Department of Agriculture July 25, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a document in the Federal Register of Monday, June 11, 2007, concerning the joint solicitation of applications for USDA and the Department of Energy (DOE) for financial assistance addressing research and development of biomass based products, bioenergy, biofuels, and related products. This document contained information regarding the grant amount in USDA funding.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is revising the voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Mangos. Specifically, AMS is revising the standards to allow for longer, up to an inch, attached stem lengths. The revisions would bring the standards for mangos in line with current marketing practices, thereby improving their usefulness in serving the industry.

The Hell Canyon Ranger District of the Black Hills National Forest intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposal to implement multiple resource management actions within the South project area as directed by the Black Hills National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. The South project area is approximately 52,082 acres in size, with 43,045 acres of National Forest lands, 1,197 acres of state land and 7,840 acres of private land. The project proposes to reduce the risk of large-scale wildfire effects on the At- Risks Communities (ARC) of Custer, Pringle and Argyle, South Dakota, provide for wildlife habitat needs, reduce risks of mountain pine beetle infestation, provide a sustainable supply of commercial timber, and provide management and public access.

The Coconino National Forest will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to disclose the effects of designating a system of roads, trails and areas for motorized vehicle use, thereby developing a motorized travel management plan. Such a plan is needed to meet new National travel management regulations and to improve the management and enforcement of motor vehicle use on National Forest Service lands. This notice describes the components to be included in the motorized travel plan, proposed forest plan amendment, decisions to be made, estimated dates pertaining to the project, information concerning public participation, and the responsible agency official. The project area is defined by the boundaries of the Coconino National Forest, and includes the Peaks, Mormon Lake, Red Rock, and Mogollon Rim Ranger Districts.

The Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to disclose the effects of designating National Forest System roads, trails, and areas available for public motorized use and changing pack and saddle stock use on certain non-motorized trails on the Beartooth Ranger District, Custer National Forest. The decision will be to determine whether to include routes that are not currently National Forest System roads, trials, and areas for public motorized use on the Beartooth Ranger District, establish a season of use and/or type of vehicle use for roads, trails, and areas designated for public motorized use, change dispersed vehicle camping designations, and restrict pack and saddle stock use on select non-motorized trails. A National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) decision is not required to designate roads, trails, and areas for public motorized use that are currently part of the National Forest System of roads, trails and areas. Once a decision is made, a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) will be prepared, in compliance with the 2005 Forest Service Travel Management Rule (36 CFR Part 212). The MVUM will show all the routes that are designated for public motorized use on the Beartooth Ranger District. The MVUM will be the primary tool used to determine compliance and enforcement with motorized vehicle use designations on the ground. Those existing routes and other non-system routes not designated open on the MVUM will be legally closed to motorized travel. The decisions on motorized travel may include motorized over-the-snow travel.