Department of Agriculture 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The USDA, Forest Service, will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for a project called Marsh, in the southwestern portion of the Crescent Ranger District just south of Crescent Lake. The Forest Service is approaching this project by looking at the environmental benefits that the project area provides, from recreation experiences to wildlife habitat, and from water quality to scenic views. The goal of the project is to increase the net benefits that people receive from the project area currently, and allow the area to continue to provide this diverse range of benefits into the future. We are using the term ``ecosystem services'' to represent all these benefits that areas such as the Marsh project area provide to people. The focal point of the planning area is Big Marsh, one of the largest high elevation wetland/marsh complexes in the continental United States. In the upland portions of the planning area, the vegetation is primarily comprised of lodgepole pine with some ponderosa pine to the north and mixed conifer on the valley flanks. The area is also of high value for its biological resources (including the largest Oregon Spotted Frog population in the state), dispersed recreation opportunities, matsutake mushroom habitat (a commercially harvested and culturally significant species), big game and fish habitat, and cultural resources, as well as provision of water quality and quantity flowing into the Little Deschutes River and beyond. The project area is an approximately 30,000 acre watershed, located in T. 24, 25, 25.5, & 26 S, R. 5.5, 6, 6.5, & 7 E., Willamette Meridian. The alternatives will include the proposed action, no action, and additional alternatives that respond to issues generated through the scoping process. The agency will give notice of the full environmental analysis and decision making process so interested and affected people may participate and contribute to the final decision.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service (Forest Service) have prepared the Gateway West Transmission Line Project Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and proposed Land Use Plan Amendments, and by this notice are announcing its availability.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that revised the reporting requirements prescribed under the marketing order for cranberries grown in the States of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the State of New York (order). The interim rule changed the dates covered by the third reporting period and the date by which the Handler Inventory Report (Form HIR) is due to the Committee. These changes help ensure the Committee has current and complete information available for its discussions during its annual August meeting, while providing handlers sufficient time to submit their reports.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on an extension of a currently approved information collection for the Minority Farm Register. The Minority Farm Register is a voluntary register of minority farm and ranch operators, landowners, tenants and others with an interest in farming or agriculture. USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach uses the collected information to better inform minority farmers about USDA programs and services.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that temporarily suspended the handling regulations and inspection requirements prescribed under the marketing order for apricots grown in designated Counties in Washington. The interim rule suspended the minimum grade, size, quality, maturity, and inspection requirements for the 2012-2013 fiscal period. This change is expected to reduce overall industry expenses and increase net returns to producers and handlers.

This rule increases the assessment rate established for the Texas Valley Citrus Committee (Committee) for the 2012-13 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.14 to $0.16 per 7/10-bushel carton or equivalent of oranges and grapefruit handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order that regulates the handling of oranges and grapefruit grown in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas (order). Assessments upon orange and grapefruit handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period begins August 1 and ends July 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has requested and received emergency approval of an information collection for a National Animal Health Monitoring System Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy Study to support the equine industry in the United States.

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is making available a concept paper that describes a revised structure for the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) for public review and comment. The NAHLN is a nationally coordinated network and partnership of Federal, State, and university- associated animal health laboratories working to protect animal and public health and the nation's food supply by providing diagnostic testing aimed at detecting biological threats to the nation's food animals. The concept paper we are making available for comment presents a structure we believe will give the NAHLN increased capacity and flexibility to detect and respond to emerging and zoonotic diseases.

This rule reapportions the membership of the Processed Pear Committee (Committee) established under the Oregon-Washington pear marketing order. The marketing order regulates the handling of processed pears grown in Oregon and Washington, and is administered locally by the Committee. This rule reapportions the processor membership such that the three processor members and alternate members will be selected from the production area at-large rather than from a specific district. In an industry with few processors, this change will provide the flexibility needed to help ensure that all processor member positions are filled, resulting in effective representation of the processed pear industry on the Committee.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing its intention to request a new information collection regarding the compilation of updated contact information for Accredited Laboratories.

The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is sponsoring a public meeting on June 18, 2013. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States positions that will be discussed at the Thirty-Sixth Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), which will take place July 1-5, 2013 in Rome, Italy. The Under Secretary for Food Safety recognizes the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the session and to address items on the agenda.

The Dixie Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Cedar City, Utah. The RAC is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000, (the Act) (Public Law 110- 343) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (Public Law 92-463). 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 meeting is open to the public. The purpose of the meeting is to review proposals for forest projects and recommending funding.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that modified the grade requirements for potatoes handled under the Colorado potato marketing order, Area No. 2. The interim rule relaxed the minimum grade requirement for size B and 1-inch to 1\3/4\-inch diameter round, red- skinned potatoes handled under the marketing order from U.S. No. 1 to U.S. Commercial. 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 supply consumers with increased potato purchasing options.

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 an extension and revision to the approved forms and generic information collection for marketing orders covering fruit crops.

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces that it is inviting proposals for the 2014 Foreign Market Development Cooperator (Cooperator) program. The intended effect of this notice is to solicit applications from eligible applicants for fiscal year 2014 and to set out criteria for the award of funds under the program in October 2013. The Cooperator program is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). The funding authority for FMD expires at the end of fiscal year 2013. This notice is being published at this time to allow awards to be made early in fiscal year 2014, provided that program funding is reauthorized prior to that time. In the event this program is not reauthorized, or is substantially modified, FAS will publish a notice in the Federal Register rescinding this Notice of Funds Availability.

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces it is inviting proposals for the 2014 Quality Samples Program (QSP). The intended effect of this notice is to solicit applications from eligible applicants for fiscal year 2014 and to set out the criteria for the award of funds under the program in October 2013. QSP is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, intends to grant to Headwall Photonics, Inc. of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, an exclusive license to U.S. Patent No. 7,460,227, ``METHOD TO DETECT BONE FRAGMENTS DURING THE PROCESSING OF MEAT OR FISH,'' issued on December 2, 2008, U.S. Patent No. 7,787,111, ``SIMULTANEOUS ACQUISITION OF FLUORESCENCE AND REFLECTANCE IMAGING TECHNIQUES WITH A SINGLE IMAGING DEVICE FOR MULTITASK INSPECTION,'' issued on August 31, 2010, U.S. Patent No. 8,126,213, ``METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR WHOLESOMENESS INSPECTION OF FRESHLY SLAUGHTERED CHICKENS ON A PROCESSING LINE,'' issued on February 28, 2012, and U.S. Patent No. 8,159,525, ``PORTABLE MULTISPECTRAL IMAGING SYSTEMS,'' issued on April 17, 2012.

We are advising the public of our record of decision for the final supplemental environmental impact statement for the Gypsy Moth Program.

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has received a petition from the Monsanto Company and Forage Genetics International (FGI) seeking a determination of nonregulated status of alfalfa designated as event KK179, which has been genetically engineered to express reduced levels of guaiacyl lignin. The petition has been submitted in accordance with our regulations concerning the introduction of certain genetically engineered organisms and products. We are making the Monsanto Company and FGI petition available for review and comment to help us identify potential environmental and interrelated economic issues and impacts that APHIS may determine should be considered in our evaluation of the petition.

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), as part of its compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites the general public to comment on an information collection for the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP). This notice initiates a 30-day comment period and prescribes the proposed nomination form for the VMLRP that will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for renewal. The NIFA may not conduct or sponsor, and the respondent is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a valid OMB control number.

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 for renewal a recordkeeping burden for the information collection for the Export Fruit Acts covering exports of apples and grapes.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that revised the quantity of Class 1 (Scotch) and Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil that handlers may purchase from, or handle on behalf of, producers during the 2012-2013 marketing year under the Far West spearmint oil marketing order. The interim rule increased the Scotch spearmint oil salable quantity from 782,413 pounds to 2,622,115 pounds and the allotment percentage from 38 percent to 128 percent. In addition, the interim rule increased the Native spearmint oil salable quantity from 1,162,473 pounds to 1,348,270 pounds and the allotment percentage from 50 percent to 58 percent. This change is expected to moderate extreme fluctuations in the supply and price of spearmint oil. Also, this change will help maintain stability in the Far West spearmint oil market.

The Flathead Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Kalispell, Montana. 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 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 re-evaluate project proposals for 2013 due to reduced funding related to sequestration.