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

The Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is reviewing the United States Standards and grading procedures for Rough Rice, Brown Rice for Processing, and Milled Rice under the Agriculture Marketing Act of 1946 (AMA). Since the standards were last revised, numerous changes have occurred in the breeding and production practices of rice; the technology used to harvest, process, and test rice; and also rice marketing. To ensure that standards and official grading practices remain relevant, GIPSA invites interested parties to comment on whether the current rice standards and grading procedures need to be changed.

We are proposing to amend the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act regulations concerning expiration dating to clarify that the expiration date of a serial or subserial of a veterinary biologic should be computed from the date of the initiation of the first potency test. We also propose to require the expiration dating period (stability) of a product to be confirmed by conducting a real-time stability study with a stability-indicating assay; require stability monitoring of products after licensing; and specify a single standard for determining the expiration date for veterinary biologics in place of the current standard that specifies different procedures for products contingent upon whether they consist of viable or nonviable organisms. These amendments would update and clarify the regulations concerning expiration dating and establish a single uniform standard for determining the stability of veterinary biological products. This proposed rule replaces a previously published proposed rule, which we are withdrawing as part of this document.

The Sierra County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Downieville, 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 discuss projects submitted for funding and the expenditure of Title II funds benefiting National Forest System lands in Sierra County.

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, the Land Management Agency Volunteer Surveys.

This rule would increase the assessment rate established for the California Date Administrative Committee (Committee) for the 2010- 11 and subsequent crop years from $0.75 to $1.00 per hundredweight of dates handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order, which regulates the handling of dates grown or packed in Riverside County, California. Assessments upon date handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The crop year begins October 1 and ends September 30. The assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), U.S. Forest Service Chippewa National Forest (CNF), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Division of Resource Management (LLBO) have issued a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Bemidji to Grand Rapids, Minnesota 230 kV Transmission Line Project (``Project'') in Minnesota. The Final EIS was prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (U.S.C. 4231 et seq.) in accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR 1500-1508), and RUS regulations (7 CFR 1794). To minimize duplication of effort pursuant to 40 CFR 1506.2, RUS prepared the Final EIS jointly with the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Office of Energy Security (OES) in compliance with federal responsibilities under NEPA and other federal statutes and regulations, and state responsibilities under the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act and the Minnesota Power Plant Siting Act. RUS is the lead federal agency as defined at 40 CFR 1501.5, and CNF and USACE are cooperating agencies. LLBO accepted an invitation to participate as a cooperating agency. The purpose of the Final EIS is to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of and alternatives to the application of Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc. for RUS financing to construct a 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line between the Wilton Substation near Bemidji, Minnesota and the Boswell Substation near Grand Rapids, Minnesota, which will cross portions of Beltrami, Hubbard, Itasca, and Cass counties. Minnkota also proposes to modify the Wilton and Boswell substations and construct a new 115 kV breaker station at Nary Junction, Minnesota. In addition, Minnkota proposes to upgrade an existing or construct a new substation in the Cass Lake, Minnesota area, depending on the route alternative selected for the Project. The Project is being jointly developed by Minnkota, Otter Tail Power Company, and Minnesota Power.

The Forest Service is proposing to establish an internal directive at Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 1509.14 that would enhance policies related to partnerships. We invite public comment on assessing what changes or additions are needed relating to the Agency's use of partnership arrangements in carrying out our mission. These comments will be considered in developing the proposed directive.

The Fresno County Resource Advisory Committee will be meeting in Clovis, California, October 27, 2010. The purpose of the meeting will be to develop a timeline for receiving project proposals for the next funding cycle and review monitoring accomplishments.

On May 2, 2008, a Notice of Intent (NOT) to prepare an environmental impact statement (ElS) for the Crooked Creek Reservoir Repair project on the Sopris Ranger District of the White River National Forest was published in the Federal Register (86 FR 24215). The Forest Service has decided to cancel the preparation of this EIS. The NOT is hereby rescinded.

This final rule establishes procedures that the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will use in conducting a referendum to determine whether egg producers favor increasing the assessment they pay to the American Egg Board (AEB) from a rate of 10 cents per 30- dozen case of commercial eggs to 15 cents per case. An amendment to increase the assessment rate in the Egg Research and Promotion Order (Order) will be implemented if it is approved by two-thirds of the egg producers voting in the referendum or by a majority of producers voting if they produced two-thirds of the eggs produced by all voters. These procedures will also be used for subsequent referenda. AEB, which administers the Order, recommended this action to sustain and expand its national promotion, research, and consumer information program.

The Kern and Tulare Counties Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will be accepting applications for projects to recommend for funding under Title II of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self- Determination Act (Pub. L. 110-343). The application can be downloaded from the Secure Rural Schools Web site: https://www.fs.fed.us/srs/ index.shtml or the Sequoia National Forest Web site: https:// www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/projects/rural-schools/. Completed applications can be submitted electronically, by mail, or in person. 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 Sitka Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Sitka, Alaska, October 8, 2010. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss potential projects under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self- Determination Act of 2008.

The Hood/Willamette Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet on Thursday, September 30, 2010. The meeting and field trip is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. and will conclude at approximately 3 p.m. The meeting will be held at McKenzie River Ranger District Office; 57600 McKenzie Highway; McKenzie Bridge, Oregon; (541) 822-3381. The tentative agenda includes: (1) Public forum; (2) Recommended changes for 2011 projects; and (3) Field Trip to review Title II Projects. The Public Forum is tentatively scheduled to begin at 10:05 a.m. Time allotted for individual presentations will be limited to 3-4 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 September 30th meeting by sending them to Connie Athman at the address given below.

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) concerning authorization to ship for the purpose of field testing, and then to field test, an unlicensed foot-and-mouth disease vaccine, live adenovirus vector. The EA, which is based on a risk analysis prepared to assess the risks associated with the field testing of this vaccine, examines the potential effects that field testing this veterinary vaccine could have on the quality of the human environment. Based on the risk analysis, we have reached a preliminary determination that field testing this veterinary vaccine will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment, and that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared. We intend to authorize shipment of this vaccine for field testing following the close of the comment period for this notice unless new substantial issues bearing on the effects of this action are brought to our attention. We also intend to issue a U.S. Veterinary Biological Product license for this vaccine, provided the field test data support the conclusions of the EA and the issuance of a finding of no significant impact and the product meets all other requirements for licensing.

We are amending the black stem rust quarantine and regulations by adding four varieties to the list of rust-resistant Berberis species or cultivars in the regulations. This action will allow for the interstate movement of these newly developed varieties without unnecessary restrictions.

This Notice invites the following eligible States: Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming, to submit an Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424), and to enter into a Cooperative Agreement with the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) for the Allocation of Organic Certification Cost-Share Funds. The AMS has allocated $1.495 million for this organic certification cost-share program in Fiscal Year 2010. Funds are available under this program to 16 designated States to provide cost-share assistance to organic crop and livestock producers certified under the National Organic Program (NOP). Eligible States interested in obtaining cost-share funds for their organic producers will have to submit an Application for Federal Assistance, and enter into a cooperative agreement with AMS for allocation of funds.

The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is proposing to make administrative corrections affecting Big Creek Fringe, French Creek, Placer Creek, Secesh, and Smith Creek Idaho Roadless Areas on the Payette National Forest. These corrections will remedy two errors regarding regulatory classification and mapping that concern Forest Plan Special Areas (Big Creek and French Creek). Notice is given pursuant to 36 CFR 294.27(a), that the Chief proposes to issue an administrative correction after a 30-day public notice and opportunity to comment.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension of a currently approved information collection: Trends in Use and Users in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Minnesota.

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 Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest's Tri-County Resource Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday September 23, 2010, from 5 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., in Deer Lodge, Montana. The purpose of the meeting is to review proposals for Title II funding and accomplishments for projects previously funded under Title II.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is implementing the new Conservation Loan (CL) Program authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill). This interim rule adds the CL Program provisions to the existing direct and guaranteed loan regulations. These provisions will provide CL Program eligibility and servicing options for the direct and guaranteed loans made through the CL Program.

The Prince of Wales Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Thorne Bay, Alaska, September 24, 2010. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss potential projects under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2008.