Department of Agriculture 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Results 351 - 400 of 1,168
Tuberculosis; Amend the Status of California From Accredited Free to Modified Accredited Advanced
Document Number: E8-21814
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-09-18
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are amending the regulations to remove California from the list of accredited-free States for bovine tuberculosis and reclassify the State as modified accredited advanced. Because two affected cattle herds have been detected in California since November 2007, the State no longer meets our requirements for accredited-free status. This action is necessary to reduce the likelihood of the spread of bovine tuberculosis within the United States.
Information Collection Activity; Comment Request
Document Number: E8-21797
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-18
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites comments on the following information collections for which RUS intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
National Animal Identification System; Use of 840 Animal Identification Numbers for U.S.-Born Animals Only
Document Number: E8-21787
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-09-18
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are amending the regulations concerning the interstate movement of animals to limit the use of the animal identification number (AIN) with the 840 prefix to animals born in the United States. In addition, we are extending the restrictions on the removal of official identification devices to include devices applied to imported animals in their countries of origin. We are also requiring that if such a device is lost following importation into the United States, the animal may only be retagged with an official identification device using a numbering system other than an AIN beginning with an 840 prefix. These requirements are necessary to enhance our traceback capabilities for both domestic and imported animals in the event of a disease outbreak.
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Minimal-Risk Regions and Importation of Meat, Meat Byproducts, and Meat Food Products Derived From Bovines 30 Months of Age or Older
Document Number: E8-21786
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2008-09-18
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
This document requests comment on the removal of the delay of applicability of certain provisions of the rule entitled ``Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Minimal-Risk Regions and Importation of Commodities,'' published in the Federal Register on January 4, 2005, 70 FR 460-553. The delay of applicability was removed in a final rule entitled ``Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Minimal-Risk Regions; Importation of Live Bovines and Products Derived from Bovines,'' published in the Federal Register on September 18, 2007, 72 FR 53314- 53379.
National Organic Program; Amendment to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (Livestock)
Document Number: E8-21785
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-09-18
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Marketing Service, Agricultural Marketing Service
This final rule amends the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) to reflect one recommendation submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) on May 22, 2008. Consistent with the recommendation from the NOSB, this final rule revises the annotation of one substance on the National List, Methionine, to extend its use in organic poultry production until October 1, 2010.
National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council
Document Number: E8-21752
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-17
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council will meet in San Diego, California, October 14-16, 2008. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss emerging issues in urban and community forestry and hear public input related to urban and community forestry.
Predecisional Administrative Review Process for Hazardous Fuel Reduction Projects Authorized Under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003
Document Number: E8-21751
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-09-17
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
This document makes final the interim rule that was published on January 9, 2004, with minor changes to both parts 215 and 218. This rule establishes a process by which the public may file objections to seek administrative review of proposed hazardous fuel reduction projects authorized by the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (HFRA), Public Law 108-148. Section 105 of the act directs the Secretary of Agriculture to publish final regulations following public comment on the interim final regulations. This final rule refines the HFRA objection procedures based on public comment and agency experience applying the interim final rule. These changes add clarity to the procedural direction, describe authorized hazardous fuel reduction projects not subject to objection, clarify notification requirements, clarify the eligibility criteria for who may file an objection, provide for the incorporation of certain documents into objections by reference, and clarify how timeliness of objection filing will be determined.
Privacy Act of 1974; Abolish System of Records
Document Number: E8-21726
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-17
Agency: Office of the Secretary, Department of Agriculture
The records formerly maintained in the Privacy Act System of Records, USDA/FS-12 Incident Management and Prescribed Fire Qualification and Experience Records are now maintained in another Privacy Act System of Records USDA/BLM-40 Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS). Therefore, this system is being abolished and removed from the inventory of USDA Systems of Records in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.
Notice of Proposed Changes to the Natural Resources Conservation Service's National Handbook of Conservation Practices
Document Number: E8-21653
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-17
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Notice is hereby given of the intention of NRCS to issue a series of revised conservation practice standards in its National Handbook of Conservation Practices. These standards include: Deep Tillage (Code 324); Waste Transfer (Code 634); and, Road/Trail/Landing Closure and Treatment (Code 654). NRCS State Conservationists who choose to adopt these practices for use within their States will incorporate them into Section IV of their respective electronic Field Office Technical Guide. These practices may be used in conservation systems that treat highly erodible land or on land determined to be a wetland.
Final Directives for Forest Service Outfitting and Guiding Special Use Permits and Insurance Requirements for Forest Service Special Use Permits
Document Number: E8-21618
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-17
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Forest Service is revising directives governing special use permits for outfitting and guiding conducted on National Forest System lands by simplifying the application and administrative process; establishing a flat land use fee for temporary use permits; developing a process for allocation of use on a first-come, first-served or lottery basis for temporary use permits to facilitate greater participation in outfitting and guiding by youth, educational, and religious groups; offering the same terms and conditions to educational and institutional permit holders as offered to other types of permit holders when they operate as a business; and clarifying policy for priority use permits governing performance, inspections, and allocation of use. In addition, the Forest Service is revising the directives governing insurance requirements for Forest Service special use permits. Public comment was considered in the development of the final directives, and a response to comments is included in this notice.
Determination of Substantial Overriding Public Interest for Extending Certain Timber Sale Contracts
Document Number: E8-21613
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-17
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
Pursuant to section 472a(c) of the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (NFMA), and the authority delegated at 7 CFR 2.20, the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment has determined that the substantial overriding public interest (SOPI) justifies the use of market-related contract term adjustments (MRCTA) to extend beyond 10 years, certain existing green timber sale contracts tied to Softwood Lumber index 0811 and Hardwood Lumber index 0812 that were awarded prior to January 1, 2007. This SOPI determination is based on the sustained drastic reduction in softwood lumber prices since 2004 and the more recent hardwood lumber decline.
Forest Certification and Its Implications for America's National Forests
Document Number: E8-21611
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-17
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The USDA, Forest Service is seeking comments on forest certification and its implications for America's national forests. This Federal Register notice is to serve as a formal public solicitation of views on the question of National Forest System certification and its implications, if national forest lands were to become certified under one or both of the two major certification systems being used in the United States. The U.S. Forest Service, which manages 193 million acres, or approximately eight percent of the nation's land, believes that it is important to better understand the implications of third- party certification of National Forest System (NFS) lands and, in 2005, began exploring independent, third party certification as a potential option. To this end, the Forest Service initiated the National Forest Certification Study, which resulted in the report, ``National Forest Certification Study: An Evaluation of the Application of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Standards on Five National Forests.'' This report documents the study in which third-party auditors evaluated current forest management practices on five national forest units using the existing certification standards of two certification programs, Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Recognizing that the Forest Service has not decided whether it will seek certification, public outreach and discussion is requested to obtain public and stakeholder views on the National Forest Certification Study and its associated report, as well as the potential implications of NFS certification in general before determining how to proceed. In addition to comments on the National Forest Certification Study, the Forest Service is particularly interested in public views on the following questions: 1. What are your general views on the implications of independent, third party certification of NFS lands? 2. Would certification improve the management of national forests? 3. Could certification make it more difficult to achieve national forest management goals? 4. What questions would certification be able to answer, and what needs would it be able to meet, on national forest lands? 5. Are there key questions or needs that certification would be unable or poorly suited to address? 6. Would independent, third party certification be an appropriate or effective tool, given the unique role of national forests? Or, because of that unique role, would certification be particularly inappropriate or ineffective? Detailed information about the NFS Certification Study is available on the following Web site: https://www.fs.fed.us/projects/ forestcertification/index.shtml.
Revised FSIS Testing Methodology for Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7
Document Number: E8-21575
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-16
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing that, since January 28, 2008, its laboratories have implemented a revised laboratory methodology for detecting and identifying E. coli O157:H7 in regulatory verification samples. This new method can be found in the Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook (MLG), Chapter 5.04.
The Dairy Import Licensing Program
Document Number: E8-21467
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-09-16
Agency: Office of the Secretary, Department of Agriculture
This final rule amends the historical license reduction provisions of the dairy tariff-rate import quota licensing program by suspending the provisions with respect to the reduction of historical licenses based on surrenders of unused quantities until 2011.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Information Collection for the School Breakfast Program
Document Number: E8-21439
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-15
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment a proposed information collection. The proposed collection is an extension of a currently approved collection for the School Breakfast Program.
Fluid Milk Substitutions in the School Nutrition Programs
Document Number: E8-21293
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-09-12
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
This final rule implements a legislative provision on milk substitutes that is consistent with current regulations on menu exceptions for students with disabilities and adds requirements for the optional substitution of nondairy beverage for fluid milk for children with medical or special dietary needs in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. Specifically, this final rule establishes nutrient standards for nondairy beverage alternatives to fluid milk, allows schools to accept a written substitution request from a parent or legal guardian, grants schools discretion to select the acceptable nondairy beverages, and continues to make school food authorities responsible for substitution expenses that exceed the Federal reimbursement. This rule ensures consistency of standards among milk substitutes offered in the school lunch and breakfast programs, and assures that students who consume nondairy beverage alternates receive important nutrients found in fluid milk.
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Boardman-Hemingway 500 kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line Project (Project) in Idaho and Oregon and Possible Land Use Plan Amendments
Document Number: E8-21285
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-12
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
Pursuant to section 102 (2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and in response to right-of-way (ROW) applications filed by Idaho Power Company, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Vale District Office, and U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Wallowa-Whitman National Forest announce their intent to prepare an EIS and conduct public scoping meetings. Idaho Power Company proposes to construct, operate, and maintain a single circuit 500 kV overhead electric transmission line and appurtenant facilities beginning near Boardman, Oregon, and terminating near Melba, Idaho. The proposed route roughly parallels Interstate 84 and is approximately 278 miles long. Authorization of this Project may require the amendment of USFS or BLM land use plans.
Huron-Manistee National Forests, Michigan, White Pines Wind Farm Project
Document Number: E8-20764
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-12
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Forest Service has accepted an application for a special use authorization from White Pines Wind Farm LLC for the installation and operation of 20 to 28 wind turbines and associated infrastructure to provide between 50 and 70 megawatts (MW) of wind energy on National Forest System (NFS) lands managed by the Huron-Manistee National Forests. The White Pines Wind Farm Project (the Project) would occupy approximately 75 acres of NFS land within a Project Area of about 10,000 acres on the Cadillac-Manistee Ranger District over its proposed 30-year life.
Privacy Act of 1974; Abolish Obsolete System of Records
Document Number: E8-21214
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-11
Agency: Office of the Secretary, Department of Agriculture
The records formerly maintained in this Privacy Act System of Records, USDA/FS-05 Certified Cost Collectors are no longer maintained, and the System of Records is obsolete. Therefore, this system is being abolished and removed from the inventory of USDA System of Records in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.
Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc.: Notice of Extension of Public Comment Period for Public Scoping in Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement
Document Number: E8-21178
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-11
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency delivering the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Utilities Programs, hereinafter referred to as Rural Development and/or the Agency, is extending the public comment period for the public scoping in preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed action by Minnkota Power Cooperative (Minnkota Power), Otter Tail Power Company, and Minnesota Power to construct a 230 kV electric transmission line from Bemidji to Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Rural Development and the State of Minnesota Office of Energy Security (OES) are jointly preparing an EIS to evaluate the potential impacts of the proposed transmission line 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), 36 CFR 800.2(a); section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act 16 U.S.C. 470f and its implementing regulations, ``Protection of Historic Properties'' (36 CFR Part 800); the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act (MEPA), Minnesota Statute, Chapter 116D.04; the Minnesota Power Plant Siting Act (MPPSA); Minnesota Statute, Chapter 216 E.03 and Minnesota Rules, Chapter 4400. The U.S. Forest Service-Chippewa National Forest, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe are participating as Cooperating Agencies in development of the EIS. Two public scoping documents, an Alternatives Evaluation Study (AES) and a Macrocorridor Study (MCS), were prepared to provide public information on the proposed project. Using information from the AES and the MCS and considering input provided by government agencies, private organizations, and the public, Rural Development and OES, in consultation with the Cooperating Agencies, will determine the scope of the EIS. The MCS Study included maps of only three of the four transmission line corridor alternatives. This report has been updated to include the map of four transmission line macrocorridor options that are currently part of the study area. Notices distributed in local areas to notify the public of the proposed project included only one macrocorridor option with two route alternatives the applicants proposed in the State of Minnesota Route Permit Application. To ensure that interested parties located within the any of the four transmission line macrocorridor alternatives are provided adequate opportunity for comment, notices are being reissued and the public comment period is being extended for one month.
Tuberculosis; Amend the Status of New Mexico From Accredited Free to Modified Accredited Advanced
Document Number: E8-21117
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-09-11
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are amending the regulations to remove a zone in New Mexico from the list of accredited-free zones for bovine tuberculosis and reclassify the entire State as modified accredited advanced. Because two affected herds have been detected in New Mexico's accredited-free zone since May 2007, the zone no longer meets our requirements for accredited-free status. This action is necessary to reduce the likelihood of the spread of bovine tuberculosis within the United States.
Potato Cyst Nematode; Update of Quarantined Areas
Document Number: E8-21115
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-11
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are advising the public that we have made changes to the area in the State of Idaho that is quarantined to prevent the spread of potato cyst nematode. The description of the quarantined area was updated on June 27, 2008, when nine fields were released from designation as quarantined areas and four fields were added as quarantined areas.
Request for Proposals for Woody Biomass Utilization Grant-Forest Restoration Activities on National Forest System Lands
Document Number: E8-21112
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-11
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The USDA Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, Technology Marketing Unit, located at the Forest Products Laboratory, requests proposals for forest product projects that increase the use of woody biomass from National Forest System lands. The woody biomass utilization grant program is intended to help improve forest restoration activities by using and creating markets for small-diameter material and low-valued trees removed from forest restoration activities, such as reducing hazardous fuels, handling insect and diseased conditions, or treating forestlands impacted by catastrophic weather events. These funds are targeted to help communities, entrepreneurs, and others turn residues from forest restoration activities into marketable forest products and/or energy products.
Privacy Act of 1974; Abolish Obsolete System of Records
Document Number: E8-21003
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-10
Agency: Office of the Secretary, Department of Agriculture
A review of this Privacy Act System of Records has concluded that this system is no longer in effect and obsolete. This system is being abolished from the Forest Service System of Records in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.
Irish Potatoes Grown in Washington; Relaxation of Handling and Import Regulations
Document Number: E8-20999
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-09-10
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule relaxes the size requirement prescribed under the Washington potato marketing order. The marketing order regulates the handling of Irish potatoes grown in Washington, and is administered locally by the State of Washington Potato Committee (Committee). This rule decreases the minimum size required for all fresh market red, yellow fleshed, and white types of potatoes from 1 inch (25.4 mm) to \3/4\ inch (19.1 mm) in diameter, if the potatoes otherwise meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 grade. This rule will also decrease the minimum size requirement from July 1 through September 30 of each year for imported red-skinned, round type potatoes under the import regulations as required by section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937. The Committee recommended this change in response to the recently revised U.S. Standards for Grades of Potatoes which added a definition for Creamer potatoes. This change is intended to provide potato handlers with greater marketing flexibility, growers with increased returns, consumers with a greater supply of small potatoes, and to bring the section 8e potato import regulation into conformity with the marketing order.
Notice of Meeting; Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, (Title VIII, Pub. L. 108-447)
Document Number: E8-20885
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-10
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Eastern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee will hold its fourth meeting at the Crowne Plaza, 5700 E. 28th St. SE., Grand Rapids, MI, on October 8, 2008. The purpose of the meeting is to receive recommendations concerning recreation fee proposals on areas managed by the Forest Service in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin; and to discuss other items of interest related to the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004. A final detailed agenda, with any additions/corrections to agenda topics, location, field trips and meeting times, will be sent to regional media sources at least 14 days before the meeting, and hard copies can also be mailed or sent via FAX. Individuals who need special assistance such as sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodations, or who wish a hard copy of the agenda, should contact Marcia Heymen at 414-297-3662 (voice) or 414-944-3969 (TTY/TDD) two weeks prior to the meeting.
Meeting of the Land Between The Lakes Advisory Board
Document Number: E8-20883
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-09
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Land Between The Lakes Advisory Board will hold a meeting on Thursday, October 2, 2008. Notice of this meeting is given under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App.2. The meeting agenda includes the following: (1) Welcome/Introductions; (2) Members visit areas in Land Between The Lakes; (3) Board discussion on morning visits relating to dispersed recreation/education; (4) Update on Nature Watch; (5) LBL Updates; (6) Board Discussion of Comments Received. The meeting is open to the public. Written comments are invited and may be mailed to: William P. Lisowsky, Area Supervisor, Land Between The Lakes, 100 Van Morgan Drive, Golden Pond, Kentucky 42211. Written comments must be received at Land Between The Lakes by September 25, 2008, in order for copies to be provided to the members at the meeting. Board members will review written comments received, and at their request, oral clarification may be requested at a future meeting.
Irish Potatoes Grown in Colorado; Reinstatement of the Continuing Assessment Rate
Document Number: E8-20853
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-09-09
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule reinstates the continuing assessment rate established for the Area No. 3 Colorado Potato Administrative Committee (Committee) for the 2008-2009 and subsequent fiscal periods at $0.02 per hundredweight of potatoes handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order regulating the handling of potatoes grown in northern Colorado. The continuing assessment rate was suspended for the 2006-2007 and subsequent fiscal periods to bring the monetary reserve within the program limit of two fiscal periods' operating expenses. Assessments upon potato handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period began on July 1 and ends June 30. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia; Interstate Movement and Import Restrictions on Certain Live Fish
Document Number: E8-20852
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-09-09
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are establishing regulations to restrict the interstate movement and importation into the United States of live fish that are susceptible to viral hemorrhagic septicemia, a highly contagious disease of certain fresh and saltwater fish. In 2005 and 2006, viral hemorrhagic septicemia was detected in freshwater fish in several of the Great Lakes and related tributaries. The disease has been responsible for several large-scale die-offs of wild fish in the Great Lakes region. This action is necessary to prevent further introductions into, and dissemination within, the United States of viral hemorrhagic septicemia.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: E8-20793
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-09
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Dry Fork Vegetative Restoration Project, Lewis and Clark National Forest, Cascade and Judith Basin Counties, MT
Document Number: E8-20746
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-09
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The USDA Forest Service is withdrawing the Notice of Intent to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Dry Fork Vegetative Restoration project on the Belt Creek Ranger District of the Lewis and Clark National Forest. A Notice of Intent to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement was published in the Federal Register on October 27, 2005 (pages 60274-60275).
Lake Tahoe Basin Federal Advisory Committee
Document Number: E8-20703
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-09
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Lake Tahoe Basin Federal Advisory Committee will hold meetings on September 16, 2008 and September 22, 2008 or September 23, 2008 at the U.S. Forest Service Office, 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. This Committee, established by the Secretary of Agriculture on December 15, 1998 (64 FR 2876), is chartered to provide advice to the Secretary on implementing the terms of the Federal Interagency Partnership on the Lake Tahoe Region and other matters raised by the Secretary.
Accredited Laboratory Program
Document Number: E8-20582
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-09-09
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is revising, editing, and consolidating provisions of the standards and procedures for the accreditation of non-Federal analytical chemistry laboratories. Laboratories in the Accredited Laboratory Program (ALP) are accredited to analyze official meat and poultry samples for (1) specific chemical residues or classes of chemical residues, and (2) moisture, protein, fat, and salt. In particular, FSIS is amending its current regulations regarding the accreditation of non-Federal analytical chemistry laboratories to accommodate the adoption of newer methods for analyzing chemical residues and to correct some data. In addition, FSIS is making editorial changes to its accredited laboratory regulations to reflect Agency reorganizations and program changes and to improve the clarity and consistency of application for all laboratories participating in the ALP. Finally, FSIS is consolidating the accredited laboratory regulations from 9 CFR 318.21 of the meat inspection regulations and 9 CFR 381.153 of the poultry products inspection regulations into a single new part, 9 CFR part 439.
Determining Net Weight Compliance for Meat and Poultry Products
Document Number: E8-20559
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-09-09
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending its regulations to reference the most recent version of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Handbook 133 that contains standards for determining the reasonable variations allowed for the declared net weight on labels of immediate containers of meat and poultry products; the procedures to be used to determine the net weight and net weight compliance of meat and poultry products; and related definitions. The Agency is also consolidating the separate net weight regulations for meat and poultry products in a new CFR part, applicable to both meat and poultry products. This final rule does not incorporate by reference sections in Handbook 133 that concern the ``wet tare'' method for determining net weight. The ``wet tare'' method does not include free-flowing liquid as part of the product but as part of the tare weight. The Agency regards any solutions that are added to meat or poultry to be part of the product and considers free-flowing liquids to be an integral component of these products, and therefore uses the ``dry tare'', not the ``wet tare'' method.
Recreation Resource Advisory Committees
Document Number: E8-20762
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-08
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Secretary of Agriculture intends to renew five Forest Service Recreation Resource Advisory Committees (Recreation RACs) pursuant to Section 4 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act passed into law as part of the 2005 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Pub. L. 108-447) on December 8, 2004. The Recreation RACs operate in the Pacific Northwest, Pacific Southwest, Eastern, and Southern Regions of the Forest Service and the State of Colorado, and provide recreation fee recommendations to both the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as appropriate. As required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, charters for Federal advisory committees must be renewed every two years.
Privacy Act of 1974; Abolish Obsolete System of Records
Document Number: E8-20685
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-08
Agency: Office of the Secretary, Department of Agriculture
A review of this Privacy Act System of Records has concluded that this system is no longer in effect and obsolete. This system is being abolished from the Forest Service System of Records in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.
Irradiation as a Processing Aid
Document Number: E8-20653
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-08
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Inspection Service, Food Safety and Inspection Service
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing that it has received a petition from the American Meat Institute (AMI) to recognize the use of low penetration and low dose electron beam irradiation on the surface of chilled beef carcasses as a processing aid. Based on its consideration of the data and information contained in the petition, FSIS believes that the petition has merit. FSIS will hold a public meeting on September 18, 2008, to review the information contained in the petition and to receive public comments on what action it should take with respect to the petition. A copy of the petition is available on the FSIS Web site.
Allowing Bar-Type Cut Turkey Operations To Use J-Type Cut Maximum Line Speeds
Document Number: E8-20551
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-09-08
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending the Federal poultry products inspection regulations to provide that turkey slaughter establishments that open turkey carcasses with Bar-type cuts may operate at the maximum line speeds established for J-type cuts if the establishment uses the specific type of shackle described in this final rule. Under this final rule, as under current regulations, the inspector in charge will reduce line speeds when, in his or her judgment, the prescribed inspection procedure cannot be adequately performed within the time available because of the health conditions of a particular flock or because of other factors. Such factors include the manner in which birds are being presented to the inspector and the level of contamination among the birds on the line.
Karnal Bunt; Removal of Regulated Areas in Texas
Document Number: E8-20622
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-09-05
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that amended the Karnal bunt regulations to remove certain areas or fields in Baylor, Knox, Throckmorton, and Young Counties, TX, from the list of regulated areas based on our determination that those fields or areas meet our criteria for release from regulation. The interim rule was necessary to relieve restrictions that are no longer necessary.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: E8-20611
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-05
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: E8-20608
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-05
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Sioux Ranger District Travel Management Plan, Custer National Forest; Carter County, MT and Harding County, SD
Document Number: E8-20588
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-05
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Forest Service intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to disclose the effects of designating National Forest System roads, trails, and areas available for public motorized use on the Sioux Ranger District (District), Custer National Forest. The decision will determine whether to add to or remove routes from the current network of National Forest System roads, trails, and areas for public motorized use on the District; designate the season of use and type of vehicle use for each road, trail, and area designated for public motorized use; and identify dispersed vehicle camping designations. Once a decision is made, a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) will be prepared and distributed in compliance with the Forest Service's 2005 Motorized Travel Management Rule (36 CFR 212). The MVUM will show all routes and areas that are designated for public motorized use on the District. The MVUM will be the primary tool used for enforcement of motorized vehicle use designations on the ground. Those routes not designated on the MVUM will be legally closed to public motorized travel. This decision on motorized travel does not include motorized over-the-snow travel.
Ashland Ranger District Travel Management Planning, Custer National Forest; Powder River and Rosebud Counties, MT
Document Number: E8-20586
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-05
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Forest Service plans to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to disclose the effects of designating National Forest System roads, trails, and areas available for public motorized use on the Ashland Ranger District (District), Custer National Forest. The decision will determine whether to add to or remove routes from the current network of National Forest System roads, trails, and areas for public motorized use on the District; designate the season of use and type of vehicle use for each road, trail, and area designated for public motorized use; and identify dispersed vehicle camping designations. Once a decision is made, a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) will be prepared and distributed in compliance with the Forest Service's 2005 Motorized Travel Management Rule (36 CFR 212). The MVUM will show all routes and areas that are designated for public motorized use on the District. The MVUM will be the primary tool used for enforcement of motorized vehicle use designations on the ground. Those routes not designated on the MVUM will be legally closed to public motorized travel. This decision on motorized travel does not include motorized over-the-snow travel.
Competitive and Noncompetitive Non-formula Grant Programs-General Grant Administrative Provisions and Program-Specific Administrative Provisions for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative
Document Number: E8-20562
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-09-05
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) published on August 1, 2008, an interim final rule concerning one set of administrative requirements that contain elements common to all of the competitive and noncompetitive non-formula grant programs the Agency administers. That document contained an invalid E- mail address for the submission of comments. This document adds a valid E-mail address and extends the comment period for 30 days.
White Tanks No. 4 Flood Retarding Structure Rehabilitation Plan, Maricopa County, AZ
Document Number: E8-20533
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-04
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Regulations (7 CFR part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental impact statement is not being prepared for the White Tanks No. 4 Flood Retarding Structure (FRS) Rehabilitation Plan, Maricopa County, Arizona.
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program-Farm Bill; Notice of Request for Approval of a New Information Collection
Document Number: E8-20486
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-09-04
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule provides regulations to administer the Specialty Crop Block Grant ProgramFarm Bill (SCBGP-FB) to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. This rule is intended to establish eligibility and application requirements and grant administration procedures for the SCBGP-FB consistent with the Food, Conversation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill) amendments to the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004. This program is separate from the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) found in 7 CFR part 1290.
Common Crop Insurance Regulations; Dry Pea Crop Provisions
Document Number: E8-20128
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-09-04
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation
The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) finalizes the Common Crop Insurance Regulations; Dry Pea Crop Insurance Provisions by including the insurability of additional types of dry peas, by offering winter coverage, by allowing replanting payments, and by making chickpeas insurable under the Dry Pea Crop Provisions. The changes will apply for the 2009 and succeeding crop years for all Dry Pea counties with a contract change date on or after November 30, 2008.
Associated Electric Cooperative Incorporated; Notice of Intent To Hold Public Scoping Meeting and Prepare an Environmental Assessment
Document Number: E8-20418
Type: Notice
Date: 2008-09-03
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency delivering the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Utilities Programs, hereinafter referred to as Rural Development and/or Agency, intends to hold a public scoping meeting and prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) in connection with potential impacts related to projects proposed by Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AECI) of Springfield, Missouri. The proposal consists of the construction of a new 540- megawatt gas-fired combustion combined-cycle generation unit at the existing Chouteau Power Plant, a new substation approximately two miles east of the existing plant, a 161-kV transmission line from the existing plant to the new substation, and a single circuit 345-kV line from the new substation to the existing Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) Coal-Fired Power Plant in Mayes County, Oklahoma. AECI is requesting financing assistance from the Agency for the proposed action.
Plant Materials Centers (PMC)
Document Number: E8-20401
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-09-03
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Minor editorial changes are being made to clarify and update the existing regulation. These changes do not significantly affect part 613, however we present the entire part, as amended, for the convenience of the reader.
Milk in the Northeast and Other Marketing Areas; Delay of Effective Date
Document Number: E8-20391
Type: Rule
Date: 2008-09-03
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
An interim final rule published July 31, 2008 amending the manufacturing cost allowances and the butterfat yield factor used in Class III and Class IV product-price formulas applicable in all Federal milk marketing orders had an effective date of September 1, 2008. The effective date of the Interim Rule will now be October 1, 2008. The rule's effective date is delayed because a complaint to enjoin the implementation of the revised manufacturing allowances and butterfat yield factor was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Delaying implementation allows sufficient time for a preliminary injunction hearing.
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