Department of Agriculture October 1, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice invites all States of the United States of America, its territories, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, (collectively hereinafter called States) to submit an Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424), and to enter into a cooperative agreement with the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) for the allocation of National Organic Certification Cost-Share Funds. The AMS has allocated $22.0 million for this organic certification cost-share program commencing in Fiscal Year 2008, and these funds will be annually allocated to States through cooperative agreements until exhausted. Funds are available under this program to States interested in providing cost-share assistance to organic producers and handlers certified under the National Organic Program (NOP). States interested in obtaining cost-share funds must submit an Application for Federal Assistance and enter into a cooperative agreement with AMS for allocation of funds.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule that revised the outgoing quality control regulations issued under the California almond marketing order (order). The interim final rule revised the term ``validation'' under the Salmonella bacteria (Salmonella) treatment program by specifying that validation data must be both submitted to and accepted by the Almond Board of California's (Board) Technical Expert Review Panel (TERP) for all treatment equipment prior to its use under this program. The interim final rule was necessary to ensure that all treatment equipment meets a 4-log reduction of Salmonella in almonds.

The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Private Forestry, Technology Marketing Unit, located at the Forest Products Laboratory, requests proposals for projects that increase the use of woody biomass that is removed during hazardous fuels treatment projects on both public and private forestlands. The Hazardous Fuels Woody Biomass Utilization (WBU) Grant Program is intended to improve the effectiveness of forest restoration activities by creating and expanding markets for small-diameter material, low-value trees, and woody biomass removed during hazardous fuel reduction and forest health activities. These funds are intended to assist communities, entrepreneurs, and others turn low-value woody biomass materials from forest restoration activities into marketable forest products and/or energy products.

The Alpine County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold its fourth meeting.