Department of Agriculture May 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are advising the public that an environmental assessment has been prepared for a proposed field trial using two transgenic grass lines. The trial consists of Argentine bahiagrass plants that are genetically engineered to express resistance to the herbicide glufosinate and resistance to the antibiotic kanamycin. Each of 4 sets of 12 genetically engineered bahiagrass plants will be encircled with a ring of several untransformed cultivars of bahiagrass. The purpose of the field trial is to study the likelihood of hybrid formation as a result of pollen movement from the transgenic plants to the nontransgenic plants. Data gained from this field experiment also will be used to evaluate current confinement practices for this species of transgenic grass. After assessment of the application and review of the relevant scientific information, we have concluded that this field test will not present a risk of introducing or disseminating a plant pest. We have completed an environmental assessment and have concluded that this field test will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. Based on its finding of no significant impact, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared for this field test.

The Forest Service proposes to develop a network of defensible fuel profile zones (DFPZ's), establish group selection harvest units, conduct area thinnings, make improvements in riparian habitat conservation areas (RHCA's), and recover aspen stands on the Almanor Ranger District in the Lassen National Forest. Treatments total an estimated 4,523, 730, 5,653, 409, and 403 acres, respectively, and are spread over a 42,340 acre project area. Included in this proposal are the use of National Forest system roads, the use of temporary roads, and the decommissioning of roads. The project would be implemented through a combination of commercial timber sales, service contracts, and force account crews. These management activities were developed to implement and be consistent with the 1993 Lassen National Forest (LNF) Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP), as amended by the Herger- Feinstein Quincy Library Group Forest Recovery Act FEIS, FSEIS, and ROD's (1999, 2003), and the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment 2001 FEIS, 2004 FSEIS, and ROD. Decision to be Made: The decision to be made is whether to implement the proposed action as described above, to meet the purpose and need for action through some other combination of activities, or to take no action at this time.

The USDA, Forest Service, will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to disclose the environmental effects of timber harvest and watershed restoration activities in the Long Ridge project area on the Lochsa Ranger District of the Clearwater National Forest. The Long Ridge project area is located in the Musselshell Creek drainage, a tributary to Lolo Creek, approximately 8 air-miles southeast of the town of Pierce, Idaho.

This rule establishes final volume regulation percentages for 2005-06 crop Natural (sun-dried) Seedless (NS) raisins covered under the Federal marketing order for California raisins (order). The order regulates the handling of raisins produced from grapes grown in California and is locally administered by the Raisin Administrative Committee (Committee). The volume regulation percentages are 82.50 percent free and 17.50 percent reserve. The percentages are intended to help stabilize raisin supplies and prices, and strengthen market conditions.

The Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Redmond, Oregon. The purpose of the meeting is to receive natural resource projects that will be reviewed and recommended, discuss the Committee's project guidelines and decision- making priorities, review bylaws, elect a Chair, and discuss reports related to the work of the Committee under Title II of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000.

The Forest Service is issuing a final directive as an amendment to Forest Service Manual 2350, Trail, River, and Similar Recreation Opportunities to ensure that new or altered trails designed for hiker/pedestrian use on National Forest System lands are developed to maximize accessibility for all people, including people with disabilities, while recognizing and protecting the unique characteristics of the natural setting of each trail. The amendment guides Forest Service employees regarding compliance with the Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines (FSTAG) and directs that these trails comply with the FSTAG and applicable Federal laws, regulations, and guidelines. In addition, the amendment clarifies agency procedures and policies related to the accessibility of trails. The FSTAG is linked to and referenced in this amendment. The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) is preparing to publish for public notice and comment proposed accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas that would apply to Federal agencies subject to the Architectural Barriers Act. When the Access Board finalizes its accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas, the Forest Service will revise the FSTAG to incorporate the Access Board's standards where those provisions are a higher standard, as supplemented by the Forest Service. The supplementation will ensure the agency's application of equivalent or higher guidelines and universal design, as well as consistent use of agency terminology and processes.

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) Web Site Update, (5) Project Proposals/Possible Action, (6) General Discussion, (7) Next Agenda.

The Del Norte County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet on June 12 and 13, 2006, in Crescent City, California. The purpose of the meeting is for public presentation of Title II project proposal submitted under Public Law 106-393, H.R. 2389, the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000, also called the ``Payment to States'' Act.

An Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area Advisory council meeting will convene in Stayton, Oregon on Wednesday June 7, 2006. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., and will conclude at approximately 8:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the South Room of the Stayton Community Center located on 400 West Virginia Street in Stayton, Oregon. The Opal Creek Wilderness and Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area Act of 1996 (Opal Creek Act) (Pub. L. 104-208) directed the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area Advisory Council. The Advisory Council is comprised of thirteen members representing state, county and city governments, and representatives of various organizations, which include mining industry, environmental organizations, inholders in Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area, economic development, Indian tribes, adjacent landowners and recreation interests. The council provides advice to the Secretary of Agriculture on preparation of a comprehensive Opal Creek Management Plan for the SRA, and consults on a periodic and regular basis ont he management of the area. Tentative agenda items include advisory council focus session and subcommittee reports. A direct public comment period is tentatively scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Time allotted for individual presentations will be limited to 3 minutes. Written comments are encouraged, particularly if the material cannot be presented within the time limits of the comment period. Written comments may be submitted prior to the June 7th by sending them to Designated Federal Official Paul Matter at the address given below. For Further Information Contact: For more information regarding this meeting, contact Designated Federal Official Paul Matter; Willamette National Forest, Detroit Ranger District, HC 73 Box 320, Mill City, OR 97360; (503) 854-3366.

This rule finalizes the proposed rule of the same name which was published November 27, 2002. It implements the revised collection and reporting of racial/ethnic data by State agencies on persons receiving benefits from the Food Stamp Program (FSP). The changes comply with new racial/ethnic data collection standards issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) while also providing regulatory flexibility and reform for this area of the program regulations.

The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) proposes to revise the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grants Program Administrative Regulations to implement changes and be compliant with the Small Business Innovation Research Policy Directive (67 FR 60072, September 24, 2002).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension of a currently approved information collection with revision in support of the Disaster Assistance program. The information collection is needed to identify disaster areas and establish eligible FSA counties for the purpose of making emergency loans available to eligible and qualified farmers and ranchers. The total burden hours have been revised to reflect the number of Secretarial requests for natural disaster assistance during the 2005 crop year.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with regulations restricting the importation of products of poultry and birds into the United States in order to prevent the introduction of poultry disease.

This document recommends changes to the fluid milk product definition for all Federal milk marketing orders and is based on the record of a hearing held June 20-23, 2005, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Specifically, this document recommends maintaining the current 6.5 percent nonfat milk solids criteria and incorporating an equivalent 2.25 percent true protein criteria in determining if a product meets the fluid milk product definition. This decision also proposes to clarify how milk and milk-derived ingredients should be priced under all orders. In addition, ``drinkable'' yogurt products containing at least 20 percent yogurt, keifir and products designed to be meal replacements, regardless of packaging, are proposed to be exempted from the fluid milk product definition.

This final rule amends the current ten Federal milk marketing orders issued under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 (AMAA) to reflect a re-interpretation of the Milk Regulatory Equity Act of 2005, that was signed into law on April 11, 2006. Each order is amended to change the ``April 11, 2006'' in Sec. 1.7 to ``May 1, 2006.''

The Fresno County Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Prather, California. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the 2007 project submittal process and timeline regarding the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-393) for expenditure of Payments to States Fresno County Title II funds.

The Forest Supervisor of the Wasatch-Chache National Forest gives notice of the agency's intent to prepare an environmental impact statement on a proposal for vegetation treatment over approximately 4,000 acres of vegetation in the 21,000 acre Big Creek project area in the Bear River Range in northeastern Utah. The project area is approximately 50 miles northeast of Ogden, Utah and is located at the headwaters of the Big Creek watershed. The vegetation types to be treated include aspen-conifer, conifer, and sagebrush communities that are not in properly functioning condition. Methods include prescribed fire, timber harvest, mechanical treatment, and herbicide application.

Pursuant to Section 102[2][c] of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations [40 CFR part 1500]; and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Regulations [7 CFR part 650]; the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental impact statement is not being prepared for the Yellow River Watershed Structure No. 3, Gwinnett County, Georgia.

This NOI revises information supplied in the previously published Revised NOI published in the Federal Register Vol. 71, No. 23 (pages 5803-5804) on February 3, 2006. The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal to harvest timber in the Baht Timber Sale project area, Wrangell Ranger District, Tongass National Forest. The proposed action is to harvest an estimated 42 million board feet on approximately 1410 acres with about 11 miles of new road construction. The proposed action would harvest approximately 210 acres and construct about 1.3 miles of road in roadless area. A range of alternatives are being developed to respond to the significant issues and will include a no-action alternative. The Tongass Forest Supervisor will decide on whether or not to harvest timber from this area, and if so, how this timber would be harvested. The decision will be documented in a Record of Decision based on the information disclosed in the EIS and the goals, objectives and desired future conditions as stated in the Forest Plan.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the revision of a currently approved information collection, Forest Industries Data Collection System.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is soliciting comments on a revised proposed voluntary standard for a grass (forage) fed marketing claim. This proposed standard incorporates revisions made as a result of comments received as a result of an earlier published proposed standard. A number of livestock producers make such claims in order to distinguish their products in the marketplace. Once a voluntary standard is established, livestock producers may request that a grass (forage) fed claim be verified by USDA. Verification of this claim will be accomplished through an audit of the production process by AMS.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with the integration of private and State animal tracking databases with the National Animal Identification System.

The National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) will hold a public meeting on May 23-24, 2006 to discuss issues related to building a more robust risk-based inspection system. Subcommittees will also meet on May 23, 2006, to discuss issues covered during the full committee session.