Department of Agriculture 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The USDA Forest Service, together with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), will prepare a joint Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in response to applications received from Southern California Edison for construction of a series of transmission system improvements to deliver electricity from new wind energy projects in eastern Kern County. The proposed project would be located in Kern, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino counties. The purpose of the project is to provide the electrical facilities necessary to integrate levels of new wind generation in the Tehachapi Wind Resource Area, and accommodate solar and geothermal projects currently being planned or expected in the future. It would also improve the reliability of the transmission grid in the Antelope Valley and address existing constraints in the transmission system south of the Lugo Substation in Hesperia, California. The Forest Service is the lead Federal agency for the preparation of this EIS/EIR in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and all other applicable federal laws, executive orders, regulations, and direction. The CPUC is the lead State of California agency for the preparation of the EIS/EIR in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), California Public Resource Code Division 13, and all other applicable state laws and regulations. Both agencies have determined an EIS/EIR is needed to effectively analyze the proposal and evaluate impacts. The proposed project involves several types of transmission upgrades, including: (1) Constructing new 500-kV transmission lines; (2) constructing o new single-circuit 220-kV transmission lines; (3) rebuilding existing 220-kV lines to 500-V standards; (4) rebuilding existing single-circuit transmission lines to double-circuit transmission lines; (5) relocating several existing 66-kV subtransmission lines; (6) constructing a new 500-kV substation; and (7) upgrading five existing substations. Approximately 46 miles of the project would be located in a 200- to 400-foot right-of-way on National Forest System land (managed by the Angeles National Forest) and approximately 3 miles would require expanded right-of-way within the Angeles National Forest. The USDA Forest Service and the CPUC invite written comments on the scope of this proposed project. In addition, the agencies give notice of this analysis so that interested and affected individuals are aware of how they may participate and contribute to the final decision.

This rule invites comments on changes to the reporting requirements established under the California pistachio marketing order (order). The order regulates the handling of pistachios grown in California and is administered locally by the Administrative Committee for Pistachios (committee). These changes would modify one existing committee form and add a new form to a currently-approved information collection. The information collected would require handlers to report production and producer data, enabling the committee to obtain better information for preparing its annual marketing policy statement and conducting committee nominations and periodic referenda under the marketing order for California pistachios. This proposal announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request revisions to a currently-approved information collection issued under the order. These changes are intended to enhance the efficient operation of the program.

This rule decreases the assessment rate established for the California Date Administrative Committee (committee) for the 2007-08 and subsequent crop year from $0.95 to $0.75 per hundredweight of dates handled. The committee recommended decreasing the assessment rate to reduce its cash reserve levels. The committee locally administers the marketing order which regulates the handling of dates grown or packed in Riverside County, California. Assessments upon date handlers are used by the committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The crop year begins October 1 and ends September 30. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

Pursuant to the authorities in the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (Pub. L. 92-463) and under the secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-393) the Sierra National Forest's Resource Advisory Committee for Madera County met on Monday, August 13, 2007. The Madera Resource Advisory Committee met at the Forest Service Office, North Fork, CA 93643. The purpose of the meeting was: Agree on parameters for accepting solicitations for Title II funding for FY 2007 and set a date for the final meeting when proposals will be approved for recommendation to the Forest Supervisor. The primary discussion revolved around what types of projects the RAC would be willing to entertain for this round of funding. Due to the extremely short turn-around time and the difficulty of a new extensive solicitation, what will be considered was brought into a very narrow focus. The following were generally agreed-to by unanimous consent as projects that would be considered for funding: Invasive Weed Managementsubmitted through the Coarsegold RCD, similar proposal and $$ as last year; High Sierra Volunteer Trail CrewSubmitted through the same group/ Shane Krogan, similar proposal and $$ as last year; Goat Mountain FuelbreakSubmitted through the Coarsegold RCD, would consider funding the balance of funding needed from last year but was cut. Estimated at $10,000 to $15,000; Forest Service Fuel Hazard reduction in Cedar ValleySubmitted through the Forest Service as an adjunct to the Cedar Valley Project. Primarily directed at road hazard reduction clearing on either side of the Cedar Valley Road; Planning for the San Joaquin Trail projectSubmitted through the San Joaquin River Trail Council, estimated at $10,000-$15,000. This planning will allow the expenditure of another $40,000 of existing funding to finish the last trail segment between Millerton Lake and the Mammoth trailhead; Kinsman Fuel HazardSubmitted through the USFS. Completion of fuel hazard reduction around Kinsman Flat private land. Dave agreed to contact prospective project proponents ASAP and get completed proposals out to RAC members 1-2 weeks prior to the meeting on September 10.

The Wild Rivers Ranger District of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is proposing to charge a $4/day use fee per vehicle at the Illinois River Scenic Recreation area. A seasonal pass of $25 per vehicle and a charge of $10 fee for the overnight use of Store Gulch Campground are also proposed. These fees are proposed to begin in fiscal year 2008. Use of the developed recreation facilities on the Illinois River of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has shown that the public appreciates and enjoys the availability of the recreation experience. Funds from the fee charges would be used for the continued operation and maintenance of the Illinois River Scenic Recreation area and improvements including law enforcement and sanitation.

The designations of the official agencies listed below will end on March 31, 2008. We are asking persons interested in providing official services in the areas served by these agencies to submit an application for designation. We are also asking for comments on the quality of services provided by these currently designated agencies: J. W. Barton Grain Inspection Service, Inc. (Barton); Central Illinois Grain Inspection, Inc. (Central Illinois); Central Iowa Grain Inspection Service, Inc. (Central Iowa); Farwell Commodity and Grain Services, Inc (Farwell Southwest); North Dakota Grain Inspection Service, Inc. (North Dakota); Northern Plains Grain Inspection Service, Inc. (Northern Plains); and Plainview Grain Inspection and Weighing Service, Inc. (Plainview).

Pursuant to the authorities in the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463) and under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-393, as amended by Section 5401 of Public Law 110-28, the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007) the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest's Madison-Beaverhead Resource Advisory Committee will meet on Wednesday, September 19, 2007, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Dillon, Montana, for a business meeting. The meeting is open to the public.

The Deschutes Provincial Advisory Committee will meet on September 27th, 2007, starting at 8 a.m. at the Sisters Ranger District, Pine Street and Highway 20, Sisters, Oregon. It will be a 2- hour business meeting and then a joint field trip with Central Oregon Partnership for Wildfire Risk Reduction (COPWRR) to monitor the Green Thin Project. The trip is scheduled to end at 4:30 p.m. in Sisters. All Deschutes Province Advisory Committee Meetings are open to the public and an open public forum is scheduled from 4 to 4:30 p.m.

Pursuant to the authorities in the Federal Advisory Committees Act (Pub. L. 92-463), the Northeast Oregon Forests Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet on September 17 and 18, 2007. The purpose is to meet as a Committee to review proposed projects for fiscal year 2008.

The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is correcting a notice published June 11, 2007 (72 FR 32070-32071). This action is taken to extend the application obligation date from August 31, 2007 to September 28, 2007. This correction is to ensure that all applications that meet program criteria and have responded accordingly, will be considered in the Demonstration Program. Accordingly, the Notice published on June 11, 2007 (72 FR 32070- 32071), is corrected as follows: On page 32071, in the first column, second paragraph, under the heading ``Demonstration Program Selection Process,'' the second sentence is corrected to read as follows: ``In the event there are not enough qualified requests for selection into the Demonstration Program to utilize all the available Demonstration Program set-aside funds of approximately $10 million, then the selection process for any remaining funds will be conducted on September 28, 2007, and will include all applications obligated from October 1, 2006 to September 28, 2007.'' All applicants will be notified of the selection results no later than 15 business days from the date of selection.

Pursuant to the authorities in the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463) and under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-393, as amended by Section 5401 of Public Law 110-28, the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007) the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest's Tri-County Resource Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 18, 2007, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., in Philipsburg, Montana, for a business meeting. The meeting is open to the public.

The Rural Utilities Service, an agency delivering the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development Utilities Programs, hereinafter referred to as Rural Development and/or the Agency, proposes to amend its regulations regarding Bulletin 50-70 (U- 1) for electric distribution specifications for 15 kV and 25 kV primary underground power cable. This proposed rule is necessary to provide Agency electric borrowers with updated specifications for 15 kV and 25 kV underground power cable, and to provide borrowers with specifications for 35 kV underground power cable for use in 25 kV primary systems. These specifications cover single-phase and multi- phase primary underground power cable which Agency electric borrowers use to construct their rural underground electric distribution systems.

Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency delivering the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Utilities Programs, hereinafter referred to as Rural Development, is issuing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Dry Fork Station and Hughes Transmission Project. The Draft EIS was prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (U.S.C. 4231 et seq.) in accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR 1500-1508) and RUS regulations (7 CFR part 1794). The purpose of the EIS is to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of and alternatives to the Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (Basin Electric) application for a Rural Development loan guarantee to construct and operate a coal-fired electric generation facility referred to as the Dry Fork Station, consisting of a single maximum net 385 Megawatt (MW) unit, at a site near Gillette, Wyoming, along with other proposed pollution controls collectively known as Best Available Control Technology (BACT). In addition, Basin Electric also proposes to construct and operate 136 miles of 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line in Campbell and Sheridan counties, referred to as the Hughes Transmission Project. Basin Electric is not requesting a loan guarantee from Rural Development for this action. However, the Hughes Transmission Project is evaluated as a connected action for this EIS because the Dry Fork Station would interconnect with it if the Station is built.

This notice invites the following eligible States: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming, to submit an Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424), and to enter into a Cooperative Agreement with the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) for the Allocation of Organic Certification Cost-Share Funds. The AMS has allocated $1.0 million for this organic certification cost-share program in Fiscal Year 2007. Funds will be available under this program to 15 designated States to assist organic crop and livestock producers certified under the National Organic Program (NOP). Eligible States interested in obtaining cost-share funds for their organic producers will have to submit an Application for Federal Assistance, and will have to enter into a cooperative agreement with AMS for the allocation for such funds.

The Forest Supervisor of the Ashley National Forest gives notice of the intent to prepare an environment impact statement (EIS) to document the analysis and disclose the impacts of an oil and gas development project on lands administered by the Ashley National Forest. The EIS analysis are includes approximately 25,900 acres on the South Unit of the Ashley National Forest in Duchesne County, Utah. The proposed project is located 11 miles south of Duchesne County, Utah in Township 6 South, Ranges 4 and 5 West. Any authorizations and actions proposed for approval in the EIS will be evaluated to determine if they are consistent with direction in the 1986 Ashley National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan).

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, Woodsy Owl Official Licensee Royalty Statement.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of a currently approved information collection for organic exemption requests under national research and promotion programs. Upon OMB approval, this burden will be merged into the information collection currently approved under OMB No. 0581-0093 for National Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Programs.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule revising the regulatory period for minimum grade, size, quality, and maturity requirements applicable to onions grown in South Texas under Marketing Order No. 959 (order). Prior to implementation of the interim final rule, the regulatory period for South Texas onions was March 1 through June 4 of each year. Changes in available varieties, growing seasons, and marketing opportunities over the years have resulted in a prolonged onion shipping season that now extends beyond June 4 into mid-July. This rule continues in effect the action that extended the regulatory period through July 15. The South Texas Onion Committee (Committee), which locally administers the order, unanimously recommended the change.

The Mt. Hood National Forest (Forest) will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to document and disclose the potential environmental effects of establishing and designating a system of roads, trails and areas for off-highway vehicles (OHV). The Proposed Action will change OHV access through much of the Forest in order to meet the intent of the Travel Management; Designated Routes and Areas for Motor Vehicle Use; Final Rule that was published on November 9, 2005 (70 FR 216). The Proposed Action focuses on travel management within six proposed OHV areas and motorized access to dispersed (undeveloped) camping. Within each area, specific OHV routes are proposed by motor vehicle class, and new trails are proposed for construction where they would create trail loop opportunities. A Forest Plan Amendment would be required to achieve the purpose and need, and implement the Proposed Action.

The Willamette National Forest is planning to charge fees at three recreation sites in 2008. All sites are undergoing reconstruction or amenities are being added to improve services and experiences. Fees are assessed based on the level of amenities and services provided, cost of operation and maintenance and a market assessment. Funds from fees will be used to help cover the cost of continued operation and maintenance of these recreation sites. Three Pools Day Use Area, and Piety Island and Lost Lake Campgrounds are currently fee free sites. New improvements have been made at Piety Island Campground including: the establishment of 22 designated sites with tent pads, picnic tables and fire rings, information boards, new toilets, and garbage service. The proposed fee for Piety Island Campground, a boat-in site, is $10 per campsite and $20 for a multiple site. New fire rings and picnic tables will be added at Lost Lake Campground. Proposed fees for Lost Lake Campground is $8 per campsite and $4 for one extra vehicle. A $5 day use is being proposed at Three Pools Day Use Area. Recreation passes would be honored and include Northwest Forest Pass, Interagency Passes and Golden Passports. Reconstruction at this site will begin in September of 2007 and includes paved parking for 100 vehicles, improved trails, information and interpretive signing, picnic sites and site restoration.

This rule amends the regulations for the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) Program as authorized by the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007, to extend the payment calculation at 34 percent for the month of September 2007.

We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that amended the emerald ash borer regulations by designating the States of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, in their entirety, as quarantined areas. The interim rule was necessary to prevent the artificial spread of the emerald ash borer into noninfested areas of the United States. As a result of the interim rule, the interstate movement of regulated articles from those States is restricted.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the new information collection for a Wood Education and Resource Center Training Registry.