Department of Agriculture 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, intends to grant to Sauter Farms Inc. of Bennett, Colorado, an exclusive license to the feed barley variety named ``Mesa.''

This final rule establishes the quantity of Far West Scotch and Native spearmint oil that handlers may purchase from, or handle on behalf of, producers during the 2014-2015 marketing year, which begins on June 1, 2014. The Far West includes Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and designated parts of Nevada and Utah. This rule establishes salable quantities and allotment percentages for Class 1 (Scotch) spearmint oil of 1,149,030 pounds and 55 percent, respectively, and for Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil of 1,090,821 pounds and 46 percent, respectively. The Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee), the entity responsible for local administration of the marketing order for spearmint oil produced in the Far West, recommended these quantities.

The Deschutes and Ochoco Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Bend, OR. 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 select projects.

The Shasta County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Redding, California on two occasions. 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 meetings is to review and vote on proposals for project funding.

This rule extends the temporary exemption of yellow fleshed and white skin (white types) potatoes from minimum quality, maturity, pack, marking, and inspection requirements under the Washington potato marketing order through the 2014-2015 and subsequent fiscal periods. Without this action, the temporary exemption currently in effect would end on June 30, 2014. The marketing order regulates the handling of Irish potatoes grown in Washington and is administered locally by the State of Washington Potato Committee (Committee). This rule is expected to reduce overall industry expenses and increase net returns to producers and handlers while continuing to give the industry the opportunity to explore alternative marketing strategies.

The Forest Service proposes to amend its internal Agency directives for Watershed and Air Management to establish direction for management of groundwater resources on National Forest System (NFS) lands as an integral component of watershed management. Specifically, the proposed amendment would provide direction on the consideration of groundwater resources in agency activities, approvals, and authorizations; encourage source water protection and water conservation; establish procedures for reviewing new proposals for groundwater withdrawals on NFS lands; require the evaluation of potential impacts from groundwater withdrawals on NFS resources; and provide for measurement and reporting for some larger groundwater withdrawals. This proposed amendment would supplement existing special uses and minerals and geology directives to address issues of groundwater resource management and would help ensure consistent and adequate analyses for evaluating potential uses of NFS lands that could affect groundwater resources. Public comment is invited and will be considered in development of the final directive. This proposed groundwater directive represents a change in the Forest Service's national policy on water management. The Forest Service wants to ensure that there is sufficient time for potentially affected parties, including States, to comment. Thus the Agency is providing an extended comment period for the proposed directive. In addition, the Forest Service will host a webinar on the proposed directive to present information and answer questions on the proposed policy and the comment process during the first half of the comment period. Additional meetings and/or webinars will be offered as needed. Specific information regarding the dates and times of the webinar will be announced by news release and at the following Web site: https:// www.fs.fed.us/geology/groundwater. A recording of the webinar will also be posted on the Web site.

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). The meeting is open to the public. The purpose of the meeting is to provide:

This proposed rule invites comments on revisions to the procedure currently prescribed for issuing additional allotment base for Class 1 (Scotch) and Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil to new and existing producers under the Far West spearmint oil marketing order (order). The order regulates the handling of spearmint oil produced in the Far West and is administered locally by the Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee). This action would: Reduce the number of new producers that are issued additional allotment bases each year from three to two, for each class of oil; temporarily change the method by which additional allotment base is allocated to existing producers to take into account small production operations; and amend the requirements for eligibility, retention, and transfer of additional allotment base issued to new and existing producers. Revising the procedure for issuing additional allotment base would help ensure that new and existing spearmint oil producers have sufficient allotment base to be economically viable in the future.

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 Sabine-Angelina 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 Angelina and Sabine National Forests.

The U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service intends to re-establish the Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board (Board). The purpose is to obtain advice and recommendations on a broad range of forest issues such as forest plan revisions or amendments, forest health including fire management and mountain pine beetle infestations, travel management, forest monitoring and evaluation, recreation fees, and site-specific projects having forest wide implications. The Forest Service is also seeking nominations for individuals to be considered as committee members. The public is invited to submit nominations for membership.

This Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) announces the acceptance of applications under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for Fiscal Year 2014 for financial assistance as follows: grants, guaranteed loans, and combined grants and guaranteed loans for the development and construction of renewable energy systems and for energy efficiency improvement projects. The Notice also announces the availability of mandatory budget authority carried over from Fiscal Year 2013 of approximately $24.7 million and $3.5 million of discretionary budget authority made available by Fiscal Year 2014 appropriations. The budget authority will support the above referenced REAP activities, for approximately $12.38 million in grant program level and approximately $57.8 million in guaranteed loan program level. The funding being announced does not include mandatory funding provided by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill). The Rural Business- Cooperative Service (Agency) intends to publish a final rule for REAP later this fiscal year. The final rule will modify the interim rule for REAP based on comments received on the interim rule, which was published in the Federal Register on April 14, 2011 (76 FR 21110), and the proposed rule, which was published on April 12, 2013 (78 FR 22044). The Agency will publish a subsequent notice announcing the mandatory funds for fiscal year 2014 provided by the 2014 Farm Bill simultaneously with the final rule. The 2014 Farm Bill repealed the authority for the feasibility study component of REAP and also removed the ability to provide assistance for flexible fuel pumps. Therefore applications for flexible fuel pumps and feasibility studies will not be determined eligible or awarded funds in Fiscal Year 2014 under REAP.

This Notice is to invite applications for loans and grants under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) programs pursuant to 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A for fiscal year (FY) 2014. Funding to support $30.6 million in loans and $9.2 million in grants is currently available. The commitment of program dollars will be made to applicants of selected responses that have fulfilled the necessary requirements for obligation. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications.

USDA announces the availability of grants through the Rural Business Opportunity Grant (RBOG) Program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014. Governmental entities, nonprofit corporations, institutions of higher education, and Indian tribes may apply. Approximately $2.25 million is available in reserved funding and will be distributed as follows: $1,330,180 is reserved for projects benefitting Federally Recognized Native American Tribes (``Native American'') in rural areas (see Pub. L. 113-76) and $919,820 is reserved until August 15, 2014 for projects benefitting Rural Economic Area Partnerships (``Partnerships'') (see P.L. 113-76, Sec. 746). Any Partnership funds unobligated after August 15, 2014, will be unreserved RBOG funds for business opportunity projects. Applications are limited to $100,000 or less. See 7 CFR part 4284, subpart G for additional program information.

We are advising the public that a draft environmental assessment has been prepared by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service relative to the proposed release of Aphelinus rhamni for the biological control of the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines, in the continental United States. We are making this environmental assessment available to the public for review and comment.

The Department of Agriculture is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that temporarily exempted yellow fleshed and white types of potatoes from minimum quality, maturity, pack, marking, and inspection requirements under the Washington potato marketing order through June 30, 2014. The interim rule also modified an existing report to require handlers of yellow fleshed and white types of potatoes to report information necessary to administer the order during the period that such potatoes are exempt from handling requirements. This change is expected to reduce overall industry expenses and increase net returns to producers and handlers while giving the industry the opportunity to explore alternative marketing strategies.

This action terminates a proceeding for two remaining proposals presented at a hearing held in Louisville, Kentucky, January 10-12, 2006. The two proposals (Proposal 2 and Proposal 5) would: Establish intra-market transportation credit provisions for the Appalachian and Southeast Federal milk marketing areas, and reduce payments to producers for milk diverted to locations outside of the geographic boundaries of the Appalachian and Southeast milk marketing areas. The Agricultural Marketing Service believes that the amendments adopted as part of a subsequent proceeding addressed the disorderly marketing conditions that Proposals 2 and 5 were designed to remedy, and therefore action on the proceedings for these two proposals is terminated.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval for Emergency Epidemiologic Investigations, an information collection to support the National Animal Health Monitoring System.

The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) announces that it will accept claims from eligible individuals or firms regarding distributions from the Pima Agriculture Cotton Trust Fund (Trust Fund) authorized under Section 12314 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79) (the Act). FAS is also requesting comment on the burden of collecting this information.

The North Gifford Pinchot Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Vancouver, Washington. 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 meeting is open to the public. The purpose of the meeting is to recommend projects for 2014 Title II funds.

The Locally or Regionally Produced Agricultural Food Products provision, under the Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program, is designed to help facilitate the production, processing, and distribution of locally and regionally produced agricultural food products. Although demand exists for locally and regionally produced foods, producers in many parts of the country have difficulties accessing markets and processing facilities as well as establishing distribution channels. In addition, some retail outlets are less willing to buy from smaller volume producers because the volume of food that the producers can supply at any one time is insufficient. The Locally or Regionally Produced Agricultural Food Products provision provides loan guarantees for the purpose of establishing or facilitating enterprises that process, distribute, aggregate, store, and market locally or regionally produced agricultural food products to support community development and farm and ranch income. For purposes of this provision under the B&I Guaranteed Loan Program, 7 U.S.C. 1932(g)(9) provides: ``The term `locally or regionally produced agricultural food product' means any agricultural food product that is raised, produced, and distributed in the locality or region in which the final product is marketed, so that the total distance that the product is transported is less than 400 miles from the origin of the product, or in the State in which the product is produced.'' Food products could be raw, cooked, or a processed edible substance, beverages, or ingredients used or intended for use or for sale in whole or in part for human consumption. To be eligible for funding through the Locally or Regionally Produced Agricultural Food Products provision, projects must ensure that there is an agreement that the local or regional nature of the food product is conveyed to the end consumer. If the end product is sold at a grocery retail facility or institution, local products must be identified to the consumer with a sticker, sign, or other indicator of the product's local or regional origin. The Locally or Regionally Produced Agricultural Food Products provision gives priority to the financing of projects that provide a benefit to underserved communities. An underserved community is defined as a community (including an urban or rural community and an Indian tribal community) that has limited access to affordable, healthy foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, in grocery retail stores or farmer to consumer direct markets AND has a high rate of hunger or food insecurity or a high poverty rate as determined by the Secretary. Applicants that serve schools may also be eligible. Projects that have components that benefit underserved communities will receive priority. For the purpose of this provision, projects that are physically located in an urban area are eligible for priority funding if the project provides a clear benefit to an underserved community by increasing that underserved community's access to affordable, healthy, locally, or regionally produced foods. For example, an aggregation and distribution center that is physically located in an urban area would be eligible for priority funding if a meaningful portion of the aggregated product is made available to consumers at grocery retail establishments located within the underserved community or to food banks, schools, or other institutions serving low-income populations, thus providing a benefit to the underserved community. An aggregation and distribution center in an urban area would not be eligible for priority funding under the provision if it distributes all of its food to high-end markets. When there is a tie in priority scoring, projects that serve underserved communities will be funded over those that do not serve underserved communities. Through Fiscal Year 2018, the Agency is required to reserve not less than 5 percent of the funds available to the B&I program until April 1 of each year for entities that establish and facilitate the processing, distributing, aggregating, storing, and marketing of locally or regionally produced agricultural food products. The Agency will also continue to fund local or regionally produced agricultural food products projects after the April 1 reserve expires. Requirements for submission can be found in 7 CFR, part 4279, subpart B.

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service announces the availability of $3,000,000, in competitive grant funds for the FY 2014 Small Socially-Disadvantaged Producer Grants (SSDPG) program as authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014. We are requesting proposals from applicants who will provide technical assistance to small, socially-disadvantaged agricultural producers in rural areas. Eligible applicants include Cooperatives, Groups of Cooperatives, and Cooperative Development Centers. The maximum award per grant is $200,000. The grant period is limited to a one-year timeframe.

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is giving notice of its intent to adopt the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) existing general reevaluation report and final environmental impact statement (GRR/EIS) for the Bayou Meto Basin, Arkansas project (project). RUS is considering providing funding to the applicant, the Bayou Meto Water Management District (BMWMD), to construct a portion of the project consisting of activities that have been identified, designed and reviewed under the USACE's existing GRR/EIS. Based on RUS' independent evaluation, adoption of the GRR/EIS would meet the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and RUS regulations and guidance for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). To fulfill our NEPA requirements and support a funding decision, we are recirculating the GRR/EIS for written public comment via this notice, in accordance with CEQ and RUS adoption guidelines.

As directed by the National Forest Management Act (NFMA), the U.S. Forest Service is preparing the Francis Marion's revised land management plan (forest plan) and will also prepare an EIS) for this revised forest plan. This notice briefly describes the nature of the decision to be made, a proposed action based on the preliminary identified need to change the existing plan and information concerning public participation. It also provides estimated dates for filing the EIS and the name and address of the responsible agency official and the individuals who can provide additional information. Finally, this notice identifies the applicable planning rule that will be used for completing this plan revision. The revised forest plan will supersede the existing forest plan that was approved by the Regional Forester in December 1995. The existing forest plan will remain in effect until the revised forest plan takes effect.