Department of Agriculture April 4, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is announcing a special Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 application window for a Colonias Needs Assessment to be completed through the Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program (TAT). In 2013, RUS partnered with EPA to launch a USDA/EPA Mexico Border Needs Assessment and Support Project. The five-phased project intends to identify small communities' gaps in water and wastewater infrastructure development and in technical capacity in the Mexico Border region. Once the gaps are identified, the project intends to support appropriate water and wastewater infrastructure projects that meet the specific needs of small communities. The ultimate goal would be to reduce health risks and increase economic development in Colonias regions. Phase 1 is completed and consisted of RUS/EPA research and collection of data related to socio-economic factors, public health and Federal and State investments in infrastructure in Colonias regions. Phase 2 of the project is to conduct a detailed assessment of water and wastewater infrastructure needs in select Colonias areas in four states, including California, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. The areas of focus for the study are further defined in the application guide and are those where Phase I data showed highest health, environmental and economic challenges. Through this announcement RUS seeks applications to conduct the needs assessment and provide a detailed accounting of results that will enable RUS and EPA to advance to Phase 3 of the project. The grant will have a start date of July 1, 2014 and end on December 31, 2014. The study will be done only in the colonias areas. For RUS programs, Colonia is defined as a community that (1) is in the state of Arizona, California, New Mexico, or Texas; (2) is within 150 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, except for any metropolitan area exceeding one million people; (3) on the basis of objective criteria, lacks adequate sewage systems and lacks decent, safe, and sanitary housing; and (4) existed as a colonia before October 1, 1989. However, the needs assessment may include other rural areas classified as Colonias by other state and Federal agencies. RUS intends to award one grant to an eligible entity for up to $500,000. The grantee will be expected to commence work July 1, 2014 and submit all deliverables by December 31, 2014

This interim rule revises the regulations issued under the Export Apple Act to exempt bulk shipments of apples to Canada from the minimum requirements and inspection provisions of the Export Apple Act, and to add a definition for bulk containers. The rule is necessary because section 10009 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 amended the Export Apple Act to exempt apples shipped to Canada in bulk containers weighing more than 100 pounds from inspection requirements.

The Del Norte Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Crescent City, California. 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 provide updates regarding status of Secure Rural Schools Title II program and funding, discuss funding strategies and review and recommend potential projects eligible for funding.

The Siuslaw Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Corvallis, Oregon. 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 Title II of the Act. The meetings are open to the public. The purpose of the meetings is to recommend projects for Title II funding.