Department of Agriculture March 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Results 51 - 100 of 100
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2015-05998
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-17
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2015-05992
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-17
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Identifying and Reducing Regulatory Burdens
Document Number: 2015-05742
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-03-17
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary
In accordance with Executive Order 13563, ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review,'' and Executive Order 13610, ``Identifying and Reducing Regulatory Burdens,'' the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to review its existing regulations and information collections to evaluate the continued effectiveness in addressing the circumstances for which the regulations were implemented. USDA's Final Plan for Retrospective Analysis, released August 18, 2011, focused on actions needed to minimize the burdens on individuals, businesses, and communities attempting to access programs that promote economic growth, create jobs, and protect the health and safety of the American people. The plan identified initiatives estimated to realize significant savings in terms of money and burden- hours. As part of this ongoing review to maximize the cost- effectiveness of its regulatory programs, USDA invites public comment to assist in analyzing its existing significant regulations to determine whether any should be modified, streamlined, expanded, or repealed. The focus of this review is to identify areas where savings can be achieved through increased use of advanced information technology to transition from paper submissions to electronic submissions; streamlining or redesigning existing information collections to both reduce the reporting burden on the public for participation in and compliance with USDA programs; reducing duplication through increased data sharing and harmonization for programs with similar regulatory requirements; and providing increased regulatory flexibility to achieve desired program outcomes and maximize cost-effectiveness.
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration Advisory Committee Meeting
Document Number: 2015-05922
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-16
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, this constitutes notice of the upcoming meeting of the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) Grain Inspection Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee). The Advisory Committee meets annually to advise the GIPSA Administrator on the programs and services that GIPSA delivers under the U.S. Grain Standards Act. Recommendations by the Advisory Committee help GIPSA better meet the needs of its customers who operate in a dynamic and changing marketplace.
White River National Forest; Eagle County, CO; Camp Hale Restoration and Enhancement Project EIS
Document Number: 2015-05895
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-16
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Camp Hale-Eagle River Headwaters Collaborative Group recently submitted a proposal to the White River National Forest (WRNF) for restorative and enhancement activities in the Camp Hale area. The WRNF is initiating a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis to document and disclose potential impacts. The Proposed Actionthe Camp Hale Restoration and Enhancement Projectis built on the recommendations from the collaborative group to restore ecosystems, enhance recreation opportunities, protect historic values, and preserve existing valid permits and rights.
Provincial Advisory Committees
Document Number: 2015-05873
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-16
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary
The Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of the Interior, intends to re-establish the Provincial Advisory Committees (PACs) for the provinces in Oregon and Washington. This re-establishment is in response to the continued need for the PACs to provide advice on coordinating the implementation of the Record of Decision (ROD) of April 13, 1994, for Management of Habitat for Late- Succession and Old-Growth Forest Related Species within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl. The PACs also provide advice and recommendations to promote integration and coordination of forest management activities between Federal and non-Federal entities.
Forest Resource Coordinating Committee; Meetings
Document Number: 2015-05872
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-16
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Forest Resource Coordinating Committee Meeting will meet in Washington, DC. The Committee is authorized under section 8005 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the Act) (Pub. L. 110- 246). Additional information concerning the Committee, including the meeting agenda, supporting documents and minutes, can be found by visiting the Committee's Web site at https://www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/ frcc/.
Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced in the Far West; Salable Quantities and Allotment Percentages for the 2015-2016 Marketing Year
Document Number: 2015-05681
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-03-16
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee) to establish the quantity of spearmint oil produced in the Far West, by class, that handlers may purchase from, or handle on behalf of, producers during the 2015-2016 marketing year, which begins on June 1, 2015. The Far West includes the states of Washington, Idaho, and Oregon, and designated parts of Nevada and Utah. This rule invites comments on the establishment of salable quantities and allotment percentages for Class 1 (Scotch) spearmint oil of 1,265,853 pounds and 60 percent, respectively, and for Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil of 1,341,269 pounds and 56 percent, respectively. The Committee locally administers the marketing order for spearmint oil produced in the Far West and recommended these quantities to help maintain stability in the spearmint oil market.
Notice of Availability of a Treatment Evaluation Document; Methyl Bromide Fumigation of Figs
Document Number: C1-2015-04172
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-13
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Meeting Notice of the Agricultural Research Service-Animal Handling and Welfare Review Panel
Document Number: 2015-05790
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-13
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary
In accordance with 7 U.S.C. 3124a, Federal-State Partnership and Coordination, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces an open meeting of the Agricultural Research ServiceAnimal Handling and Welfare Review Panel (ARS-AHWR) to discuss their report and recommendations on the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center.
Tongass Advisory Committee
Document Number: 2015-05773
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-13
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Tongass Advisory Committee (Committee) will meet in Juneau, Alaska. The Committee is established consistent with the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C. App. 2). Committee recommendations and advice may directly inform the development of a proposed action for modification of the 2008 Tongass Land Management Plan. The meeting is open to the public. Additional information concerning the Committee, including the meeting summary/minutes, can be found by visiting the Committee's Web site at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/ goto/R10/Tongass/TAC.
Sierra National Forest; California; Exchequer Restoration Project
Document Number: 2015-05740
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-13
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The United States Forest Service (USFS), Sierra National Forest, proposes to approve the Notice of Intent (NOI) and Proposed Action (PA) with appropriate mitigation measures to reduce resource impacts. This NOI is to reduce hazardous fuels and restore ecological components within the Exchequer Management Unit Group (MUG), McKinley Grove (MUG), and a managed-fire area.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2015-05728
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-13
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2015-05727
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-13
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Rural Development Loan Servicing
Document Number: 2015-05435
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-03-13
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, Rural Utilities Service
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service is amending its regulations for Debt Settlement. This amendment would allow the Rural Business Service's (referred to as Agency throughout the remainder of the text) Administrator to use the statutory authority that has been delegated to him/her in accordance with title 331(b)(4) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT), but is currently not being used for all of RBS's revolving loan programs, which include: The Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) loans, Rural Development Loan Fund (RDLF) loans, and the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP)loans. This regulation will allow the RBS to be consistent across all of its loan programs; all of RBS's other loan programs have regulations in place to settle debt. This Direct Final Rule is intended to authorize the Agency to use its independent debt settlement authority under CONACT. Nothing in this Direct Final Rule is intended to affect the requirements of the Agency to follow other applicable Federal debt collection law such as the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, as amended. Further nothing in this Direct Final Rule is intended to alter any requirements the Agency must follow when making collection referrals to the Department of Justice or the Treasury Department.
Effective Date for Foreign Inspection Certificate Requirements
Document Number: 2015-05670
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-12
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is extending the effective date for foreign inspection certificate requirements to March 18, 2015, to ensure that countries have sufficient time to adjust to the new requirements for additional product information.
Notice of Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board
Document Number: 2015-05664
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-12
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, (5 U.S.C. App.), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing an upcoming meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). Written public comments are invited in advance of the meeting, and the meeting will include scheduled time for oral comments from the public.
Gypsy Moth Generally Infested Areas; Additions in Minnesota, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin
Document Number: 2015-05661
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-03-12
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are amending the gypsy moth regulations by adding areas in Minnesota, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin to the list of generally infested areas based on the detection of infestations of gypsy moth in those areas. As a result of this action, the interstate movement of regulated articles from those areas is restricted. This action is necessary to prevent the artificial spread of the gypsy moth to noninfested areas of the United States.
Importation of Orchids in Growing Media From Taiwan
Document Number: 2015-05659
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-03-12
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are reopening the comment period for our proposed rule that would amend the regulations governing the importation of plants and plant products to add orchid plants of the genus Oncidium from Taiwan to the list of plants that may be imported into the United States in an approved growing medium, subject to specified growing, inspection, and certification requirements. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.
Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for the Importation of Fresh Cranberries From Chile Into the Continental United States
Document Number: 2015-05656
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-12
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are advising the public that we have prepared a pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated with importation of fresh cranberry fruit from Chile into the continental United States. Based on the analysis, we have determined that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation of fresh cranberries from Chile. We are making the pest risk analysis available to the public for review and comment.
Office of Tribal Relations; Council for Native American Farming and Ranching
Document Number: 2015-05643
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-12
Agency: Department of Agriculture
This notice announces a forthcoming meeting of The Council for Native American Farming and Ranching (CNAFR) a public advisory committee of the Office of Tribal Relations (OTR). Notice of the meetings are provided in accordance with section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2). This will be the third meeting of the 2014-2016 CNAFR term and will consist of, but is not limited to: a public comment period; updates on USDA programs and activities; and discussion of committee priorities. This meeting will be open to the public.
Notice of Proposed New Fee Site: Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act
Document Number: 2015-05618
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-12
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Bridgeport Ranger District is proposing to increase the fee for Christmas tree permits from $5.00 to $10.00 per tag (ie. an individual Christmas tree). This is a proposed fee, and a final determination will be based upon further analysis of the proposal and public comment. Funds from fees would be used for the continued operation, visitor services, maps, and law enforcement while issuing and enforcing Christmas Tree permits.
National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee; Meeting
Document Number: 2015-05526
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-11
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are giving notice of a meeting of the National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee.
Inviting Applications for the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Programs for Fiscal Year 2015
Document Number: 2015-05525
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-11
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Business-Cooperative Service
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) 2015. Funding to support $38.6 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.
Notice of Request for Reinstatement of a Previously Approved Information Collection: Animal Disposition Reporting
Document Number: 2015-05502
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-10
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing its intention to reinstate a previously approved information collection for Animal Disposition Reporting.
Changes to the Salmonella and Campylobacter Verification Testing Program: Proposed Performance Standards for Salmonella and Campylobacter in Not-Ready-to-Eat Comminuted Chicken and Turkey Products and Raw Chicken Parts and Related Agency Verification Procedures and Other Changes to Agency Sampling
Document Number: 2015-05494
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-10
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is extending the comment period for the Federal Register notice ``Changes to the Salmonella and Campylobacter Verification Testing Program: Proposed Performance Standards for Salmonella and Campylobacter in Not-Ready-to- Eat Comminuted Chicken and Turkey Products and Raw Chicken Parts and Related Agency Verification Procedures and Other Changes to Agency Sampling'' until May 26, 2015. The Agency is taking this action in response to a request made by a coalition of trade associations.
Rural Development Voucher Program
Document Number: 2015-05433
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-09
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Housing Service
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in fiscal year (FY) 2006 established the demonstration Rural Development Voucher Program (RDVP), as authorized under Section 542 of the Housing Act of 1949 as amended (42 U.S.C. 1490R) (without regard to Section 542(b)). This Notice informs the public of the general policies and procedures for the RDVP for FY 2015. Rural Development Vouchers are only available to low-income tenants of Rural Development (RD)-financed multi-family properties where the Rural Rental Housing loan (Section 515) has been prepaid (either through prepayment or foreclosure action), prior to the loan's maturity date.
National Organic Program; Nominations for Task Force Members
Document Number: 2015-05403
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-09
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is soliciting nominees to participate in a task force to examine hydroponic and aquaponic practices and their alignment with the USDA organic regulations and the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA). The USDA organic regulations do not include specific provisions for organic hydroponic or aquaponic production. However, these production systems have obtained certification under the USDA organic regulations by complying with the existing requirements for organic crop production. The task force will inform the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) of their findings and advise on what practices should be allowed or restricted in organic hydroponic and aquaponic production.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Revision and Extension of Approved Collection; Comment Request; Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery
Document Number: 2015-05401
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-09
Agency: Department of Agriculture
As part of a Federal Government-wide effort to streamline the process to seek feedback from the public on service delivery, the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has submitted a Generic Information Collection Request (Generic ICR): ``Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery'' to OMB for approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et. seq.).
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2015-05397
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-09
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Requested-Review of Child Nutrition Data and Analysis for Program Management
Document Number: 2015-05315
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-09
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
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 is a new collection to review and document State and School Food Authority (SFA) National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) Management Information Systems (MIS) in order to provide FNS with a baseline assessment of the MIS system and to inform FNS regarding how States and SFAs use data systems beyond fulfilling FNS reporting requirements.
Request for Information: Summer Meal Programs Data Reporting Requirements
Document Number: 2015-05314
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-09
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
The purpose of this Request for Information is to help the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) better understand what sponsors and State agencies could regularly report to FNS to more adequately track participation in the summer meal programs. The current data reporting system for sponsors and State agencies was designed primarily to process meal claims and not to track program participation. FNS is interested in modifying the current reporting system to better identify the number of eligible children the programs are serving and assess the impacts of efforts to increase program participation. In order to develop proposed changes to reporting requirements, FNS is seeking information from all affected parties regarding current State agency and sponsor data reporting requirements. Specifically, FNS is interested in information about data that sites, sponsors, and State agencies currently collect but do not report to FNS, as well as the feasibility of obtaining currently reported data in a timelier manner. FNS is particularly interested in the opportunities and challenges associated with these changes.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-WIC Participant and Program Characteristics Study
Document Number: 2015-05312
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-09
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This collection is a new collection for the WIC Participant and Program Characteristics study.
Pima Agriculture Cotton Trust Fund and Agriculture Wool Apparel Manufacturers Trust Fund
Document Number: 2015-04385
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-03-09
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Commodity Credit Corporation
This final rule implements the Pima Agriculture Cotton Trust Fund (Agriculture Pima Trust) and the Agriculture Wool Apparel Manufacturers Trust Fund (Agriculture Wool Trust) Fund established in the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Farm Bill). The Agriculture Pima Trust provides annually for one payment, called the Pima Cotton Payments. The Agriculture Wool Trust provides annually for four payments. The first payment under the Agriculture Wool Trust is currently administered by the Department of Commerce's Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA), and is called the Grants to Manufacturers of Certain Worsted Wool Fabrics. This program is being transferred from OTEXA to the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary), who will administer the payment for the 2015-2019 calendar years, and will be called Payments to Manufacturers of Certain Worsted Wool Fabrics. The second payment is called Monetization of the Wool TRQ. The Farm Bill requires the Secretary to determine a monetary amount equivalent to what a person would have saved if OTEXA's Wool Tariff Rate Quota program (Wool TRQ) were still in effect. This payment will be based on OTEXA's Wool Tariff Rate Quota program, which terminated at the end of calendar year 2014. The Monetization of the Wool TRQ will be administered by the Secretary for the 2015-2019 calendar years. The third payment is called the Wool Yarn, Wool Fiber, and Wool Top Duty Compensation Payment. Payments are made to processors of wool yarn, wool fiber, and wool top to compensate them for termination of the suspension of import duties on such wool. This payment will be administered by the Secretary for the 2015-2019 calendar years. The fourth payment is called the Refund of Duties Paid on Imports of Certain Wool Products. This program is currently administered by the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through calendar year 2015. The program will be transferred in calendar year 2016 to the Secretary, who will administer the program for the 2016-2019 calendar years. Regulations for the fourth payment will be published at a later date.
Notice of Request for a New Information Collection: Gathering Sessions for Safe Food Handling Instructions
Document Number: 2015-05334
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-06
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing its intention to request a new information collection for a survey of consumers about safe food handling instructions.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2015-05266
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-06
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2015-05263
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-06
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Information Collection Request; Debt Settlement Policies and Procedures
Document Number: 2015-05227
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-06
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Commodity Credit Corporation, Farm Service Agency
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) are requesting comments from all interested individuals and organizations on an extension of a currently approved information collection that supports the FSA and CCC Debt Settlement Policies and Procedure regulations.
Forest Resource Coordinating Committee
Document Number: 2015-05195
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-06
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Forest Resource Coordinating Committee (Committee) will meet via teleconference. The Committee is established consistent with the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App. II), and the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the Act) (Pub. L. 110-246). Additional information concerning the Committee, including the meeting agenda, supporting documents and minutes, can be found by visiting the Committee's Web site at https://www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/ frcc/.
Flathead National Forest, Montana; Revision of the Land Management Plan for the Flathead National Forest and an Amendment of the Helena, Kootenai, Lewis and Clark, and Lolo National Forest Plans To Incorporate Relevant Direction From the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy
Document Number: 2015-05054
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-06
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
As directed by the National Forest Management Act, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, is preparing the Flathead National Forest's revised land management plan (forest plan) and an amendment to provide relevant direction from the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy into the forest plans for the Helena, Kootenai, Lewis and Clark and Lolo National Forests. The Forest Service will prepare a single environmental impact statement (EIS) for its revised forest plan and the amendment. This notice briefly describes the proposed action based on the need to change the existing plans, the nature of the decision to be made, and information concerning public participation. This notice also provides estimated dates for filing the EIS, the name and address of the responsible agency officials, and the individuals who can provide additional information. Finally, this notice identifies the applicable planning rule that will be used for completing the plan revision and amendment. The revised Flathead forest plan will supersede the existing forest plan that was approved by the Regional Forester in 1986, and amended more than 20 times since. The existing Flathead forest plan will remain in effect until the revised forest plan takes effect. The management direction pertaining to grizzly bear within the current forest plans of the Helena National Forest, approved by the Regional Forester in 1986; Kootenai National Forest, approved by the Regional Forester in 2015; Lewis and Clark National Forest, approved by the Regional Forester in 1986; and Lolo National Forest, approved by the Regional Forester in 1986, as amended, will remain in effect until the proposed amendment takes effect. In response to this notice, we are asking for comments on the proposed action so we may refine the proposed action and identify possible alternatives to the proposed action.
Notice of Proposed New Fee Site; Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, (Title VIII, Pub. L. 108-447)
Document Number: 2015-05086
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-05
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Salmon-Challis National Forest is proposing to charge fee at the Copper Basin Guard Station. This cabin includes a $100/night fee and would be available for rental from June 1 to September 30. Fees are proposed based on the level of amenities and services provided, cost of operations and maintenance, and market assessment. The fee will be determined upon further analysis and public comment. An analysis of nearby rental cabins with similar amenities shows that the proposed fees are reasonable and typical of similar sites in the area. Funds from fees would be used for the continued operation and maintenance and improvements of these rental cabins.
Importation of Tomato Plantlets in Approved Growing Media From Mexico
Document Number: 2015-05058
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-03-05
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are proposing to amend the regulations governing the importation of plants for planting to authorize the importation of tomato plantlets from Mexico in approved growing media, subject to a systems approach. The systems approach would consist of measures currently specified for tomato plants for planting not imported in growing media, as well as measures specific to all plants for planting imported into the United States in approved growing media. Additionally, the plantlets would have to be imported into greenhouses in the continental United States and the importers of the plantlets from Mexico or the owners of the greenhouses in the continental United States would have to enter into compliance agreements regarding the conditions under which the plants from Mexico must enter and be maintained within the greenhouses. This proposed rule would allow for the importation into the continental United States of tomato plantlets from Mexico in approved growing media, while providing protection against the introduction of plant pests. The proposed rule would also allow the imported greenhouse plantlets to produce tomato fruit for commercial sale within the United States.
Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program
Document Number: 2015-03711
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-03-05
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Housing Service
The Rural Housing Service (RHS or Agency) proposes to amend the current regulation for the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) on the subjects of lender indemnification, principal reduction, refinancing, and qualified mortgage requirements.
Importation, Interstate Movement, and Release Into the Environment of Certain Genetically Engineered Organisms
Document Number: 2015-04463
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-03-04
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are withdrawing a proposed rule that would have amended the regulations regarding the introduction (importation, interstate movement, and environmental release (field testing)) of certain genetically engineered organisms. We are doing this in light of the experience we have gained over the past 28 years, continuing advances in biotechnology, and comments we received on the rule. We will begin a fresh stakeholder engagement aimed at exploring alternative policy approaches. This engagement will begin with a series of webinars that will provide the stakeholder community an opportunity to provide initial feedback. Information on these webinars will be announced in the coming month.
Eldorado National Forest; California; Eldorado National Forest Over-Snow Vehicle (OSV) Use Designation Environmental Impact Statement
Document Number: 2015-04459
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-04
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal to designate over-snow vehicle (OSV) use on National Forest System roads, National Forest System trails, and Areas on National Forest System lands within the Eldorado National Forest; and to identify snow trails for grooming within the Eldorado National Forest. In addition, the Forest Service proposes to: 1. Formally adopt California State Parks' Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division snow depth standards for grooming to occur; 2. Implement a forest-wide snow depth requirement for OSV use that would provide for public safety and natural and cultural resource protection by allowing off-trail, cross-country OSV use in designated Areas when there is a minimum of 12 inches of continuous and supportable snow covering the landscape; 3. Allow OSV use on designated National Forest System snow trails when there is a minimum of 6 inches of snow, regardless of the underlying surface; and 4. Prohibit OSV use in selected Areas and on non-motorized trails. This proposal would be implemented on all of the Eldorado National Forest.
Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board
Document Number: 2015-04359
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-03
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
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.
Grapes Grown in a Designated Area of Southeastern California and Imported Table Grapes; Relaxation of Handling Requirements
Document Number: 2015-04087
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-03-03
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule invites comments on partially relaxing the handling requirements currently prescribed under the California table grape marketing order (order) and the table grape import regulation. The order regulates the handling of table grapes grown in a designated area of southeastern California and is administered locally by the California Desert Grape Administrative Committee (committee). The import regulation is authorized under section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 and regulates the importation of table grapes into the United States. This action would partially relax the one-quarter pound minimum bunch size requirement in the order's regulations and the import regulation for U.S. No. 1 Table grade grapes packed in consumer packages known as clamshells weighing 5 pounds or less. Under the proposal, up to 20 percent of the weight of such containers may consist of single grape clusters weighing less than one- quarter pound, but consisting of at least five berries each. This rule would provide California desert grape handlers and importers with the flexibility to respond to an ongoing marketing opportunity to meet consumer needs.
Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in Florida; Recommended Decision and Opportunity To File Written Exceptions to Proposed Amendments to Marketing Order No. 905
Document Number: 2015-04085
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-03-03
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This recommended decision proposes amendments to Marketing Order No. 905 (order), which 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. These proposed amendments are intended to improve the operation and administration of the order.
Notice of the Draft Environmental Assessment for the Subtropical Agricultural Research Station Land Transfer
Document Number: 2015-04302
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-03-02
Agency: Department of Agriculture
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared to evaluate the proposed transfer of approximately 3,800 acres of land at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Subtropical Agricultural Research Station (STARS) in Brooksville, Florida to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). This notice is announcing the opening of a 30-day public comment period.
Professional Standards for State and Local School Nutrition Programs Personnel as Required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010
Document Number: 2015-04234
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-03-02
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
This final rule establishes minimum professional standards for school nutrition personnel who manage and operate the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. The final rule institutes hiring standards for the selection of State and local school nutrition program directors, and requires all personnel in the school nutrition programs to complete annual continuing education/training. These regulations are expected to result in consistent, national professional standards that strengthen the ability of school nutrition professionals and staff to perform their duties effectively and efficiently.
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