Department of Agriculture 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are advising the public that we are recognizing an additional area of the Republic of Chile as a pest-free area for Ceratitis capitata, Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly). Based on our site visit to the area and our review of the documentation submitted by the Republic of Chile, which we made available to the public review and comment through a previous notice, the Administrator has determined that the area meets the criteria in our regulations for recognition as a pest-free area for Medfly.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App., the United States Department of Agriculture announces solicitation for nominations to fill 9 vacancies on the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education and Economics Advisory Board.

The El Dorado County Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Placerville, 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 RAC duties and responsibilities, elect a chair person, and set the dates for the next meetings.

We are advising the public of our determination that a soybean

The Kern and Tulare Counties Resource Advisory Committee (RAC)

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44

The U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service) is preparing an

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) proposes to amend its

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on a new information collection, Contract Operations and Administration.

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 certain land tortoises.

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 importation of artificially dwarfed plants.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request approval of an information collection associated with the National Veterinary Services Laboratories animal health diagnostic system.

This rule revises the handling regulation for cherries under the Washington cherry marketing order. The marketing order regulates the handling of sweet cherries grown in designated counties in Washington and is administered locally by the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee (Committee). This rule adds quality and pack requirements for Rainier cherries and other lightly-colored sweet cherry varieties that are designated as ``premium'' when handled. This change is expected to reduce market confusion regarding the marketing of such cherries; improve producer returns by providing pack differentiation; and benefit producers, handlers, and consumers.

This notice informs the public of the sanitary and phytosanitary standard-setting activities of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), in accordance with section 491 of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as amended, and the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, Public Law 103-465, 108 Stat. 4809. This notice also provides a list of other standard-setting activities of Codex, including commodity standards, guidelines, codes of practice, and revised texts. This notice, which covers the time periods from June 1, 2009, to May 31, 2010, and June 1, 2010, to May 31, 2011, seeks comments on standards under consideration and recommendations for new standards.

This recommended decision invites written exceptions to proposed amendments to Marketing Agreement and Order No. 930 (order), which regulates the handling of tart cherries grown in Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin. Seven amendments were proposed by the Cherry Industry Administrative Board (Board), which is responsible for local administration of the order. These proposed amendments would: Authorize changing the primary reserve capacity associated with the volume control provisions of the order; authorize establishment of a minimum inventory level at which all remaining product held in reserves would be released to handlers for use as free tonnage; establish an age limitation on product placed into reserves; revise the nomination and election process for handler members on the Board; revise Board membership affiliation requirements; and update order language to more accurately reflect grower and handler participation in the nomination and election process in districts with only one Board representative. In addition, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposed to make any such changes as may be necessary to the order to conform to any amendment that may result from the hearing.

This rule adds two importer members and their alternates to the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (Council) to reflect changes in the quantity of highbush blueberry imports in the past three years. The change was proposed by the Council in accordance with the provisions of the Blueberry Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order) which is authorized by the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 (Act). The Order requires that the Council review the geographical distribution of the United States production and the quantity of imports of highbush blueberries at least every five years. As a result of these changes, the total Council membership will increase from 14 to 16 members and their alternates. In addition, this rule increases the quorum minimum from seven to nine members.

The Council Ranger District of the Payette National Forest will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Mill CreekCouncil Mountain Landscape Restoration Project. The approximate 51,900 acre project area is located about two miles east of Council, Idaho. The Mill CreekCouncil Mountain Landscape Restoration Project proposes to improve wildlife habitat, reduce wildland fire hazard, encourage woody biomass utilization, contribute to the economic vitality of the communities adjacent to the Payette National Forest, and improve watershed conditions through a variety of activities including commercial and noncommercial vegetation management and road system modifications and maintenance.

The Shasta County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet at the USDA Service Center in Redding, California, on June 17, 2010, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss project proposals and vote on recommended projects.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) this notice announces the Risk Management Agency's intention to request an extension to a currently approved information collection for the submission of policies, provisions of policies and rates of premium under section 508(h) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act.

The Kisatchie National Forest Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Natchitoches, Louisiana. 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 is to hold the first meeting of the newly formed committee.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension with revision of a currently approved information collection, Outreach Opportunity Questionnaire.

Portland General Electric (PGE), an independent investor-owned utility regulated by the Oregon Public Utility Commission, is proposing to construct, maintain, and operate a new electric transmission system consisting of approximately 210 miles of single- and double-circuit 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission line from Boardman, Oregon to near Salem, Oregon. The proposed transmission line would cross Federal, Tribal, State, municipal, and private lands. Approximately 42 percent of the lands the transmission line would cross are administered by Federal agencies, including the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Department of Defense, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Bureau of Reclamation.

The Pacific Southwest Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (Recreation RAC) will hold a meeting in Mammoth Lakes, California. The purpose of this meeting is to conduct a field trip to view fee sites on the Inyo National Forest and to make recommendations for fee proposals for expanded amenity fees on the Inyo, Modoc, Plumas, Sequoia and Stanislaus National Forests and the San Joaquin River Gorge Management Area, Central California District, Bureau of Land Management, elimination of an expanded amenity fee on the Inyo National Forest, standard amenity fees on the Inyo National Forest and San Joaquin River Gorge Management Area, Central California District, Bureau of Land Management and special recreation permit, Dumont Dunes, California Desert District, Bureau of Land Management.