Department of Agriculture 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to raise user fees for cotton producers for 2009 crop cotton classification services under the Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act. These user fees also are authorized under the Cotton Standards Act of 1923. The 2008 user fee for this classification service was $2.00 per bale. This proposal would raise the fee for the 2009 crop to $2.20 per bale. The proposed fee and the existing reserve are sufficient to cover the costs of providing classification services, including costs for administration and supervision.

The Siskiyou County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will host a workshop for the public in local communities to provide information and expertise to those who may want to submit project proposals to the RAC. Following the time allowed on the agenda for the workshop, the RAC will meet to conduct routine business consistent with the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.

The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) finalizes the Common Crop Insurance Regulations Tobacco Crop Provisions. The amended provisions removed the Quota Tobacco Crop Insurance Provisions, and revised the Guaranteed Tobacco Crop Insurance Provisions, and changed the title of the Guaranteed Tobacco Crop Insurance Provisions to Tobacco Crop Insurance Provisions. The intended effect of this action is to provide policy changes and clarify existing policy provisions to better meet the needs of insured producers. The changes will apply for the 2010 and succeeding crop years.

The Colorado Recreation Resource Advisory Committee will tentatively meet in Denver, CO. The purpose of the meeting is to continue to provide the new committee members with the information they need to be effective committee members and review several fee proposals. These fee proposals will tentatively include fee increases for Christmas Tree cutting permits for the Grand Mesa/Uncompahgre/ Gunnison National Forests and the Mud Springs Campground located in the Grand Junction Field Office Area of the BLM. A new fee for the North Fruita Desert Campground also located in the Grand Junction Field Office Area of the BLM will also be reviewed.

This final rule amends the regulations to administer the Food for Progress (FFPr) Program and the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program (McGovern-Dole Program) by making revisions to provide greater clarity with respect to all aspects of the program, with specific emphasis on the eligibility requirements that a participant must meet and the actions that must be undertaken by a participant in order to receive assistance under these programs, including the reports that are filed by program participants with the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). This final rule also amends the Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR), to specify the criteria that is used in determining whether a commodity that is procured under these programs and under domestic feeding programs administered by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is considered to be a product of the United States. The purpose of these amendments is to improve the efficiency of the programs and make it clearer to participants what they must do to meet eligibility requirements.

The Forest Supervisor of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (OWNF) gives notice of the intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a Proposed Action to implement 36 CFR Parts 212, 251, 261, and 295; Travel Management: Designated Routes and Areas for Motor Vehicle Use; Final Rule (Travel Management Rule) to designate a system of roads, trails, and areas that are open to motor vehicle use. Creating a new motor vehicle travel plan is necessary to improve management and enforcement of off-highway vehicle (OHV) travel policy on the Forest. Existing travel rules that were established in the current Forest Plans did not anticipate the rapid increase in off- highway vehicle use or the types of user conflicts and resource impacts that have occurred in recent years. This notice announces the beginning of scoping, describes the specific elements to be included in a new travel plan, describes the decisions to be made, and estimates the dates for filing the draft and final EIS. This notice also provides information concerning public participation, and the names and

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 04-13) 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 (ARS) intention to seek approval to collect information in support of research and related activities.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently approved information collection for the Floriculture Survey. Revision to burden hours may be needed due to changes in the size of the target population, sampling design, and/or questionnaire length.

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 Kiwifruit Administrative Committee (Committee) for the 2008-09 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.045 to $0.035 per 9-kilo volume-fill container or equivalent of kiwifruit. The Committee locally administers the marketing order which regulates the handling of kiwifruit grown in California. Assessments upon kiwifruit handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period begins on August 1 and ends July 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

Section 7403 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-246) (FCEA) amended section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343(d)) to provide the opportunity for 1862 and 1890 Land-Grant Institutions, including Tuskegee University and West Virginia State University to compete for section 3(d) funds. Section 7417 of FCEA also provided the University of the District of Columbia the opportunity to compete for section 3(d) funds. The Extension Integrated Pest Management Coordination and Support Program (EIPM-CS) is among the Extension programs funded under this authority. By this notice, CSREES is designated to act on behalf of the Secretary of Agriculture in soliciting public comment from interested persons regarding the future design and implementation of this program.

This notice is published in accordance with section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Meeting notice is hereby given for the Ouachita-Ozark Resource Advisory Committee pursuant to Section 205 of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act of 2000, Public Law 106-393. Topics to be discussed include: General information, updates on current or completed Title II projects, and next meeting agenda.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing a forthcoming meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).

The USDA Forest Service (Forest Service), Fremont Winema National Forests, is proposing to prepare an amendment to the Fremont National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) for the proposed Ruby Pipeline Project (Project). The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is the lead agency for this proposed natural gas pipeline (Docket No. CP09-54-000). The staff of FERC is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will discuss the environmental impacts that could result from the construction and operation of a new underground natural gas pipeline proposed by Ruby Pipeline, LLC (Ruby). The Project's proposed facilities consist of 675.2 miles of 42-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline, four new compressor stations, and related facilities. The USDA Forest Service, Fremont Winema National Forests is participating as a cooperating agency because the Project traverses the Fremont Winema National Forests in Oregon. As a cooperating agency, the U.S. Forest Service, Fremont Winema National Forests intends to adopt the FERC EIS per Title 40 CFR 1506.3, to meet its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) responsibilities. FERC, as lead federal agency in the preparation of the EIS, is preparing the EIS to satisfy the requirements of NEPA. NEPA requires FERC to take into account the environmental impacts that could result from an action when it considers whether or not an interstate natural gas pipeline should be issued a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for construction of the pipeline. FERC will use the EIS to consider the environmental impacts that could result if it issues project authorizations. FERC will use the EIS in its decision-making processes to determine whether or not to authorize the Project. FERC initiated its pre-filing process on January 31, 2008 and issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS for this Project on September 26, 2008. The USDA Forest Service will use the EIS to evaluate the proposed amendments to the Fremont Forest Plan and for any forest plan amendment decisions made subsequently should FERC authorize this Project. The Forest Service has determined that an amendment to the Fremont Forest Plan would be needed because the Project would not meet the plan Standards and Guidelines for soil disturbance, visual quality, mechanical disturbance in seeps and springs, and old growth management. Analysis of the effects of the amendment will be included in the FERC EIS. This notice announces the intention to prepare an amendment to the Fremont Forest Plan.

GIPSA is announcing designation of the following organizations to provide official services under the United States Grain Standards Act, as amended (USGSA): Grain Inspection, Inc. (Jamestown); Lincoln Inspection Service, Inc. (Lincoln); Midsouth Grain Inspection Service (Midsouth); and Sioux City Inspection and Weighing Service Company (Sioux City).

The Hood/Willamette Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet on Friday, April 24, 2009. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. and will conclude at approximately 12 p.m. The meeting will be held at Salem Office of the Bureau of Land Management Office; 1717 Fabry Road SE; Salem, Oregon; (503) 375-5646. The tentative agenda includes: (1) Orientation; (2) Election of chairperson; (3) Decision on overhead rate for 2009 and 2010 projects; (4) Presentation of 2009 and 2010 Projects; and (5) Public Forum. The Public Forum is tentatively scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. Time allotted for individual presentations will be limited to 4-5 minutes. Written comments are encouraged, particularly if the material cannot be presented within the time limits for the Public Forum. Written comments may be submitted prior to the April 24th meeting by sending them to Donna Short at the address given below.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending the Federal meat inspection regulations to require that all cattle that are non-ambulatory disabled at an official establishment, including those that become non-ambulatory disabled after passing ante-mortem inspection, be condemned and disposed of properly. In addition, this rule requires that establishments notify FSIS inspection personnel when cattle become non-ambulatory disabled after passing ante-mortem inspection. FSIS is taking this action to better ensure effective implementation of inspection and humane handling requirements at official establishments.

The Stanislaus National Forest is proposing to charge new fees at five existing campgrounds. Fees are assessed based on the level of amenities and services provided, cost of operation and maintenance, market assessment, and public comment. The fees listed are only proposed and will be determined upon further analysis and public comment. Funds from fees would be used for the continued operation and maintenance and improvement of these recreation sites. New fees are proposed at Pacific Valley ($10), Union ($8), Utica ($8), Lumsden ($8), and South Fork ($8) Campgrounds. Improvements have been made at many of these campgrounds, or are planned, including installing new fire rings, picnic tables, accessible trails, and new toilets. These actions address sanitation and safety concerns, and improve deteriorating resource conditions and recreation experiences. A market analysis has been completed and indicated that the proposed fees are reasonable and typical of similar sites in the local area.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this information collection, concerning the National Hunger Clearinghouse.

The North Gifford Pinchot National Forest Resource Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 14, 2009, at the Salkum Timberland Library, 2480 U.S. Highway 12, Salkum, 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 15 proposals for Title II funding of projects under the Secure Rural Schools and County Self-Determination Act of 2000. All North 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. 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.

Pursuant to the authorities in the Federal Advisory Committees Act (Pub. L. 92-463) and under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 110-343) the Modoc National Forest's Modoc County Resource Advisory Committee will meet Monday, April 6, 2009 in Alturas, California 96101, for a business meeting. The meetings are open to the public.

The Office of the Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are sponsoring a public meeting on April 7, 2009. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States positions that will be discussed at the 37th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in Calgary, Canada, on May 4 to May 8, 2009. In addition, a Working Group on the Implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity, and Health will meet on May 2, 2009. The Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 37th Session of the CCFL and to address items on the agenda.