Department of Agriculture May 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Fremont and Winema Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Klamath Falls, Oregon, for the purpose of evaluating and recommending resource management projects for funding in FY 2011, under the provisions of Title II of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-343).

The Rural Housing Service proposes two changes to its Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) regulation. This action is taken to achieve savings for the taxpayer, simplify regulations, and promote efficiency in managing the SFHGLP. The proposed changes are in accordance with the recommendations of the Inspector General in its Audit (Number 04601-0017-CH) of April 2009.

The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council will meet in Washington, DC, June 2-3, 2010. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss emerging issues in urban and community forestry, work on Council administrative items and hear public input related to urban and community forestry.

The Mendocino County Resource Advisory Committee will meet June 18, 2010 (RAC) in Willits, California. Agenda items to be covered include: (1) Approval of minutes, (2) Handout Discussion, (3) Public Comment, (4) Financial Report, (5) Sub-committees, (6) Matters before the group, (7) Discussionapproval of projects, and (8) Next agenda and meeting date.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App 2, the United States Department of Agriculture announces a stakeholder listening session of the Specialty Crop Committee, under the auspices of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board (NAREEE).

We are proposing to amend our fruits and vegetables regulations to provide for the importation of Hass avocados from Mexico into Puerto Rico under the same systems approach currently required for the importation of Hass avocados into all States of the United States from Michoac[aacute]n, Mexico. The systems approach requirements include trapping, orchard certification, limited production area, trace back labeling, pre-harvest orchard surveys for all pests, orchard sanitation, post-harvest safeguards, fruit cutting and inspection at the packinghouse, port-of-arrival inspection, and clearance activities. This action would allow for the importation of Hass avocados from Michoac[aacute]n, Mexico, into Puerto Rico while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of quarantine pests. In addition, we are proposing to amend the regulations to provide for the Mexican national plant protection organization to use an approved designee to inspect avocados for export and to suspend importation of avocados into the United States from Michoac[aacute]n, Mexico, only from specific orchards or packinghouses when quarantine pests are detected, rather than suspending imports from the entire municipality where the affected orchards or packinghouses are located. These changes would provide additional flexibility in operating the export program while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of quarantine pests.

The Rural Housing Service, USDA published a document in the Federal Register of February 2, 2010, concerning upcoming public forums and request for comments regarding the Section 523 Mutual Self-Help Housing Program. Notice is hereby given that the forums scheduled for June 4, 2010 in Vermont and June 11, 2010 in Iowa have been cancelled.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing new performance standards for the pathogenic micro-organisms Salmonella and Campylobacter for use in young chicken and turkey slaughter establishments. The new performance standards were developed in response to a charge from the Food Safety Working Group. The Agency tentatively plans to implement these new performance standards for chilled carcasses in July 2010. The new standards are based on recent FSIS Nationwide Microbiological Baseline Data Collection Programs: The Young Chicken Survey and the Young Turkey Survey. The Agency invites comments on the new performance standards.

The South Gifford Pinchot National Forest Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Stevenson, Washington. 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 make recommendations on 36 proposals for Title II funding of projects.

The Glenn/Colusa County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Willows, California. Agenda items covered include: (1) Introductions, (2) Approve Minutes, (3) RAC Admin Updates, (4) Public Comment, (5) FY08 and FY09 New Project Presentations and Voting if Time Allows, (6) FY10 New Project Presentations and Voting if Time Allows, (7) General Discussion, (8) Meeting Schedule, (9) Adjourn.

The North Gifford Pinchot National Forest Resource Advisory Committee will meet on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at the Salkum Fire Hall, 2495 U.S. Highway 12, Salkum, Wash. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 3 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to: Review ongoing Title II and III projects, elect a chairperson and vice-chair, set an indirect project percentage, review summary of Title II and Title III accomplishments and make recommendations on 8 proposals for Title II funding of projects under the Secure Rural Schools and County Self-Determination Act of 2000.

We are advising the public of our decision to begin issuing permits for the importation into the continental United States of fresh pomegranates and fresh baby kiwi from Chile. Based on the findings of pest risk analyses, which we made available to the public for review and comment through a previous notice, we believe that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation of fresh pomegranates and fresh baby kiwi from Chile.

As directed by the National Forest Management Act, the USDA Forest Service is preparing the Coconino National Forest's revised land management plan (Forest Plan) and will also prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for this 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

Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Guidelines (40 CFR part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Guidelines (7 CFR part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture gives notice that a revised environmental impact statement is being prepared for the Clarke County Water Supply Project, Clarke County, Iowa.

As required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) announces the second public meeting of the Dairy Industry Advisory Committee (Dairy Committee) for two days to discuss farm milk price volatility and dairy farmer profitability, review current dairy programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Federal dairy policy, hear proposals from the dairy industry, and hear public comments. The Dairy Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Secretary on these issues. Instructions regarding registering for and attending the meetings are in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.

Bethel Motorcycle and Bethel ATV Trails are located near Saucier, MS. Currently, the Bethel Motorcycle trail contains a 17-mile single track trail and the Bethel ATV Trail contains 39 miles of trail. Both sites contain an information board, toilet facilities, and parking; and security is provided. The Forest Service proposes to charge $10 per operator for access to these trails. A $60 annual pass will also be available for purchase by the public. This annual pass could be used for access to three other motorized trails in the National Forests in Mississippi and would be valid for 12 months. The fees listed are only proposed and will be determined upon further analysis and public comments. All funds received from these fees would be used for continued operation and maintenance of the facility and allow additional amenities to be added to enhance the recreational experience at the facility. Comparable recreational use fees are being proposed at other sites that provide similar recreational opportunities in Mississippi.

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces that it is inviting proposals for the 2011 Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) program. The intended effect of this notice is to solicit applications from the private sector and from government agencies for FY 2011 and award funds in October 2010. The TASC program is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces that it is inviting proposals for the 2011 Emerging Markets Program (EMP). The intended effect of this notice is to solicit applications from the private sector and from government agencies for FY 2011. The EMP is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

The Department of Agriculture, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion published a document in the Federal Register on April 28, 2010, concerning requests for comments on the Innovations for Healthy Kids Challenge to Promote the Open Government Initiative. The document

Through this Notice the Rural Housing Service (Agency) announces the implementation of a demonstration program under the section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP) pursuant to 7 CFR 3565.4 and 7 CFR 3565.17 (Demonstration Programs) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010. The Demonstration Program's purpose is to test the viability and efficacy of a continuous loan note guarantee through the construction and permanent loan financing phases of a project. Those applications that meet the Demonstration Program's qualifying criteria and are selected to participate will be offered one loan note guarantee upon closing of the construction loan that will be in effect throughout both of the project's construction and permanent phases without interruption.

This notice announces the timeframe to submit pre-applications for section 514 Farm Labor Housing (FLH) loans and section 516 FLH grants for the construction of new off-farm FLH units and related facilities for domestic farm laborers. The intended purpose of these loans and grants is to increase the number of available housing units for domestic farm laborers. This notice describes the method used to distribute funds, the application process, and submission requirements.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Farm Service Agency and the Commodity Credit Corporation are seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension of a currently approved information collection in support of the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). The information collected is needed for producers to determine eligibility to obtain NAP assistance.

This rule implements specific requirements for the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill). TAP provides disaster assistance to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate trees, bushes, and vines that were lost due to natural disaster. Orchardists and nursery tree growers who commercially raise trees, bushes, and vines for which there were mortality losses in excess of 15 percent, after adjustment for normal mortality, are eligible for TAP payments. Eligible losses must have occurred between January 1, 2008, and September 30, 2011. This rule specifies how the TAP payments are calculated and when producers may apply for benefits. This rule also removes regulations for prior tree disaster assistance programs.

The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal to construct and operate a new electric transmission line intertie that would extend west across the Tongass National Forest from the Petersburg area to the community of Kake. The proposed action is to build a new transmission line that would transmit power at either 69 or 138 kilovolt (kV) and consist of single wood pole structures with horizontal post insulators, with average span lengths between pole structures of 350 to 400 feet. Two primary alternative routes are currently under consideration. These routes generally follow two routes previously identified as Transportation and Utility System (TUS) corridors in the Tongass National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan). Both alternative routes follow existing logging roads for the majority of their lengths. In addition, one of the routes follows the proposed route identified by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOTPF) for the permanent road between Kake and Petersburg. Both routes would use existing roads for construction and long-term maintenance access where possible. New road segments would be built in locations where access is not currently available.