Department of Agriculture March 10, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Farm Service Agency's (FSA) intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection. This information is used to support the FSA, Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and Risk Management Agency (RMA) in conducting business and accepting signatures on documents from individual's acting on behalf of others.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to request a revision of currently approved information collection used in support of the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP).

The Conference Committee Report accompanying the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 (Pub. L. 109-97), directed the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to develop appropriate regulations that allow for an open radio frequency identification technology microchip system that would enable a scanner to read all microchips used for the identification of pets. In addition, APHIS has received a petition from the Coalition for Reuniting Pets and Families requesting that we consider establishing a national identification standard for pets and publish a notice soliciting comments on the need for the adoption of ISO 11784 and 11785 as the national radio frequency technology standard for pets. We are currently considering the direction given in the congressional report and the petitioners' request. This notice solicits public comment on potential changes to our regulations that would address the use of microchips for identifying animals covered under the Animal Welfare Act and advises the public that APHIS is hosting a series of informational meetings on that subject and the issues raised in the conference committee report and the petition.

The Eastern Washington Cascades Provincial Committee and the Yakima Provincial Advisory Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 at the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center Sleep Center Conference Room, 1000 N. Miller Street, Wenatchee, Washington. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 3 p.m. During this meeting we will become acquainted with the collaborative learning process. Members will recommend how collaborative learning might be used to develop a land allocation option for public consideration during the preparation of a revised forest plan for the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests. All Eastern Washington Cascades and Yakima Province Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public.

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 National Forest's Mineral County Resource Advisory Committee will meet on the first Tuesday of each of the next five months from January 2006 through May 2006. Meetings begin at 6 p.m. in Superior, Montana and are open to the public. Meetings normally last two hours.

This notice is published in accordance with section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Meeting notice is hereby given for the Ouachita-Ozark Resource Advisory Committee pursuant to Section 205 of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act of 2000, Public Law 106-393. Topics to be discussed include: General information, proposed new Title II projects, updates on current Title II projects, and next meeting dates and agendas.