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

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 revision of a currently approved information collection regarding Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) for ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products because the OMB approval will expire on November 30, 2010, and to reflect its most recent plant data, which supports an estimate of fewer total burden hours.

The Northern New Mexico Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The committee is meeting as authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 110-343) and in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2 Sec. Sec. 1-15, October 6, 1972, as amended 1976, 1980 and 1982). The purpose is to review and approve RFP and Title II Project Submission Form, discuss monitoring of Projects, discuss and determine means of distribution of RFP, review timelines and set next meeting date, RAC costs to date.

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 (SRS) Act (Pub. L. 110-343) and in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

The Office of the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture is providing notice of the establishment of the fiscal year (FY) 2011 in-quota aggregate quantity of the raw, as well as, refined and specialty sugar Tariff-Rate Quotas (TRQ) as required under the U.S. World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments. The FY 2011 raw cane sugar TRQ is established at 1,117,195 metric tons raw value (MTRV) that may be entered under subheading 1701.11.10 of the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) during FY 2011 (October 1, 2010-September 30, 2011). In addition, the in-quota aggregate quantity of the refined and specialty sugar TRQ is established at 99,111 MTRV for certain sugars, syrups, and molasses (collectively referred to as refined sugar) that may be entered under subheadings 1701.12.10, 1701.91.10, 1701.99.10, 1702.90.10, and 2106.90.44 of the HTS during FY 2011.

The Forestry Research Advisory Council will meet in Washington, DC September 8-9, 2010. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss emerging issues in forestry research.

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), formerly known as the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) requests input from the public regarding (1) the assessment of methods and tools used by non-governmental organizations and international agencies to measure, characterize and describe nutritional gaps among populations served by U.S. humanitarian food assistance programs, including recommendations on how to improve such programs in the field at the lowest possible cost, and (2) the assessment of the most cost-effective technologies for the purification and supply of safe water which could be implemented in the field to benefit highly vulnerable populations, including recommendations on the most cost-effective and commercially available systems that require priority research assistance.

In response to recent amendments to the Lacey Act, we are proposing to establish definitions for the terms ``common cultivar'' and ``common food crop.'' The amendments to the Act expanded its protections to a broader range of plant species, extended its reach to encompass products, including timber, that derive from illegally harvested plants, and require that importers submit a declaration at the time of importation for certain plants and plant products. Common cultivars and common food crops are among the categorical exemptions to the provisions of the Act. The Act does not define the terms ``common cultivar'' and ``common food crop'' but instead gives authority to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of the Interior to define these terms by regulation. Our proposed definitions would specify which plants and plant products will be subject to the provisions of the Act, including the declaration requirement.

The Ketchikan Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Ketchikan, Alaska, August 18, 2010. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss potential projects under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2008.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on an extension with revision of currently approved information collection associated with the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). To assist with the modernization of ECP, new forms, which allow for multiple practices and multiple farms and tracts, will be used in lieu of the AD-245 for application processed through the new web-based software.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request extension of approval of an information collection associated with regulations for the importation of certain articles from Canada to prevent the introduction and spread of emerald ash borer in the United States.

The Secretary of Agriculture intends to reestablish the Agricultural Air Quality Task Force (AAQTF) and requests nominations for qualified persons to serve as members.

The Lawrence County Recource Advisory will meet in Spearfish, South Dakota. 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 committee has received three formal project proposals. The purpose of the meeting is to solicit additional information from project proponents and vote on project proposals.

On August 9, 2010, the U.S Forest Service will host the first meeting of the Federally designated Secure Rural Schools Resource Advisory Committee (RAC). The public is invited to attend the meeting and provide input. A Secure Rural Schools RAC provides advice and recommendations to the Forest Service on the development and implementation of special projects as authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, Public Law 110-343.