Department of Agriculture February 20, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Klamath National Forest will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to document and publicly disclose the environmental effects of implementing commercial thinning and prescribed burn treatments in the Two Bit project area to provide forest products, restore forest health, and reduce fuel hazard on Klamath National Forest System lands. The project area is north and west of Happy Camp, California. Thinning and understory prescribed burning is proposed on approximately 10,800 acres.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing its intention to request a new information collection concerning the use of focus groups to obtain information from consumers on various food safety issues to support Agency decision-making and policy formulation.

This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible California almonds growers to determine whether they favor continuance of the marketing order regulating the handling of almonds grown in California.

This rule changes the handling requirements applicable to well matured fruit covered under the nectarine and peach marketing orders (orders). The orders regulate the handling of nectarines and peaches grown in California and are administered locally by the Nectarine Administrative and Peach Commodity Committees (committees). This rule updates the variety-specific size requirements to reflect changes in commercially significant varieties. This will enable handlers to continue to ship fresh nectarines and peaches in a manner that meets consumer needs, increases returns to producers and handlers, and reflects current industry practices.