Department of Agriculture December 22, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's Veterinary Services program will host four public meetings to present current information about the outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) and actions taken to prevent the spread of this fish disease, and to discuss issues concerning possible regulation of VHS by the Agency.

This rule amends the structure of the Administrative Committee (Committee) of the National Potato Promotion Board (Board) as prescribed in the Potato Research and Promotion Plan by increasing the number of Vice-Chairperson positions on the Committee from six to seven. The change is intended to more closely correlate the Committee's representation with potato production in the Northwest districta five state region which accounts for more than half of all U.S. potato production.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Farm Service Agency and the Commodity Credit Corporation are seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension of a currently approved information collection used in support of the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). The information collected is needed to determine eligibility to obtain NAP assistance.

The Glenn/Colusa County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Willows, California. Agenda items covered include: (1) Introductions, (2) Approval of Minutes, (3) Public Comment, (4) Status of Funding, (5) General Discussion (6) Status of Legislation, (7) Next Agenda.

Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area Advisory Council meetings will convene in Stayton, Oregon on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 and March 28, 2007. These meetings are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., and will conclude at approximately 8:30 p.m. Meetings 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 the 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 on the management of the area. Tentative agenda items include: Subcommittees reports and recommendations, and Three Pools Site Rehabilitation Project Update. 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 scheduled meetings by sending them to Designated Federal Official Paul Matter at the address given below.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is providing public notice that the Secretary of Agriculture has determined the cost-share payments made under specific State of Florida conservation programs are primarily for the purposes of conserving soil and water resources, or protecting and restoring the environment. NRCS was assigned technical and administrative responsibility for reviewing the State of Florida's conservation programs and making appropriate recommendations for the Secretary's determination of primary purpose. The programs are: Program for Citrus, Cow/Calf, Dairies and Other Agriculture in the Lake Okeechobee Priority Basins; Program for Indian River Area Citrus Groves; Program for Interim Measures for Tri-County Agricultural Area Farms; Program for Interim Measures for Florida Producers of Container-Grown Plants; Program for Best Management Practices for Shadehouse Grown Leatherleaf Ferns; Nitrogen Best Management Practices Program for Florida Ridge Citrus; Nitrogen Interim Measure for Florida Citrus; Nitrogen Interim Measure for Bahiagrass and Bermuda Grass; and Florida Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. This determination is in accordance with Section 126 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended (26 U.S.C. 126), and permits recipients of cost-share payments to exclude from gross income to the extent allowed by the Internal Revenue Service.