Department of Agriculture 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are amending the Mediterranean fruit fly regulations by adding a portion of Los Angeles County, CA, to the list of quarantined areas and by restricting the interstate movement of regulated articles from that area. This action is necessary to prevent the artificial spread of Mediterranean fruit fly.

The Rural Housing Service (RHS), an agency within Rural Development, announces that it is soliciting competitive applications under its Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) program. The HPG program is a grant program which provides qualified public agencies, private nonprofit organizations, which may include, but not be limited to, faith-based and community organizations, and other eligible entities grant funds to assist very low- and low-income homeowners in repairing and rehabilitating their homes in rural areas. In addition, the HPG program assists rental property owners and cooperative housing complexes in repairing and rehabilitating their units if they agree to make such units available to low- and very low-income persons. This action is taken to comply with Agency regulations found in 7 CFR part 1944, subpart N, which require the Agency to announce the opening and closing dates for receipt of preapplications for HPG funds from eligible applicants. The intended effect of this Notice is to provide eligible organizations notice of these dates.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking research and other work associated with revising official grade standards, is soliciting comments on the possible revisions to the United States Standards for Grades of Beet Greens. AMS has been reviewing the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable grade standards for usefulness in fostering commerce. As a result, AMS has identified the United States Standards for Grades of Beet Greens for possible revisions. AMS is considering removing the ``Unclassified'' category from the standards. AMS is seeking comments regarding this change as well as any other possible revisions that may be necessary to better serve the industry.

This rule establishes interim final and final free and restricted percentages for domestic inshell hazelnuts for the 2007-2008 marketing year under the Federal marketing order for hazelnuts grown in Oregon and Washington. The interim final free and restricted percentages are 8.1863 and 91.8137 percent, respectively, and the final free and restricted percentages are 9.2671 and 90.7329 percent, respectively. The percentages allocate the quantity of domestically produced hazelnuts which may be marketed in the domestic inshell market (free) and the quantity of domestically produced hazelnuts that must be disposed of in outlets approved by the Board (restricted). Volume regulation is intended to stabilize the supply of domestic inshell hazelnuts to meet the limited domestic demand for such hazelnuts with the goal of providing producers with reasonable returns. This rule was recommended unanimously by the Hazelnut Marketing Board (Board), the agency responsible for local administration of the marketing order.

This rule would establish the quantity of spearmint oil produced in the Far West, by class that handlers may purchase from, or handle for, producers during the 2008-2009 marketing year, which begins on June 1, 2008. This rule invites comments on the establishment of salable quantities and allotment percentages for Class 1 (Scotch) spearmint oil of 993,067 pounds and 50 percent, respectively, and for Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil of 1,184,748 pounds and 53 percent, respectively. The Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee), the agency responsible for local administration of the marketing order for spearmint oil produced in the Far West, recommended these limitations for the purpose of avoiding extreme fluctuations in supplies and prices to help maintain stability in the spearmint oil market.

We are advising the public that a risk analysis has been prepared by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service concerning the foot-and-mouth disease status of the Republic of South Africa and the related disease risks associated with importing animals and animal products into the United States from the Republic of South Africa. This risk analysis will be used as a basis for determining whether to relieve certain prohibitions and restrictions on the importation of ruminants and swine and the fresh meat and other animal products of ruminants and swine into the United States from the Republic of South Africa. We are making this risk analysis available to the public for review and comment.

We are advising the public that an environmental assessment has been prepared for a proposed field release of a safflower line genetically engineered to express, within its seeds, human proinsulin fused to an Arabidopsis oleosin molecule. After our assessment of the application, review of pertinent scientific information, and consideration of comments provided by the public, we have concluded that this field release will not present a risk of introducing or disseminating a plant pest, nor will it 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.

This notice advises the public of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's record of decision for the supplement to the Importation of Solid Wood Packing Material Final Environmental Impact Statement.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Business and Cooperative Programs' intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the program for the Business and Industry Loan Program.

The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are sponsoring a public meeting on February 28, 2008. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States positions that will be discussed at the 29th Session of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in Budapest, Hungary on March 10-14, 2008. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 29th Session of the CCMAS and to address items on the agenda.

The Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee will be meeting to discuss project updates from 2007. Agenda topics will include fire smoke and air quality issues, and a public forum (question and answer session). The meeting is being held 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). The meeting is open to the public.

The Forest Service is extending the public comment period for the proposed directive regarding Forest Service Outfitting and Guiding Special Use Permits and Insurance Requirements for Forest Service Special Use Permits for an additional 30 days to March 20, 2008. The original notice called for comments to be submitted by January 17, 2008 (72 FR 59246, October 19, 2007). A second notice (72 FR 71113, December 14, 2007) extended the comment period until February 19, 2008.

Pursuant to Section 102 (2) (C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Price Field Office, and the Manti-La Sal and Fishlake National Forests announce their intent to prepare an EIS and are soliciting public comments regarding issues and resource information on the potential impacts of a proposal to mine Federal coal, using underground methods with limited surface facilities, in the vicinity of Greens Hollow, Utah as requested by Ark Land Company in LBA case number UTU-84102 and in conformance with the provisions of 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 3425.1.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Taos Field Office and USDA Forest Service (Forest Service), Santa Fe National Forest announce the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Buckman Water Diversion Project located near Santa Fe, New Mexico.

We propose to add ``swine contractors'' to the list of regulated entities subject to specific regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act (the P&S Act). In 2002, Congress added swine contractors as entities regulated under the P&S Act. The specific regulations we propose to amend prohibit regulated entities from circulating misleading reports about market conditions or prices. We also propose to amend regulations that address inspection of business records and facilities, information that regulated entities are required to share with the Secretary of Agriculture, and USDA's responsibility to refrain from unauthorized disclosure of that information. The goal of these regulations is to ensure fairness in the marketing of livestock, meat, and poultry. Adding swine contractors to specific regulations under the P&S Act will assist swine contractors and swine production contract growers with determining which regulations apply to them. Adding swine contractors to specific regulations will also make it easier for GIPSA to identify potential violations and to enforce the provisions of the P&S Act and regulations.

Rural Business-Cooperative Service programs are administered through USDA Rural Development. USDA Rural Development announces the availability of approximately $4.4 million in competitive grant funds for the fiscal year (FY) 2008 Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) Program. The intended effect of this notice is to solicit applications for FY 2008 and award grants on or before September 12, 2008. The maximum award per grant is $200,000 and matching funds are required.

It has been determined by the NRCS State Conservationist for Virginia that changes must be made in the NRCS State Technical Guide specifically in practice standards: 578, Stream Crossing; 574, Spring Development; 561, Heavy Use Area protection; 575, Animal Trails and Walkways; and 560, Access Road. These practices will be used to plan and install conservation practices on cropland, pastureland, woodland, and wildlife land.

The Umatilla National Forest is proposing to charge fees at 39 recreation sites. Fees are assessed based on the leval of amenities and services provided, cost of operation and maintenance, market assessment, and public comment. The fees listed below are only proposed. The final fees will be determined upon further analysis and public comment. Funds from fees would be retained locally and used for the continued operation and maintenance of these recreation sites. The public has been notified of proposed fees in several ways. In July of 2007, signs were posted at all potentially affected campgrounds, rental cabins, and trail heads requesting public feedback on the proposed fees. Press releases regarding the Umatilla National Forest's recreation facility master plan and fee proposals were issued to area newspapers on September 11 of 2007. The release was followed by 7 open houses held in communities across the Forest during September and October. The fee proposal continues to be advertised on the Umatilla National Forest's Web site. Rental Cabins: Fremont Caretaker's Cabin on the North Fork John Day Ranger District and Tucannon Guard Station on the Pomeroy Ranger District will be available for overnight rental. A financial analysis is being completed to determine the rental fees; the range being considered is from $70 to $100 per night. Cabin rentals offer a unique experience and are a popular offering in National Forests. Both cabins were recently restored to maintain their eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places. Fees would continue to help protect and maintain cabins and their historic integrity. Campgrounds: The Umatilla National Forest is proposing to begin charging fees at 20 campgrounds. These sites provide similar amenities as sites that currently require fees. They are as follows: Big Creek, Divide Wells, Driftwood, Drift Fence, Gold Dredge, Oriental, and Winom campgrounds in the North Fork John Day Ranger District; Coalmine Hill, Fairview, and Penland campgrounds in the Heppner Ranger District; Alder thicket, Big Springs, Forest boundary, Godman, Ladybug, Midway, Misery Springs, Panjab, Pataha, and Wickiup campgrounds on the Pomeroy Ranger District. A financial analysis is being completed to determine fee rates.The fees proposed to help maintain these sites would range between $5 and $14 for single sites, $10-$16 for double sites, $20-$40 for group sites. There would be an extra $5.00 charge per additional vehicle per campsite at all the listed campgrounds. Trailheads: The Umatilla National Forest proposes charging fees at the following 17 trailheads: North Fork John Day, Frazier, Winom, and Big Creek trailheads on the North Fork John Day Ranger District; Elk Flats, Meadow Creek, Panjab, Teepee, Three Forks, Timothy Springs, Tucannon, and Twin Buttes on Pomeroy Ranger District; and Burnt Cabin, Deduct Pond, Middle Point, North Fork Umatilla, and Rough Fork on the Walla Walla Ranger District. These sites would be established as fee sites since amenities such as toilets, garbage service, and interpretive signing have been or will be added. Recreation Passes such as the Northwest Forest Pass would cover day use fees for these trailheads. Northwest Forest Passes are $5 for a daily pass and $30 for an annual pass.

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 regulations for pork and poultry products from Mexico transiting the United States.

We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that amended the regulations for the importation of unmanufactured wood articles to bring the methyl bromide treatment schedule into alignment with current international phytosanitary standards. The interim rule was necessary because international phytosanitary standards had changed, and our regulations needed to be updated to reflect the current standards.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is revising the voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Cantaloups. Specifically, AMS is revising the ``Application of Tolerances'' section in the cantaloup standards. Additionally, AMS is removing the ``Unclassified'' category from the standards. These changes will bring the standards for cantaloups in line with current marketing practices, thereby improving the usefulness of the standards in serving the industry.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces funding of approximately $1 million in competitive grant funds for fiscal year (FY) 2008 to increase domestic consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. Examples of direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities include new farmers' markets, roadside stands, community supported agriculture programs, and other direct producer-to-consumer infrastructures. AMS hereby requests proposals from eligible entities from the following categories: (1) Agricultural cooperatives, (2) local governments, (3) nonprofit corporations, (4) public benefit corporations, (5) economic development corporations, (6) regional farmers' market authorities, and (7) tribal governments. The maximum award per grant is $75,000. No matching funds are required. AMS strongly recommends that each applicant visit the AMS Web site at https://www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP to review a copy of the FMPP Guidelines and application package preparation information to assist in preparing the proposal narrative and application package. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the information collection requirements have been previously approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 0581-0235.

This rule decreases the assessment rate established for the California Olive Committee (committee) for the 2008 and subsequent fiscal years from $47.84 to $15.60 per assessable ton of olives handled. The committee locally administers the marketing order which regulates the handling of olives grown in California. Assessments upon olive handlers are used by the committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal year began January 1 and ends December 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.