Department of Agriculture November 19, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 1 - 9 of 9
Stanislaus National Forest, CA; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Public Wheeled Motorized Travel Management
The Stanislaus National Forest (STF) will prepare an environmental impact statement disclosing the impacts of the following proposed actions: 1. Add approximately 126.2 miles of existing unauthorized routes to the National Forest System (NFS) of trails open to public wheeled motorized use. 2. Add approximately 0.03 miles of unauthorized routes to the NFS of roads open to public wheeled motorized use. 3. Convert approximately 16.3 miles of existing NFS roads to NFS trails open to public wheeled motorized use. 4. Change approximately 11.6 miles of existing NFS roads closed to public wheeled motorized use to NFS roads open to public wheeled motorized use. 5. Change approximately 24.5 miles of existing NFS roads open to public wheeled motorized use to NFS roads closed to public wheeled motorized use. 6. Change approximately 73.7 miles of existing NFS roads open to highway legal vehicles only to NFS roads open to all public wheeled motorized use. 7. Change approximately 214.2 miles of existing NFS roads open to all public wheeled motorized use to NFS roads open to highway legal vehicles only. 8. Prohibit public motorized travel off of designated NFS roads and trails except where: (a) traveling up to 100 feet off of designated NFS roads and NFS trails for direct access to campsites, parking, woodcutting, or gathering forest products provided that no resource damage occurs and such access is not otherwise prohibited, totaling approximately 2,272.9 miles or, (b) allowed by permit or other authorization, totaling 1.0 miles. 9. Provide for certain seasonal closures to wheeled motorized travel on NFS roads and trails to protect resources, totaling approximately 837.5 miles.
Citrus Canker; Movement of Fruit From Quarantined Areas
We are amending the citrus canker regulations to modify the conditions under which fruit may be moved interstate from a quarantined area. We are eliminating the requirement that the groves in which the fruit is produced be inspected and found free of citrus canker, and instead are requiring that every lot of fruit produced in the quarantined area be inspected by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at a packinghouse operating under a compliance agreement and found to be free of visible symptoms of citrus canker. We are retaining the requirement that the fruit be treated with a surface disinfectant and the prohibition on the movement of fruit from a quarantined area into commercial citrus-producing States. These changes will relieve some restrictions on the interstate movement of fresh citrus fruit from Florida while maintaining conditions that will help prevent the artificial spread of citrus canker.
Extension of Certain Timber Sale Contracts; Finding of Substantial Overriding Public Interest
On November 2, 2007, the Chief of the Forest Service determined there is Substantial Overriding Public Interest in extending certain National Forest System timber sale contracts for up to one year, subject to a maximum total contract length of 10 years. Pursuant to the November 2, 2007, finding, timber sale contracts awarded prior to January 1, 2007, are eligible for extension and deferral of periodic payment due dates for up to one year. This finding does not apply to (1) contracts that have been or are currently eligible to be extended under market related contract term addition (MRCTA) contract provisions, except sales using the Hardwood Lumber index that were awarded after December 31, 2005, (2) salvage sale contracts that were sold with the objective of harvesting deteriorating timber, (3) contracts the Forest Service determines are in urgent need of harvesting due to deteriorating timber conditions that have developed following award of the contract, or (4) contracts that are in breach. To receive an extension, purchasers must make a written request to the appropriate Contracting Officer. Purchasers also must agree to release the Forest Service from all claims and liability if a contract extended pursuant to the November 2, 2007, finding is suspended, modified, or terminated in the future. The intended effect of the Substantial Overriding Public Interest finding and contract extensions is to minimize contract defaults, mill closures, and company bankruptcies. The Government benefits if defaulted timber sale contracts, mill closures, and bankruptcies can be avoided by granting extensions. Having numerous, economically viable, timber sale purchasers increases competition for National Forest System timber sales, results in higher prices paid for such timber, and allows the Forest Service to provide a continuous supply of timber to the public in accordance with Forest Service authorizing legislation. See Act of June 4, 1897 (Ch. 2, 30 Stat. 11 as amended, 16 U.S.C. 475) (Organic Administration Act). In addition, by extending contracts and avoiding defaults, closures, and bankruptcies, the Government avoids the difficult, lengthy, expensive, and sometimes impossible process of collecting default damages.
Notice of Intent To Request Comments on a Currently Approved Information Collection.
This notice announces the intention of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to request comments on a currently approved information collection for which approval will expire, 0578-0030, Emergency Watershed Protection Program. Public Participation: The NRCS invites full public participation to promote open communication and better decision-making. All persons and organizations that have an interest in the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program are urged to provide comments. Scoping Process: Public participation is requested throughout the scoping process. The NRCS is soliciting comment the public indicating what issues and impacts the public believes should be encompassed within the scope of the EWP Program. Comments are invited on (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility, (b) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used, (c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and (d) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, such as through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technologic collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Date Scoping Comments Are Due: Comments on this notice must be received by January 18, 2008 to ensure consideration. Comments may be sent to Phyllis I. Watkins, Agency OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mailstop 5460, Beltsville, MD 20705-5000; (301) 504- 2170; phyllis.i.watkins@wdc.usda.gov.
Annual List of Newspapers To Be Used by the Alaska Region for Publication of Legal Notices of Proposed Actions and Legal Notices of Decisions Subject to Administrative Appeal Under 36 CFR 215
This notice lists the newspapers that Ranger Districts, Forests, and the Regional Office of the Alaska Region will use to publish legal notice of all decisions subject to appeal under 36 CFR part 215 and to publish legal notices for public comment on actions subject to the notice and comment provisions of 36 CFR part 215, as updated on June 4, 2003. The intended effect of this action is to inform interested members of the public which newspapers will be used to publish legal notice of actions subject to public comment and decisions subject to appeal under 36 CFR part 215, thereby allowing them to receive constructive notice of a decision or proposed action, to provide clear evidence of timely notice, and to achieve consistency in administering the appeals process.
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