Department of Agriculture 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently approved information collection, the Cold Storage Survey. Revision to burden hours will be needed due to changes in the size of the target population, expected increases in response rates, and modes of data collection. The questionnaires have had some minor modifications to accommodate changes in the products stored by the industry, and to make the questionnaires easier to complete. The target population for cold storage operators (both mandatory and voluntary samples) will be contacted for this data on a monthly basis. Fruit storage operations are contacted on a monthly basis. The capacity survey is conduced once every other year of all operations with refrigerated storage capacity. Most of these surveys are voluntary; the one exception is for operations that store certain manufactured dairy products that are required by Public Law No. 106-532 and 107-171 to respond.

The Prince of Wales Resource Advisory Committee cancelled the Resource Advisory Committee meeting to be held on September 28, 2012. The purpose of this meeting was 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 requesting comments from all interested individuals and organizations on an extension of a currently approved information collection to support the FSA Farm Loan Programs (FLP).

This final rule clarifies a provision of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 and the regulations issued thereunder that requires periodic residue testing of organically produced agricultural products by accredited certifying agents. The final rule amends the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) regulations to make clear that accredited certifying agents must conduct periodic residue testing of agricultural products that are to be sold, labeled, or represented as ``100 percent organic,'' ``organic,'' or ``made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s)).'' The final rule expands the amount of residue testing of organically produced agricultural products by clarifying that sampling and testing are required on a regular basis. The final rule requires that certifying agents, on an annual basis, sample and conduct residue testing from a minimum of five percent of the operations that they certify. This action will help further ensure the integrity of products produced and handled under the NOP regulations.

The Mountaintop Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest proposes to reduce fire risk and improve forest health within approximately 19,850 acres around the Barton Flats area of the upper Santa Ana Watershed under the authority of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA) of 2003. To meet the primary purposes of providing for firefighter safety and community protection, it is proposed to create shaded fuelbreaks along private property boundaries adjacent to communities, along roads, and ridge tops that are strategically important as defensible fire-fighting zones. Outside of these fuelbreaks, it is proposed to reduce the potential for stand- replacing wildfire by reducing tree densities and removing excess fuels, while at the same time maintaining essential forest structure required by wildlife. The proposed action includes the long-term maintenance of the treatments proposed to meet the desired conditions.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this document announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval, from the Office of Management and Budget, for an extension of and revision to the currently approved information collection for the National Farmers Market Manager Questionnaire.

Indianapolis Grain Inspection & Weighing Service, Inc. (Indianapolis) is designated to provide official inspection service through December 31, 2012, under the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA), as amended. Indianapolis informed the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) that it was willing to provide official inspection services through December 31, 2012, but requested that GIPSA find an interim provider as soon as possible. GIPSA notified all official agencies of the interim availability for Indianapolis and selected East Indiana Grain Inspection, Inc. as the interim provider effective October 15, 2012 until a permanent designee is selected. Accordingly, GIPSA is announcing that Indianapolis's designation terminates effective December 31, 2012 and is asking persons or governmental agencies interested in providing official services in the area presently assigned to Indianapolis to submit an application for designation.

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 restricting the importation of products of poultry and birds into the United States in order to prevent the introduction of poultry disease.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to revise and extend an information collection associated with regulations for the importation of live swine, pork and pork products, and swine semen from the European Union.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration's intention to request that the Office of Management and Budget approve a 3-year extension and revision of a currently approved information collection in support of the reporting and recordkeeping requirements for the Swine Contract Library program.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 3) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR part 1320, this notice announces the Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) intent to seek reinstatement of the ARS Animal Health National Program Assessment Survey, which seeks input on the impact of the Animal Health National Research Program through the completion of an electronic evaluation form. This voluntary information collection will give the beneficiaries of ARS research the opportunity to provide input on the impact of the research conducted by ARS in the last national program cycle. This input will be used for planning the research agenda for the next 5-year program cycle.

Interested citizens are invited to serve on the Olympic Peninsula Resource Advisory Committee (RAC). The RAC will be responsible for reviewing and recommending land management projects to be funded under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self- Determination Act, should the act be reauthorized this year. RAC members represent a wide range of interests. The committee consists of 15 members and each member is assigned to one of three categories. The Olympic Peninsula RAC has vacancies in all three categories. Category A represents organized labor, developed outdoor recreation, off-highway vehicle use, commercial recreation activities, energy development interests, the commercial timber industry, and Federal grazing or other land use permits. Category B represents nationally recognized environmental organizations, regionally or locally recognized environmental organizations, dispersed recreational activities, archaeological and historical interests. Category C represents state, county, or local elected offices, American Indian tribes, school officials or teachers, and the affected public-at-large. A four-year term would begin upon appointment by the Secretary of Agriculture. Committee members serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for travel expenses. Members must be Washington residents, preferably living in one of the Olympic Peninsula counties. Meetings are held at least once and up to four times per year within Thurston, Mason, Jefferson, Clallam, or Grays Harbor Counties. Interested participants should submit the required AD 755 application, available on the forest's Web site at https:// www.fs.usda.gov/main/olympic/workingtogether/advisorycommitte es.

The final rule entitled Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program was published on October 20, 2011. The Office of Management and Budget approved and cleared the associated information collection requirements (ICR) on August 22, 2012. This document announces approval of the ICR.

The Chief of the Forest Service has determined there is a Substantial Overriding Public Interest (SOPI) in extending for up to 1 year certain National Forest System FS-2400-6/6T and FS-2400-13/13T contracts that terminate on or before December 31, 2013 and meet one or more of the following conditions; (1) Require removal of biomass material, (2) require removal of balsam fir, (3) have been appraised to a processing facility that has permanently closed, or (4) have been appraised to a processing facility that has not operated for at least 6 months prior to requesting an extension under this authority. The intended effects of the SOPI finding and contract extensions are to minimize contract defaults, mill closures, and company bankruptcies while the Forest Service assesses markets to determine if other relief measures are needed. The Government benefits if defaulted timber sale contracts, mill closures, and bankruptcies can be avoided by granting extensions. Having numerous, economically viable, timber sale purchasers increases competition for National Forest System timber sales, results in higher prices paid for such timber, and allows the Forest Service to provide a continuous supply of timber to the public in accordance with Forest Service authorizing legislation. See Act of June 4, 1897 (Ch. 2, 30 Stat. 11 as amended, 16 U.S.C. 475) (Organic Administration Act).

The meeting of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board scheduled for October 23-25, 2012 has been cancelled. The original meeting notice was published in Federal Register Volume 77, Number 186, (Tuesday, September 25, 2012) {Pages 58978-58979{time} [FR Doc No: 2012-23610].

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration's (ASA) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of the currently approved information collection for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 1994 Tribal Scholars Program.

The Manti-La Sal and Fishlake National Forests along with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Price Field Office as joint lead agencies announce their intent to prepare a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision to the 2011 Final EIS For the Leasing and Undeground Mining of the Greens Hollow Federal Coal Lease Tract UTU-84102. Supplemental analyses are required to correct deficiencies in the Final EIS.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the revision with changes of the currently approved information collection 0596-0066 Advertised Timber for Sale.

This notice announces the appointment of the members of the Senior Executive Service (SES) and Senior Level (SL) and Scientific or Professional (ST) Performance Review Boards (PRBs) for the Department of Agriculture, as required by 5 U.S.C. 4314(c)(4). The Department of Agriculture has a total of seven PRBs: The Secretary's PRB; Career Agency Head's PRB; Departmental Management and Staff Offices PRB; Natural Resources and Environment PRB; Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, Rural Development, Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services PRB; Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Food Safety PRB; and Research, Education, and Economics PRB. The PRBs are comprised of career and noncareer executives and chairpersons, who make recommendations on the performance of executives to the Secretary, including performance ratings and bonuses for SES, SL, and ST employees. The boards meet annually to review and evaluate performance appraisal documents and provide written recommendations to the Secretary for final approval of performance ratings and base salary increases.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506), the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) is requesting comments from all interested individuals and organizations on a new information collection request associated with Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants and Awardees. The Department of Agriculture agencies and staff offices (except Forest Service) must comply with FY 2012 appropriations restrictions in sections 738 and 739, of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012 (2012 Ag Appropriations Act) (Pub. L. 112-55). Forest Service must comply with the restrictions in sections 433 and 434 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 (Pub. L. 112-74).