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

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)
Document Number: 2015-13024
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-29
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 the proposed collection. This is a revision of a currently approved collection. The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 provides the Secretary of Agriculture with the authority to develop a Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) to address the needs of families temporarily in need of food assistance after a disaster. The information collection under this notice is required for the establishment and operation of a D-SNAP.
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Wisconsin, Townsend Project
Document Number: 2015-13015
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-29
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to document the analysis and disclose the environmental impacts of proposed land management activities and corresponding alternatives within the Townsend Project. The purpose of the Townsend Project is to implement land management activities that are consistent with direction in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest 2004 Land and Resources Management Plan (forest plan) and respond to the specific needs identified in the project area. The project-specific needs include: species diversity, wildlife habitat, stream bank improvement, forest age, forest composition, and stocking.
Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2015-13013
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-29
Agency: Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently approved information collection, the Floriculture Survey. Revision to burden hours will be needed due to changes in the size of the target population, sampling design, and/or questionnaire length.
Notice of Intent To Extend a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2015-13011
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-29
Agency: Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at (5 CFR part 1320), this notice announces the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) intention to request approval for an extension of the currently approved information collection for the NIFA proposal review process.
Double-Crested Cormorant Management Plan To Reduce Predation of Juvenile Salmonids in the Columbia River Estuary Final Environmental Impact Statement; Record of Decision
Document Number: 2015-13000
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-28
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
This notice advises the public of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's record of decision for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Double-Crested Cormorant Management Plan Final Environmental Impact Statement.
Final Affordability Determination-Energy Efficiency Standards; Correction
Document Number: 2015-12931
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-05-28
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, Rural Utilities Service
On May 6, 2015, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), along with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), published a joint notice of final determination regarding adoption of the 2009 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) for single family homes and the 2007 edition of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 90.1 for multifamily buildings. A clerical error in production resulted in the wrong CFR attribution for USDA in the document's heading. This correction carries the proper CFR citation in its heading.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2015-12818
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-28
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Dow AgroSciences LLC: Availability of a Preliminary Plant Pest Risk Assessment, Draft Environmental Assessment, Preliminary Finding of No Significant Impact, and Preliminary Determination of Nonregulated Status for Cotton Genetically Engineered for Resistance to 2,4-D and Glufosinate
Document Number: 2015-12817
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-28
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared a preliminary determination regarding a request from Dow AgroSciences LLC seeking a determination of nonregulated status for cotton designated as DAS-8191[Oslash]-7, which has been genetically engineered for resistance to the herbicides 2,4-D and glufosinate. We are also making available for public review and comment our preliminary plant pest risk assessment, draft environmental assessment, and preliminary finding of no significant impact for the preliminary determination of nonregulated status.
Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2015-12813
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-28
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request a revision to the currently approved information collection for the Regulations Governing the Inspection and Grading Services of Manufactured or Processed Dairy Products, and the Certification of Sanitary Design and Fabrication of Equipment Used in the Slaughter, Processing, and Packaging of Livestock and Poultry Products.
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Customer/Stakeholder Satisfaction Surveys for the National Animal Health Monitoring System and the National Veterinary Services Laboratories
Document Number: 2015-12760
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-27
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
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 of an information collection to conduct customer/stakeholder satisfaction surveys for the National Animal Health Monitoring System and the National Veterinary Services Laboratories.
Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced in the Far West; Revision of the Salable Quantity and Allotment Percentage for Class 3 (Native) Spearmint Oil for the 2014-2015 Marketing Year
Document Number: 2015-12758
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-05-27
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim rule recommended by the Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee) that revised the quantity of Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil that handlers may purchase from, or handle on behalf of, producers during the 2014-2015 marketing year under the Far West spearmint oil marketing order. The Committee locally administers the order and is comprised of spearmint oil producers operating within the production area. The interim rule increased the Native spearmint oil salable quantity from 1,090,821 pounds to 1,280,561 pounds and the allotment percentage from 46 percent to 54 percent. This change is expected to help maintain orderly marketing conditions in the Far West spearmint oil market.
Irish Potatoes Grown in Colorado; Relaxation of the Handling Regulation for Area No. 3
Document Number: 2015-12751
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-05-27
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim rule implementing a recommendation from the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, Area No. 3 (Committee) that relaxed the minimum quantity exception for potatoes handled under the Colorado potato marketing order, Area No. 3 (order). The Committee locally administers the order and is comprised of producers and handlers of potatoes operating within the production area. This rule increases the quantity of potatoes that may be handled under the order without regard to the order's handling regulation requirements from 1,000 to 2,000 pounds. This action is expected to benefit producers and handlers.
Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Revise and Extend a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2015-12640
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-26
Agency: Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently approved information collection, the Egg, Chicken, and Turkey Surveys. A revision to burden hours will be needed due to changes in the size of the target population, sampling design, and/or questionnaire length.
Information Collection Activity; Comment Request
Document Number: 2015-12593
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-26
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (Agency) invites comments on this information collection for which it intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2015-12592
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-26
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Missoula Resource Advisory Committee
Document Number: 2015-12590
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-26
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Missoula Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Missoula, Montana. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (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. Additional RAC information, including the meeting agenda and the meeting summary/ minutes can be found at the following Web site: https:// fsplaces.fs.fed.us/fsfiles/unit/wo/secure_rural_schools.nsf/R AC/ D5F1A3E53310466588257546007119C9?OpenDocument.
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2015-12563
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-26
Agency: Department of Agriculture
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Housing Service's (RHS) intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the program for Self-Help Technical Assistance Grants (7 CFR part 1944-I).
Solicitation of Nominations for Members of the USDA Grain Inspection Advisory Committee
Document Number: 2015-12528
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-26
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
The Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is seeking nominations for individuals to serve on the USDA Grain Inspection Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee). The Advisory Committee meets twice annually to advise GIPSA on the programs and services it delivers under the U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA). Recommendations by the Advisory Committee help GIPSA better meet the needs of its customers who operate in a dynamic and changing marketplace.
Information Collection; Community Forest and Open Space Program
Document Number: 2015-12515
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-22
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service (FS) is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension with no revision of a currently approved information collection; Community Forest and Open Space Program (Community Forest Program). The Agency is in the process of a proposed rule revision that will include a new information collection request; when the revised rule is final, the Agency will merge the new information collection with this information collection. This notice replaces Federal Register document #2015-07996 that was published in the Federal Register on April 7, 2015.
Announcement of Grant Application Deadlines
Document Number: 2015-12222
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-22
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces its Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program application window for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015. RUS has published on its Web site https:// www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-no sas the amount of funding received through the final appropriations act. Expenses incurred in developing applications will be at the applicant's risk. In addition to announcing the application window, RUS announces the minimum and maximum amounts for DLT grants applicable for the fiscal year. The DLT Grant Program regulations can be found at 7 CFR part 1703, subparts D through G.
Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2015-12322
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-21
Agency: Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently approved information collection, the Mink Survey. The target population will be pulled from farmers who have reported mink production in the past, trade magazines, or grower's association's lists. The questionnaire that NASS is planning to use is the same as what was used in previous years, with one additional pelt color class being added to both the producer and price questionnaires. Any additional changes to the questionnaires would result from requests by industry data users.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2015-12258
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-20
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Inviting Applications for Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grants
Document Number: 2015-12225
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-20
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Business-Cooperative Service
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service announces the availability of $3,000,000 in competitive grant funds for the FY 2015 Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) program, formerly known as the Small Socially-Disadvantaged Producer Grant program, as authorized by the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235). We are requesting proposals from applicants who will provide technical assistance to socially-disadvantaged groups in rural areas. The Agency is encouraging applications that direct grants to projects based in or serving census tracts with poverty rates greater than or equal to 20 percent. This emphasis will support Rural Development's (RD) mission of improving the quality of life for rural Americans and commitment to directing resources to those who most need them. Eligible applicants include Cooperatives, Groups of Cooperatives, and Cooperative Development Centers.
Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) for the Section 533 Housing Preservation Grants for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015
Document Number: 2015-12224
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-20
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Housing Service
The Rural Housing Service (RHS), an agency within Rural Development, announces that it is soliciting competitive applications under its Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) program. This action is taken to comply with Agency regulations found in 7 CFR part 1944, subpart N, which requires the Agency to announce the opening and closing dates for receipt of pre-applications for HPG funds from eligible applicants.
Biomass Crop Assistance Program
Document Number: 2015-12220
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-05-20
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Commodity Credit Corporation
The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) published a final rule on February 27, 2015, amending the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) regulations to implement changes required by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (the 2014 Farm Bill). We are extending the comment period for the final rule to give the public more time to provide input and recommendations on the final rule.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Evaluation of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training (E&T) Pilots
Document Number: 2015-12205
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-20
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This is a new collection for the purpose of evaluating the Fiscal Year 2015 Pilot Projects to Reduce Dependency and Increase Work Requirements and Work Effort Under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods
Document Number: 2015-12192
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-20
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
This notice is announcing a meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF), that will be held on June 10, 2015, by audio conference call that is open to the public. The Committee will continue its discussions, from its November 17, 2014 meeting, on microbiological criteria as indicators of poor process control or insanitary conditions. After further discussion, the committee plans to adopt its final recommendations.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2015-12165
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-20
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Strategic Economic and Community Development
Document Number: 2015-12163
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-05-20
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, Rural Utilities Service
This interim rule implements Section 6025, Strategic Economic and Community Development, under the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill). Unless the Agency provides otherwise, the Agency will reserve up to 10 percent of the funds appropriated to certain Rural Development (RD) programs each fiscal year to fund projects that support the implementation of strategic economic and community development plans across multi-jurisdictional areas. The programs from which funds will be reserved are community facility programs, water and waste disposal programs, and rural business and cooperative development programs. To be eligible for the reserved funds, projects must be first eligible for funding under the programs from which the funds are reserved. In addition, projects must be carried out solely in rural areas. Any reserved funding that is not obligated by June 30 of the fiscal year in which the funds were reserved will be returned to the programs' regular funding accounts.
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Christmas Cactus and Easter Cactus in Growing Media From the Netherlands and Denmark
Document Number: 2015-12073
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-19
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
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 of an information collection associated with regulations for the importation of Christmas cactus and Easter cactus in growing media from the Netherlands and Denmark.
Notice of Request To Extend a Currently Approved Information Collection: (Requirements for Official Establishments To Notify FSIS of Adulterated or Misbranded Product, Prepare and Maintain Written Recall Procedures, and Document Certain HACCP Plan Reassessments)
Document Number: 2015-11999
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-18
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 extend the approved information collection regarding requirements for official establishments to notify FSIS of adulterated or misbranded product, prepare and maintain written recall procedures, and document certain HACCP plan reassessments. The approval for this information collection will expire on August 31, 2015. FSIS is making no changes to the approved collection. The public may comment on either the entire information collection or on one of its three parts.
Notice of Request for a New Information Collection: Certificates of Medical Examination
Document Number: 2015-11997
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-18
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 collect certificates of medical examination to determine whether or not an applicant for an FSIS Food Inspector, Consumer Safety Inspector, or Veterinary Medical Officer in-plant position meets the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved medical qualification standards.
National Organic Standards Board: Call for Nominations; Extension of Nomination Period
Document Number: 2015-11947
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-18
Agency: Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published a notice soliciting nominations from qualified individuals to serve on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) in the Federal Register on April 9, 2015. Nominees will be considered for a 5-year NOSB term that will commence on January 24, 2016, and end January 23, 2021. The nomination period, as set in the notice, was to end on May 15, 2015. To ensure adequate opportunity for all interested members of the public to submit nominations for the NOSB, AMS is extending the nomination period by 30 days. Additional details can be found in the initial Federal Register notice at 68 FR 19059, and on the National Organic Program (NOP) Web site.
Descriptive Designation for Needle- or Blade-Tenderized (Mechanically Tenderized) Beef Products
Document Number: 2015-11916
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-05-18
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending the Federal meat inspection regulations to require the use of the descriptive designation ``mechanically tenderized,'' ``blade tenderized,'' or ``needle tenderized'' on the labels of raw or partially cooked needle- or blade-tenderized beef products, including beef products injected with a marinade or solution, unless the products are to be fully cooked or to receive another full lethality treatment at an official establishment. Under these final regulations, the product names of the affected products will have to include the descriptive designation ``mechanically tenderized,'' ``blade tenderized,'' or ``needle tenderized'' and an accurate description of the beef component. The print for all words in the descriptive designation and the product name will have to be in a single easy-to- read type style and color and must appear on a single-color contrasting background. The print may appear in upper and lower case letters, with the lower case letters not smaller than one-third (\1/3\) the size of the largest letter. In addition, the labels of raw and partially cooked needle- or blade-tenderized beef products destined for household consumers, hotels, restaurants, or similar institutions will have to bear validated cooking instructions. The instructions will have to specify the minimum internal temperatures and any hold or ``dwell'' times for the products to ensure that they are fully cooked. FSIS is amending the regulations because of scientific evidence that mechanically tenderized beef products need to be fully cooked in order to reduce the risk of pathogenic bacteria that may be transferred to the interior of the meat during mechanical tenderization. FSIS is also announcing the availability of updated guidance for the use of federally inspected establishments in developing validated cooking instructions for mechanically tenderized product.
Final Record of Decision for Shoshone National Forest Land Management Plan
Document Number: 2015-11914
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-18
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
Regional Forester Daniel J. Jiron signed the final Record of Decision (ROD) for the Shoshone National Forest revised Land Management Plan (Plan) on May 6, 2015. The Final ROD documents the Regional Forester's decision and rationale for approving the revised plan.
Assessment of Ecological/Social/Cultural/Economic Sustainability, Conditions, and Trends for the Gila National Forest
Document Number: 2015-11911
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-18
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Gila National Forest, located in southwestern New Mexico, is initiating the forest planning process pursuant to the 2012 Forest Planning Rule. This process results in a Forest Land Management Plan which describes the strategic direction for management of forest resources for the next fifteen years on the Gila National Forest. The first phase of the process, the assessment phase, is beginning and interested parties are invited to contribute in the development of the assessment (36 CFR 219.6). The trends and conditions identified in the assessment will help in identifying the current plan's need for change, and aid in the development of plan components. The Forest hosted a series of community conversations with key stakeholders in March 2015. Additional public participation opportunities are forthcoming in the near future to discuss the assessment processinformation on these opportunities and all future public participation opportunities will be made available on the Gila Plan Revision Web site (see below for the link).
Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska-2015-16 and 2016-17 Subsistence Taking of Fish Regulations
Document Number: 2015-11907
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-05-18
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
This final rule establishes regulations for seasons, harvest limits, methods, and means related to taking of fish for subsistence uses in Alaska during the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 regulatory years. The Federal Subsistence Board (Board) completes the biennial process of revising subsistence hunting and trapping regulations in even-numbered years and subsistence fishing and shellfish regulations in odd-numbered years; public proposal and review processes take place during the preceding year. The Board also addresses customary and traditional use determinations during the applicable biennial cycle.
South Central Idaho Resource Advisory Committee
Document Number: 2015-11906
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-18
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The South Central Idaho Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Jerome, Idaho. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (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. Additional RAC information, including the meeting agenda and the meeting summary/ minutes can be found at the following Web site: https://fs.usda.gov/ Sawtooth
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Forms: Applications, Periodic Reporting and Notices
Document Number: 2015-11752
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-15
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this Notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on proposed information collections. This collection is a revision of currently approved burden for the applications, periodic reporting, and notices burden calculations for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The revision also modifies the net estimates for PRA burden associated with proposed rule ``Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Eligibility, Certification, and Employment and Training Provisions'' published on May 4, 2011 at 76 FR 25413.
Inviting Applications for Value-Added Producer Grants
Document Number: 2015-11742
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-15
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Business-Cooperative Service
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service published a Notice in the Federal Register on Friday, May 8, 2015 (80 FR 26528), inviting applications for the Value Added Producer Grant Program. The document contained an incorrect date for submitting paper applications, as well as an incorrect contact telephone number.
Notice of Solicitation of Applications for the Rural Community Development Initiative for Fiscal Year 2015
Document Number: 2015-11741
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-15
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Housing Service
The Rural Housing Service (RHS), an agency within the USDA Rural Development mission area herein referred to as the Agency announces the acceptance of applications under the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) program. Applicants must provide matching funds in an amount at least equal to the Federal grant. These grants will be made to qualified intermediary organizations that will provide financial and technical assistance to recipients to develop their capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, or community and economic development that will support the community. This Notice lists the information needed to submit an application for these funds. This Notice contains revised evaluation criteria that are streamlined, in order to enhance program efficiency and delivery.
Southwest Montana Resource Advisory Committee
Document Number: 2015-11629
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-14
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Southwest Montana Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Dillon, Montana. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (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. Additional RAC information, including the meeting agenda and the meeting summary/ minutes can be found at the following Web site: https://www.fs.usda.gov/ main/bdnf/workingtogether/advisorycommittees.
HACCP Systems Validation
Document Number: 2015-11581
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-05-14
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing the availability of the final revision of the Compliance Guideline for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems validation and responding to comments received on the draft guide that FSIS published in May 2013 in the Federal Register. In addition, FSIS is announcing its plans to verify that establishments meet all validation requirements.
Notice of Request To Extend a Currently Approved Information Collection (Voluntary Recalls of Meat and Poultry Products)
Document Number: 2015-11582
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-13
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 extend the approved information collection regarding voluntary recalls from commerce of meat and poultry products. FSIS is making no changes to the approved collection. The approval for this information collection will expire on August 31, 2015.
Requirements for the Disposition of Non-Ambulatory Disabled Veal Calves
Document Number: 2015-11559
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-05-13
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to amend its regulations on ante-mortem inspection to remove a provision that permits establishments to set apart and hold for treatment veal calves that are unable to rise from a recumbent position and walk because they are tired or cold. Under the proposed rule, non-ambulatory disabled veal calves that are offered for slaughter will be condemned and promptly euthanized. Prohibiting the slaughter of all non- ambulatory disabled veal calves will improve compliance with the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1978 (HMSA) and the humane slaughter implementing regulations. It will also improve the Agency's inspection efficiency by eliminating the time that FSIS inspection program personnel (IPP) spend re-inspecting non-ambulatory disabled veal calves. FSIS is also proposing to clarify in the regulations that all non-ambulatory disabled cattle must be promptly disposed of after they have been condemned.
Santa Fe National Forest; New Mexico; Geothermal Leasing
Document Number: 2015-11495
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-13
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Santa Fe National Forest will prepare an environmental impact statement to analyze the potential effects of geothermal development on 194,910 acres. The decision will be whether to proceed with geothermal leasing and, if so, under what stipulations.
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: 2015-11469
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-05-13
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule implements 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 Committee locally administers the Far West spearmint marketing order (order) and is comprised of producers of spearmint oil operating in the Far West. The Far West includes the states of Washington, Idaho, and Oregon, and designated parts of Nevada and Utah. This rule establishes 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 recommended these quantities to help maintain stability in the spearmint oil market.
Grapes Grown in a Designated Area of Southeastern California; Increased Assessment Rate
Document Number: 2015-11468
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-05-13
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule implements a recommendation from the California Desert Grape Administrative Committee for an increase of the assessment rate established for the 2015 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.0200 to $0.0250 per 18-pound lug of grapes handled under the marketing order. The Committee locally administers the order and is comprised of producers and handlers of grapes grown and handled in a designated area of southeastern California. Assessments upon grape handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period began on January 1 and ends December 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Privacy Act Systems of Records; Veterinary Services-Records of Accredited Veterinarians
Document Number: 2015-11420
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-12
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service proposes to alter an existing system of records in its inventory of record systems subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. The system of records is Veterinary ServicesRecords of Accredited Veterinarians, USDA-APHIS-2. This notice is necessary to meet the requirements of the Privacy Act to publish in the Federal Register notice of the existence and character of record systems maintained by the agency.
Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program 2015 Industry Forums-Open Teleconference and/or Web Conference Meetings
Document Number: 2015-11416
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-05-12
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Housing Service
This Notice announces a series of teleconference and/or web conference meetings regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing (GRRH) program, which are scheduled to occur during 2015 and 2016. This Notice also outlines suggested discussion topics for the meetings and is intended to notify the general public of their opportunity to participate in the teleconference and/or web conference meetings.
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