Department of Agriculture October 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
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Custer County Resource Advisory Committee
The Custer County Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Custer, South Dakota. The purpose of the meeting is review and selection of project proposals to be funded by the 2009 allocation.
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the above-named Agencies to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of debt settlement of Community Facilities and Direct Business Program Loans and Grants.
Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc.: Notice of Intent To Hold Public Scoping Meetings and Prepare an Environmental Assessment
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) intends to hold public scoping meetings and prepare an Environmental Assessment with Scoping (EA) to meet its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 7 CFR part 1794 in connection with potential impacts related to a proposed project by Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc. (Minnkota). The proposed Center to Grand Forks Transmission Line Project (proposed action) consists of: the construction of approximately 260 miles of 345 kilovolt (kV) transmission line from Center to Grand Forks, North Dakota; upgrades at the Center 345 kV substation; upgrades at the Square Butte 230 kV Substation; an additional 230 kV tie line; and upgrades at the Prairie Substation and fiber optic regeneration stations. Minnkota is requesting that RUS provide financial assistance for the proposed action.
California Recreation Resource Advisory Committee
Applications are being sought for certain positions on the California Recreation Resource Advisory Committee. New members will be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and serve three year terms. Appointments will begin July 2010 when current member appointments expire. One member is being sought to represent each of the following interests: (1) Winter Non-Motorized Recreation, (2) Summer Motorized Recreation, (3) Summer Non-Motorized Recreation, (4) Non-Motorized Outfitters and Guides, (5) Local Environmental Groups, (6) State Tourism, (7) Indian Tribes, and (8) Local Government.
Shasta Trinity National Forest, South Fork Management Unit, California Rattlesnake Fuel Reduction and Forest Health Project
The Hayfork District of the Shasta Trinity National Forest is proposing to use vegetation treatments to reduce risks from fire, improve forest health, and provide forest products on approximately 6,028 acres within the Rattlesnake watershed on the South Fork Management Unit of the Shasta Trinity National Forest. The active management needed in the Rattlesnake Fuel Reduction and Forest Health Project (Rattlesnake project) area to reduce fuels and stocking levels through thinning requires the removal of trees and biomass, some of which have commercial value. An estimated 33 million board feet of merchantable sawtimber, and an estimated 35,092 bone dry tons of biomass are expected to be removed. Providing wood products to meet regional and national needs is consistent with Forest Plan goals, standards and guidelines. The initial economic analysis shows that the average diameter and quantity of the material treated under this project would generally be insufficient to support a viable timber sale in today's market. The Forest Service will analyze these vegetation treatments within the constraints of the Shasta Trinity National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, 1995.
Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection (Electronic Animal Disease and Reporting System)
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, this notice is announcing the Food Safety and Inspection Service's (FSIS's) intention to request an extension of an information collection regarding data on meat, poultry, exotic animal, and rabbit slaughter for the Agency's electronic Animal Disease Reporting System (eADRS) since the OMB approval for this information collection is scheduled to expire in February 2010, and because the Agency now has more accurate data regarding eADRS, which has led to an increase in the estimate of burden hours.
Notice of Request for a New Information Collection (Food Safety Education Conference)
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, this notice announces the Food Safety and Inspection Service's (FSIS) intention to request a new information collection regarding the registration for a Food Safety Education Conference that will be held by FSIS and NSF International. FSIS plans to publish a public meeting notice about the conference closer to the date of the conference.
Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection (Exportation, Transportation, and Importation of Meat and Poultry Products)
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 revision of an information collection concerning the exportation, transportation, and importation of meat and poultry products since the OMB approval for this information collection is scheduled to expire in January 2010, and because the Agency now has more accurate data regarding the forms used to export and import product.
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Housing Service's (RHS) intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the program for 7 CFR part 1942, subpart F, ``Complaints and Compensation for Construction Defects.''
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request Generic Clearance To Conduct Formative Research
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other interested parties to comment on a proposed information collection. This collection is an extension, without change, of a currently approved collection. This information collection will conduct research in support of FNS' goal of delivering science-based nutrition education to targeted audiences. From development through testing of materials and tools with the target audience, FNS plans to conduct data collections that involve formative research including focus groups, interviews (dyad, triad, telephone, etc.), surveys and Web-based collection tools.
Notice of Proposed Change to Section IV of the Virginia State Technical Guide
It has been determined by the NRCS State Conservationist for Virginia that changes must be made in the NRCS State Technical Guide specifically in practice standards: 360, Closure of Waste Impoundments; 367, Waste Facility Cover; 607, Surface Drainage, Field Ditch; 608, Surface Drainage, Main or Lateral and 634, Waste Transfer. These practices will be used to plan and install conservation practices on cropland, pastureland, woodland, and wildlife land.
United States Standards for Rough Rice, Brown Rice for Processing, and Milled Rice
The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is amending the U.S. Standards for Rough Rice, Brown Rice for Processing, and Milled Rice, to change the requirement that certain information currently provided on the grade line of official certificates for Mixed rice be moved to the Results section of the inspection certificate. GIPSA believes that these changes will enhance the use of the inspection certificate, and as a result, help to facilitate the marketing of Mixed rice.
Solicitation of Input From Stakeholders on the Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program, Tribal Colleges Education Equity Grants Program and Tribal Colleges Extension Services Program
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is requesting written stakeholder input on the following NIFA grant programs: (1) Tribal College Research Grants Program, (2) Tribal Colleges Education Equity Grants Program, and (3) Tribal Colleges Extension Services Program. The programs are authorized under Sections 534(a), 534(b), and 536 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994.
Designation of Biobased Items for Federal Procurement
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is amending its Guidelines for Designating Biobased Products for Federal Procurement, to add nine sections to designate items within which biobased products will be afforded Federal procurement preference, as provided for under section 9002 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, as amended by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA) (referred to in this document as ``section 9002''). USDA also is establishing a minimum biobased content for each of these items.
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Housing Service's (RHS) intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of 7 CFR part 1942, subpart A, ``Community Facility Loans.''
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Housing Service's (RHS) intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of 7 CFR part 1951, subpart F, ``Analyzing Credit Needs and Graduation of Borrowers.''
Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.; Availability of Petition and Environmental Assessment for Determination of Nonregulated Status for Genetically Engineered High-oleic Soybeans
We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is extending the public comment period on a petition from Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., seeking a determination of nonregulated status for soybean designated as transformation event 305423, which has been genetically engineered to have higher levels of oleic acid and lower levels of linoleic and linolenic acids in their oil. Due to an Agency oversight, an incorrect version of the Pioneer petition was originally posted on the Internet for review and comment. With this notice, we are advising the public that the correct version of the petition has been posted and is available for review and comment. We are also extending the comment period for the petition, the draft environmental assessment, and the plant pest risk assessment in order to provide the public a full 60 days to consider the petition for determination of nonregulated status and the supporting documents associated with that petition.
Changes in Hourly Fee Rates for Science and Technology Laboratory Services-Fiscal Years 2010-2012
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposes changes in annual standard, appeal, overtime, and holiday hourly fee rates for fiscal years 2010-2012 for Science and Technology (S&T) Laboratory Services in order to recover anticipated laboratory program costs. The Agency is proposing to raise these rates to reflect, among other factors, national and locality pay increases for Federal employees and inflation, operating costs, instrumentation and training, equipment maintenance costs, and program and agency administrative overhead costs. This action also proposes miscellaneous changes for clarity.
Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Collect Information; Correction
The notice to seek comments on the Agricultural Research Services (ARS) intent to seek approval from OMB to collect information on the National Program 216 Technology Transfer Project End-users' Inputs was published in the Federal Register on October 20, 2009. The document improperly included the National Agriculture Library in the heading as the issueing agency and did not contain the OMB number and expiration date.
Swine Contract Library
On August 11, 2003, the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) implemented new Subtitle B of Title II of the Packers and Stockyards Act which was added by the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999 (1999 Act), by establishing the Swine Contract Library (SCL). The statutory authority for the library lapsed on September 30, 2005. On October 5, 2006, the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Reauthorization Act (Reauthorization Act) reauthorized the 1999 Act until September 30, 2010, and also amended the swine reporting requirements of the 1999 Act. This proposed rulemaking would re- establish the regulatory authority for the library's continued operation and incorporate certain changes contained within the Reauthorization Act that impact the SCL, as well as make other changes to enhance the library's overall effectiveness and efficiency in response to input from regulated entities and the public. We also intend to request a 3-year extension of and revision to the currently approved information collection in support of the reporting and recordkeeping requirements for the SCL program. This approval is required under the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Missouri River Resource Advisory Committee Meeting
The Helena National Forest's Missouri River (formerly called the Lewis & Clark County Resource Advisory Committee) Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 (and Thursday, November 19, 2009, if additional time is needed) from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., in Helena, Montana. The purpose of the meeting is to conduct welcomes and introductions, discuss the status of the RAC charter and committee membership vacancies, review and discuss project proposals, make project approval and funding decisions, set a next meeting date and receive public comment on the meeting subjects and proceedings.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene
The Office of the Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are sponsoring a public meeting on October 28, 2009. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions that will be discussed at the 41st Session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in San Diego, California, from November 16 through November 20, 2009. The Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background
Cooperative Inspection Programs: Interstate Shipment of Meat and Poultry Products
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing that it will hold two public meetings on proposed regulations that it recently published to implement a new voluntary cooperative program under which State-inspected establishments with 25 or fewer employees will be eligible to ship meat and poultry products in interstate commerce (74 FR 47648, September 16, 2009). To provide stakeholders with ready access to the public meetings, FSIS will conduct these meetings by teleconference. This notice provides information on the public meetings.
Citrus Canker; Movement of Fruit From Quarantined Areas
We are amending the citrus canker regulations to modify the conditions under which fruit may be moved interstate from a quarantined area. We are eliminating the requirement that each lot of finished fruit be inspected at the packinghouse and found to be free of visible symptoms of citrus canker and removing the current prohibition on the movement of fruit from a quarantined area to commercial citrus- producing States. We are continuing to require fruit moved interstate from a quarantined area to be treated with an approved disinfectant and to be packed in a commercial packinghouse that operates under a compliance agreement. These changes will relieve some restrictions on the interstate movement of fresh citrus fruit from quarantined areas while maintaining conditions that will prevent the artificial spread of citrus canker.
North Central Idaho Resource Advisory Committee
The North Central Idaho RAC will meet in Grangeville, Idaho. The committee is meeting as authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act (Pub. L. 110-343) and in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss potential projects for the new fiscal year.
Hazardous Materials: Harmonization With the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods Model Regulations, International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, International Civil Aviation Organization Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, and Transport Canada's Transport of Dangerous Goods Regulations
PHMSA is considering amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) by incorporating various amendments to international standards and modal regulations, including changes to proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, special provisions, and packaging authorizations. These amendments may be necessary to harmonize the HMR with revised editions of the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods Model Regulations and Manual of Tests and Criteria, the International Maritime Organization's Dangerous Goods Code, the International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air and Transport Canada's Transport of Dangerous Goods Regulations. In this notice, we are soliciting public comment regarding the safety consequences, regulatory burden, and cost implications of some of the more significant amendments adopted or under consideration for adoption in these international standards.
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Nursery Stock
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with regulations for the importation of nursery stock.
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Untreated Oranges, Tangerines, and Grapefruit from Mexico Transiting the United States to Foreign Countries
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with regulations for the transit of untreated oranges, tangerines, and grapefruit from Mexico through the United States to other foreign countries.
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Cut Flowers from Countries with Chrysanthemum White Rust
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with regulations for the importation of cut flowers from countries with chrysanthemum white rust.
Mendocino Resource Advisory Committee
The Mendocino County Resource Advisory Committee will meet October 30, 2009 (RAC) in Willits, California. Agenda items to be covered include: (1) Approval of minutes, (2) Public Comment, (3) Sub- committees (4) Discussion/Approval of projects (5) Matters before the group-discussion/action (6) Next agenda and meeting date.
Milk in the Northeast and Other Marketing Areas; Recommended Decision and Opportunity To File Written Exceptions on Proposed Amendments to Tentative Marketing Agreements and Orders
This decision recommends that the producer-handler definitions of all Federal milk marketing orders be amended to limit exemption from pooling and pricing provisions to those with total route disposition of fluid milk products of 3 million pounds or less per month. The exempt plant definition would continue to limit disposition of Class I milk products to 150,000 pounds or less per month.
Notice of Public Meeting: Recreation Subcommittee of the Resource Advisory Councils, NV.
In accordance with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004 (FLREA) (Pub. L. 108-447), the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Nevada joint Recreation Subcommittee will hold a meeting to discuss fee proposals at campgrounds managed by the Forest Service. The subcommittee is comprised of members of the BLM's three Nevada Resource Advisory Councils (RACs).
Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Collect Information
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the Agricultural Research Service's intent to electronically survey farmers about the current level of effectiveness of transferring ARS developed technology to farmers and identify how to improve the technology transfer process.
Environmental Impact Statement; Movement of Plant Pests, Biological Control Organisms, and Associated Articles
We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service intends to prepare an environmental impact statement relative to proposed regulatory requirements that are being developed for the movement of plant pests, biological control organisms, and associated articles. This notice identifies potential issues and alternatives that will be studied in the environmental impact statement and requests public comment to further delineate the scope of those issues and alternatives.
Ketchikan Resource Advisory Committee
The Ketchikan Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Ketchikan, Alaska, November 18, 2009. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss potential projects under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2008.
Scales; Accurate Weights, Repairs, Adjustments or Replacements After Inspection
The Department of Agriculture's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is amending one section of the regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act (P&S Act) to incorporate by reference the 2009 edition of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Handbook 44, ``Specifications, Tolerances, and Other Technical Requirements for Weighing and Measuring Devices,'' and to require that scales used by stockyard owners, market agencies, dealers, packers, and live poultry dealers to weigh livestock, livestock carcasses, live poultry, or feed for the purposes of purchase, sale, acquisition, payment, or settlement, meet applicable requirements of the 2009 edition of NIST Handbook 44. GIPSA is also amending that section of the regulations to add ``swine contractors'' to the list of regulated entities to which the section applies.
Apricots Grown in Designated Counties in Washington; Decreased Assessment Rate
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule which decreased the assessment rate established for the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee) for the 2009-2010 and subsequent fiscal periods from $2.00 to $1.00 per ton of apricots handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order, which regulates the handling of apricots grown in designated counties in Washington. The decreased assessment rate is necessary to align the Committee's expected revenue with its proposed 2009-2010 budget.
Amendments to Treatments for Sweet Cherry and Citrus Fruit from Australia and Irradiation Dose for Mediterranean Fruit Fly
We are proposing to amend the regulations pertaining to approved phytosanitary treatments of fruits and vegetables by adding new treatment schedules for sweet cherries and for certain species of citrus fruit imported from Australia into the United States. Based on our treatment evaluation, we have determined that the proposed treatments would be effective against Mediterranean fruit fly and Queensland fruit fly, pests associated with sweet cherries and citrus fruit from Australia. We also propose to establish an approved irradiation dose for Mediterranean fruit fly of 100 gray, which is lower than the generic dose of 150 gray that is approved for all fruit flies. New peer-reviewed data indicate that the 100 gray irradiation dose will neutralize Mediterranean fruit fly. These changes would offer more flexibility in treatments while continuing to prevent the introduction or interstate movement of quarantine pests.
Noxious Weeds; Old World Climbing Fern and Maidenhair Creeper
We are amending the noxious weed regulations by adding Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum (Cavanilles) R. Brown) and maidenhair creeper (Lygodium flexuosum (Linnaeus) Swartz) to the list of terrestrial noxious weeds. This action is necessary to prevent the artificial spread of these noxious weeds into the United States.
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Housing Service's (RHS) intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the program for 7 CFR part 3575, subpart A, ``Community Programs Guaranteed Loans.''
Flathead Resource Advisory Committee
The Flathead Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Kalispell, Montana. The committee is meeting as authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (Pub. L. 110- 343) and in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the meeting is to hear project proposal presentations for 2009.
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest; Nevada; Mountain City, Ruby Mountains, and Jarbidge Ranger Districts Combined Travel Management Project
Based on the content of comments received during scoping the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to disclose the impacts associated with the following proposed actions:
Secure Rural Schools Resource Advisory Committees
The eight charters for the Secure Rural School Resource Advisory Committees (RACs) are being re-established and authorized to carry out the requirements of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (the Act), Public Law 106-393, as amended by the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008, and Tax Extenders and Alternate Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-343). The re-establishment includes the implementation of Title II projects and recommendations.
Announcement of the Fourth Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Meeting and Solicitation of Written Comments
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (a) provide notice of the fourth meeting of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, and (b) solicit written comments pertinent to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
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