Department of Agriculture August 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is making several clarifying amendments and corrections to the regulations for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) to clarify when livestock death losses must have occurred to be eligible losses for LIP and ELAP benefits. This rule also clarifies when adverse weather events or loss conditions must have occurred to be eligible losses of livestock, honeybee, crops, and farm-raised fish for ELAP and Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program (SURE) benefits. This rule clarifies an equitable relief provision for the risk management purchase requirement that applies to the Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance Programs, authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill), except LIP.

The Eastern Washington Cascades Provincial Advisory Committee and the Yakima Provincial Advisory Committee will meet on September 15, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Headquarters Office, 215 Melody Lane, Wenatchee, WA. During this meeting information will be shared about prescribed burning and smoke management, Holden Mine clean-up operations, insect infestations on Blewett Pass and a report on Forest Plan Revision public meetings. All Eastern Washington Cascades and Yakima Province Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public.

In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), OCIO gives notice of a new Privacy Act System of Records.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is amending the Cotton Board Rules and Regulations by updating the value assigned to imported cotton for the purpose of calculating supplemental assessments collected for use by the Cotton Research and Promotion Program. An amendment is required to adjust the supplemental assessment and to ensure that assessments collected on imported raw cotton and the cotton content of imported cotton-containing products are the same as assessments collected on domestically produced cotton. In addition, AMS is updating the textile trade conversion factors used to determine the raw fiber equivalents of imported cotton-containing products and expanding the number of Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) statistical reporting numbers from the current 706 to 2,371 to assess all imported cotton and cotton-containing products.

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, Cherokee National Forest Secure Rural Schools Resource Advisory Committee will meet as indicated below.

This document contains corrections to the final rule published on August 2, 2011 (76 FR 46185), regarding softwood lumber. Corrections are made in the amendatory instruction section and in Sec. 1217.88 of the final rule.

This notice corrects the scoring points to a Notice published in the Federal Register on July 7, 2011, regarding Funds Availability for Section 514 Farm Labor Housing Loans and Section 516 Farm Labor Housing Grants for Off-Farm Housing for Fiscal Year (FY) 2011. The correction changes the points assigned under section VI. Pre- application Review Information, (A)(1)(v)(a) entitled New Construction Energy Conservation. This notice also extends the pre-application closing deadline to 5 p.m., local time to September 6, 2011.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), of the Department of Agriculture (USDA), is soliciting comments on the proposed voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Cultivated Ginseng. AMS received a request from the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin (GBW), to amend the standards to reflect current market values. To ensure the integrity of the standards, the proposed revisions would be based on quality and percentage defects. The new grades would replace the current ones and promote the orderly and efficient marketing of ginseng in an evolving global economy. Other changes would include adding tolerances, reclassifying sizes, removing table ``values,'' and amending definitions. These revisions are needed to determine and complement the new grades.

This rule invites comments on revisions to the size requirements currently prescribed under the Colorado potato marketing order (order). The order regulates the handling of Irish potatoes grown in Colorado, and is administered locally by the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee for Area No. 3 (Committee). This rule would modify the size requirements for handling small potatoes that measure under 1\7/8\ inches in diameter. This rule would allow the handling of two size ranges, \3/4\-inch minimum diameter to 1\7/8\ inches maximum diameter and Size B (1\1/2\ to 2\1/4\ inches), if such potatoes otherwise meet the requirements of the U.S. No. 1 grade. The revisions would promote orderly marketing by ensuring that only potatoes of certain similar size profiles are packed and shipped in the same container. This rule is expected to benefit the producers, handlers, and consumers of Colorado potatoes.

The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Resource Advisory Committee will conduct a meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 finalize the review of project submittals.

In accordance with the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Act of 2000 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (Forest Service) Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Advisory Committee (MAC) will meet as indicated below.

The Sierra County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Sierraville, California. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (Pub. L. 110- 343) (the Act) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the committee is to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with the Title II of the Act. The meeting is open to the public. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss and vote on projects submitted for funding and the expenditure of Title II funds benefiting National Forest System lands in Sierra County.

The Nevada and Placer Counties Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Nevada City, California. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (Pub. L. 110-343) (the Act) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the committee is to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with the Title II of the Act. The meeting is open to the public. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss and vote on projects submitted for funding and the expenditure of Title II funds benefiting National Forest System lands in Nevada and Placer Counties.

The Nevada and Placer Counties Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Auburn, California. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (Pub. L. 110-343) (the Act) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the committee is to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with the Title II of the Act. The meeting is open to the public. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss and vote on projects submitted for funding and the expenditure of Title II funds benefiting National Forest System lands in Nevada and Placer Counties.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to send comments regarding any aspect of this proposed information collection. This is a new collection for the Rural Establishment Innovation Survey.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974, as amended by the National Forest Management Act of 1976, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) have prepared a Supplement to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the Draft Land Management Plan (LMP) for the San Juan Public Lands that was published on December 14, 2007, and by this notice, are announcing the opening of the comment period. The San Juan Public Lands Center (SJPLC) is the joint USFS/BLM Service First Office responsible for the management of BLM and USFS lands covered in the Draft LMP.

The Hood/Willamette Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Sandy, Oregon. 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 have a field trip review of Title II projects by the committee.

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 RAC will review and discuss implementation of approved RAC projects.

Deciding Officers in the Rocky Mountain Region will publish notice of decisions subject to administrative appeal under 36 CFR parts 215 and 219 in the legal notice section of the newspapers listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. The public shall be advised through Federal Register notice, of the newspaper of record to be utilized for publishing legal notice of decisions. Responsible Officials in the Rocky Mountain Region will also publish notice of proposed actions under 36 CFR 215.5 in the newspapers that are listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. 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 Rocky Mountain Region will publish notice of the opportunity to object to a proposed authorized hazardous fuel reduction project under 36 CFR 218 or developing, amending or revising land management plans under 36 CFR 219 in the legal notice section of the newspapers listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.

This notice announces the intention of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to request comments on a currently approved information collection for which approval will expire, 0578-0030, Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program. Public Participation: NRCS invites public participation to promote open communication and better decisionmaking. All persons and organizations that have an interest in the EWP program are urged to provide comments. Scoping Process: Public participation is requested throughout the scoping process. NRCS is soliciting comments from the public indicating what issues and impacts the public believes should be encompassed within the scope of the EWP program. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility, (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used, (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, such as through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technologic collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

We are announcing to the public that veterinarians who are currently accredited in the National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) may continue to perform accredited duties and may elect to continue to participate in the NVAP until October 1, 2011. The regulations indicate that currently accredited veterinarians must elect to continue their participation in the NVAP in order to maintain their accredited status, after which we will confirm their continued participation and notify them of their first renewal date. A previous document announced that currently accredited veterinarians may continue to perform accredited duties until further notice, even if they have not received a date for their first accreditation renewal. That document stated that we would specify a date by which veterinarians would have to elect to participate in a subsequent document.

We are amending the regulations to allow, under certain conditions, the importation of commercial shipments of peppers from Panama into the United States without treatment. Conditions of entry to which the peppers will be subject include trapping, pre-harvest inspection, and shipping procedures. This action will allow for the importation of peppers from Panama into the United States while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of quarantine pests.

We are amending the domestic quarantine regulations to expand the regulated area for European larch canker to include additional areas in Maine. We are also correcting some misidentifications of previously listed regulated areas. This action is necessary to prevent human-assisted transmission of European larch canker from infested areas to noninfested areas.

It has been determined by the NRCS State Conservationist for Virginia that changes must be made in the NRCS State Technical Guide specifically in the following practice standards: 328, Conservation Crop Rotation, 329, Residue and Tillage Management No Till/Strip Till/Direct Seed, 344, Residue Management, Seasonal, 345, Residue and Tillage Management Mulch Till, 346, Residue Management, Ridge Till, 391, Riparian Forest Buffer, 422, Hedgerow Planting, 472, Access Control, 595, Integrated Pest Management, 612, Tree/Shrub Establishment, and 666, Forest Stand Improvement. These practices will be used to plan and install conservation practices.