Department of Agriculture 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action to approve a revision to the Commonwealth of Virginia's State Implementation Plan (SIP). The revision adds two compounds to the list of substances not considered to be volatile organic compounds (VOC). EPA is approving these revisions in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's request to redesignate to attainment the Johnstown Nonattainment Area (Johnstown Area or Area) for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM2.5) national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS or standard). EPA has determined that the Johnstown Area attained both the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. In addition, EPA is approving as a revision to the Pennsylvania State Implementation Plan (SIP) the associated maintenance plan to show maintenance of the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS through 2025 for the Johnstown Area. The maintenance plan includes the 2017 and 2025 PM2.5 and nitrogen oxides (NOX) mobile vehicle emissions budgets (MVEBs) for the Johnstown Area for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS, which EPA is approving for transportation conformity purposes. Furthermore, EPA is approving the 2007 base year emissions inventory included in the maintenance plan for the Johnstown Area for both NAAQS. These actions are being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve elements of State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions from the State of North Dakota to demonstrate the State meets infrastructure requirements of the Clean Air Act (Act or CAA) for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) promulgated for ozone on March 12, 2008, lead (Pb) on October 15, 2008 and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on January 22, 2010. EPA is also proposing to approve element 4 of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) for the 2006 fine particulate matter (PM2.5) NAAQS. Section 110(a) of the CAA requires that each state submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by EPA.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reopening the comment period for a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) published on May 26, 2015. In the NPR, EPA proposed disapproval of a revision to the Delaware State Implementation Plan (SIP) related to nonattainment New Source Review (NSR) preconstruction permit program requirements for emission offsets. A commenter requested additional time to review the proposal and prepare comments. In response to this request, EPA is reopening the comment period for this proposal through August 14, 2015. All comments received on or before August 14, 2015 will be entered into the public record and considered by EPA before taking final action on the proposed rule. Comments submitted between the close of the original comment period and the reopening of this comment period will be accepted and considered.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the State of South Dakota on July 29, 2013. This SIP submission revises the Administrative Rules of South Dakota (ARSD) Article 74:36Air Pollution Control Program. These revisions include grammatical changes, renumbering, revisions to the date of incorporation by reference of the federal regulations referenced throughout ARSD Article 74:36, and removal of obsolete language regarding variance provisions and clean units. A cross-walk table, which details each individual rule revision in Article 74:36, and the actions EPA is proposing on those revisions, is included in the docket for this rulemaking. EPA is also proposing to clarify a final rule issued on January 29, 2015 pertaining to South Dakota's infrastructure SIP. This action is being taken in accordance with section 110 of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to approve two State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the State of Maryland for the purpose of amending Maryland's prior approved Low Emission Vehicles (LEV), or Clean Car Program. Maryland adopted California's emission standards applicable to newly manufactured light and medium-duty motor vehicles in 2007, effective beginning with 2011 and newer vehicles sold in Maryland. EPA approved Maryland's Clean Car Program in prior SIP approval rulemakings. However, since then California revised its LEV program regulations on several occasions, and Maryland subsequently amended its own rules to be consistent with those of California. Maryland then submitted these regulatory amendments to EPA as a revision to its SIP. Maryland submitted two such Clean Car Program SIP revisions in July 2014 and April 2015. In the Final Rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the State's SIP submittal as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule. If no adverse comments are received in response to this action, no further activity is contemplated. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period. Any parties interested in commenting on this action should do so at this time.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action to approve a revision to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This revision concerns volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from graphic arts facilities. We are approving a local rule that regulates these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve portions of two revisions to the New Mexico SIP for the permitting of PM2.5 emissions submitted on May 23, 2011, and August 6, 2014. Together, these submittals revise the New Mexico PSD program to be consistent with the federal PSD regulations regarding the use of a significant impact level (SIL) or significant monitoring concentration (SMC) for PM2.5 emissions. We are proposing to approve these SIP revisions to regulate PM2.5 emissions in accordance with requirements of section 110 and part C of the Clean Air Act.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is partially approving and partially disapproving State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the State of Arizona to address the requirements of section 110(a)(1) and (2) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) for the 2008 Lead (Pb) and 2008 ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). Section 110(a) of the CAA requires that each State adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by EPA. We refer to such SIP revisions as ``infrastructure'' SIPs because they are intended to address basic structural SIP requirements for new or revised NAAQS including, but not limited to, legal authority, regulatory structure, resources, permit programs, monitoring, and modeling necessary to assure attainment and maintenance of the standards.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a Title V Operating Permit Program revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The revision amends the Title V fee program that funds the Pennsylvania Title V Operating Permit Program. EPA is approving these revisions to increase Pennsylvania's annual emission fees to $85 per ton of emissions for emissions from Title V sources of up to 4,000 tons of each regulated pollutant in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing a meeting of the Plant Variety Protection Board (Board). The meeting is being held to discuss a variety of topics including, but not limited to, work and outreach plans, subcommittee activities, and proposals for procedure changes. The meeting is open to the public. This notice sets forth the schedule and location for the meeting.

We are amending the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act regulations to provide for the use of a simpler labeling format that would better communicate product performance to the user. Under this rulemaking, the previous label format, which reflected any of four different levels of effectiveness, is replaced with a single, uniform label format. We are also requiring biologics licensees to provide a standardized summary, with confidential business information removed, of the efficacy and safety data submitted to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in support of the issuance of a full product license or conditional license. A simpler label format, along with publicly available safety and efficacy data, will help biologics producers to more clearly communicate product performance to their customers.

The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), proposes to modify the West Mink Idaho Roadless Area boundary on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest to relocate and expand the Gibson Jack Trailhead. The Chief of the Forest Service proposes to modify the boundary after a 45-day public notice and opportunity to comment.

The Ashley Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Vernal, Utah. 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://cloudapps-usda- gov.force.com/FSSRS/RAC_Page?id=001t0000002JcvKAAS.

This Notice announces the solicitation of applications for funds available under the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program (the Program), formerly the Biorefinery Assistance Program, to provide guaranteed loans to fund the development, construction, and Retrofitting of Commercial Scale biorefineries using Eligible Technology and of Biobased Product Manufacturing facilities that use Technologically New Commercial Scale processing and manufacturing equipment to convert Renewable Chemicals and other biobased outputs of biorefineries into end-user products, on a Commercial Scale.

In accordance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations that implement the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's (NIFA) intention to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the revision and extension of a currently approved information collection for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).

The Ketchikan Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Ketchikan, Alaska. 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. The meeting is open to the public. Additional RAC information, including the meeting agenda and the meeting summary/minutes can be found at the following Web site: https://wwwls.usda.gov/pts/.

We are amending the regulations governing the importation of certain animals, meat, and other animal products to allow, under certain conditions, the importation of fresh (chilled or frozen) beef from a region in Argentina located north of Patagonia South and Patagonia North B, referred to as Northern Argentina. Based on the evidence in a recent risk analysis, we have determined that fresh (chilled or frozen) beef can be safely imported from Northern Argentina, subject to certain conditions. This action provides for the importation of beef from Northern Argentina into the United States, while continuing to protect the United States against the introduction of foot-and-mouth disease.

The Trinity County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Weaverville, 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: www.fs.usda.gov/main/ stnf/workingtogether/advisorycommittees.

Notice is hereby given of a public hearing to consider a proposed marketing agreement and order under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 to cover pecans grown in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas. The proposal was submitted on behalf of the pecan industry by the American Pecan Board, the proponent group which is comprised of pecan growers and handlers from across the proposed production area. The proposed order would provide authority to collect industry data and to conduct research and promotion activities. In addition, the order would provide authority for the industry to recommend grade, quality and size regulation, as well as pack and container regulation, subject to approval by the Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program would be financed by assessments on pecan handlers and would be locally administered, under USDA oversight, by a council of seventeen growers and shellers (handlers) nominated by the industry and appointed by USDA.

Notice is hereby given that the comment period on a supplemental notice to amend the 2013 proposed rule for a Hardwood Lumber and Hardwood Plywood Promotion, Research and Information Order (Order) is extended. Under the proposed Order, assessments would be collected from hardwood lumber and plywood manufacturers and would be used to fund programs to promote hardwood lumber and plywood. The comment period is also extended for the supplemental notice to amend the 2013 proposed rule on procedures for conducting a referendum to determine whether issuance of a proposed Order is favored by manufacturers of hardwood lumber and hardwood plywood.

This rule implements a recommendation from the California Olive Committee (committee) for an increase of the assessment rate established for the 2015 and subsequent fiscal years from $15.21 to $26.00 per assessable ton of olives handled. The committee locally administers the marketing order and is comprised of producers and handlers of olives grown in California. Assessments upon olive handlers are used by the committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal year begins January 1 and ends December 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

GIPSA is announcing the designation of Kansas Grain Inspection Service, Inc. (Kansas); Mid-Iowa Grain Inspection, Inc. (Mid-Iowa); Minot Grain Inspection, Inc. (Minot); and Tri-State Grain Inspection Service, Inc. (Tri-State) to provide official services under the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA), as amended.

The Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) intends to renew the charter for the Forest Resource Coordinating Committee (Committee) pursuant to section 8005 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Act) (Pub. L. 110-246), and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), (5 U.S.C. App. 2). The Act passed into law as an amendment to the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 on June 18, 2008. The Committee is being renewed to continue coordinating non-industrial private forestry activities within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), State Agencies, and the private sector. The Secretary has determined that the work of the Committee is in the public interest and relevant to the duties of the USDA. Therefore, the Secretary is seeking nominations to fill vacancies on the Committee. Additional information concerning the Committee can be found on the Committee's Web site at: https://www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/frcc/.