Department of Agriculture 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are proposing to consolidate the regulations concerning the issuance of permits for the importation and interstate movement of a wide variety of regulated plants, plant products, and other articles. We would also make corresponding changes to the regulations concerning permits for the importation and interstate movement of noxious weeds and the importation of honeybees and other beekeeping articles. We are also proposing to include new provisions in our regulations for the denial of a permit and the revocation of a permit once issued. These changes would make our permit procedures more transparent and easier to use, allow us to evaluate a permit application more quickly and thoroughly, and help us hold permittees accountable for complying with permit conditions.

The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (2002 Farm Bill) requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a Peanut Standards Board (Board) for the purpose of advising the Secretary on quality and handling standards for domestically produced and imported peanuts. The initial Board was appointed by the Secretary and announced on December 5, 2002. USDA seeks nominations for individuals to be considered for selection as Board members for terms of office ending June 30, 2016. Selected nominees would replace three producer and three industry representatives who currently serve on the Board and have terms of office that end June 30, 2013. Also, one individual would fill a currently vacant industry position for a term of office ending June 30, 2015. The Board consists of 18 members representing producers and the industry. USDA values diversity. In an effort to obtain diversity among candidates, USDA encourages the nomination of men and women of all racial and ethnic groups and persons with a disability.

This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible producers of sweet onions in the Walla Walla Valley of southeast Washington and northeast Oregon, to determine whether they favor continuance of the marketing order regulating the handling of sweet onions produced in the production area.

The United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces its intent to adopt the Kanab Creek Watershed Vegetation Management Project EA, as prepared by the U.S. Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM), under the provisions of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations (40 CFR 1506.3).

We are advising the public that we have determined that it is necessary to immediately add to the Plant Protection and Quarantine Treatment Manual an additional treatment schedule for methyl bromide fumigation of blueberries for Mediterranean fruit fly and South American fruit fly. We have prepared a treatment evaluation document that describes the new treatment schedule and explains why we have determined that it is effective at neutralizing these fruit flies. We are making the treatment evaluation document available to the public for review and comment.

This notice concerns two separate actions. First, the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces the intent to purchase sugar to be offered in exchange for Refined Sugar Re-export Program credits. CCC will purchase sugar from domestic sugarcane processors or beet processors under the Cost Reduction Options of the Food Security Act of 1985, and concurrently exchange such sugar for credits under the Refined Sugar Re-export Program. Second, USDA announces a waiver to provide an extension of the time period from 90 days to 270 days in which licensed refiners must export or transfer sugar under the Refined Sugar Re-export Program.

Through this Notice, the Rural Housing Service (RHS) announces the duration of time in Fiscal Year 2013 set-aside amounts will be available for Section 515 program non-profits and underserved areas. This Notice also outlines the reallocation process for the set-aside funds not obligated within the time period established in this Notice.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Economic Research Service's intention to request approval for a new information collection for a Survey on Rural Community Wealth and Health Care Provision.

This interim rule modifies the size requirements for potatoes handled under the Colorado potato marketing order, Area No. 2 (order). The order regulates the handling of Irish potatoes grown in Colorado and is administered locally by the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, Area No. 2 (Committee). This action revises the 1-inch minimum to 1\3/4\-inch maximum diameter size allowance for U.S. Commercial and better grade potatoes contained in the order's handling regulation for Area 2 to \3/4\-inch minimum to 1\5/8\-inch maximum diameter. In addition, this action revises the minimum size requirement under the order's general cull regulation to \3/4\-inch diameter. As required under section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, this action also revises the size requirements for imported round type potatoes, other than red-skinned varieties. This change is expected to facilitate the handling and marketing of the Area No. 2 potato crop, provide producers and handlers with increased returns, and offer consumers increased potato purchasing options.

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the United States Department of the Interior (USDOI), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Coeur d'Alene Indian Tribe (Tribe), and the State of Idaho (State) intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and by this notice are announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues.

The Agricultural Marketing Service published a document in the Federal Register on May 13, 2013 [78 FR 32030] concerning request for approval from the Office of Management and Budget for an Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection With Additional Merge of Additional Collection: Regulations Governing Inspection and Certification of Fresh and Processed Fruits, Vegetables and other Products. The document contained errors.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Business-Cooperative Service's (RBS) intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the program for the Annual Survey of Farmer Cooperatives, as authorized in the Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is amending the Guidelines for Designating Biobased Products for Federal Procurement, to add eight sections to designate product categories within which biobased products will be afforded Federal procurement preference, as provided for under section 9002 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, as amended by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (referred to in this document as ``section 9002''). USDA is also adding a new subcategory to one previously designated product category. USDA is also establishing minimum biobased content for each of these product categories and subcategories. In addition, USDA is officially changing the term ``item'' to ``product category.''

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service (RUS), has issued a Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement (SFEIS) for the restart of Healy Power Plant's Unit 2 in Healy, Alaska. The (SFEIS) supplements a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), completed by the Department of Energy (DOE) in 1993 to evaluate potential impacts to the human environment from DOE's proposal to partially fund construction of Unit 2 of the Healy Power Plant to demonstrate emissions control technologies. In 1994, the DOE published a Record of Decision (ROD) for their FEIS in the Federal Register, Volume 59, Issue 54 (March 21, 1994). In 1997, Healy Unit 2 was constructed as a major modification to the existing Healy Power Plant's Unit 1, using funding from DOE and the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA). Healy Unit 1 is a 25 megawatt (MW) coal-fired boiler that has been owned and operated by Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA) since 1967. Healy Unit 2 is a 50 MW coal-fired steam generator owned by AIDEA, which underwent test operation for two years as part of DOE's project. Unit 2 has been in warm layup since late 1999. The SFEIS updates information in DOE's FEIS and considers impacts of restarting Unit 2 for commercial operation. The SFEIS is available for a 30-day public review and comment period. Subsequent to the comment period RUS may issue a ROD.

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 the regulations for the importation of Unshu oranges from Japan.

We are extending the comment period for our notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on environmental impacts that may result from the potential approval of petitions seeking a determination of nonregulated status of three cultivars of herbicide resistant corn and soybeans produced by Dow AgroSciences LLC. During the comment period, we are requesting public comments to further delineate the scope of the alternatives and environmental impacts and issues to be included in the EIS. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments. We are also announcing the dates of two virtual public meetings that we will be hosting to provide the public with additional opportunities to comment during the scoping period.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to require the use of the descriptive designation ``mechanically tenderized'' on the labels of raw or partially cooked needle- or blade- tenderized beef products, including beef products injected with marinade or solution, unless such products are destined to be fully cooked at an official establishment. Beef products that have been needle- or- blade-tenderized are referred to as ``mechanically tenderized'' products. FSIS is proposing that the product name for such beef products include the descriptive designation ``mechanically tenderized'' and an accurate description of the beef component. By including this descriptive designation consumers will be informed that this product is non-intact. Non-intact products need to be fully cooked in order to be rendered free of pathogenic bacteria because bacteria may become translocated from the surface of the meat during mechanical tenderization. FSIS is also proposing that the print for all words in the descriptive designation as the product name appear in the same style, color, and size and on a single-color contrasting background. In addition, FSIS is proposing to require that labels of raw and partially cooked needle- or blade-tenderized beef products destined for household consumers, hotels, restaurants, or similar institutions include validated cooking instructions that inform consumers that these products need to be cooked to a specified minimum internal temperature, and whether they need to be held at that minimum temperature for a specified time before consumption, i.e., dwell time or rest time, to ensure that they are fully cooked. Based on the scientific evidence that indicates that mechanically tenderized beef products need to be cooked more thoroughly than intact beef products, FSIS is proposing these amendments to the regulations. FSIS is also announcing that it has posted on its Web site guidance for developing validated cooking instructions for mechanically tenderized product. The recommendations in the guidance document are based on the results from published research designed to identify minimum internal temperature and time combinations sufficient to render a product and studies designed to validate cooking instructions.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, that implement the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's (NIFA) intention to request approval to establish a new information collection for the REEport system.

Funding availability for this program may be announced at approximately the same time as funding availability for similar but separate programs:CFDA No. 10.458 (Crop Insurance Education in Targeted States). Prospective applicants should carefully examine and compare the notices of each announcement. The collections of information in this Announcement have been approved by OMB under control numbers 0563-0066 and 0563-0067. All applications, which must be submitted electronically through rma.agrisk.umn.edu must be received by close of business (COB) 11:59 p.m. EST. on July 22, 2013. Hard copy applications will NOT be accepted. A tutorial on how to apply is available at rma.agrisk.umn.edu.

The Forest Service is issuing an interim directive to guide its employees in revised procedures for Burned Area Emergency Response. The interim directive provides direction and guidance specific to assessing, planning and implementing post-fire emergency response actions on National Forest System (NFS) lands to ensure consistent and adequate analyses for evaluating post-fire risks and determining appropriate and cost-effective response actions. This interim directive supersedes the existing directive located at FSM 2523. Public comment is invited and will be considered during development of the final directive.