Department of Agriculture August 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Monongahela National Forest is proposing to charge $10.00 per night for single unit sites and $20.00 per night for double unit sites at Island Campground on the Greenbrier Ranger District. The Forest recently finished reconstruction of Island Campground which included relocating and upgrading the campground to provide a safe, fully accessible, 12-unit campground. Prior to reconstruction, this was a small, primitive campground with very few amenities. Fees for overnight use will be used for the continued operation and maintenance of Island Campground.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request a revision to and reinstatement of an expired information collection associated with the regulations for the importation of bees and related articles into the United States.

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service announces that the funds available under the Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) to provide direct loans to intermediaries that establish programs for the purpose of providing loans to ultimate recipients for business facilities and community developments in a rural area. Total funding available for fiscal year 2013 is $17,420,358.93 which includes $1,524,631.71 for Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) Zone loans, $2,590,602.37 for Native American loans and $5,756,894.50 for Mississippi Delta Region Counties loans.

The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) proposes to add a provision to its regulations that provides forage seed insurance. The provisions will be used in conjunction with the Common Crop Insurance Policy Basic Provisions (Basic Provisions), which contain standard terms and conditions common to most crop programs. The intended effect of this action is to convert the Forage Seed pilot crop insurance program to a permanent insurance program for the 2015 and succeeding crop years.

The Delta-Bienville Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Forest, Mississippi. 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 present proposed projects for discussion and approval.

The Humboldt (NV) Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Winnemucca, Nevada. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (Pub. L. 112-141) (the Act) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the RAC is to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with Title II of the Act. The purpose of the meeting is to review and recommend any new proposed projects authorized under Title II of the Act to the Humboldt- Toiyabe Forest Supervisor and/or review prior year project accomplishments; lacking any new monetary authority, this meeting may be cancelled.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, requests applications for the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (Community Forest Program or CFP). This is a competitive grant program whereby local governments, qualified nonprofit organizations, and Indian tribes are eligible to apply for grants to establish community forests through fee simple acquisition of private forest land from a willing seller. The purpose of the program is to establish community forests by protecting forest land from conversion to non- forest uses and provide community benefits such as sustainable forest management, environmental benefits including clean air, water, and wildlife habitat; benefits from forest-based educational programs; benefits from serving as models of effective forest stewardship; and recreational benefits secured with public access. Eligible lands for grants funded under this program are private forest land that is at least five acres in size, suitable to sustain natural vegetation, and at least 75 percent forested. The lands must also be threatened by conversion to non-forest uses, must not be held in trust by the United States on behalf of any Indian tribe, must not be Tribal allotment lands, must be offered for sale by a willing seller, and if acquired by an eligible entity, must provide defined community benefits under CFP and allow public access.

The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) finalizes the Catastrophic Risk Protection Endorsement. The intended effect of this action is to clarify existing policy provisions and to incorporate changes that are consistent with those made in the Common Crop Insurance Policy Basic Provisions and to incorporate provisions regarding catastrophic risk protection coverage for area yield plans from the Area Risk Protection Insurance (ARPI) Basic Provisions. The changes will be effective for the 2014 and succeeding crop years for all crops with a contract change date on or after the effective date of this rule, and for the 2015 and succeeding crop years for all crops with a contract change date prior to the effective date of this rule.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App 2, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces a meeting of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, this notice announces the Department's intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the Export Sales Reporting program.

This rule amends the structure of the Administrative Committee (Committee) of the U.S. Potato Board (Board) and deletes the Board's mailing address from the Potato Research and Promotion Plan. The Plan is administered by the Board with oversight by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Under the Plan, there are seven Committee Vice- Chairperson positions. The Board has recommended that these positions be increased to nine. This change is intended to facilitate increased involvement in the Board's leadership opportunities. Further, the Board's office has been relocated and the address must be changed in the regulations. The deletion of the Board's mailing address from the regulations will require no further amendment to the regulations if the Board's office is relocated again.

This proposed rule would revise the United States Standards for Grades of Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano and Creole Type) and the United States Standards for Grades of Bermuda-Granex-Grano Type Onions which were issued under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to amend the ``similar varietal characteristic'' and ``one type'' requirements to allow mixed colors of onions when designated as a mixed or specialty pack. The purpose of this revision is to update and revise the standards to more accurately represent today's marketing practices and to provide the industry with greater flexibility.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that changed the size and grade requirements prescribed under the marketing order for oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and tangelos grown in Florida (order). The interim rule reduced the minimum size for Valencia and other late type oranges shipped to interstate markets from 2\8/16\ inches to 2\4/16\ inches from May 15 through August 31 each season. The interim rule also lowered the minimum grade for Valencia and other late type oranges shipped to interstate markets from a U.S. No. 1 to a U.S. No. 1 Golden from May 15, 2013, to June 14, 2013, and to a U.S. No. 2 external/U.S. No. 1 internal from June 15, 2013, to August 31, 2013. This rule provides additional Valencia and other late type oranges for late season markets, helping to maximize fresh shipments.

The Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture propose to adopt a fee schedule for commercial filming and still photography conducted on public lands under their jurisdiction. The proposed fee schedule would establish land-use fees for commercial filming and still photography that are consistent for the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service. The fees would be based on sound business management principles and would provide a fair return to the United States, as required in the law.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice 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 Tobacco Report (OMB No. 0581-0004).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice 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 Cotton Classification and Market News Service.

As stipulated by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), are hereby giving notice that a meeting of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) will be held. This meeting will be open to the public.

The Shasta County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Redding, CA. 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 the monitoring of past projects, and to discuss and vote on recommendations for the use of funds from the Secure Rural Schools second one-year extension to the 2008-2011 RAC authorization.

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is issuing a final rule to amend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or Program) regulations to allow State agencies to deny a request for a replacement card until contact is made by the household with the State agency, if the requests for replacement cards are determined to be excessive. State agencies which elect to exercise this authority will be required to protect vulnerable persons, such as individuals with disabilities, homeless individuals or the elderly, who may repeatedly lose their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards but are not committing fraud. FNS is also changing the EBT card replacement timeframes in the same section to require State agencies to make replacement cards available for pick up or to place the card in the mail within two business days following notice by the household to the State agency that the card has been lost or stolen. FNS is further amending its regulations to define the term ``trafficking'' to include the attempt to buy or sell SNAP benefits in cases where an individual makes the offer to sell SNAP benefits and/or EBT card online or in person. Finally, FNS is issuing an interim final rule (with a request for additional comment) that requires State agencies to monitor EBT card replacement requests and send notices to those clients who have requested four cards within a 12-month period. The State agency shall be exempt from sending this Excessive Replacement Card Notice if it adopts the card withholding option in accordance with this final rule and sends the requisite Withhold Replacement Card Warning Notice on the 4th replacement card request.

This rule revises the determination of sales history provisions currently prescribed under the cranberry marketing order (order). The order regulates the handling of cranberries grown in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the State of New York, and is administered locally by the Cranberry Marketing Committee (Committee). This rule modifies sales history calculations so that they are applicable for future seasons and adjusts the number of years that can be considered when determining the highest four years of past sales.

We are advising the public of our decision to allow the importation of oranges and tangerines from Egypt. Based on the findings of a pest list and commodity import evaluation document, which we made available to the public for review and comment through a previous notice, we have concluded that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the pest risk associated with the importation of oranges and tangerines from Egypt. In addition, based on the findings of a treatment evaluation document, we are advising the public that we are adding a new treatment schedule in the Plant Protection and Quarantine Treatment Manual that can be used to neutralize peach fruit fly (Bactrocera zonata) and Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) in oranges and tangerines.

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), intends to prepare a supplemental draft environmental impact statement (SDEIS) for Basin Electric Power Cooperative's (Basin Electric) proposed Antelope Valley Station (AVS) to Neset 345-kV Transmission Project (Project) in North Dakota. RUS is issuing this Notice of Intent (NOI) to inform the public and interested parties about a change in the proposed Project and invite the public to comment on the scope, proposed action, and other issues to be addressed in the SDEIS. RUS made the decision to prepare an SDEIS for the AVS Project to evaluate significant project changes. These changes are due to an increase in the electric load forecast for western North Dakota which is changing the scope of the project. To accommodate this change, the SDEIS will evaluate a new alternative for the transmission line. The SDEIS will address the construction, operation, and maintenance of Basin Electric's proposed Project. The Project includes construction, operation and maintenance of approximately 275 miles of new 345-kV single pole transmission line (approximately 85 miles more than the project identified in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)), 230-kV single pole transmission line and double circuit 345/115-kV transmission lines, 5 new substations, modifications to 4 existing substations, maintenance access roads, temporary construction roads, river crossings, temporary construction staging sites, and other facilities to be described in the SDEIS. Basin Electric's proposed Project would be located in portions of Dunn, McKenzie, Mercer, Mountrail, and Williams counties in western North Dakota. Portions of Basin Electric's proposed Project may affect floodplains and wetlands. This NOI also serves as a notice of proposed floodplain or wetland action. RUS will hold public hearing meetings to share information and receive comments on the SDEIS.

The Humboldt Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Eureka, California on the dates listed below. The Committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self- Determination Act (Act) (Pub. L. 112-141) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (Pub. L. 92-463). 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 meetings are open to the public. The purpose of the meetings are to review prior year project's progress and to review and recommend project proposals.