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

The Forest Supervisor of the Dixie National Forest gives notice of the intent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to document the analysis and disclose the environmental and human effects of oil and gas leasing on lands administered by the Dixie National Forest. The Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act of 1987 requires the Forest Service to evaluate National Forest System lands for potential oil and gas leasing. The EIS would analyze all lands with a federally-owned mineral estate within the Dixie National Forest. As the agency responsible for lease issuance and administration, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will participate as a cooperating agency.

This notice lists the newspapers that will be used by all Ranger Districts, Forests, Grasslands, and the Regional Office of the Northern Region to publish legal notices for public comment and decisions subject to appeal and predecisional administrative review under 36 CFR 215, 217, and 218. The intended effect of this action is to inform interested members of the public which newspapers will be used to publish legal notices for public comment or decisions; thereby allowing them to receive constructive notice of a decision, to provide clear evidence of timely notice, and to achieve consistency in administering the appeals process.

This rule suspends Part 926 in the Code of Federal Regulations, which requires persons engaged in the handling or importation of fresh cranberries or cranberry products, but not subject to the reporting requirements of the Federal cranberry marketing order (7 CFR Part 929), to report sales, acquisition, and inventory information to the Cranberry Marketing Committee (Committee), and to maintain adequate records of such activities. The establishment of these requirements is authorized under section 8(d) of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 (Act). The Committee, which administers marketing order 929, regulating the handling of cranberries grown in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the State of New York, has been delegated by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to collect such information authorized under Part 926. Based on information provided by the Committee, USDA has determined that the collection of information under Part 926 is of marginal benefit to the industry and should be suspended.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking research and other work associated with revising official grade standards, is soliciting comments on the possible revisions to the United States Standards for Grades of Cantaloups. AMS has been reviewing the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable grade standards for usefulness in serving the industry. As a result, AMS has identified the United States Standards for Grades of Cantaloups for possible revisions. AMS is considering revising the (Application of Tolerances( section in the U.S. standards. Additionally, the (Unclassified( category would be eliminated from the standards. AMS is seeking comments on these proposed changes that may better serve the industry.

Notice is hereby given that the USDA Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposal to recover the economic value through salvage harvest of dead and dying trees damaged in the Tripod Complex Fire, to remove potential hazard trees from open roads, and to reforest salvage harvest units within specified drainages of the Methow Valley and Tonasket Ranger Districts, Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests. Details of the proposal are further described in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. Approximately 2,800 acres would be treated in the proposed project area. The analysis area encompasses a portion of the burned area in the Middle Fork Beaver Creek, Lightning Creek, Chewuch River, Ramsey Creek, Boulder Creek, North Fork Boulder Cree, Bromas Creek, Brevucinus Creek, Twentymile Creek, Pelican Creek, McCay Creek, Granite Creek, Cedar Creek, and Cabin Creek drainages, along Road 37 and Road 39 within the fire boundary, and includes parts of the following townships: T34N, R23E; T34N, R24E; T35N, R22E; T35N, R23E; T35N, R24E; T36N, R22E; T36N, R23E; T36N, R24E; T37N, R22E; T37N, R23E; T38N, R23E; and T39N, R23E; Williamette Meridian. The Tripod Complex Fire, located five miles northeast of Winthrop, Washington, burned approximately 175,000 acres across mixed ownership in July to September 2006. Approximately 164,000 acres were on National Forest System lands administered by the Methow Valley Ranger District and the Tonasket Ranger District, Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests. The purpose of the EIS will be to evaluate a range of reasonable alternatives for this proposal and take public comment on the analysis. The direction in the amended Okanogan National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) provides the overall guidance for management of National Forest System lands included in this proposal.

The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) proposes to amend the Common Crop Insurance Regulations, Millet Crop Insurance Provisions to remove the reduction in indemnity for any unharvested millet acreage to better meet the needs of insured producers. The changes will apply for the 2008 and succeeding crop years.

The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal to harvest timber and to develop a road management plan for the Central Kupreanof Timber Harvest on the northwest and central part of Kupreanof Island, on the Petersburg Ranger Districts, Tongass National Forest. The proposed action provides for multiple timber sale opportunities and will result in the production of approximately 40 million board feet (mmbf) of timber from approximately 2,025 acres of forested land. Up to 11.1 miles of new forest system road and up to 7.0 miles of temporary road may be necessary for timber harvest. A range of alternatives, responsive to significant issues, will be developed and will include a no action alternative. The existing log transfer facility (LTF) at Little Hamilton in Hamilton Bay would be used. This project is within the Mitkof/Kupreanof biogeographic province. The Record of Decision will disclose whether and where the Forest Supervisor has decided to provide timber harvest units, roads and associated timber harvesting facilities.

On December 13, 2005, the Forest Service issued an interim directive to provide guidance for Tribal Forest Protection Act (TFPA) proposals. This interim directive provides internal administrative direction to guide Forest Service employees in planning, implementing, and monitoring TFPA proposals. The interim directive is issued to Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 2409.19, Renewable Resources Handbook, Chapter 60, Stewardship Contracting, as Interim Directive No. 2409.19- 2005-2 and can be found at https://www.fs.fed.us/spf/tribalrelations/. This direction was developed to implement the provisions as authorized in Public Law 108-278, Tribal Forest Protection Act. The agency is requesting comment on this interim directive to ensure that the public has the opportunity to comment on the implementation of this new authority. The public's comments will be considered prior to development of final agency policy.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting comments on its proposal to revise the United States Standards for Grades of Parsley. AMS is proposing to revise the standards to allow percentages to be determined by count rather than weight. AMS is also proposing to eliminate the unclassified category. The proposed revisions would bring the standards for parsley in line with current marketing practices, thereby improving the usefulness in serving the industry.

The Agricultural Marketing Service published in the Federal Register on August 7, 2006, a final rule that changed the title of the U.S.A. Cultivated Blueberry Council (USACBC) to the ``U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council'' (Council) and added a member and alternate to represent the state of Washington. However, inaccurate amendatory language was used to make the change to the Council's name. In addition, an incorrect acronym used in Sec. 1218.78 prevented its removal and replacement and a heading preceding Sec. 1218.40 in the final rule was published with a repetitive word. This document corrects the error.

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.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is providing public notice that the Secretary of Agriculture has determined the cost-share payments made under the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Small Renewables Initiative Program are primarily for the purpose of protecting or restoring the environment. NRCS was assigned technical and administrative responsibility for reviewing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Program and making appropriate recommendations for the Secretary's determination of primary purpose. 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.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is establishing voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Pea Pods. The standards will provide industry with a common language and uniform basis for trading, thus promoting the orderly and efficient marketing of pea pods.

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service intends to prepare an environmental impact statement relative to the proposed use of genetically engineered fruit flies and pink bollworm in certain plant pest control programs. This notice identifies potential issues and alternatives that will be studied in the environmental impact statement, requests public comment to further delineate the scope of the issues and alternatives, and provides notice of public meetings.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is establishing voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Cultivated Ginseng. AMS received a request from an industry group representing cultivated ginseng growers to develop a standard that will provide the industry with a common language and uniform basis for trading, thus promoting the orderly and efficient marketing of cultivated ginseng.

Section 5 paragraph 3 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) of December 2004 (16 U.S.C. 6804(a)(3)) requires that the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture publish a notice in the Federal Register when the ``America the Beautifulthe National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass'' is first established and available for purchase. The new pass program was created in response to requirements of the REA. The new pass replaces the Golden Eagle, Golden Age, and the Golden Access Passports, as well as the National Parks Pass, which currently support recreation opportunities on public lands managed by the United States Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the Bureau of Reclamation. Sales of the new pass are scheduled to begin in January 2007. The new pass will be sold at Federal recreation sites that charge entrance and standard amenity fees. The pass will also be available through links on government Web sites including creation.gov and through select third-party vendors.