Department of Agriculture 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 401 - 450 of 1,200
Superior National Forest, Gunflint Ranger District, Minnesota; South Fowl Lake Snowmobile Access Project
The purpose of this project is to develop a safe, legal snowmobile access from the McFarland Lake area to South Fowl Lake on the Gunflint Ranger District, Superior National Forest. This project was previously scoped and analyzed in an Environmental Assessment (EA) in 2005. A Decision Notice on the project was issued in February 2006. The decision was litigated and the Minnesota District Court required that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) be prepared to ``evaluate more thoroughly the sound impact in the BWCAW''. This Notice of Intent begins the process for completing the required EIS and fulfilling the court order. Your comments on scoping this EIS will be most useful if they contain new information or issues on the scope of this project that were not submitted in previous comments on this project.
Siuslaw Resource Advisory Committee
The Siuslaw Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Corvallis, OR. The purpose of the meeting is to hold RAC FY10 Business, Review 2009 Project Monitoring Results, Make recommendations for 2010 Title II Project Proposals.
Information Collection; Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Recreation Visitor Study
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the new information collection: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Recreation Visitor Study2009.
Request for Proposals: Fiscal Year 2009 Funding Opportunity for Research on the Economic Impact of Cooperatives
Rural Business-Cooperative Service programs are administered through USDA Rural Development. USDA Rural Development announces the availability of $300,000 in competitive cooperative agreement funds for fiscal year (FY) 2009 to conduct research on the national economic impact of all types of cooperatives. USDA Rural Development hereby requests proposals from institutions of higher education interested in applying for a competitively awarded cooperative research agreement. This funding is a follow through on to funding awarded in FY 2006, FY 2007 and FY 2008, the intent of which was to encourage research on the critical issue of the economic value of cooperatives. Funding for FY 2009 is expected to expand upon research undertaken with FY 2006, FY 2007 and FY 2008 funds.
Notice of Funds Availability Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, 2009; Correction
The Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) published a document in the Federal Register on July 23, 2009, at 74 FR 36448. The document did not provide a date for the comment period for the collection of information under the DATES section or the ``Comments'' under the Paperwork Reduction Act section.
Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 reauthorizes and modifies the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers program as established by Subtitle C of Title I of the Trade Act of 2002, which amended the Trade Act of 1974. Under this program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides technical assistance and cash benefits to eligible producers of raw agricultural commodities and fishermen (jointly referred to as ``producers'') when the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Administrator determines that increased imports of raw agricultural commodities, aquaculture products, or wild- caught aquatic species (jointly referred to as ``agricultural commodities'') have contributed importantly to a greater than 15 percent decrease in the national average price, or quantity of production, or value of production, or cash receipts for the agricultural commodity specified in the certified petition compared to the average of the three preceding marketing years. The rule establishes the procedure by which a group can submit a petition for certification of eligibility and individual producers of agricultural commodities can apply for technical assistance and cash benefits for the development and implementation of approved business adjustment plans.
Food Aid Quality Improvement Report
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is making available the Food Aid Quality Project report prepared by Sharing Science and Technology to Aid in the Improvement of Nutrition (SUSTAIN). The report contains recommendations for improvements in the specifications, micronutrient composition, commodity sampling, and testing regimes for commodities procured by FSA for the U.S. international food assistance programs.
Broadband Initiatives Program; Broadband Technology Opportunities Program
RUS and NTIA announce additional measures to ensure that any pending electronic applications experiencing difficulties uploading attachments into the Easygrants[reg] System for the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) and the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) can be submitted by the extended application deadline of August 20, 2009. The Easygrants[reg] System will not accept applications after 5 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on August 20, 2009. In order to ensure that all pending electronic applications experiencing difficulties uploading attachments can be completed, the core application must be electronically submitted using the Easygrants[reg] System by 5 p.m. ET on August 20, 2009. The extension described herein pertains only to the attachments listed in the ``Uploads Checklist'' of the ``Uploads'' page of the Easygrants[reg] System, including documents submitted as Supplemental Information. The core application is defined as all fields and questions in the application, not including the attachments listed in the ``Uploads Checklist'' of the ``Uploads'' page. Any attachments that the applicant is unable to upload to the Easygrants[reg] System must be submitted by August 24, 2009, using one of the following methods of delivery: hand-delivery, overnight express, or regular mail.
Required Scale Tests
The Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is proposing to amend one section of the regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, as amended (P&S Act), regarding the requirement that stockyard owners, market agencies, dealers, packers, or live poultry dealers that weigh livestock, live poultry, or feed, have their scales tested at least twice each calendar year at intervals of approximately 6 months. This proposal would amend the current regulations to state that the 6- month interval in which scale owners must have their scales tested each calendar year is no longer approximate. Specifically, the proposal would require that scale owners complete the first of the two scale tests between January 1 and June 30 of the calendar year. The remaining scale test would be required to be completed between July 1 and December 31 of the calendar year. In addition, a minimum period of 120 days would be required between these two tests. More frequent testing would still be required in cases where a scale does not maintain accuracy between tests. Finally, we are proposing to amend that section of the regulations to add ``swine contractors'' to the list of regulated entities to which the section applies. GIPSA believes that this proposed action would facilitate GIPSA's ability to regulate the business operations of stockyard owners, swine contractors, market agencies, dealers, packers, or live poultry dealers through the effective enforcement of the P&S Act.
Notice of Availability of Biotechnology Quality Management System Pilot Project Draft Audit Standard
We are reopening the comment period on the draft audit standard developed by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for its Biotechnology Quality Management System pilot project. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments. The Biotechnology Quality Management System is a voluntary compliance assistance program designed to help stakeholders develop sound management practices, thus enhancing compliance with the regulatory requirements for environmental releases and movements of regulated articles in accordance with 7 CFR part 340.
Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will hold a public meeting to gather stakeholder input on important natural
Notice of Meeting of the Agricultural Air Quality Task Force
The Agricultural Air Quality Task Force (AAQTF) will meet to continue discussions on air quality issues relating to agriculture.
Basin Electric Power Cooperative; Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact
Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has made a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) with respect to a request from Basin Electric Power Cooperative for assistance to finance the construction, operation, and maintenance of a 115.5 MW wind-powered electric generating facility (the Proposal) in Ward County, North Dakota.
Grassland Reserve Program; Amendment
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), published in the Federal Register of January 21, 2009, an interim final rule with request for comment amending the program regulations for the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) to incorporate programmatic changes authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Act) using Regulation Identification Number (RIN) 0578-AA38. This amendment to the January 21, 2009, interim final rule corrects the RIN to read 0578-AA53, clarifies the nature of the contingent right of enforcement, expands its discussion regarding GRP policy for wind and solar power facilities, and requests comment on how GRP can be used to contribute to the Nation's efforts on energy, climate change, and carbon sequestration. Additionally, USDA seeks public input on the January 21, 2009, interim final rule, as amended. Therefore, USDA reopens the public comment period upon publication of this amendment until September 21, 2009.
Lake County Resource Advisory Committee
The Lake County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold a meeting.
National Aquatic Animal Health Plan for the United States; Notice of Availability
We are advising the public that a National Aquatic Animal Health Plan (NAAHP) for the United States is being made available for public review and comment. The NAAHP was developed by a Task Force led by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department Agriculture, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) of the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce. It is anticipated that this plan will provide a framework for how APHIS, FWS, and NMFS should develop programs for diseases that affect the health of aquatic animals such as finfish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses
The Office of the Acting 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 (HHS), are sponsoring a public meeting on October 8, 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 31st Session of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in D[uuml]sseldorf, Germany on November 2- November 6, 2009. In addition, a working group will meet on October 31st on the Development of Nutrient Reference Values for Nutrients Associated with Increased or Decreased Risk of Non-communicable Diseases. The Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 31st Session of the CCNFSDU and to
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Federal Claims Collection Methods for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Recipient Claims
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on proposed information collections. This collection is a revision of a currently approved collection associated with initiating and conducting Federal collection actions against households with delinquent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) recipient debts.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Form FNS-380-1, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program's Quality Control Review Schedule
As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on proposed information collection of Form FNS-380-1, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program's Quality Control Review Schedule. The proposed collection is a revision of collection currently approved under OMB No. 0584-0299.
Fresno County Resource Advisory Committee
The Fresno County Resource Advisory Committee will be meeting in Clovis, California on September 16th. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss monitoring of the projects funded through the amended and reauthorized Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 110-343) for expenditure of Payments to States Fresno County Title II funds and to begin discussing the timeline for accepting project applications for the next funding cycle.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Form FNS-143, Claim for Reimbursement (Summer Food Service Program); Correction
The Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service published a document in the Federal Register on August 7, 2009, concerning requests for comments on the Summer Food Service Program Claim for Reimbursement, Form FNS-143. The document contained an incorrect date.
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: 500, Obstruction Removal; 326, Clearing and Snagging; 460, Land Clearing; 572, Spoil Spreading; 466, Land Smoothing; 521C, Pond Sealing or Lining, Bentonite Sealant; 521B, Pond Sealing or Lining, Soil Dispersant; 521A, Pond Sealing or Lining, Flexible Membrane; 521D, Pond Sealing, Compacted Clay Treatment. These practices will be used to plan and install conservation practices on cropland, pastureland, woodland, and wildlife land.
Broadband Initiatives Program; Broadband Technology Opportunities Program
RUS and NTIA announce that the application closing deadline for the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) and the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) is extended until 5 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on August 20, 2009, for any electronic applications pending as of 5 p.m. ET on August 14, 2009. There are no changes to the filing instructions for paper applications.
Farm Storage Facility Loan and Sugar Storage Facility Loan Programs
The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is amending the Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) and Sugar Storage Facility Loan (SSFL) regulations to implement provisions of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill). The 2008 Farm Bill adds hay and renewable biomass as eligible FSFL commodities, extends the maximum loan term to 12 years, and increases the maximum loan amount to $500,000. This rule also adds fruits and vegetables (including nuts) as eligible facility loan commodities and adds cold storage facilities as eligible facilities pursuant to discretionary authority in the 2008 Farm Bill. This rule amends the regulations to clarify requirements for loan security and to allow for a partial loan disbursement during construction if certain conditions are met. This rule amends the FSFL program regulations, which include SSFLs; however, there are no changes to the specific requirements for SSFLs.
Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact on the Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the Farm Storage Facility Loan Program
This notice announces that the Farm Service Agency (FSA), on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), has completed a Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) and is issuing a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) with respect to the implementation of changes to the Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) program enacted by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill).
Boundary Establishment for North Fork Smith and Upper Rogue National Wild and Scenic Rivers, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Jackson, Douglas, Klamath, and Josephine Counties, OR
On August 4, 2009, in accordance with 16 U.S.C. 127 1-1287 (section 3(b) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act), the USDA Forest Service, Washington Office, transmitted the final boundaries of the North Fork Smith and Upper Rogue National Wild and Scenic Rivers to Congress. As specified by law, the boundaries will not be effective until ninety days after Congress receives the transmittal.
Wood Packaging Material Used in Domestic Commerce; Pest Mitigation Relating to Firewood Movement; Public Meetings
This is a notice to inform the public of four upcoming meetings to discuss mitigation measures that could be applied to wood packaging material (e.g., crates, dunnage, wooden spools, pallets, packing blocks) used in domestic commerce to decrease the risk of the artificial spread of plant pests such as the emerald ash borer and the Asian longhorned beetle. These and other plant pests that could be transported interstate by wood packaging material pose a serious threat to U.S. agriculture and to natural, cultivated, and urban forests. We will also be holding a meeting in order to solicit public comments and ideas concerning potential strategies for mitigating the risk of artificial spread of plant pests via the movement of firewood.
Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee
The Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee will be meeting to assign monitors on 2008 projects and hold a short public forum (question and answer session). The meeting is being held pursuant to the authorities in the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 106-393) and under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-393). The meeting is open to the public.
Plumas National Forest; California; Flea Project (Renamed Concow Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project)
The USDA, Forest Service, Plumas National Forest will prepare a draft EIS on a proposal to establish, develop and maintain an irregularly shaped network up to \1/2\ mile wide Defensible Fuels Profile Zones (DFPZs) on approximately 1,500 acres of National Forest System Land within the Wildland Urban Interface. The DFPZs would be located both within and west of the 2008 Butte Lightning Complex Fire perimeter, and are designed to improve the capacity of effective, traditional approaches to fire suppression and fire-fighting readiness, consistent with community and private land fuel break efforts. The Concow Project would establish Defensible Fuels Profile Zones to connect existing and proposed federal and private land fuel breaks, and parallel important residential evacuation routes and primary fire suppression access routes for greater community safety.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Food Distribution Forms
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this information collection. This collection is an extension, without change, of a currently approved collection which FNS employs to determine public participation and the distribution of foods in the Food Distribution Programs.
Assessment of Fees for Dairy Import Licenses for the 2010 Tariff-Rate Import Quota Year
This notice announces a fee of $150 to be charged for the 2010 tariff-rate quota (TRQ) year for each license issued to a person or firm by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) authorizing the importation of certain dairy articles, which are subject to tariff-rate quotas set forth in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) of the United States.
Adjustment of Appendices to the Dairy Tariff-Rate Import Quota Licensing Regulation for the 2009 Tariff-Rate Quota Year
This document sets forth the revised appendices to the Dairy Tariff-Rate Import Quota Licensing Regulation for the 2009 quota year reflecting the cumulative annual transfers from Appendix 1 to Appendix 2 for certain dairy product import licenses permanently surrendered by licensees or revoked by the Licensing Authority.
Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Dewey Conveyor Project, Custer County, SD
In accordance with section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the BLM and the USFS have jointly prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to analyze the Dewey Conveyor Project, Custer County, South Dakota, and by this Notice are announcing the opening of the comment period.
Conservation Practice Technical Assistance
On June 12, 2009, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) published in the Federal Register a notice for the purpose of: (1) Notifying the public about the results of NRCS compliance with section 1242(h) of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended; and (2) to solicit public comment about how to improve agency conservation practice standards. The public comment period closed on August 11, 2009. NRCS is hereby reopening the public comment period and amending the closing date September 14, 2009 to ensure the agency has received comments from a broad segment of the agriculture sector.
Rehabilitation of Floodwater Retarding Structure No. 6 of the Calaveras Creek Watershed, Bexar County, TX
Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Regulations (7 CFR part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental impact statement is not being prepared for the rehabilitation of Floodwater Retarding Structure No. 6 of the Calaveras Creek Watershed, Bexar County, Texas.
Notice of Sanders County Resource Advisory Committee Meeting
Pursuant to the authorities in the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463) and under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-393) the Lolo and Kootenai National Forests' Sanders County Resource Advisory Committee will meet on August 20 at 7 p.m. in Thompson Falls, Montana for a business meeting. The meeting is open to the public.
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Washington; Forest-Wide Site-Specific; Invasive Plant Management Environmental Impact Statement
The USDA Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to document and disclose the potential environmental effects of proposed invasive plant treatments. The Proposed Action is to apply a combination of herbicide, mechanical, manual, cultural and biological treatment methods to control invasive plants on approximately 15,246 acres on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in Washington. The proposed action includes treatment of invasive species on 216 acres within congressionally designated wilderness areas on the Forest. The Proposed Action would also establish criteria for responding to the spread of infestations into currently unoccupied areas.
Sale and Disposal of National Forest System Timber; Downpayment and Periodic Payments
This final rule revises the Forest Service's downpayment and periodic payment regulations to reflect changes in contracting procedures and authorities since these regulations were adopted in 1991. The changes remove obsolete references and procedures; make downpayments and periodic payments optional for stewardship contracts; allow downpayment and periodic payment amounts to be recalculated when contracts receive rate redeterminations; revise procedures for releasing downpayments; and allow downpayments to be temporarily reduced for certain delays, interruptions, or extensions. This final rule protects the Government's financial security, reduces speculative bidding, and encourages purchasers to harvest timber in a timely manner. In addition, the rule provides financial relief to timber purchasers when forest product prices drastically decline or purchasers receive additional contract time and are not expected to operate.
Eastern Arizona Counties Resource Advisory Committee
The Eastern Arizona Counties Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Show Low, Arizona. The purpose of the meeting is to review organizational processes, operating guidelines, and legal requirements of Resource Advisory Committee members in accordance with Public Law 110-343 (the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act).
Information Collection: Power of Attorney
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension of a currently approved information collection associated with the Power of Attorney. This information collection is used to support the FSA, Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and Risk Management Agency (RMA) in conducting business and accepting signatures on documents from individuals acting on behalf of other individuals or entities.
Information Collection: Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension of a currently approved information collection associated with the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (AFIDA).
Notice of Opportunity To Submit Content Request for the 2010 Census of Aquaculture
The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is currently accepting stakeholder feedback in the form of content requests for the 2010 Census of Aquaculture. This census is required by law under the ``Census of Agriculture Act of 1997,'' Public Law No. 105-113 (7 U.S.C. 2204g).
Tehama County Resource Advisory Committee
The Tehama County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Red Bluff, California. Agenda items to be covered include: (1) Introductions, (2) Approval of Minutes from May 21 & July 16, (3) Public Comment, (4) Chairman's Perspective, (5) Reconsider & Vote on Yolla Bolly Project, (6) FY09 RAC Proposal Presentations, (7) Next Agenda.
Ketchikan Resource Advisory Committee
The Ketchikan Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Ketchikan, Alaska, August 27, 2009. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss potential projects under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2008.
Newspapers To Be Used for Publication of Legal Notice of Appealable Decisions and Publication of Notice of Proposed Actions for Eastern Region: Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire and Maine, Pennsylvania, Vermont and New York, West Virginia, and Wisconsin
Deciding Officers in the Eastern Region will publish notice of decisions subject to administrative appeal under 36 CFR parts 215 and 217 in the legal notice section of the newspapers listed in the Supplementary Information section of this notice. As provided in 36 CFR part 215.5(a) and 36 CFR part 217.5(d), the public shall be advised through Federal Register notice, of the principal newspaper to be utilized for publishing legal notices of decisions. Newspaper publication of notice of decisions is in addition to direct notice of decisions to those who have requested notice in writing and to those known to be interested in or affected by a specific decision. In addition, the Responsible Official in the Eastern Region will also publish notice of proposed actions under 36 CFR 215 in the newspapers that are listed in the Supplementary Information section of this notice. As provided in 36 CFR part 215(a), the public shall be advised, through Federal Register notice, of the principal newspapers to be utilized for publishing notices on proposed actions.
Notice of Revision and Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Fruits and Vegetables
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to revise an information collection associated with regulations to allow importation of certain fruits and vegetables into the United States and to request extension of approval of the information collection.
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