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

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is announcing the release of the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) Request for Applications (RFA) at www.nifa.usda.gov/ vmlrp.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Sec. 3501-20), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget, for revision of two previously approved collections by merging them into a single information collection. AMS recently merged the Livestock, Poultry and Seed Program's Poultry Grading Branch and Grading and Verification Division. Due to this organizational merger, AMS intends to combine the following collections, 0581-0128 ``Regulations Governing the Voluntary Grading of Shell Eggs7 CFR part 56'' and 0581-0124 ``7 CFR part 54 Meats, Prepared Meats, and Meat Products (Grading, Certification, and Standards) and 7 CFR part 62 Quality Systems Verification Program (QSVP).'' These collections will be combined into a single collection retitled 0581-0128 ``Regulations for Voluntary Grading, Certification, and Standards7 CFR parts 54, 56, 62, and 70.''

The Eastern Idaho Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Idaho Falls, ID. 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 recommned projects for approval by the Designated Federal Official.

The Forest Service is revising its directives for ski areas authorized under the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986 (Ski Area Permit Act) (16 U.S.C. 497b) to provide additional guidance for implementing the 2011 amendment to this Act, known as the Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act (SAROEA) (Pub. L. 112-46, 125 Stat. 538). Current directives limit the criteria for determining whether additional seasonal and year-round recreation activities may be approved at ski areas to those listed in SAROEA. The final directives add criteria to help authorized officers determine whether proposals for these activities are consistent with SAROEA. The final directives also provide guidance on non-exclusive use at ski areas, that is, recreational use at ski areas, such as snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, by the non-paying public.

The Ozark-Ouachita Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Waldron, Arkansas. 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 review and recommend projects authorized under title II of the Act.

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces that it is inviting proposals for the 2015 Foreign Market Development Cooperator (Cooperator) program. The intended effect of this notice is to solicit applications from eligible applicants for fiscal year 2015 and to set out criteria for the award of funds under the program in October 2014. The Cooperator program is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces that it is inviting proposals for the 2015 Emerging Markets Program (EMP). The intended effect of this notice is to solicit applications from the private sector and from government agencies for fiscal year 2015 and to set out criteria for the award of funds under the program in October 2014. The EMP is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), invites comments on this information collection for which the Agency intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces that it is inviting proposals for the 2015 Market Access Program (MAP). The intended effect of this notice is to solicit applications from eligible applicants for fiscal year 2015 and to set out criteria for the award of funds under the program in October 2014. The MAP is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) establishes procedures for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to adopt revisions to the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and to the 2004 energy codes of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), referred to as ASHRAE 90.1-2004, subject to: (1) A determination that the revised codes do not negatively affect the availability or affordability of new construction of single and multifamily housing covered by EISA, and (2) a determination by the Secretary of Energy that the revised codes ``would improve energy efficiency.'' \1\ This Notice announces the preliminary determination of HUD and USDA, as required under section 481(d) of EISA, that the 2009 IECC and (with the exception of the State of Hawaii) ASHRAE 90.1-2007 will not negatively affect the affordability and availability of housing covered by EISA. As of September 2013, 32 States plus the District of Columbia have already adopted the 2009 IECC, its equivalent, or a higher standard for single family homes. Thirty-eight States plus the District of Columbia have already adopted ASHRAE 90.1-2007, its equivalent, or a higher standard for multifamily buildings. For those States that have not yet adopted either of these standards, this Notice relies on several studies that show that these codes are cost effective, in that the incremental cost of the additional efficiency measures pays for itself with energy cost savings on a life-cycle basis.

The designations of the official agencies listed below will end on September 30, 2014. We are asking persons or governmental agencies interested in providing official services in the areas presently served by these agencies to submit an application for designation. In addition, we are asking for comments on the quality of services provided by the following designated agencies: Aberdeen Grain Inspection, Inc. (Aberdeen); Hastings Grain Inspection, Inc. (Hastings); John R. McCrea Agency, Inc. (McCrea); Missouri Department of Agriculture (Missouri); and South Carolina Department of Agriculture (South Carolina).

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.

The Secretary of Agriculture intends to establish the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail Advisory Council (Council) pursuant to Section 5(d) of the National Trails System Act (Act) (Pub. L. 90-543), as amended through (Pub. L. 111-11) (16 U.S.C. 1241 to 1251). The Council is being established to provide advice and recommendations on matters relating to the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (Pacific Northwest Trail) including, but not limited to, the development and implementation of a comprehensive plan, selection of rights-of-way, standards for the erection and maintenance of markers along the Trail, and interpretation of the Trail. Therefore, the Secretary of Agriculture is seeking nominations for individuals to be considered as Council members. The public is invited to submit nominations for membership.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service, an agency delivering the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Utilities Programs, invites comments on this information collection for which approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will be requested.

This rule implements specific requirements for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP), Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), Tree Assistance Program (TAP), and general provisions for Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance Programs authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill). Although there were similar disaster programs under the 2008 Farm Bill, the authority for those programs has expired. The 2014 Farm Bill reauthorizes these programs and they are similar to the 2008 programs, however, there are distinct changes in payment limits, eligible losses, and eligible causes of loss from prior programs. Eligible ELAP, LFP, LIP, and TAP losses must have occurred on or after October 1, 2011 to be eligible for payment. This rule specifies how ELAP, LFP, LIP, and TAP payments are calculated, what losses are eligible, and when producers may apply for payments. Additionally, this final rule implements changes required by the 2014 Farm Bill by amending the regulations that specify maximum income limits (payment eligibility) and maximum benefit amounts (payment limits) for participants in programs funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and some FSA programs. The intended effect of the eligibility requirements is to ensure that program payments and benefits are issued only to those persons and legal entities that meet the income eligibility requirements as specified in the 2014 Farm Bill, and that program participants do not receive any program payments above the maximum allowable payment amount. The payment limits and average Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) limits in this final rule apply to 2014 and subsequent crop, program, or fiscal year benefits, and to benefits for programs that were authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill for retroactive 2012 or 2013 crop, program, or fiscal year benefits.

The 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC) National Council is requesting letters of interest from all conservation corps, youth, and veteran programs that would like to be identified as a 21CSC member organization. We are initiating this outreach in order to catalyze the establishment of a 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC) to engage young Americans and returning veterans in the conservation and stewardship of America public lands and water. This notice seeks to establish the 21CSC by building upon and leveraging the experience and expertise of existing Federal, State, tribal, local and non-profit conservation and youth corps, and veterans programs, which facilitate conservation and restoration service work on public lands to include all governmental entities of cities, counties, States, and the Federal Government, and encourage a new generation of natural resource managers and environmental stewards. All principals of interested organizations are invited to submit a letter of interest that outlines the organization's and/or program's alignment with the criteria in each of the eight 21CSC principles listed below under Supplementary Information. Letters should include the name of your organization; an address and point of contact, including email address; and a description of how your organization or program aligns with all eight principles. Organizations that respond to this request may be contacted to provide additional information to support their statements. The 21CSC National Council will oversee the review of all submissions to determine the respondent's alignment with the 21CSC principles. Organizations that are not recognized as 21CSC member organizations may submit new letters of interest. Letters of interest may be submitted up to one year after the closing date of this notice for consideration as a 21CSC member organization, and will be reviewed and responded to on a quarterly basis (October, January, April, and July). Organizations may request to be removed from the 21CSC by submitting a written request to the email or mailing address below. This notice is being published by the USDA Forest Service on behalf of the National Council. 21CSC member organizations recognized through this process will be acknowledged by all members' departments and agencies represented in the National Council. National Council membership includes the Departments of Agriculture, Army, Commerce, Interior, and Labor, the Environmental Protection Agency, the President's Council on Environmental Quality, and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) proposes to amend the Common Crop Insurance Regulations, Pear Crop Provisions. The intended effect of this action is to improve coverage available to pear producers, to clarify existing policy provisions to better meet the needs of insured producers, and to reduce vulnerability to program fraud, waste, and abuse. Changes are also proposed to the Optional Coverage for Pear Quality Adjustment Endorsement to broaden coverage available to producers to manage their risk more effectively. The proposed changes will be effective for the 2015 and succeeding crop years.

The Yakutat Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Yakutat, Alaska. 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 review project proposals and make project recommendations for Title II funds.

We are proposing to amend the list of designated pest-free areas for mango seed weevil and mango pulp weevil within the Philippines. We are also advising the public that we have determined that it is necessary to amend the Plant Protection and Quarantine Treatment Manual to establish a specific approved dose of irradiation as an authorized treatment for mango pulp weevil. These actions are necessary because surveys have determined that additional areas within the Philippines are free of mango seed weevil and mango pulp weevil. Additionally, we have determined that the mango pulp weevil can be neutralized with a lower dose of irradiation than the current generic dose for most plant pests of the class Insecta.

In accordance with the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (Pub. L. 110-343) (the Act) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C., App. 2), the Coconino County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) announces the solicitation of nominees to fill vacancies. 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 RAC covers Coconino County and the National Forests of Coconino, Kaibab, Prescott, and Apache-Sitgreaves.

This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible California kiwifruit growers to determine whether they favor continuance of the marketing order regulating the handling of kiwifruit grown in California.

The South Central Idaho Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Jerome, Idaho. 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 review project applications for funding.

We are giving notice that the Secretary of Agriculture will reestablish the National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee for a 2- year period. The Secretary has determined that the Committee is necessary and in the public interest.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this document announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request reinstatement of a previously approved information collection from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), for which approval has expired for the Christmas Tree Promotion, Research, and Information Program (Order). In addition, to the Order, we are including the burden and ballot form from a previously approved information collection that expired, titled Referendum for Christmas Tree Promotion, Research and Information Program.