Department of Agriculture April 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
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United States Standards for Grades of Potatoes
This proposed rule would revise the United States Standards for Grades of Potatoes which were issued under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to amend the similar varietal characteristic requirement to allow mixed colors and/or types of potatoes when designated as a mixed or specialty pack.
Wrangell-Petersburg Resource Advisory Committee
The Wrangell-Petersburg Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Wrangell, Alaska. 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 review project proposals and make project funding recommendations.
Western Interior Alaska Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Council Meeting
This document informs the public that the Western Interior Alaska Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Council will hold a public meeting by teleconference on May 14, 2010. The public is invited to participate and to provide oral testimony.
Notice of Request for Applications for the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is announcing the release of the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) Request for Applications (RFA) at https:// www.nifa.usda.gov/vmlrp.
United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Blueberries
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is withdrawing a notice soliciting comments on its proposed revision to the United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Blueberries. After considering the comments received regarding the proposed revision and the withdrawal of the petition requesting revisions, the agency has decided not to proceed with this action.
Notice of Public Meeting, Davy Crockett National Forest Resource Advisory Committee
In accordance with the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-393), [as reauthorized as part of Pub. L. 110-343] and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Davy Crockett National Forest Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) meeting will meet as indicated below.
United States Standards for Grades of Olive Oil and Olive-Pomace Oil
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is revising the United States Standards for Grades of Olive Oil. This revision includes updated terms consistent with objective criteria for determining quality and purity among the grades of olive oil and olive-pomace oil commonly accepted in the United States and abroad. The revision will facilitate the marketing of olive oil and olive-pomace oil, employ terms consistent with the marketplace, provide definitions for olive oil and olive-pomace oil, promote truth in labeling, and provide a basis for enforcement by State and Federal agencies if these products are mislabeled.
Minimum Quality and Handling Standards for Domestic and Imported Peanuts Marketed in the United States; Section 610 Review
This document announces that the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) plans to review 7 CFR part 996, Minimum Quality and Handling Standards for Domestic and Imported Peanuts Marketed in the United States, under the criteria contained in section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).
Olives Grown in California; Increased Assessment Rate
This rule increases the assessment rate established for the California Olive Committee (Committee) for the 2010 and subsequent fiscal years from $28.63 to $44.72 per assessable ton of olives handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order, which regulates the handling of olives grown in California. Assessments upon olive handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal year began January 1 and ends December 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Small, Socially-Disadvantaged Producer Grant (SSDPG) Program in Fiscal Year 2010
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service announces the availability of approximately $3.463 million in competitive grant funds for fiscal year (FY) 2010 for cooperatives or associations of cooperatives to assist small, socially-disadvantaged agricultural producers. USDA Rural Development Cooperative Programs hereby requests proposals from eligible cooperatives and associations of cooperatives for a competitively awarded grant to fund technical assistance to small, socially-disadvantaged agricultural producers in rural areas. The maximum award per grant is $200,000.
Importation of Papayas From Colombia and Ecuador
We are amending the fruits and vegetables regulations to allow, under certain conditions, the importation of commercial shipments of fresh papayas from Colombia and Ecuador into the continental United States. The conditions for the importation of papayas from Colombia and Ecuador include requirements for field sanitation, hot water treatment, and fruit fly trapping in papaya production areas. This action allows for the importation of papayas from Colombia and Ecuador while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of injurious plant pests into the continental United States.
Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion; Agency Information Collection Activities; Current Collection: Comment Request-Innovations for Healthy Kids Challenge To Promote the Open Government Initiative
In the legislation that established the Department of Agriculture (USDA) (the Organic Act of 1862, 7 U.S.C. 2201), Congress gave the Department authority for nutrition education and information dissemination. The USDA, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion has been granted emergency approval to conduct the information collection, Innovations for Healthy Kids Challenge to Promote the Open Government Initiative. The collection will contribute to the goal of achieving the President's Open Government Initiative and increase access to socially relevant technologies that seek to improve eating and physical activity behaviors among children. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this current information collection. This is a current collection to develop applications and games using a recently released USDA nutrition data on Data.gov
User Fees for 2010 Crop Cotton Classification Services to Growers
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to maintain user fees for cotton producers for 2010 crop cotton classification services under the Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act at the same level as in 2009. These fees are also authorized under the Cotton Standards Act of 1923. The 2009 crop user fee was $2.20 per bale, and AMS proposes to continue the fee for the 2010 cotton crop at that same level. This proposed fee and the existing reserve are sufficient to cover the costs of providing classification services for the 2010 crop, including costs for administration and supervision.
USDA Reassigns Domestic Cane Sugar Allotments and Increases the Fiscal Year 2010 Raw Sugar Tariff-Rate Quota
The Secretary of Agriculture today announced a reassignment of surplus sugar under domestic cane sugar allotments of 200,000 short tons raw value (STRV) to imports, and increased the fiscal year (FY) 2010 raw sugar tariff-rate quota (TRQ) by the same amount.
Sierra County, CA, Resource Advisory Committee
The Sierra County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet on May 10, 2010, in Sierraville, California. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss issues relating to implementing the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act of 2000 (Payments to States) as reauthorized by Public Law 110-343 and the expenditure of Title II funds benefiting National Forest System lands on the Humboldt-Toiyabe, Plumas and Tahoe National Forests in Sierra County.
Nevada County and Placer County, CA, Resource Advisory Committee
The Nevada County and Placer County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet on May 4, 2010, in Truckee, California. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss issues relating to implementing the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Payments to States) as reauthorized by Public Law 110-343 and the expenditure of Title II funds benefiting National Forest System lands on the Humboldt-Toiyabe, Eldorado, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and Tahoe National Forests in Nevada and Placer Counties.
Notice of Funds Availability for the Section 533 Housing Preservation Grants for Fiscal Year 2010
The Rural Housing Service (RHS), an agency within Rural Development, announces that it is soliciting competitive applications under its Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) program. The HPG program is a grant program which provides qualified public agencies, private non- profit organizations, which may include, but not be limited to, faith- based and community organizations, and other eligible entities grant funds to assist very low- and low-income homeowners in repairing and rehabilitating their homes in rural areas. In addition, the HPG program assists rental property owners and cooperative housing complexes in repairing and rehabilitating their units if they agree to make such units available to low- and very low-income persons. This action is taken to comply with RHS regulations found in 7 CFR part 1944, subpart N, which require RHS to announce the opening and closing dates for receipt of preapplications for HPG funds from eligible applicants. The intended effect of this Notice is to provide eligible organizations notice of these dates.
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations: Amendments Related to the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
This rule proposes to amend Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) regulations to conform FDPIR policy to the requirements included in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the Farm Bill) for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The proposed rule is intended to improve program service to applicants and participants and ensure consistency between FDPIR and SNAP. When determining eligibility for FDPIR, the proposed rule would permanently exclude combat pay from being considered income and eliminate the maximum dollar limit of the dependent care deduction. The rule would also exclude from resource consideration household funds held in qualified education savings accounts identified in the Farm Bill and would exclude any other education savings accounts for which an exclusion is allowed under SNAP. The proposed rule would also clarify that the current resource exclusion for retirement accounts is restricted to the qualified retirement accounts identified in the Farm Bill, but that a resource exclusion would be allowed for any other retirement account for which an exclusion is allowed under SNAP. Additionally, the rule would clarify that the FDPIR regulations regarding income eligibility refer to the SNAP net monthly income standard, not the SNAP gross monthly income standard.
Modoc County Resource Advisory Committee
The Modoc County Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Alturas, CA. 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 review Resource Advisory Committee Project Applications.
Wrangell-Petersburg Resource Advisory Committee
The Wrangell-Petersburg Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Wrangell, Alaska. 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 review project proposals and make project funding recommendations.
Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) for Inviting Applications for Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grants and Guaranteed Loans Under the Rural Energy for America Program
The Rural Energy for America Program, formerly section 9006 under the 2002 Farm Bill, is composed of several types of grants and guaranteed loan programs. These are: Guaranteed loans and grants for the development/construction of renewable energy systems and for energy efficiency improvement projects; grants for conducting energy audits; grants for conducting renewable energy development assistance; and grants for conducting renewable energy feasibility studies.
Announcement of Grant Application Deadlines and Funding Levels
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, announces the Public Television Digital Transition Grant Program application window for fiscal year FY 2010. The FY 2010 funding for the Public Television Station Digital Transition Grant Program is $4.5 million.
Notice of Proposed New Fee Site; Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (Title VIII, Pub. L. 108-447)
The Manti-La Sal National Forest is proposing to charge fees at the thirty-unit Pioneer Campground and at the Buckeye Group Site within the Buckeye Recreation Area Paradox, Colorado. The proposed fee for the Pioneer Campground units is $10 per site per night. The proposed fee for the Buckeye Group Site that holds up to 50 people is $50 per night. There are 19 other single units, 4 double units and a 5 unit day use area also located within the Buckeye Recreation Area that will be free to the public and on a first come basis. Fees are assessed based on the level of amenities and services provided, cost of operations and maintenance, market assessment and public comment. The fees are proposed and will be determined upon further analysis and public comment. Funds from fees would be used for the continued operation and maintenance and improvements of Pioneer Campground and the Buckeye Group Site.
Siskiyou County Resource Advisory Committee
The Siskiyou County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Yreka, California to discuss routine business associated with requesting proposals consistent with the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Powers Ranger District, Coos County, OR; Eden Ridge Timber Sales
The USDA, Forest Service, will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on proposed variable density thinning treatments designed to control stocking and maintain or improve overall forest vigor and resiliency within a 6,516-acre planning area known as Eden Ridge. Timber harvested from stand treatments will contribute commercial timber to the Forest's Probable Sale Quantity. The planning area is located approximately four (4) air miles southeast of the city of Powers, Oregon, on the Powers Ranger District. The district proposes timber harvest and other connected activities on approximately 3,650 acres in stands regenerated from timber harvested around the 1920s and 1930s. Candidate stands located on suitable forest land within the planning area are proposed for treatment that are designated as Matrix, with some minor amounts of Riparian Reserve under the Land and Resource Management Plan as amended by the Northwest Forest Plan. Approximately seventy-two (72) treatment units would be designed for timber harvest with associated harvest systems that would use a combination of ground-based, skyline and helicopter operations depending on soil, slope and hydrological concerns. New system road construction, reconstruction of unclassified roads and/or construction of new temporary roads to facilitate treatments within the potential units are to be considered (approximately 8 miles). In addition, reconstruction and/or maintenance of existing system roads will be considered (approximately 22 miles). It is estimated the project could produce up to 55 million board feet from the 3,650 acres being considered, from multiple timber sales over a 5-year period. The alternatives will include the proposed action, no action, and additional alternatives that respond to issues generated through the scoping process. The agency will give notice of the full environmental analysis and decision making process so interested and affected people may participate and contribute to the final decision.
2010-8928
This agenda provides summary descriptions of significant and not significant regulations being developed in agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in conformance with Executive Order 12866 ``Regulatory Planning and Review.''
Plan Revision for Kaibab National Forest; Coconino, Yavapai, and Mojave Counties; AZ
As directed by the National Forest Management Act (NFMA), the USDA Forest Service is revising the Kaibab National Forest Land Management Plan (forest plan) and will also prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the revised forest plan. This notice briefly describes the nature of the decision to be made, the proposed action and need for change, and information concerning public participation. It also provides estimated dates for filing the EIS and the names and
Del Norte Resource Advisory Committee (RAC)
The Del Norte Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Crescent City, California. The committee meeting is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (Pub. L. 110-343) and in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
Milk in the Northeast and Other Marketing Areas; Order Amending the Orders
This final rule amends the producer-handler definitions of all Federal milk marketing orders to limit exemption from pooling and pricing provisions to those with total route disposition and sales of packaged fluid milk products to other plants of 3 million pounds or less per month. The exempt plant definition will continue to limit disposition of Class I milk products to 150,000 pounds or less per month. A referendum was held and the required number of producers approved the issuance of the orders as amended.
Subpart B-Advanced Biofuel Payment Program; Correction
The Agency published a document in the Federal Register of April 16, 2010 at 75 FR 20085 proposing a payment program for producers of advanced biofuels to supporting existing advanced biofuel production and to encourage new production of advanced biofuels. As published, the proposed rule indicates that public comments must be received on or before May 17, 2010. This reflects a 30-day public comment period, when a 60-day public comment period was intended.
Hood/Willamette Resource Advisory Committee (RAC)
The Hood/Willamette Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet on Tuesday, May 18, 2010. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. and will conclude at approximately 12:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Salem Office of the Bureau of Land Management Office; 1717 Fabry Road SE; Salem, Oregon; (503) 375-5646. The tentative agenda includes: (1) Recommendations on 2011 Projects; and (2) Public Forum.
Amador County Resource Advisory Committee
The Amador County Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Jackson, California. 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 meet as a committee for the first time, receive a briefing on duties and responsibilities, elect a chair person, and set the dates for the next meetings.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Evaluation of Reaching the Underserved Elderly and Working Poor in SNAP
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This is a new collection for the contract Evaluation of Reaching the Underserved Elderly and Working Poor in SNAP.
Six Rivers National Forest, Mad River Ranger District, Ruth, CA, Beaverslide Timber Sale and Fuel Treatment Project
The Forest Service is proposing the Beaverslide Timber Sale and Fuel Treatment Project to provide timber products to local economies and to reduce hazardous fuels in strategically located high- risk areas around communities in the vicinity of Ruth, California. The Beaverslide planning area encompasses approximately 13,236 acres; 11,757 acres are National Forest System (NFS) lands and 1,479 acres are in private ownership. The project would treat approximately 5,500 acres of NFS lands by harvesting timber through thinning on approximately 2,800 acres, and reducing fuels on an additional 2,700 acres.
Departmental Management; Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers
The Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) establish the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers (Committee) on December 2, 2009. The purpose of the Committee is to advise the Secretary on methods of outreach and assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, methods of maximizing participation of minority farmers and ranchers in Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs and civil rights activities related to program participation. This notice invites nominations for persons to serve on the Committee.
Raisins Produced From Grapes Grown in California; Final Free and Reserve Percentages for 2009-10 Crop Natural (Sun-Dried) Seedless Raisins
This rule establishes final volume regulation percentages for 2009-10 crop Natural (sun-dried) Seedless (NS) raisins covered under the Federal marketing order for California raisins (order). The order regulates the handling of raisins produced from grapes grown in California and is locally administered by the Raisin Administrative Committee (committee). The volume regulation percentages are 85 percent free and 15 percent reserve. The percentages are intended to help stabilize raisin supplies and prices, and strengthen market conditions.
Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive License
Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, intends to grant to ORO AGRI INC. of TROPHY CLUB, TEXAS, an exclusive license to U.S. Patent No. 7,579,183, ``SAPROPHYTIC YEAST, PICHIA ANOMALA'', issued on AUGUST 25, 2009, and to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/507,057, ``GROWTH MEDIA AND SAPROPHYTIC USE FOR PICHIA ANOMALA'', filed on JULY 21, 2009.
Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive License
Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, intends to grant to Innovative, LLC of Cumming, Georgia, an exclusive license to U.S. Patent No. 6,928,941, ``Diamond Row Pattern Planter'', issued on August 16, 2005.
Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive License
Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, intends to grant to Basin Seed Company, LLC of Nampa, Idaho, an exclusive license to the cranberry dry bean variety named ``Crimson.''
Viruses, Serums, Toxins, and Analogous Products and Patent Term Restoration; Nonsubstantive Amendments
We are amending the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act regulations
Newspapers To Be Used for Publication of Legal Notice of Appealable Decisions and Publication of Notice of Proposed Actions for Southern Region; Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico
Deciding Officers in the Southern 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 and 36 CFR part 217.5(d), the public shall be advised through Federal Register notice, of the newspaper of record to be utilized for publishing legal notice of decisions. Newspaper publication of notice of decisions is in addition to direct notice of decisions to those who have requested it and to those who have participated in project planning. Responsible Officials in the Southern Region will also publish notice of proposed actions under 36 CFR part 215 in the newspapers that are listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. As provided in 36 CFR part 215.5, the public shall be advised, through Federal Register notice, of the newspaper of record to be utilized for publishing notices on proposed actions. Additionally, the Deciding Officers in the Southern Region will publish notice of the opportunity to object to a proposed authorized hazardous fuel reduction project under 36 CFR part 218.4 or developing, amending or revising land management plans under 36 CFR 219.9 in the legal notice section of the newspapers listed in the Supplementary Information section of this notice.
Syngenta Biotechnology, Inc.; Determination of Nonregulated Status for Corn Genetically Engineered for Insect Resistance
We are advising the public of our determination that a corn line developed by Syngenta Biotechnology, Inc., designated as transformation event MIR162, which has been genetically engineered for insect resistance, is no longer considered a regulated article under our regulations governing the introduction of certain genetically engineered organisms. Our determination is based on our evaluation of data submitted by Syngenta Biotechnology, Inc., in its petition for a determination of nonregulated status, our analysis of other scientific data, and our response to comments received from the public on the petition for nonregulated status and its associated environmental assessment and plant pest risk assessment. This notice also announces the availability of our written determination of nonregulated status and finding of no significant impact.
Announcement of the Sixth and Final 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 sixth and final meeting of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, and (b) solicit written comments pertinent to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Communicable Diseases in Horses
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 interstate movement of horses that have tested positive for equine infectious anemia.
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Plum Pox Compensation
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 that provide for the payment of compensation to owners of commercial stone fruit orchards and fruit tree nurseries whose trees or nursery stock were destroyed to eradicate plum pox virus.
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