and a completed project, and discussion of five previously submitted project proposals.
Egg Research and Promotion Program; Section 610 Review
This document announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) review of the Egg Research and Promotion Program (conducted under the Egg Research and Promotion Order), under the criteria contained in Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).
Importation of Tomatoes From Certain Central American Countries
We are proposing to amend the regulations governing the importation of fruits and vegetables in order to allow pink and red tomatoes grown in approved registered production sites in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama to be imported into the United States without treatment. The conditions to which the proposed importation of tomatoes would be subject, including trapping, pre-harvest inspection, and shipping procedures, are designed to prevent the introduction of quarantine pests into the United States. This action would allow for the importation of pink and red tomatoes from those countries in Central America while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of quarantine pests into the United States.
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