Department of Agriculture 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Hazelnuts Grown in Oregon and Washington; Increased Assessment Rate
Document Number: 2017-28171
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-12-29
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule implements a recommendation from the Hazelnut Marketing Board (Board) to increase the assessment rate established for the 2017-2018 and subsequent marketing years from $0.005 to $0.006 per pound of hazelnuts handled under the Marketing Order (Order). The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Amendment of the Land Management Plan for Santa Fe National Forest
Document Number: 2017-28134
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-29
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Santa Fe National Forest, located in New Mexico, prepared a significant, programmatic forest plan amendment to allow geothermal leasing to accompany its Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and a Draft Record of Decision (ROD) for Geothermal Leasing. This notice is to inform the public that a 60-day period is being initiated where individuals or entities with specific concerns on the Santa Fe's Forest Plan Amendment for Geothermal Leasing may file an objection for a Forest Service review prior to the approval of the Record of Decision for Geothermal Leasing.
Notice of Request for Extension or Renewal of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2017-27448
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-29
Agency: Department of Agriculture
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (OASCR) to request a renewal of a currently approved information collection. OASCR will use the information collected to collect the race, ethnicity, and gender (REG) of all program applicants and participants by county and State.
Kootenai National Forest, Lincoln County, Montana Montanore Project
Document Number: 2017-28060
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-28
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Kootenai National Forest (KNF) will prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) on a proposed federal action, which is approval of a Plan of Operations for the Evaluation Phase of the Montanore Project (Project) The Project is a proposed underground copper and silver mine located about 18 miles south of Libby, near the Cabinet Mountains within the Libby Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest, Lincoln County, Montana. The Montanore Project is proposed by Montanore Minerals Corp. (MMC), a subsidiary of Hecla Mining Co.
Designation for the Essex, Illinois; Savage, Minnesota; Alabama; and Washington Areas
Document Number: 2017-28033
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-28
Agency: Department of Agriculture
AMS is announcing the designations of Kankakee Grain Inspection, Inc. (Kankakee); State Grain Inspection, Inc. (State Grain); Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (Alabama); and the Washington Department of Agriculture (Washington) to provide official services under the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA), as amended. The realignment of offices within the U.S. Department of Agriculture authorized by the Secretary's Memorandum dated November 14, 2017, eliminates the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) as a standalone agency. The grain inspection activities formerly part of GIPSA are now organized under the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
Common Crop Insurance Regulations; California Avocado Crop Insurance Provisions
Document Number: 2017-27895
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-12-27
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation
The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) amends the Common Crop Insurance Regulations to provide California Avocado insurance. The provisions will be used in conjunction with the Common Crop Insurance Policy Basic Provisions (Basic Provisions), which contain standard terms and conditions common to most crop programs. The intended effect of this action is to convert the California Avocado pilot crop insurance program to a regulatory insurance program for the 2020 and succeeding crop years.
Common Crop Insurance Regulations; Cultivated Clam Crop Insurance Provisions
Document Number: 2017-27894
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-12-27
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation
The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) amends the Common Crop Insurance Regulations to provide Cultivated Clam insurance. The provisions will be used in conjunction with the Common Crop Insurance Policy Basic Provisions (Basic Provisions), which contain standard terms and conditions common to most crop programs. The intended effect of this action is to convert the Cultivated Clam pilot crop insurance program to a regulatory insurance program for the 2019 and succeeding crop years.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2017-27727
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-26
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2017-27722
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-26
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2017-27709
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-26
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2017-27708
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-26
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Notice of Request for Revision of an Approved Information Collection (Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery)
Document Number: 2017-27638
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-22
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing its intention to request a renewal of the approved information collection regarding qualitative customer and stakeholder feedback on service delivery by the Food Safety and Inspection Service. There are no changes to the existing information collection; however, the Agency has reduced the burden estimate by 8,000 hours for upcoming qualitative surveys and food safety education research. The approval for this information collection will expire on May 31, 2018.
Notice of Request for Renewal of an Approved Information Collection (Common or Usual Name for Raw Meat and Poultry Products Containing Added Solutions)
Document Number: 2017-27637
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-22
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing its intention to renew an approved information collection regarding labeling requirements for raw meat and poultry products that do not meet the standard of identity regulations and to which solutions have been added. There are no changes to the existing information collection.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food
Document Number: 2017-27631
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-22
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
The Office of the Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are sponsoring a public meeting on February 22, 2018. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States (U.S.) positions to be discussed at the 12th Session of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food (CCCF) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), taking place in the Netherlands, March 12-16, 2018. The Office of the Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety and the FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties with the opportunity to obtain background information on the 12th Session of the CCCF and to address items on the agenda.
Honey Packers and Importers Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order; Change in Producer Eligibility Requirements and Implementation of Charges for Past Due Assessments
Document Number: 2017-27526
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-12-22
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposal invites comments on revising the eligibility requirements for producer representatives on the Honey Packers and Importers Board (Board) and prescribing late payment and interest charges on past due assessments under the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) regulation regarding a national research and promotion program for honey and honey products. The Board administers the regulations with oversight by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This proposal would reduce the minimum production requirement for producers to serve on the Board from 150,000 to 50,000 pounds annually and thereby allow more producers to be eligible to serve on the Board. This proposal would also prescribe late payment and interest charges on past due assessments to help facilitate program administration. Both of these actions were unanimously recommended by the Board.
Notice of Solicitation of Applications for Loan Guarantees Under the Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program for Fiscal Year 2018
Document Number: 2017-27527
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-21
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Housing Service
The Rural Housing Service (RHS or Agency), an agency within Rural Development, announces that it is soliciting competitive lender submissions (responses) regarding proposed projects for the Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP). The amount of program dollars available for the GRRHP will be determined by the Appropriations Act for each fiscal year that this Notice is open.
Sante Fe National Forest; New Mexico; Amendment of the Land Management Plan for the Santa Fe National Forest
Document Number: 2017-27490
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-21
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
Santa Fe National Forest, located in New Mexico, prepared a nonsignificant, programmatic forest plan amendment to allow the use of herbicides in municipal watersheds and on soils with low revegetation potential to accompany its Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) and a Draft Record of Decision (ROD) for Invasive Plant Control. This notice is to inform the public that a 60-day period is being initiated where individuals or entities with specific concerns on Santa Fe's Forest Plan Amendment for Invasive Plant Control may file an objection for Forest Service review prior to the approval of the Record of Decision for Invasive Plant Control.
Rules of Practice and Procedures To Formulate or Amend a Marketing Agreement or a Marketing Order, or Certain Research and Promotion Orders; Correction
Document Number: 2017-27401
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-12-20
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document contains a correction to the final rule which was published on December 11, 2017. In the final rule, the Regulatory Information Number (RIN) appears as RIN 0581-AD74. This number is incorrect. The correct number is 0581-AD76. This document corrects the final rule.
Information Collection; Generic Clearance for Citizen Science Projects
Document Number: 2017-27287
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-19
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on a new generic information collection request, Generic Clearance for Citizen Science Projects.
Information Collection; National Woodland Owner Survey
Document Number: 2017-27286
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-19
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the renewal of the National Woodland Owner Survey information collection.
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2017-27285
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-19
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Housing Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Housing Service (RHS), the Rural Business- Cooperative Service (RBS), and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of compliance with Civil Rights laws.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2017-27249
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-19
Agency: Department of Agriculture
National Organic Program (NOP); Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices-Withdrawal
Document Number: 2017-27316
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-12-18
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule sets forth the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA or Department) intention to withdraw the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) final rule published in the Federal Register on January 19, 2017, by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). The OLPP final rule amends the organic livestock and poultry production requirements in the USDA organic regulations by adding new provisions for livestock handling and transport for slaughter and avian living conditions; and expands and clarifies existing requirements covering livestock care and production practices and mammalian living conditions. The OLPP final rule was originally set to take effect on March 20, 2017. The effective date has been extended to May 14, 2018 under separate actions.
Notice of Intent To Request Approval To Revise and Extend an Information Collection
Document Number: 2017-27177
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-18
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 approval to revise and extend a currently approved information collection, the Milk and Milk Products Surveys. Revision to burden hours may be needed due to changes in the size of the target population, sample design, and/or questionnaire length.
Notice of Request for Renewal of an Approved Information Collection (Marking, Labeling and Packaging)
Document Number: 2017-27097
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-15
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing its intention to renew an approved information collection regarding the regulatory requirements for marking, labeling, and packaging of meat, poultry, and egg products and for establishments that produce mechanically separated poultry. This approval covers the labeling approval process whereby establishments are to submit their labels to FSIS for approval or maintain files related to generic labeling. This collection also covers the recordkeeping burden for packaging material letters of guarantee for safety. Lastly, this collection contains the recordkeeping burden imposed on establishments that produce mechanically separated poultry. There are no changes to the existing information collection.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Additives
Document Number: 2017-27096
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-15
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
The Office of the Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are sponsoring a public meeting on February 13, 2018. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States (U.S.) positions to be discussed at the 50th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), taking place in Xiamen, Fujian, Province China, March 26-30, 2018. The Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety and the FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties with the opportunity to obtain background information on the 50th Session of the CCFA and to address items on the agenda.
Designation for the Aberdeen, South Dakota; Hastings, Nebraska; and Missouri Areas
Document Number: 2017-27061
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-15
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
AMS is announcing the designations of Aberdeen Grain Inspection, Inc. (Aberdeen); Hastings Grain Inspection, Inc. (Hastings); and the Missouri Department of Agriculture (Missouri) to provide official services under the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA), as amended. The realignment of offices within the U.S. Department of Agriculture authorized by the Secretary's Memorandum dated November 14, 2017, eliminates the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration (GIPSA) as a standalone agency. The grain inspection activities formerly part of GIPSA are now organized under the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive License
Document Number: 2017-27054
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-15
Agency: Agricultural Research Service, Department of Agriculture
Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, intends to grant to Oregon State University of Corvallis, Oregon, an exclusive license to the variety of blackberry described in U.S. Plant Patent Application Serial No. 15/731,503, ``BLACKBERRY PLANT NAMED `ECLIPSE','' filed on June 20, 2017.
Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive License
Document Number: 2017-27053
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-15
Agency: Agricultural Research Service, Department of Agriculture
Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, intends to grant to Oregon State University of Corvallis, Oregon, an exclusive license to the variety of blackberry described in U.S. Plant Patent Application Serial No. 15/731,505, ``BLACKBERRY PLANT NAMED `GALAXY','' filed on June 20, 2017.
Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2017-27052
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-15
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 Field Crops Objective Yield Surveys. Revision to burden hours will be needed due to changes in the size of the target population, sampling design, and/or questionnaire length. In this renewal the program will be expanded to include several fruit and nut commodities into the Objective Yield program. The title of this renewal will be changed to ``Objective Yield Surveys.''
Revision of the Land Management Plan for the Flathead National Forest and Amending the Land Management Plans of the Helena-Lewis and Clark, Kootenai, and Lolo National Forests
Document Number: 2017-26952
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-15
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Forest Service is revising the Flathead National Forest's Land and Resource Management Plan (forest plan). The Forest Service is concurrently amending the forest plans of the Helena-Lewis and Clark, Kootenai, and Lolo National Forests to incorporate habitat management direction for the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) grizzly bear population. The Flathead National Forest is proposing to incorporate the NCDE grizzly bear habitat management direction as part of its plan revision process. The Forest Service has prepared a single Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for its revised forest plan and the forest plan amendments, a draft Record of Decision (ROD) for the revised forest plan, and a draft ROD for the forest plan amendments. This notice is to inform the public that a 60-day period is being initiated where individuals or entities with specific concerns on the Flathead National Forest's Revised Land Management Plan and the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy forest plan amendments for the Helena-Lewis and Clark, Kootenai, and Lolo National Forests and its associated FEIS may file objections for Forest Service review prior to the approval of the Revised Land Management Plan and forest plan amendments. This is also an opportunity to object to the Regional Forester's list of species of conservation concern for the Flathead National Forest.
Food Crediting in Child Nutrition Programs: Request for Information
Document Number: 2017-26979
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-14
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
The National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program (Child Nutrition Programs), which are administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), play a critical role in ensuring that America's children have access to the nutritious food they need to learn and succeed in the classroom, afterschool, and during the summer. It is FNS' responsibility to establish and support the meal patterns and nutrition standards (collectively referred to as meal patterns) in the Child Nutrition Programs that advance the goals of providing nutritious and satisfying meals to a broad population of children. At the same time, FNS works to simplify the menu planning process for Program operators to promote the efficient use of Program funds and provide a wide variety of food choices to menu planners and children. In order to claim Federal reimbursement, Child Nutrition Program operators must serve meals and snacks that meet the minimum meal pattern requirements of the respective Program. Crediting is the process designed by FNS to specify how individual food items contribute to the Child Nutrition Programs' meal patterns. Several factors impact how food products can credit toward reimbursable meals, such as volume, weight, and overall nutrient profile. The purpose of this Request for Information is to help FNS gather feedback from a wide variety of stakeholders on how FNS' crediting system can best address today's evolving food and nutrition environment, as well as to offer first-rate customer service to those operating and benefitting from the Child Nutrition Programs. FNS welcomes comments from all interested stakeholders. While FNS is interested in your general comments about the crediting process, FNS also invites comments on the crediting of several specific food products. FNS is especially interested in understanding both the possible benefits and any negative impacts associated with potential changes to how certain foods may or may not credit.
Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Commercial Transportation of Equines for Slaughter
Document Number: 2017-26788
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-13
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 a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with the regulations for the commercial transportation of equines to slaughtering facilities.
General Conference Committee of the National Poultry Improvement Plan; Solicitation for Membership
Document Number: 2017-26787
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-13
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are giving notice that the Secretary of Agriculture is soliciting nominations for the election of a member at-large and regional members and their alternates for the General Conference Committee of the National Poultry Improvement Plan.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2017-26786
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-13
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation; Conforming Amendment
Document Number: 2017-26736
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-12-12
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary
This final rule amends the United States Department of Agriculture regulations to conform to the changes regarding conservation compliance made by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) to its regulations in Catastrophic Risk Protection Endorsement; Area Risk Protection Insurance Basic Provisions; and Common Crop Insurance Policy Basic Provisions. These changes will provide more flexibility for conservation compliance determinations; reduce burdens on policyholders; and will allow the conservation compliance certification process for crop insurance to be administered more consistently with the practices of the Farm Service Agency (FSA).
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2017-26706
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-12
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Rules of Practice and Procedures To Formulate or Amend a Marketing Agreement, a Marketing Order, or Certain Research and Promotion Orders
Document Number: 2017-26718
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-12-11
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting a final rule to amend the definition of ``judge'' in the rules of practice and procedure to formulate or amend a marketing agreement, marketing order, or certain research and promotion orders. The new definition adds a presiding official appointed by the Secretary, as well as an administrative law judge, as an official who may preside over the rulemaking hearing.
Milk in the Florida Marketing Area; Supplemental Notification of Hearing
Document Number: 2017-26717
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-12-11
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
A public hearing is being held, on an emergency basis, to consider a proposal submitted by Southeast Milk, Inc., Dairy Farmers of America, Inc., Premier Milk, Inc., Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association, Inc., and Lone Star Milk Producers, L.C. This supplemental notice extends the hearing from December 12, 2017, through December 14, 2017, in order to provide adequate public notification.
Milk in the Florida Marketing Area; Notification of Hearing
Document Number: 2017-26632
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-12-11
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
A public hearing is being held, on an emergency basis, to consider a proposal submitted by Southeast Milk, Inc., Dairy Farmers of America, Inc., Premier Milk, Inc., Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association, Inc., and Lone Star Milk Producers, L.C. The proposal seeks a temporary supplemental charge on Class I milk to provide emergency reimbursement to handlers and producers for costs incurred as a result of market disruptions stemming from Hurricane Irma in September 2017 which caused extensive damage in the United States.
Nuseed Americas Inc.; Availability of Petition for Determination of Nonregulated Status of Canola Genetically Engineered for Altered Oil Profile
Document Number: 2017-26584
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-11
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has received a petition from Nuseed Americas Inc. (Nuseed) seeking a determination of nonregulated status of canola designated as event B0050-027, which has been genetically engineered to accumulate the long chain omega-3 fatty acid known as docosahexaenoic acid in seed. The petition has been submitted in accordance with our regulations concerning the introduction of certain genetically engineered organisms and products. We are making the Nuseed petition available for review and comment to help us identify potential environmental and interrelated economic issues and impacts that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service may determine should be considered in our evaluation of the petition.
Tomatoes Grown in Florida; Decreased Assessment Rate
Document Number: 2017-26373
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-12-11
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the Florida Tomato Committee (Committee) for a decrease in the assessment rate established for the 2017-18 and subsequent fiscal periods of tomatoes grown in Florida, handled under the marketing order (Order). The assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated. This proposed rule also makes administrative revisions to the subpart headings to bring the language into conformance with the Office of Federal Register requirements.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Pre-Screening Tool
Document Number: 2017-26494
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-08
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This is a revision of a currently approved collection for a web-based pre-screening tool used by the general public to determine potential eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Information Collection Request; Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP)
Document Number: 2017-26464
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-08
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as amended, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is requesting comments from all interested individuals and organizations on an extension with a revision of currently approved information collection associated with the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). This information is collected in support of, respectively, sections 401-407 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978, as amended, and section 9011 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, as amended.
Malheur National Forest, Blue Mountain Ranger District and Umatilla National Forest, North Fork John Day Ranger District; Oregon; Ragged Ruby Project
Document Number: 2017-26377
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-07
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Malheur National Forest is issuing this notice to advise the public of a 30-day extension to the public scoping period on the project-specific forest plan amendments proposed as part of the Ragged Ruby Project. This extension is for two amendments for connectivity and harvest in late and old structure stands, which includes identification of the applicable planning rule provisions that are likely to be directly related to the amendment.
United States Standards for Grades of Carcass Beef
Document Number: 2017-26273
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-06
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is revising the United States Standards for Grades of Carcass Beef (beef standards) to allow dentition and documentation of actual age as additional methods of classifying maturity of carcasses presented to USDA for official quality grading.
Publication of Depreciation Rates
Document Number: 2017-26272
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-06
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) administers rural utilities programs, including the Telecommunications Program. RUS announces the depreciation rates for telecommunications plant for the period ending December 31, 2016.
Inflation Catch-Up Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalty Amounts
Document Number: 2017-26194
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-12-05
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary
This final rule amends USDA's civil monetary penalty regulations by making inflation adjustments as mandated by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. USDA also removes one obsolete civil monetary penalty (CMP) regulation previously authorized under a statute that is no longer current law.
Texas A&M AgriLife Research; Availability of Petition for Determination of Nonregulated Status of Cotton Genetically Engineered for Ultra-Low Gossypol Levels in the Cottonseed
Document Number: 2017-26155
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-05
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has received a petition from Texas A&M AgriLife Research seeking a determination of nonregulated status of cotton designated as event TAM66274, which has been genetically engineered for ultra-low gossypol levels in the cottonseed. The petition has been submitted in accordance with our regulations concerning the introduction of certain genetically engineered organisms and products. We are making the Texas A&M AgriLife Research petition available for review and comment to help us identify potential environmental and interrelated economic issues and impacts that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service may determine should be considered in our evaluation of the petition.
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