Department of Agriculture 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are amending the regulations governing the importation of animals and animal products by recognizing 25 Member States of the European Union (EU) as the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)-defined EU poultry trade region and adding it to the list of regions we consider to be free of Newcastle disease. We are taking this action based on a risk evaluation that we prepared in which we determined that the region meets our requirements for being considered free of Newcastle disease. We also determined that the region meets our requirements for being considered free of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). In addition, we are establishing requirements governing the importation of live birds and poultry and poultry meat and products from the APHIS-defined EU poultry trade region and updating avian disease terms and definitions. We are also allowing importation from the APHIS-defined EU poultry trade region of hatching eggs under official seal, including those that have transited a restricted zone established because of detection of HPAI within the boundaries of the APHIS-defined EU poultry trade region. These actions will facilitate the importation of live birds and poultry, including hatching eggs, and poultry meat and products from the APHIS-defined EU poultry trade region while maintaining safeguards to protect the United States from the introduction of communicable avian diseases.

This final rule establishes regulations for seasons, harvest limits, methods, and means related to taking of fish for subsistence uses in Alaska during the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 regulatory years. The Federal Subsistence Board (Board) completes the biennial process of revising subsistence hunting and trapping regulations in even-numbered years and subsistence fishing and shellfish regulations in odd-numbered years; public proposal and review processes take place during the preceding year. The Board also addresses customary and traditional use determinations during the applicable biennial cycle. This rulemaking replaces the fish taking regulations that expire on March 31, 2013.

Notice is hereby given of a public hearing to receive evidence on proposed amendments to Marketing Order No. 905 (order), that regulates the handling of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and tangelos (citrus) grown in Florida. Nine amendments are proposed by the Citrus Administrative Committee (committee), which is responsible for local administration of the order. These proposed amendments would: authorize regulation of new varieties and hybrids of citrus fruit, authorize the regulation of intrastate shipments of fruit, revise the process for redistricting the production area, change the term of office and tenure requirements for committee members, authorize mail balloting procedures for committee membership nominations, increase the capacity of financial reserve funds, authorize pack and container requirements for domestic shipments and authorize different regulations for different markets, eliminate the use of separate acceptance statements in the nomination process, and require handlers to register with the committee. In addition, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposes to make any such changes as may be necessary to the order to conform to any amendment that may result from the hearing. These proposed amendments are intended to update the order to reflect past changes in the industry and potential future changes, and to improve the operation and administration of the order.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural BusinessCooperative Service's (RBS) intention to request information collection in support of the Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program and Televisions Demonstration Grants (7 CFR part 1942-G).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Coordination's (OHSEC) intention to request an extension for and revision to a currently approved information collection for US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Request for Credential, the USDA Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) program. HSPD-12 establishes a mandatory, Government-wide standard for secure and reliable forms of identification (credentials) issued by the Federal Government to its Federal Employees, Non-Federal employees and contractors. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) mandated that these credentials be issued to all Federal Government employees, contractors, and other applicable individuals who require long-term access to federally controlled facilities and/or information systems. The HSPD-12 compliant program is jointly owned and administered by the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) and OHSEC.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to seek reinstatement of an information collection, the Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey. Revision to previous burden hours may be needed due to changes in the size of the target population, sampling design, and/or questionnaire length.

The Caribou-Targhee National Forest proposes to amend the Targhee Revised Forest Plan (1997) to include a map identifying specific areas where the Northern Rockies Lynx Management Direction (NRLMD, 2007) applies. Pre-Decisional Administrative Review Process: The decision on this proposed plan amendment will be subject to the objection process for the planning process (36 CFR part 219, subpart B). Only those individuals and entities who submit substantive formal comments related to this proposed plan amendment during the opportunities for public comment as provided in 36 CFR part 219, Subpart A may file an objection. The burden is on the objector to demonstrate compliance with requirements for objection (36 CFR 219.53). Public Participation: The Agency invites interested parties to participate and collaborate on this proposal and analysis. Publication of this Notice initiates the 30-day scoping process. Comments received concerning this proposed plan amendment will be used to develop the proposal and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Once the Draft EIS is prepared, publication of its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register will begin a formal 90-day opportunity to provide written comments. Comments on the Draft EIS will be used to prepare the Final EIS and Draft Record of Decision. Notice of Availability of the Final EIS and Draft Record of Decision will be made in the Federal Register. Public notice to begin the 60-day opportunity to file an objection will be published in the newspaper of record. Public notice of all objections will be published in the newspaper of record and begin the 10 day period for an interested person to request participation in meetings between the reviewing officer and objector(s) to discuss issues raised in the objection and potential resolution. All meetings are open to observation by the public. After the reviewing officer responds in writing to objections, the responsible official will issue the Final Record of Decision, consistent with responses to objections, and issue a public notice of the decision and, if applicable, the approved amendment. The newspaper of record is the Post Register. The Draft EIS, Final EIS, Draft Record of Decision, responses to objections, Final Record of Decision, approved amendment, and all public notices and Federal Register notices will be made available online. Additional opportunities for public involvement will be offered prior to the Final EIS if determined necessary by the responsible official.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (``Department'') announces adjusted income eligibility guidelines to be used by State agencies in determining the income eligibility of persons applying to participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC). These income eligibility guidelines are to be used in conjunction with the WIC Regulations.

The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) proposes to amend the Common Crop Insurance Regulations, Arizona-California Citrus Crop Insurance Provisions. The intended effect of this action is to provide policy changes, to clarify existing policy provisions to better meet the needs of policyholder, and to reduce vulnerability to program fraud, waste, and abuse. The proposed changes will be effective for the 2015 and succeeding crop years.

This notice announces a series of teleconference and/or web conference meetings regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program, which are scheduled to occur during the months of March, July, and November of 2013. This notice also outlines suggested discussion topics for the meetings and is intended to notify the general public of their opportunity to participate in the teleconference and/or web conference meetings.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Forest Service's intent to request: (1) An extension from the Office of Management and Budget; and (2) to merge the currently approved information collection 0596- 0222, ``Grey Towers Visitor Comment Card'' with 0596-0226, ``Forest Service Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery.''

The Rio Grande National Forest is proposing to add a cabin for rent to the public for a $50 fee for the overnight rental. It was recently renovated and has public interest in utilizing the facility. Rentals of other cabins on the Rio Grande National Forest have shown that people appreciate and enjoy the availability of historic rental cabins. Funds from the rental will be used to continued operations and maintenance of Duncan Cabin. People are invited to comment on this proposal.

USDA published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on June 25, 2012, which would have mandated that weekly reporting for pork (fresh, chilled, or frozen muscle cuts/whether or not boxed) and distillers dried grain (DDG) be added to the Export Sales Reporting program (ESR). A final rule was issued to add pork to the ESR, but a decision on DDG was deferred. This document provides for an additional comment period regarding mandatory export sales reporting for DDG.

The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are sponsoring a public meeting on March 28, 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 45th Session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which take place in Beijing, People's Republic of China, May 6-13, 2013. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and the Environmental Protection Agency recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 45th session of CCPR and to address items on the agenda.

Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, intends to grant to Lysando AG of Triesenberg, Liechtenstein, an exclusive license to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/470,321, ``LAMBDASA2 ENDOLYSIN TRUNCATION'', filed on May 21, 2009; U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/874,138, ``BACTERIOPHAGE LYTIC ENZYMES AS ALTERNATIVE ANTIMICROBIALS'', filed on September 1, 2010; U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/460,812, ``TRIPLE ACTING ANTIMICROBIALS THAT ARE REFRACTORY TO RESISTANCE DEVELOPMENT'', filed on July 24, 2009; and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/784,675, ``FUSION OF PEPTIDOGLYCAN HYDROLASE ENZYMES TO A PROTEIN TRANSDUCTION DOMAIN ALLOWS ERADICATION OF BOTH EXTRACELLULAR AND INTRACELLULAR GRAM POSITIVE'', filed on July 24, 2009.

Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, intends to grant to VHN Enterprises, LLC of San Francisco, California, an exclusive license to U.S. Patent No. 7,858,125, ``MULTI-COMPONENT BIOCIDE COMPOSITION FOR WOOD PROTECTION'', issued on December 28, 2010.

The Birch, Willow, Lost Project proposes to treat vegetation communities in the four sub-watersheds that cover the project area. The scope of the project is limited to those portions of the four sub- watersheds covered by the project area boundary. This project is not a general management plan for the watersheds, nor is it a programmatic environmental analysis for vegetation communities.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This collection is a new collection for awarding local agencies for excellence in WIC breastfeeding services and support. Section 231 of the Healthy, Hunger- Free Kids Act of 2010, Public Law 111-296, requires that the Department of Agriculture (USDA) establish a program to recognize WIC local agencies and clinics that demonstrate exemplary breastfeeding promotion and support activities.

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 7 CFR part 4279.