Department of Agriculture July 14, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

A minor relocation (approximately 2,000 feet) will occur on the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCNST) in 2009. The trail will be re-routed from its current location within the White Pass Ski Area south to the Wilderness boundary on the edge of the expansion area with the purpose of maintaining a quality, uninterrupted backcountry experience for PCNST users and to minimize their views of ski area structures and facilities. All activities were analyzed in the White Pass Expansion Master Development Plan Proposal Final Environmental Impact Statement and documented in the June 2007 Record of Decision. Relocation will begin in July 2009 and is expected to be completed by fall 2009. Trail relocation will be done in conjunction with the Pacific Crest Trail Association.

The Hell Canyon Ranger District of the Black Hills National Forest (BHNF) is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposal to implement multiple resource management actions within the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve (Norbeck) project area as directed by the Norbeck Organic Act and the Black Hills National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. Since the original NOl was published, the proposed action has been modified to no longer include prescribed burning within the Black Elk Wilderness, and two additional action alternatives have been developed. The No Action alternative, which is also being considered, would not authorize habitat improvements of any type within the project area. This revised Notice of Intent is being issued to provide updated information on this project, including the proposal, timing, and contact information.

This rule proposes a new U.S. honey producer funded research and promotion program under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 (1996 Act). The proposed U.S. Honey Producer Research, Promotion and Consumer Information Order (Proposed U.S. Producer Order) was submitted to the Department of Agriculture (Department) by the American Honey Producers Association (AHPA). The Department proposes that an initial referendum be conducted to ascertain whether the persons to be covered by and assessed under the Proposed U.S. Producer Order favor the Order prior to it going into effect. The Proposed U.S. Producer Order would provide that producers pay an assessment to the U.S. Honey Producer Board (Proposed Board) at the rate of $0.02 cents per pound of U.S. honey produced and shall only be imposed on U.S. producers. A producer who produces less than 100,000 pounds of U.S. honey per year would be eligible for a certificate of exemption.