Department of Agriculture September 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
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Notice of Availability of an Evaluation of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease Status of Romania
We are advising the public that we are proposing to recognize Romania as being free of highly pathogenic avian influenza and Newcastle disease. This proposed recognition is based on a risk evaluation we have prepared in connection with this action, which we are making available for review and comment.
National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee; Meeting; Correction
We are correcting an error in a notice published in the Federal Register on August 6, 2019, which announced a forthcoming National Wildlife Services Committee meeting. We provided an incorrect arrival time for attendees. This document corrects that error. The meeting will still begin at 8 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. on September 18 and 19, 2019.
Amendments to the Regulations Governing Meats, Prepared Meats, and Meat Products (Grading, Certification, and Standards)
This final rule informs the public that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is amending its regulations to update a number of outdated administrative and organizational references, clarify agency action as it relates to the withdrawal or denial of service, update the official shields and grademarks associated with the grading service, and make reference to the use of instrument grading equipment as a means of determining official grades on beef and lamb carcasses.
Agricultural Disaster Indemnity Programs
This rule establishes provisions for providing agricultural disaster assistance as authorized by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019 (Disaster Relief Act). The Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) will provide payments to eligible producers who suffered eligible crop, tree, bush, and vine losses resulting from hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, typhoons, volcanic activity, snowstorms, and wildfires that occurred in the 2018 and 2019 calendar years. The On-Farm Storage Loss Program will provide payments to eligible producers who suffered uncompensated losses of harvested commodities stored in farm structures as a result of hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, typhoons, volcanic activity, snowstorms, and wildfires that occurred in the 2018 and 2019 calendar years. The Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program (WHIP) Milk Loss Program will provide payments to eligible dairy operations for milk that was dumped or removed without compensation from the commercial milk market due to hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, typhoons, volcanic activity, snowstorms, and wildfires that occurred in the 2018 and 2019 calendar years. This rule specifies the administrative provisions, eligibility requirements, application procedures, and payment calculations for WHIP+, On-Farm Storage Loss Program, and WHIP Milk Loss Program. As required by the Disaster Relief Act, this rule also expands eligibility for 2017 WHIP to include losses incurred from Tropical Storm Cindy, losses of peach and blueberry crops in calendar year 2017 due to extreme cold, and blueberry productivity losses in calendar year 2018 due to extreme cold and hurricane damage in calendar year 2017. This rule updates the regulations for the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) to provide assistance for eligible orchardists or nursery tree growers of pecan trees with a tree mortality rate that exceeds 7.5 percent (adjusted for normal mortality) and is less than 15 percent (adjusted for normal mortality) for losses incurred in calendar year 2018. Prevented planting supplemental disaster payments will provide support to producers who were prevented from planting eligible crops for the 2019 crop year due to excess precipitation, flood, storm surge, tornado, volcanic activity, tropical depressions, hurricanes, and cyclones in the 2019 calendar year. This rule specifies the administrative provisions, eligibility requirements, and payment calculations for prevented planting supplemental disaster payments.
Environmental Impact Statement; Regulation of the Importation, Interstate Movement, and Intrastate Movement of Plant Pests: Record of Decision
This notice advises the public of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's record of decision for the final environmental impact statement titled ``Regulation of the Importation, Interstate Movement, and Intrastate Movement of Plant Pests.''
Newspapers Used for Publication of Legal Notices by the Intermountain Region; Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and Wyoming
This notice lists the newspapers that will be used by the ranger districts, forests and regional office of the Intermountain Region to publish legal notices. The intended effect of this action is to inform interested members of the public which newspapers the Forest Service will use to publish notices of proposed actions and notices of decision. This will provide the public with constructive notice of Forest Service proposals and decisions, provide information on the procedures to comment, object or appeal, and establish the date that the Forest Service will use to determine if comments or appeals/ objections were timely.
Notice of Proposed New Fee Sites for the Ouachita National Forest
The Ouachita National Forest, in Arkansas, is proposing to charge new fees at two recreation sites: Little Missouri Falls Day Use Site and Wolf Pen Gap Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Trail Complex. These sites have had additional amenities added to improve services and experiences. Fees are assessed based on the level of amenities and service provided, cost of operation and maintenance, market assessment, and public comment. Funds from fees would be used for the continued operation and maintenance of these recreation sites. Improvements have been made to the picnicking area at Little Missouri Falls Day Use Site and a new access bridge, with new hardened trail surface, has been installed to allow visitors easier access down to the unique geological features and small wading pools below the series of waterfalls along the Little Missouri River. The proposed new fees to help maintain the Little Missouri Falls Day Use Site would be: $5.00 per motorized vehicle, to include OHV/ATV riders. Over the past few years, a series of new trail routes and improvements have been made at the Wolf Pen Gap OHV Trail Complex for off-highway vehicle (OHV) users. The proposed fees are to be phased in over a period from March 2021 to March 2025, beginning with a fee of $5.00 per ATV/UTV/OHV per day or $40.00 for an annual yearly pass, March 2021. In March 2023, the fee would increase to $8.00 per ATV/UTV/OHV per day or $50.00 for an annual pass. In March 2025, the final fee would increase to $10.00 per ATV/UTV/OHV per day or $60.00 for an annual pass.
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Table Eggs From Regions Where Newcastle Disease Exists and Exportation of Poultry and Hatching Eggs
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 table eggs from regions where Newcastle disease exists and exportation of poultry and hatching eggs from the United States.
Withdrawal of Certain Proposed Rules
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing that it has withdrawn certain proposed rules that were either published in the Federal Register more than 3 years ago without subsequent action or determined to no longer be candidates for final action. USDA is taking this action to reduce its regulatory backlog and focus its resources on higher priority actions. The Department's actions are part of an overall regulatory reform strategy to reduce regulatory burden on the public and to ensure that future Unified Agendas of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions provide the public accurate information about rulemakings the Department intends to undertake.
Completion of Interim Rules
The United States Department of Agriculture is announcing the completion of certain interim rules that published in the Federal Register more than 3 years ago. USDA is taking this action because the published interim rules have been fully implemented and no further rulemaking publication is required.
Announcement of the Availability of Disaster Relief Act 2019 Grant Funds for Community Facilities
As part of the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019, the Rural Housing Service's Community Facilities Program (CF) received supplemental grant funding available for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricanes Michael and Florence and wildfires occurring in calendar year 2018, tornadoes and floods occurring in calendar year 2019, and other natural disasters, to remain available until expended. The authority for the Agency to administer the Community Facilities Grant Program is provided in the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (CONAct). The grant funds will be administered in accordance with this notice of funds availability.
Ashley National Forest, Utah and Wyoming; Revision of Ashley National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan
The USDA Forest Service is revising the Land Management Plan (Forest Plan) for the Ashley National Forest and preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS). This notice describes the documents available for review and how to obtain them; summarizes the preliminary needs for changing the existing forest plan; summarizes the proposal to revise the forest plan, provides information concerning public participation and collaboration, 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.
Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Specified Risk Materials
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 renew the approved information collection regarding specified risk materials in cattle. The approval for this information collection will expire on February 29, 2020. There are no changes to the information collection.
Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive License
Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, intends to grant to Agrosource, Inc. of Tequesta, Florida, an exclusive license to U.S. Patent No. 9,949,489, ``Methods for Control of Hemipteran Insect Stylet Sheath Structure Formation,'' issued on April 24, 2018.
Information Collection; Recreation Special Uses and Trail Program Administration
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the addition of two optional appendices and one clause to the information collection: FS-2700-4iSpecial Use Permit for Outfitting and Guiding.
Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board
The Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board (Board) will meet in Rapid City, South Dakota. The Board is established consistent with the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974, the National Forest Management Act of 1976, and the Federal Public Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. Additional information concerning the Board, including the meeting summary/minutes, can be found by visiting the Board's website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/blackhills/workingtogether/ advisorycommittees.
Establishment of a Milk Donation Reimbursement Program
This rule establishes the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program. Under the program, eligible dairy organizations that account to a Federal milk marketing order marketwide pool and incur qualified expenses related to certain fluid milk product donations may apply for and receive limited reimbursements to cover those expenses. A provision of the 2018 Farm Bill requires establishment of this program. The program is intended to reduce food waste and provide nutrition assistance to individuals in low-income groups.
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests; Idaho; Forest Plan Revision for the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests
The USDA Forest Service published a notice of intent (NOI) to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) in the Federal Register on July 15, 2014. The NOI served as the scoping document for the Forest Plan Revision for the Nez PerceClearwater National Forests, and solicited comments have been used in the preparation of a proposed Nez PerceClearwater National Forests Land Management Plan (Forest Plan) and draft EIS. Due to ongoing work on this planning effort since 2014, the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests (Forest) is updating the information in the original NOI. These updates identify new addresses and contact information, update where information on the project can be found, update the responsible official, and update the nature of the decision to be made.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene
The U.S Codex Office is sponsoring a public meeting on September 26, 2019. 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 51st Session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, in Cleveland, Ohio, November 4-8, 2019. The U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius and the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 51st Session of the CCFH and to address items on the agenda.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
The U.S Codex Office is sponsoring a public meeting on September 12, 2019. 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 21st Session of the Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (CCFFV) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, October 7- 11, 2019. The U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius and the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 21st Session of the CCFFV and to address items on the agenda.
Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage Programs
This rule implements the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) Programs authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (the 2014 Farm Bill), as amended. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) amended 2014 Farm Bill provisions regarding ARC and PLC, and authorized the ARC and PLC Programs for the 2019 through 2023 program years. The ARC and PLC Programs are continuing, with some changes. This rule also includes conforming changes to Farm Service Agency (FSA) general regulations that apply to multiple programs. The ARC and PLC Programs provide producers a choice between a counter-cyclical payment support type program (PLC) and an income support program (ARC). In a defined election and enrollment period, producers can elect different programs for different covered commodities on a farm, for example, choosing PLC for corn and ARC for soybeans on the same farm. There is also an option to elect ARC individual coverage (ARC-IC); however, if that option is elected, all the farm's covered commodities are elected with that option. This rule specifies the eligibility requirements, enrollment procedures, and payment calculations for the ARC and PLC Programs.
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations: Revisions to the Administrative Match Requirement
Through this rulemaking, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (the Department or USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is codifying new and revised statutory requirements included in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill). First, the Department is revising the minimum Federal share of the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) administrative costs and State agency/ Indian Tribal Organization (ITO) mandatory administrative match requirement amounts. Second, the Department is revising its administrative match waiver requirements by allowing State agencies and ITOs to qualify for a waiver if the required match share would be a substantial burden. Third, the Department is limiting the reduction of any FDPIR benefits or services to State agencies and ITOs that are granted a full or partial administrative match waiver. Last, the Department is allowing for other Federal funds, if such use is otherwise consistent with both the purpose of the other Federal funds and with the purpose of FDPIR administrative funds, to be used to meet the State agency/ITO administrative match requirement.
Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Change in Initial Guarantee Fee and Annual Guarantee Fee
The Rural Housing Service (RHS or the Agency) is proposing to amend its regulation to remove the stated amount that the Agency will charge for the initial and annual guarantee fees. The regulation change will allow the Agency the flexibility to establish or make any future changes to the initial and annual guarantee fees without the need for a regulatory change.
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