Department of Agriculture November 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this document announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). AMS requests an extension of and revision to the currently approved information collection 0581-0093 the National Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Programs.

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (the Agency) published a notice in the Federal Register of October 18, 2016, announcing the acceptance of applications for funds available under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017. The 2014 Farm Bill provides funding for the program for FY 2017. This notice provides corrections to: Section III. Eligibility Information, subsection D. Cost Sharing or Matching, paragraph (2) to indicate that applicants that have been previously been awarded energy audit or renewable energy development assistance grants and have not expended 50 percent of those funds are considered a ``risk'' pursuant to 2 CFR 200.205; Section V. Application Review Information, subsection (B) Review and Selection Process, paragraphs (1)(a) through (d), and paragraph (3) application window closing dates of May 1, 2017 are being modified to March 31, 2017; Section V. Application Review Information, subsection C. State Director and Administrator Points, paragraph (1)(b)is replacing ``will'' with ``may'' to indicate that the awarding of State Director and Administrator points is at the discretion of the State Director or Administrator and to remove the last sentence of subparagraph (b) because the Agency will use information provided in the application verses a certification; and Section VIII. Other Information, subsection B. Nondiscrimination Statement is being updated.

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 Aquaculture Surveys. Revision to burden hours will be needed due to changes in NASS estimates programs, target population sizes, sampling designs, and/or content of questionnaires.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing a meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) to assist the USDA in the development of standards for substances to be used in organic production and to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on any other aspects of the implementation of Organic Foods Production Act.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that suspended the incoming size- grade authority under the California olive marketing order, which regulates the handling of olives in California. The rule, which was recommended by the California Olive Committee (Committee), also made conforming changes to the corresponding size-grade requirements in the order's rules and regulations and two Committee forms. The Committee locally administers the order and is comprised of producers and handlers of olives operating within the area of production. The interim rule suspended the incoming size-grade authority of the marketing order and revised the corresponding size-grade requirements in the order's rules and regulations. The change is expected to benefit handlers because the current size-grading requirements hinder handler operations and flexibility, increase costs, and diminish their competitiveness.

This rule implements a recommendation from the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, Area No. 2 (Committee) to revise the grade requirement currently prescribed for 1\1/2\-inch minimum to 2\1/4\-inch maximum diameter (Size B) potatoes under the Colorado potato marketing order (order). The Committee locally administers the order and is comprised of producers and handlers of potatoes operating within the area of production. This rule relaxes the current minimum grade requirement for Size B red potatoes from U.S. Commercial grade or better to U.S. No. 2 grade or better. Relaxing this grade requirement will allow area handlers to supply new markets with U.S. No. 2 grade Size B red potatoes and is expected to benefit producers, handlers, and consumers.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting comments on its proposal to create new United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Onions. The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) petitioned AMS to develop new grade standards for frozen onions. AMS has received additional industry comments on several discussion drafts of the proposed standards. The grade standards would provide a common language for trade, a means of measuring value in the marketing of frozen onions, and guidance on the effective use of frozen onions.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), this notice announces the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), for a new information collection for the Processed Egg and Egg Products Verification Program. One new form is introduced in this information collection.

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 the regulations for the importation of live fish, fertilized eggs, and gametes to prevent the introduction of spring viremia of carp into the United States.

The Departments of Agriculture, the Interior, and Commerce are jointly issuing final rules for procedures for expedited trial-type hearings and the consideration of alternative conditions and fishway prescriptions required by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The hearings are conducted to expeditiously resolve disputed issues of material fact with respect to conditions or prescriptions developed for inclusion in a hydropower license issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission under the Federal Power Act. The final rules make no changes to existing regulations that have been in place since the revised interim rules were published on March 31, 2015, and took effect on April 30, 2015. At the time of publication of the revised interim rules, the Departments also requested public comments on additional ways the rules could be improved. The Departments now respond to the public comments received on the revised interim rules by providing analysis and clarifications in the preamble. The Departments have determined that no revisions to existing regulations are warranted at this time.

The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) amends the Small Grains Crop Insurance Provisions, Cotton Crop Insurance Provisions, Extra Long Staple Cotton Crop Insurance Provisions, Sunflower Seed Crop Insurance Provisions, Sugar Beet Crop Insurance Provisions, Hybrid Sorghum Seed Crop Insurance Provisions, Coarse Grains Crop Insurance Provisions, Safflower Crop Insurance Provisions, Popcorn Crop Insurance Provisions, Peanut Crop Insurance Provisions, Onion Crop Insurance Provisions, Tobacco Crop Insurance Provisions, Green Pea Crop Insurance Provisions, Dry Pea Crop Insurance Provisions, Rice Crop Insurance Provisions, Northern Potato Crop Insurance Provisions, Central and Southern Potato Crop Insurance Provisions, Dry Bean Crop Insurance Provisions, Hybrid Seed Corn Crop Insurance Provisions, Processing Sweet Corn Crop Provisions, Processing Bean Crop Insurance Provisions, Canola and Rapeseed Crop Insurance Provisions, Millet Crop Insurance Provisions, and Mustard Crop Insurance Provisions. The purpose of this final rule with comment is to update prevented planting coverage levels through the actuarial documents to improve actuarial considerations and coverage offered, program integrity, and to reduce vulnerability to program fraud, waste, and abuse. The changes to the Crop Provisions made in this rule are applicable for the 2017 and succeeding crop years for all crops with a 2017 contract change date on or after the effective date of the rule, and for the 2018 and succeeding crop years for all crops with a 2017 contract change date prior to the effective date of the rule.

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) 2017, subject to the availability of funding. This Notice is being issued in order to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, prepare and submit their applications, and give the Agency time to process applications within FY 2017. Successful applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded to the extent that funding may ultimately be made available through appropriations. An announcement on the Web site at https:// www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-no sas will identify the amount received, if any, in the appropriations. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications.

In accordance with legislation implementing the results of the Uruguay Round of negotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, we are informing the public of the international standard- setting activities of the World Organization for Animal Health, the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention, and the North American Plant Protection Organization, and we are soliciting public comment on the standards to be considered.

This Notice is to invite applications for grants to provide Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation (RT) systems under the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program pursuant to 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E, 2 CFR chapter IV and 2 CFR part 200 for fiscal year (FY) 2017, subject to the availability of funding to provide Technical Assistance for RT systems and for RT systems to Federally Recognized Native American Tribes' (FRNAT) (collectively ``Programs'') and the terms provided in such funding. This Notice is being issued before the FY 2017 appropriation has been enacted in order to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, prepare and submit their applications, and give the Agency time to process applications in FY 2017. This Notice is based on the assumption that the FY 2017 appropriation will be identical to its successors. Should that not be the case, this Notice will be amended to reflect those changes. Successful applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded to the extent that funding may ultimately be made available to the Agency through appropriations. Awards under both grant Programs will be competitively awarded to eligible applicant(s) which historically has been a qualified national Nonprofit organization. It is expected that one grant will be for the provision of Technical Assistance to RT Projects and that the other grant will be for the provision of Technical Assistance to RT Projects operated by FRNATs only. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications. All initially capitalized terms in this Notice, other than proper names, are defined in 7 CFR 4280.403.

This final rule makes amendments to the final rule, with request for comments, published in the Federal Register on March 9, 2015, that established regulations for the Pima Agriculture Cotton Trust Fund (Agriculture Pima Trust) and the Agriculture Wool Apparel Manufacturers Trust Fund (Agriculture Wool Trust) programs. This final rule is amended based on comments received and to add details for the Refund of Duties Paid on Imports of Certain Wool Products (Wool Duty Refund) payment. The administration of the Wool Duty Refund payment was transferred to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) beginning in calendar year (CY) 2016 and assigned to the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). It was previously administered by the Customs and Border Protection Agency of the Department of Homeland Security.

The proposed action would update civil rights assurance language contained in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) regulations on the Federal-State Agreement (FSA). The rule does not contain any new requirements and would codify protections already required by Federal law and existing policy.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this information collection. This is a revision of a currently approved collection. This information collection package consists of five components of State agency reporting and/or recordkeeping: a budget projection statement, a program activity report, State plans of operation updates, waiver requests and other plans and submissions such as advance planning documents for information systems and for electronic benefit transfer (EBT) systems.

The Ozark-Ouachita Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Fort Smith, Arkansas. 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=001t0000002JcwBAAS.

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 an information collection associated with the regulations for the importation of fresh citrus fruit from Uruguay, including Citrus hybrids and Fortunella spp., into the continental United States.

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared a draft environmental assessment relative to the control of giant reed (Arundo donax). The environmental assessment considers the effects of, and alternatives to, the field release of a gall-forming fly, Lasioptera donacis, into the continental United States for use as a biological control agent to reduce the severity of giant reed infestations. We are making the environmental assessment available to the public for review and comment.

We are advising the public that we are withdrawing an environmental assessment that was prepared by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service relative to a permitted environmental release of diamondback moths which have been genetically engineered for repressible female lethality and to express red fluorescence as a marker. While we reached a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) in connection with this action and posted that FONSI on our Web site, the public was not notified of the FONSI via publication of an associated notice in the Federal Register. We are therefore withdrawing the environmental assessment and FONSI.

The Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to disclose the environmental effects of commercial and non-commercial vegetation management activities, prescribed burning, watershed and recreation improvement activities. Access management changes and other design features are included to protect resources and facilitate management activities. The project is located in the Callahan planning subunit on the Three Rivers Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest, Lincoln County, Montana, near Troy, Montana.