Department of Agriculture 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice announces the termination of the Upland Cotton User Marketing Certificate Program, commonly referred to as the Step 2 Program.

The North Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet at the Mt. Baker Ranger District Office in Sedro Woolley, Washington. The first meeting will include electing this year's chairperson, followed by reviewing proposed Title II projects. The second meeting will be to complete the review, and prioritize proposal to recommend for FY 2007.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), has prepared an Environmental Assessment in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as amended, the implementing regulations for NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and NRCS policy. The Highline Canal/Black Point Pipeline Project is a federally assisted action authorized as a Congressional Earmark. The Environmental Assessment was developed in coordination with Wayne County Commission and the Fremont River Irrigation Company. Upon review of the Environmental Assessment, the State Conservationist for NRCS, Utah, made a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and the determination was made that no environmental impact statement is required to support the project. 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 Highline Canal/Black Point Pipeline Project. Written comments regarding this action may be submitted to: Sylvia Gillen, State Conservationist, USDA/NRCS, Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building, 125 South State Street, Room 4402, Salt Lake City, UT 84138-1100. Comments must be received no later than 30 days after this notice is published.

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, 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. After assessment of the application, review of the relevant scientific information, and consideration of comments provided by the public, we have concluded that these field tests will not present a risk of introducing or disseminating a plant pest. We have completed an environmental assessment and have concluded that these field tests 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 these field tests.

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 Horse Protection Program.

Pursuant to the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, Public Law 83-566, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Guidelines (7 CFR 622), the Natural Resources Conservation Service gives notice of the deauthorization of Federal funding for the Broad Creek Watershed project, Kent and Sussex Counties, Delaware, effective on March 23, 2006.

We are amending the nursery stock regulations to allow the importation of small lots of seed under an import permit with specific conditions, as an alternative to the current phytosanitary certificate requirement. This change is necessary because several entities that import small lots of seedindividual importers, scientists, horticultural societies, arboreta, and small businesseshave had difficulty obtaining the necessary certificates and have been adversely affected by the phytosanitary certificate requirement. The change makes it feasible for those entities to import small lots of seed and ensures prompt and consistent service for such importers while continuing to protect against the introduction of plant pests into the United States and providing the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service with necessary information about the quality, quantity, and diversity of the imported material.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) invites comments from producers, handlers, processors, food manufacturers, exporters, consumers, scientists, industry representatives, and all other interested parties on how USDA should address the relationship between ruminant animals, particularly dairy animals, and pasture or land used for grazing under the NOP regulations. During the development of the NOP, and since its implementation, various parties, including the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), have expressed concern about the role of pasture in organic management of ruminant animals particularly dairy animals. The NOP is authorized by the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.) (OFPA). The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) administers the NOP. Under the NOP, AMS oversees national standards for the production and handling of organically produced agricultural products. This action is being taken by AMS to ensure that NOP regulations are clear and consistent, stimulate growth of the organic sector, satisfy consumer expectations, and allow organic producers and handlers flexibility in making site-specific, real-time management decisions.

The Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee will be meeting to review 2006 projects, and hold a short public forum (question and answer session). The meeting is being held pursuant to the authorities in the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Public Law 92-463) and under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-393). The meeting is open to the public.

The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) announces the designation of Intercontinental Grain Inspections, Inc. (Intercontinental), to provide official inspection services under the United States Grain Standards Act, as amended (Act).

The Oregon Coast Provincial Advisory Committee will meet in Lincoln City, OR, April 20, 2006. The theme of the meeting is Introduction/Overview/Business Planning. The agenda includes: BLM/FS Stewardship Contracting Briefing, FS ATV National Update, BLM RMP ParticipationRole of PAC, BLM 2010, Spotted Owl Recovery/Marbled Murrelet Delisting, Status of the RAC's ``2006 topics for Coast PAC'', Role of Coast PAC in 2006, Public Comment and Round Robin.

The Roadless Area Conservation National Advisory Committee (Committee) will meet in Washington, DC. The purpose of this meeting is to review and draft recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture on state petitions for inventoried roadless area management. Petitions to be reviewed include those received from Virginia, North Carolina, and possibly any petitions received between the publication of this notice and meeting dates.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations (5 CFR part 1320) which implement the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service's (CSREES) intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection (OMB No. 0524-0026) for Form CSREES-665, ``Assurance of Compliance with the Department of Agriculture Regulations Assuring Civil Rights Compliance,'' and Form CSREES-666, ``Organizational Information.''

USDA Rural Development administers rural utilities programs through the Rural Utilities Service. USDA Rural Development announces the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Program grant application window for funding during fiscal year (FY) 2006. FY 2005 funding for the DLT grant program was approximately $29.4 million. In addition to announcing an application window, the Agency announces the available funding, and the minimum and maximum amounts for DLT grants applicable for the fiscal year.

The Mendocino County Resource Advisory Committee will meet April 21, 2006 (RAC) in Willits, California. Agenda items to be covered include: (1) Approval of minutes, (2) Public Comment, (3) Sub- committees, (4) Discussionitems of interest, (5) Next agenda and meeting date.

Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Guidelines (40 CFR part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Guidelines (7 CFR part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U. S. Department of Agriculture, is giving notice that a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) is being prepared for the Lost River Subwatershed of the Potomac River Watershed, Hardy County, West Virginia. The SEIS will evaluate potential impacts to the natural, physical, and human environment as a result of the flood damage reduction and water supply storage measures proposed for the Lost River Subwatershed, Hardy County, West Virginia. The NRCS is soliciting public concerns/issues to be evaluated during the study process.

On March 20, 2006, the Under Secretary of Natural Resources and Environment created the Red Creek Purchase Unit. This purchase unit comprises 1,025 acres, more or less, within Stone County, Mississippi. A copy of the establishment document, which includes the legal description of the lands within the purchase unit, appears at the end of this notice.

This rule removes the container regulations prescribed under the Washington sweet cherry marketing order. Specifically, this rule removes the requirement that dark-colored sweet cherries must be handled in containers having a certain net weight. The marketing order regulates the handling of fresh sweet cherries grown in designated counties in the State of Washington, and is administered locally by the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee (Committee). By eliminating the container requirements, this relaxation will provide handlers with the ability to meet the rapidly changing wholesale, retail, and consumer demand for innovative product packaging. This is expected to enhance industry marketing flexibility and efficiency.

This proposed rule proposes additional changes related to a proposed rule published by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) on December 16, 2005, entitled ``Procurement of Commodities for Foreign Donation,'' to specifically recognize CCC's obligations under the cargo preference legislation of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 and to clarify the ``extenuating circumstances'' that may preclude awards on the basis of lowest-landed cost. CCC is also re-opening and extending the comment period on the proposed rule to accord interested persons an opportunity to comment thereon.

This notice announces the availability of three documents related to the National Animal Identification System (NAIS): A document that provides an update on the implementation plans, including operational milestones and participation goals; a document describing how private and State animal tracking databases may be integrated into the NAIS to provide animal health officials with animal movement information on an as-needed basis; and, in connection with the animal tracking databases document, a template for a cooperative agreement that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service may enter into with organizations that wish to participate in the animal tracking database component of the NAIS.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will hold a public meeting to solicit comments on its proposal to make available to the public lists of the retail consignees of meat and poultry products that have voluntarily been recalled by a federally inspected meat or poultry establishment if product has been distributed to the retail level. FSIS has proposed to routinely post these retail consignee lists on its Web site as they are developed by the Agency during its recall verification activities. There will be a five-minute time limit for each commenter who presents at the meeting.

The Secretary of Agriculture intends to renew the Agricultural Air Quality Task Force and requests nominations for qualified persons to serve as members.

The Eastern Washington Cascades Provincial Advisory Committee and the Yakima Provincial Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, April 20, 2006 at the Sunnyslope Fire Station Rural County Fire District 1 office, 206 Easy Street, Wenatchee, WA. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 3 p.m. During this meeting we will continue the collaboration process on forest plan issues relating to 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.

The Umatilla National Forest proposes to treat approximately 25,000 acres of invasive plants located across the 1.4 million acre National Forest. It is anticipated that approximately 4,000 acres of both existing and newly discovered sites would be treated in any year. The proposed treatment methods includes: Manual pulling or use of hand tools, use of mechanical hand tools, herbicide, cultural methods such as grazing or mulching, and biological controls. The method used would depend on resource protection concerns for a given site.

USDA Rural Development administers rural utilities programs through the Rural Utilities Service. USDA Rural Development (the Agency) intends to hold public scoping meetings and prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) in connection with potential impacts related to projects proposed by Georgia Transmission Corporation (GTC), with headquarters in Tucker, Georgia. The proposal consists of the construction of approximately 55 miles of 500 kilovolt transmission line and approximately 13 miles of 230 kilovolt transmission line, a 500/230 kilovolt substation and a switching station. The 500-kilovolt transmission line project would be located in Putnam, Morgan, Walton and Oconee Counties, Georgia. The 230 kilovolt transmission line projects would be located in Walton County, Georgia. The substation and switching station are also located in Walton County, Georgia. In addition, a 230 kilovolt transmission line in Walton and Oconee Counties and a 230/115 kilovolt substation in Oconee County are included in the proposal as a connected action. GTC is requesting the Agency provide financing for the proposed action.