Department of Agriculture October 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 51 - 83 of 83
Privacy Act Systems of Records; Wildlife Services Management Information System
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service proposes to revise an existing system of records in its inventory of record systems subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is revising Wildlife Services Management Information System, USDA-APHIS-9, to revise the routine uses, expand the categories of records in the system, and the location of the system. 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.
National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council
The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (Council) will meet in Denver, Colorado. The Council is authorized under section 9 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act, as amended by title XII, section 1219 of Public Law 101-624 (the Act) (16 U.S.C. 2105g) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App. II). Additional information concerning the Council, can be found by visiting the Council's Web site at: https://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/ nucfac.shtml.
Lake Tahoe Basin Federal Advisory Committee
The Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) intends to re- establish the charter for the Lake Tahoe Basin Federal Advisory Committee (Committee). The purpose of the Committee is to provide advice to the Secretary and to the Federal Interagency Partnership on how the Partnership can best fulfill its duties pursuant to Executive Order 13057 to protect the extraordinary natural, recreational, and ecological resources in the Lake Tahoe Region. The Secretary has determined that the work of the Committee is in the public interest and relevant to the duties of the Department of Agriculture. Therefore, the Secretary continuously seeks nominations to fill vacancies on the Committee. Additional information concerning the Committee can be found by visiting the Committee's Web site at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ ltbmu/LTFAC.
Revision of Land Management Plan for Carson National Forest; Counties of Colfax, Mora, Rio Arriba, and Taos, New Mexico
As directed by the National Forest Management Act, the USDA Forest Service is revising the existing Carson National Forest's Land Management Plan (hereafter referred to as forest plan) through development of an associated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This Notice describes the documents (Assessment Report of Ecological, Social, and Economic Conditions, Trends, and Sustainability for the Carson NF; Summaries of Public Meetings; and Carson NF's Needs to Change Management Direction of Its Existing 1986 Forest Plan) available for review and how to obtain them; summarizes the needs to change the existing forest plan; provides information concerning public participation and engagement, including the process for submitting comments; provides an estimated schedule for the planning process, including the time available for comments, and includes the names and addresses of agency contacts who can provide additional information.
Grapes Grown in a Designated Area of Southeastern California; Proposed Amendments to Marketing Order and Referendum Order
This rulemaking proposes three amendments to Marketing Order No. 925 (order), which regulates the handling of table grapes grown in a designated area of southeastern California. Two amendments are based on proposals made by the California Desert Grape Administrative Committee (Committee), which is responsible for the local administration of the order. These two amendments would increase term lengths for Committee members and alternates from one to four fiscal periods and would allow new members and alternates to agree to accept their nominations prior to selection. The amendments are intended to increase the Committee's effectiveness and bolster industry participation in Committee activities. In addition to the Committee's two amendments, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) would amend the order to add authority for periodic continuance referenda which would allow producers to indicate whether or not there is continuing support for the order.
Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for Field Use of Vaccines Against Avian Influenza H5 Virus Strains
We are advising the public that an environmental assessment has been prepared by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service relative to the use of one or more veterinary biological products as a treatment for and as an aid in the reduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) incidence caused by strains such as Eurasian H5 viruses of clade 2.3.4.4 lineage. Any biological products would become part of the measures to reduce the incidence of HPAI in the nation's commercial poultry flocks. Based on the environmental assessment, we have concluded that the use of vaccines as described in the environmental assessment will not have a significant impact on the human environment. We are making this environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact available to the public for review and comment.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-USDA Foods in Schools Cost Dynamics
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 is a new collection for a study of USDA Foods in Schools Cost Dynamics.
Information Collection; Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act Report
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is requesting comments from all interested individuals and organizations on an extension of a currently approved information collection associated with the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) of 1978.
Information Collection; Direct Loan Making
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is requesting comments from all interested individuals and organizations on a revision and an extension of a currently approved information collection that supports 7 CFR part 764. The Direct Loan Making regulations specify the application process and requirements for direct loan assistance. FSA is adding additional information collection to the existing collection to reflect the addition of the Direct Farm Ownership Microloan (DFOML). The collected information is used in eligibility and feasibility determinations on farm loan applications.
Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program
The Rural Housing Service (RHS or Agency) proposes to amend the current regulation for the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) on the subject of liquidation value appraisals. In order to reduce overall processing time, reduce cost, and expedite claim submission, lenders will order the liquidation value appraisal used to estimate a loss claim against the SFHGLP instead of the Agency. Currently, if a Real Estate Owned (REO) property remains unsold by the lender at the end of the permissible marketing period, the Agency will order a liquidation value appraisal and apply an acquisition and management resale factor to estimate holding and disposition cost. This amendment will require the servicing lender to order the liquidation value appraisal. The costs associated with obtaining the liquidation value appraisal can then be included in the liquidation costs paid under the guarantee.
Notice of Solicitation of Applications for the Rural Energy for America Program for Fiscal Year 2016
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (the Agency) announces the acceptance of applications under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) which is designed to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption and help meet the Nation's critical energy needs. REAP have two types of funding assistance: (1) Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Assistance, and (2) Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants. The Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Assistance provides grants and guaranteed loans to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements to their operations. Eligible renewable energy systems for REAP provide energy from: Wind, solar, renewable biomass (including anaerobic digesters), small hydro-electric, ocean, geothermal, or hydrogen derived from these renewable resources. The Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grant is available to a unit of State, Tribal, or local government; instrumentality of a State, Tribal, or local government; institution of higher education; rural electric cooperative; a public power entity; or a council, as defined in 16 U.S.C. 3451. The recipient of grant funds, grantee, will establish a program to assist agricultural producers and rural small businesses with evaluating the energy efficiency and the potential to incorporate renewable energy technologies into their operations.
Special Agricultural Safeguard Measures Pursuant to the Uruguay Round Agreements Act
After reviewing the volume of butter imports (including fresh or sour cream containing over 45 percent by weight of butterfat), the Administrator of the Foreign Agricultural Service has determined that the yearly special safeguard trigger level has been met and a special safeguard duty on certain imports of butter and fresh or sour cream will be imposed effective from the date of this notification through December 31, 2015. This additional duty, as described in subheadings 9904.04.20 and 9904.04.21 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), will be applicable to butter and fresh or sour cream imported under HTS subheadings 0401.50.75, 0403.90.78, and 0405.10.20.
Pike & San Isabel Resource Advisory Committee
The Pike & San Isabel Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Pueblo, Colorado. 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/ goto/psicc/RAC
Information Collection Activity; Comment Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development administers rural utilities programs through the Rural Utilities Service (RUS). The USDA Rural Development invites comments on the following information collections for which the Agency intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Information Collection Activity; Comment Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites comments on this information collection for which approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will be requested.
Idaho Roadless Area Boundary Modification; Caribou-Targhee National Forest
The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is modifying the boundary of the West Mink Idaho Roadless Area on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest to relocate and expand the Gibson Jack Trailhead and also to incorporate the area bordering another trail that was previously excluded from the Roadless Area. These modifications are pursuant to 36 CFR 294.27(b).
Fee Increases for Overtime Services
We are changing the hourly rates charged for Sundays, holidays, or other overtime work performed by employees of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for any person, firm, or corporation having ownership, custody, or control of regulated commodities or articles subject to agricultural inspection, laboratory testing, certification, or quarantine under the regulations. We are increasing these overtime rates for each of the fiscal years 2016 through 2018 to reflect the anticipated costs associated with providing these services during each year. Establishing the overtime rate changes in advance will allow users of APHIS' services to incorporate the rates into their budget planning. We are also clarifying the regulations to indicate that agricultural inspections performed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may be billed in accordance with DHS overtime regulations for services performed outside of regular business hours, as DHS rates may differ from those charged by APHIS.
Importation of Tomato Plantlets in Approved Growing Media From Mexico
We are amending 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 consists 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 must 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 must enter into compliance agreements regarding the conditions under which the plants from Mexico must enter and be maintained within the greenhouses. This rule allows 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 rule also allows the imported greenhouse plantlets to produce tomato fruit for commercial sale within the United States.
Golden Nematode; Removal of Regulated Areas in Orleans, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties, New York
We are amending the golden nematode regulations by removing areas in Orleans, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties in the State of New York from the list of generally infested areas. Surveys and other data have shown that certain areas in these counties are free of golden nematode, and we have determined that regulation of these areas is no longer necessary. As a result of this action, areas in Orleans, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties in the State of New York that have been listed as generally infested will be removed from the list of areas regulated for golden nematode. This action is necessary to relieve restrictions on certain areas that are no longer necessary.
San Bernardino National Forest, California, Proposed North-South Project EIR/EIS
Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, notice is hereby given that the San Bernardino National Forest (Forest Service), together with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), intend to prepare a joint Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for the Southern California Gas Company (SoCal Gas) and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) proposed North-South Project.
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Shelled Peas From Kenya
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 shelled peas from Kenya.
Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Baby Corn and Baby Carrots From Zambia
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with the regulations for the importation of baby corn and baby carrots from Zambia into the continental United States.
Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Pork-Filled Pasta Products
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with the regulations for the importation of pork-filled pasta products into the United States.
International Trade Data System Test Concerning the Electronic Submission to the Automated Commercial Environment of Data Using the Partner Government Agency Message Set
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), has developed a pilot plan to test and assess the International Trade Data System for the electronic submission of data required by APHIS Animal Care, Biotechnology and Regulatory Services, Plant Protection and Quarantine, and Veterinary Services for processing in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). The pilot test will use the APHIS Partner Government Agency (PGA) Message Set and the Automated Broker Interface to transmit, and ACE to process, trade data required for the importation of plants, animals, and their products regulated by APHIS. Under this test, PGA Message Set data may be filed only at certain ports.
Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection; Viruses, Serums, Toxins, and Analogous Products; Packaging and Labeling
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request approval of a new information collection concerning packaging and labeling for products approved in accordance with the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery
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), Farm Service Agency (FSA) 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.).
Nominations Open for the Vacancies on the National Advisory Council on Maternal, Infant and Fetal Nutrition
FNS is seeking nominations for 8 vacancies on the National Advisory Council on Maternal, Infant and Fetal Nutrition (Council). The Council is composed of 24 members. Members of the Council from outside USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are appointed for 3-year terms. State and local officials may serve only during their official tenure. Parent participants are appointed for 2- year terms. Members appointed from USDA and HHS serve at the pleasure of their respective Secretaries. The Council studies the operation of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), and related programs such as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). Categories of membership are specified by law. To assure a balance of differing views, Council members are drawn from Federal, State and local governments, industry, and organizations with a common interest in the management of WIC and CSFP, including parent participants in both programs. The vacant positions include:
New Equipment Contract for Telecommunications and Broadband Borrowers
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), a Rural Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is requesting public comments on streamlining the Agency's contractual process for equipment procurement by replacing type-specific Equipment Contracts, RUS Forms 397, 398, 525, 545, and the associated documents (Forms 231, 396, 396a, 397b, 397c, 397d, 397f, 397g, 397h, 517, 525a, 744, 752a, 754, and addenda) with a new, unified Equipment Contract, RUS Form 395 and the associated close-out documents (Forms 395a, 395b, 395c and 395d).
Humboldt County Resource Advisory Committee
The Humboldt County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Eureka, California. 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/srnf/workingtogether/advisorycommittee.
Grapes Grown in a Designated Area of Southeastern California and Imported Table Grapes; Revision to the Administrative Rules and Regulations for Shipments to Charitable Organizations
This proposed rule invites comments on a recommendation from the California Desert Grape Administrative Committee (Committee) to revise the administrative rules and regulations of the Federal marketing order for grapes grown in a designated area of southeastern California (order) and the table grape import regulation. The Committee is responsible for the local administration of the order. This proposal would allow handlers and importers to ship grapes that do not meet the minimum grade and size quality requirements to be donated to charitable organizations. Any such grapes would not be used for resale. This proposal also announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to seek the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval on a new form that would revise the currently approved information collection issued under the order. The import regulation is authorized under section 608e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 and regulates the importation of table grapes into the United States. The proposal would provide an additional outlet for grapes regulated under the order and would assist USDA's efforts to reduce food waste in support of the U.S. Food Waste Challenge.
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