Department of Agriculture 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The purpose of this notice is to notify all interested parties that the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will hold a Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (Committee) meeting that is open to the public. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) established the Committee to examine the full spectrum of issues faced by the fruit and vegetable industry and to provide suggestions and ideas to the Secretary of Agriculture on how USDA can tailor its programs to meet the fruit and vegetable industry's needs. This notice sets forth the schedule and location for the meeting.

The International Cooperation on Harmonization of Technical Requirements for the Registration of Veterinary Medicinal Products (VICH) has developed a draft guideline titled ``Pharmacovigilance of Veterinary Medicinal Products: Controlled Lists of Terms.'' This draft guideline provides guidance for the development and maintenance of the controlled lists of terms required to complete the controlled data fields contained in adverse event reports concerning the use of veterinary medicinal products. Because the draft guideline applies to pharmacovigilance and adverse event reporting on veterinary vaccines regulated by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service under the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act, we are requesting comments on the scope of the guideline and its provisions so that we may include any relevant public input on the draft in the Agency's comments to the VICH Steering Committee.

The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) proposes to amend 7 CFR part 400, subpart R to clarify existing administrative remedies, add additional administrative remedies that are available as a result of enactment of section 515(h) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (Act) (7 U.S.C. 1515(h)), and make such other changes as are necessary to implement the provisions of section 515(h) of the Act.

The Nez Perce National Forest is undergoing planning efforts to comply with the designated routes and areas for motor vehicle use rule of November 9, 2005. The forest is proposing to analyze motorized routes and areas forest-wide to determine a base system, while considering the needs of the users, resources effects, rule requirements, and fiscal capabilities for continued maintenance.

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment for confined field release of rice plants genetically engineered to express the human proteins lactoferrin, lysozyme, or serum albumin. After assessment of the application, review of pertinent scientific information, and consideration of comments provided by the public, we have concluded that these field releases will not present a risk of introducing or disseminating a plant pest. We have completed the environmental assessment and concluded that this field release 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 releases.

We are proposing to establish a voluntary Trichinae Certification Program for U.S. pork that has been produced under disease-prevention conditions. Under the proposed program, we would certify pork production sites that follow prescribed good production practices that reduce, eliminate, or avoid the risk of exposure of animals to the zoonotic parasite Trichinella spiralis, a disease of swine. Such a program should enhance the ability of producers to export pork and pork products to overseas markets. This proposed program, which would be funded by program fees, has been developed as a cooperative effort by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Pork Board, and the pork processing industry. If adopted, this program would include those producers who choose to participate in the program, as well as slaughter facilities and other persons that handle or process swine from pork production sites that have been certified under the program.

The USDA Forest Service published a Notice of Intent (70 FR 34441-34442, June 14, 2005) to prepare an environmental impact statement for a proposed forest plan amendment to incorporate standards and guidelines for the management of the Valle Vidal Unit of the Questa Ranger District, Carson National Forest.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently approved information collection, the Aquaculture Surveys. Revision to burden hours may be needed due to changes in the size of the target population, sampling design, and/or questionnaire length.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently approved information collection, the Cotton Ginnings Survey. Revision to burden hours may be needed due to changes in the size of the target population, sampling design, and/or questionnaire length.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension of a currently approved information collection, Request for Comments; Publication Comment Cards (0596- 0163).

This document contains corrections to the final regulations which were published in the Federal Register on Monday, November 20, 2006 [71 FR 67032] regarding personal and corporate guarantees.

The Eldorado National Forest is planning to charge a $10 fee for the overnight camping and a $5 fee for extra vehicles at the Lovers Leap Campground, located on the Placerville Ranger District. This existing campground has been available for use without a fee prior to this time. Funds from the new campground fees will be used for the continued operation and maintenance of Lovers Leap Campground. The Eldorado National Forest currently has 14 other campgrounds at which fees are charged under the Recreation Enhancement Act. These campgrounds are often fully booked throughout the use season. A business analysis of Lover's Leap Campground has shown that people desire having this sort of recreation experience on the Eldorado National Forest. A market analysis indicates that the $10/per night fee and $5/ per extra vehicle is both reasonable and acceptable for this sort of unique recreation experience. Use of the campground will remain on a first come/first serve basis. Advance reservations will not be available.

We recently published a final rule amending the cut flowers regulations to establish specific requirements for the importation of cut flowers that are hosts of chrysanthemum white rust (CWR) from countries where the disease is known to occur. The final rule had an effective date of May 3, 2007. In order to allow affected exporters of cut flowers and the national plant protection organizations of countries where CWR is known to occur additional time to make necessary preparations to comply with certain new inspection and certification procedures that will be required as a result of the final rule, we are staying a portion of the amended regulations for 30 days from the effective date of our final rule.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Housing Service's (RHS) intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the program for Fire and Rescue Loans.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on a new information collection associated with the Measurement Service Requests.

On August 12, 2005, the USDA Forest Service (FS), Olympic National Forest (ONF), published a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register (70 FR 47171) to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Dosewallips Road Washout Project. A revised Notice of Intent was published on August 26, 2005 in Federal Register (70 FR 50297). The FS and Western Federal Lands Highway Division (WFLHD) of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) further revise this Notice of Intent as follows. Except for the sections noted, all prior information remains the same.

The Mendocino National Forest is proposing to charge new fees at 14 developed recreation sites. Fees are assessed based on the level of amenities and services provided, cost of operation and maintenance, market assessment, and public comment. The fees listed are only proposed and will be determined upon further analysis and public comment. Funds from fees would be used for the continued operation and maintenance of these recreation sites. Pine Mountain Lookout will be available for overnight rental. The rental fee is recommended at $50 per night. Lookout rentals offer a unique experience and are a widely popular offering on National Forests. Pine Mountain was recently restored to maintain the lookout's eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places. Fees would continue to help protect and maintain lookouts and their historic integrity. The following recreation sites are currently fee free but we are recommending fees be charged in the future: Davis Flat Campground, Dixie Glade Campground, Fouts Campground, Lake Red Bluff Boat Launch, Little Stony Campground, Mill Creek Campground, North Forth Campground, Sacramento River Boat Launch, South Fork Campground, Deer Valley Campground, Penny Pines Campground, Howard Lake Campground, Howard Meadows Campground, and Little Doe Campground. Improvements have been made at many of these campgrounds including installing new fire rings, picnic tables and some new toilets. Improvements at these campgrounds were to address sanitation and safety concerns, and improve deteriorating resource conditions and recreation experiences. A financial analysis is being completed to determine fee rates. The proposed fees to help maintain these sites would range between $5 and $8 a campsite.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, (Pub. L. 91-190, 43 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Taos Field Office and USDA Forest Service (Forest Service), Santa Fe National Forest, announce the availability of the FEIS for the Buckman Water Diversion Project. The FEIS analyzes the environmental consequences of a proposal to divert water from the Rio Grande.

On January 26, 2007, a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an environmental impact statement for an Outfitter and Guide Management Plan on the Red Rock Ranger District was published in the Federal Register (71 FR 4346-4348). The 2006 NOI is hereby rescinded.

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 activity to support the National Animal Health Monitoring System's national Small Enterprise Chicken Study.