Department of Agriculture March 17, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on a new information collection associated with the Ride- Along Program application, a program which allows any private citizen to apply to ride along with Forest Service law enforcement officers.

This rule relaxes the handling requirements prescribed under the California table grape marketing order (order) and the table grape import regulation. The order regulates the handling of table grapes grown in a designated area of southeastern California and is administered locally by the California Desert Grape Administrative Committee (committee). The import regulation is authorized under section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 and regulates the importation of table grapes into the United States. This rule relaxes the one-quarter pound minimum bunch size requirement for the 2009 season for grapes packed in containers holding 2 pounds net weight or less. Under the relaxation, up to 20 percent of the weight of such containers may consist of single, unattached stems or clusters of at least five berries each. This action provides California desert grape handlers and importers the flexibility to respond to a marketing opportunity on a test basis for one season to meet consumer needs.

The South Gifford Pinchot National Forest Resource Advisory Committee will meet on Monday, April 20, 2009, at the Columbia Gorge Riverside Lodge 200 SW Cascade Avenue, Stevenson, Washington. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to: Elect a chairperson and vice-chair, propose an indirect project percentage, receive an overview of Title II accomplishments, and make recommendations on approximately 60 proposals for Title II funding of projects under the Secure Rural Schools and County Self-Determination Act of 2000. All South Gifford Pinchot National Forest Resource Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public. Interested citizens are encouraged to attend. The ``open forum'' provides opportunity for the public to bring issues, concerns, and discussion topics to the Advisory Committee. The ``open forum'' is scheduled to occur at 9:10 a.m. on April 20. Interested speakers will need to register prior to the open forum period. The committee welcomes the public's written comments on committee business at any time.