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

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is making available for public comment our plant pest risk assessment and our draft environmental assessment regarding a request from the J.R. Simplot Company seeking a determination of nonregulated status of potatoes designated as InnateTM potatoes (events E12, E24, F10, F37, J3, J55, J78, G11, H37, and H50), which have been genetically engineered for low acrylamide potential (acrylamide is a human neurotoxicant and potential carcinogen that may form in potatoes and other starchy foods under certain cooking conditions) and reduced black spot bruise. We are soliciting comments on whether this genetically engineered potato is likely to pose a plant pest risk.

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is making available for public comment our plant pest risk assessment and our draft environmental assessment regarding a request from the Monsanto Company and Forage Genetics International seeking a determination of nonregulated status of alfalfa designated as event KK179, which has been genetically engineered to express reduced levels of guaiacyl lignin. We are soliciting comments on whether this genetically engineered alfalfa is likely to pose a plant pest risk.

We are amending the ``In vitro tests for serial release'' regulations by removing a footnote that refers to one method to calculate the relative antigen content of inactivated veterinary biological products and relative potency calculation software available from Veterinary Services' Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB). CVB will no longer provide or update the software and the written method for using the software will no longer be used. This action will update the regulations.

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), published a notice of funds availability concerning the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 competition. The document contained incorrect information with regard to the deadline for electronic submissions.

The El Dorado County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Placerville, 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 meetings are open to the public. The purpose of the meeting is to review operational procedures, evaluate project proposals, prioritize a list of projects for funding in FY 2014, and vote to recommend projects for funding.

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) to meet its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), RUS's implementing regulations, 7 CFR part 1794, and other applicable environmental requirements related to providing financial assistance for Basin Electric Power Cooperative's (Basin Electric) proposed Antelope Valley Station (AVS) to Neset 345-kV Transmission Project (Project) in North Dakota. RUS will also use the FEIS to meet its responsibilities under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 470, and its implementing regulations, ``Protection of Historic Properties'' (36 CFR part 800). The FEIS addresses the construction, operation, and maintenance of approximately 278 miles of new 345-kV single pole transmission line, a 230-kV single pole transmission line, and a double circuit 345/115-kV transmission line, 4 new substations and a switchyard, modifications to 4 existing substations, maintenance access roads, temporary construction roads, river crossings, temporary construction staging sites, and other facilities described previously in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS). It also addresses comments received during the comment periods for the DEIS and the SDEIS. The overall project area encompasses parts of Dunn, McKenzie, Mercer, Mountrail, and Williams Counties in western North Dakota.

The Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board (Board) will meet in Rapid City, South Dakota. The Board is established consistent with the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C. App. II), the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1600 et. seq.), the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 1612), and the Federal Public Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (Pub. L. 108-447). Additional information concerning the Board, including the meeting summary/minutes, can be found by visiting the Board's Web site at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/blackhills/ workingtogether/advisorycommittees.

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 a term of office ending June 30, 2017. Selected nominees would replace three producers and three industry representatives who currently serve on the Board and who have terms of office that end on June 30, 2014. The Board consists of 18 members representing producers and the industry. 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 rule changes the minimum grade requirements currently prescribed under the marketing order for oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and tangelos grown in Florida (order). The order is administered locally by the Citrus Administrative Committee (Committee). This rule reduces the minimum grade requirement for Valencia and other late type oranges shipped to interstate markets from a U.S. No. 1 to a U.S. No. 1 Golden from May 15 through June 14 each season and to a U.S. No. 2 external/U.S. No. 1 internal from June 15 through August 31 each season. This rule will provide additional Valencia and other late type oranges for late season markets, helping to maximize fresh shipments.

This notice announces the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration's (GIPSA) intention to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve a 3-year extension of a currently approved information collection for the ``Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements under the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA) and under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (AMA).'' This approval is required under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) published a document in the Federal Register on April 16, 2014, at 79 FR 21436. The document reported an inaccurate number for the Agency's estimate of respondent burden hours for OMB Control Number 0572-0076 in connection 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 RUS intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

As stipulated by the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is hereby giving notice that a meeting of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) will be held and will be open to the public.

The Pike and San Isabel National Forests Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands (PSICC) propose to conduct forest restoration activities on 25,000 acres within the 67,000 acre Upper Monument Creek (UMC) analysis area. Treatment activities include mechanical thinning, mastication, hand thinning, and prescribed fire. The treatments will be used singularly or in combination to transition forested plant communities across the landscape towards desired future conditions that are more characteristic of a resilient forest. Resilient forests are better able to respond to large high intensity wildfires, insects and disease outbreaks, and extreme water flows that are known to occur in the project's location along Colorado's Front Range. By protecting against the aforementioned extreme events, resilient forests are better equipped to protect the following identified values at risk; adjoining private property, water quality and quantity, water conveyance facilities, transportation systems, wildlife habitats, heritage sites, municipal watersheds and timber resources, Resilient forests also help attenuate the impacts of increased noxious weeds, sedimentation, and other hydrologic disturbances In order to successfully complete the amount and types of treatments necessary for the maximum amount of resilience, the PSICC might need to amend the PSICC Land and Resource Management Plan to adjust plan standards and guidelines. Plan standards and guideline amendments might include but are not limited to the following; forest regeneration, big game winter range, wildlife habitat, and allowable levels and types of fire and fuels treatments. Proposed Land and Resource Management Plan amendments will help the PSICC achieve resiliency, and protect the values at risk within in each Land and Resource Management Plan Management Area in the Upper Monument Creek Project Area.

The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announces its Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 Community Connect Grant Program application window and notice of funds availability. The NOFA announces $13 million for grants from FY 2014 and prior year appropriations. In addition, RUS announces the minimum and maximum amounts for Community Connect grants applicable for the fiscal year. The Community Connect Grant Program regulations can be found at 7 CFR part 1739, subpart A.

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces the availability of $19,300,000 in grant funds and solicits applications for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 competition.

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), and the Resources Planning Act of 1974, as amended by the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (NFMA), the Forest Service intends to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to amend the Dakota Prairie Grasslands Land and Resource Management Plan (DPG LRMP). This notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues relative to the greater sage-grouse. This analysis will be the basis of the record of decision.

This notice lists the updated quantity-based trigger levels for products which may be subject to additional import duties under the safeguard provisions of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture. This notice also includes the relevant period applicable for the trigger levels on each of the listed products.

The Mendocino National Forest, Upper Lake Ranger District, proposes to conduct fuels reduction and habitat enhancement treatments on approximately 7,830 acres southwest of Lake Pillsbury in the Pine Mountain vicinity. The Planning Area is 10,200 acres in size and comprises both Late Successional Reserve (LSR) and Matrix land designations. Of the approximately 7,830 acres to be treated, ~5690 acres are within the Pine Mountain LSR and ~2,140 acres are in Matrix lands. The project emphasizes fuel reduction activities and habitat management for the protection and enhancement of late-successional species. The project area was chosen for treatment based on past fire history and the existing conditions that pose a threat to late- successional habitat. The Pine Mountain LSR is one of the smaller LSRs within the Forest and provides a link between the Blue Slides LSR seven miles to the southeast and the Sanhedrin LSR, 1.25 miles to the north. This LSR also provides a critical link to State and other Federal lands to the south and west. This area is currently part of Northern Spotted Owl Critical Habitat (Unit 11, Subunit ICC 5), a designated land allocation by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and also includes 1.6 miles of critical habitat for anadromous fish. These habitats are located within both the LSR and matrix lands. The Project Area is located approximately 15 miles north of the town of Upper Lake, primarily in T18N, R10W, and portions of T18N, R11W; T17N, R10W; and T17N, R11W, Mount Diablo Base Meridian.

This Notice announces $18.9 million in program funding available for Fiscal Year 2014 for the Intermediary Relending Program (IRP). The IRP provides direct loans to intermediaries that establish programs for the purpose of providing loans to ultimate recipients for business facilities and community developments in a rural area. The Agency will make awards each of the remaining Federal fiscal quarters. In the event all program funds are not obligated in a quarter, the remaining unobligated funds will be carried over to the subsequent quarter. This Notice is being issued in accordance with the new requirements set forth by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Farm Bill). The 2014 Farm Bill consolidates IRP's authority under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (Con Act). Consequently, the Agency must comply with the standard `rural' and `rural area' definition in the Con Act under 7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13).

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 Uinta-Wasatch Cache 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 the Uinta-Wasatch Cache National Forest.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is announcing the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of information collection requirements contained in a final rule published in the Federal Register.

The Central Montana Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Stanford, Montana. 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 select projects for implementation.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with the regulations for the importation of pine nursery stock and various pine products from Canada to prevent the spread of pine shoot beetle into noninfested areas of the United States.