Department of Agriculture June 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
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Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
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 Fruits, Nuts, and Specialty Crops Surveys. Minor revisions to burden hours may be needed due to changes in the size of the target population, sample design, or minor changes in questionnaire design.
Notice of Request for a Renewal of an Information Collection; Fast Track Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Programs
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to request feedback from the general public on the ``Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Programs.'' This collection was developed as part of a Federal Government-wide effort to streamline the process for seeking feedback from the public on service delivery. This notice announces our intent to submit this collection to OMB for approval and solicits comments on specific aspects for the proposed information collection.
Onions Grown in South Texas; Decreased Assessment Rate
This rule implements a recommendation from the South Texas Onion Committee (Committee) to decrease the assessment rate established for the 2019-20 and subsequent fiscal periods. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; National Veterinary Services Laboratories; Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Surveillance Program
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 National Veterinary Services Laboratories diagnostic support for the bovine spongiform encephalopathy surveillance program.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-FNS 275-SNAP Quality Control Regulations
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 information collection request.
Retail Exemptions Adjusted Dollar Limitations
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing the dollar limitations on the amount of meat and meat food products and poultry and poultry products that a retail store can sell to hotels, restaurants, and similar institutions without disqualifying itself for exemption from Federal inspection requirements. Because Siluriformes fish have been regulated, along with traditional meat products, under the Federal Meat Inspection Act since 2016, FSIS has included Siluriformes fish and fish products in its calculations for the retail dollar limitation for meat products in this announcement. FSIS requests comments on the inclusion of Siluriformes fish and fish products with meat products.
Area Risk Protection Insurance Regulations; Common Crop Insurance Policy Basic Provisions; and Common Crop Insurance Regulations, Coarse Grains Crop Insurance Provisions
The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) amends the Area Risk Protection Insurance (ARPI) Regulations; Common Crop Insurance Policy (CCIP) Basic Provisions; and the Common Crop Insurance Regulations, Coarse Grains Crop Insurance Provisions. The intended effect of this action is to implement the changes contained in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (commonly referred to as the 2018 Farm Bill). Section 11122 of the 2018 Farm Bill required that FCIC research and develop methods of adjusting for quality losses. In addition to the 2018 Farm Bill required changes, FCIC is updating provisions regarding premium offsets, Administrator reinstatement, notice of loss, double cropping requirements, prevented planting, and units. The changes to the policy made in this rule are applicable for the 2021 crop year for crops with a contract change date on or after June 30, 2020. For all crops the changes to the policy made in this rule are applicable for the 2022 and succeeding crop years.
Olives Grown in California; Amendments to the Marketing Order No. 932
This final rule amends Marketing Order No. 932, which regulates the handling of olives grown in California. The amendment, which was proposed by the California Olive Committee (Committee), was approved by producers in a referendum. This action revises the marketing order's quorum requirement and makes a clarifying change stating that alternate members acting as members to form a quorum would also be eligible to cast votes.
Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the above-named agency to request Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for a revision of a currently approved information collection in support of the Advanced Biofuel Payment Program.
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Rural Housing Service (RHS) invites comments on this information collection for which approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will be requested. The intention is to request a revision for a currently approved information collection in support of the program for Telecommunications System Construction Policies and Procedures.
Common Crop Insurance Regulations; Dry Pea Crop Insurance Provisions
The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) amends the Common Crop Insurance Regulations, Dry Pea Crop Insurance Provisions (Crop Provisions). The intended effect of this action is to update crop insurance policy provisions and definitions to better reflect current agricultural practices. The changes are to be effective for the 2021 and succeeding crop years.
Inviting Applications for Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grants
This Notice announces that the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (Agency) is announcing fiscal year (FY) 2020 funding for applications for the Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) program. The program funding level for FY2020 is a total of $3.0 million. Detailed information can be found on the SDGG website located at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/socially-disadvantag ed- groups-grant. Expenses incurred in developing applications are the responsibility of the applicant. The purpose of this program is to provide technical assistance to Socially-Disadvantaged Groups in rural areas. Eligible applicants include Cooperatives, Groups of Cooperatives, and Cooperative Development Centers. This program supports Rural Development's (RD) mission of improving the quality of life for rural Americans and commitment to directing resources to those who most need them.
Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Blood and Tissue Collection and Recordkeeping at Slaughtering, Rendering, and Approved Livestock Marketing Establishments and Facilities
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 governing approval and maintenance of livestock marketing establishments and facilities, listing blood and tissue collection and recordkeeping, and withdrawal or denial of livestock marketing facilities and slaughtering and rendering facilities.
J.R. Simplot Company; Availability of a Request and Plant Pest Risk Similarity Assessment for an Extension of a Determination of Nonregulated Status for Z6 Potatoes With Late Blight Protection, Low Acrylamide Potential, Lowered Reducing Sugars, and Reduced Black Spot
We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has received a request to extend our determination of nonregulated status of J.R. Simplot Company's (Simplot's) W8 potato to event Z6 (hereafter Z6 potato). Z6 potato has been genetically engineered for late blight protection, low acrylamide potential, lowered reducing sugars, and reduced black spot using the same construct and method of transformation as W8 potato. We are making available for public comment the request and our plant pest risk similarity assessment and preliminary determination of nonregulated status.
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Bees and Related Articles
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 bees and related articles into the United States.
Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Importation of Animals and Animal 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 activities to prevent the introduction of bovine spongiform encephalopathy into the United States.
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
This notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval, from the Office of Management and Budget, for an extension of the currently approved information collection request Web-Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) system. This information collection is necessary to support the procurement of agricultural commodities for domestic and international nutrition assistance programs. AMS issues invitations to purchase fresh and processed commodities for domestic and international nutrition assistance programs on a year-round basis. The extension of the information collection request is required to continue using the WBSCM system, which allows respondents to submit information entered and received electronically in WBSCM. Vendors will be able to access electronically. The information collection burden for respondents should not increase.
Notice of Funds Availability for the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) for Fiscal Year 2020; Correction
The Commodity Credit Corporation and the Rural Business- Cooperative Service, USDA published a notice in the Federal Register on May 5, 2020 regarding the Notice of Funds Availability for the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) for Fiscal Year 2020. This document inadvertently did not include all the Western states in Section V. Application Review Information, A. Criteria, 2. This notice corrects that omission.
Revision of Three U.S. Grade Standards for Carrots
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is revising the U.S. Standards for Grades of Topped Carrots, U.S. Standards for Grades of Bunched Carrots, and U.S. Standards for Grades of Carrots with Short Trimmed Tops. AMS is adding more U.S. No. 1 grades to accommodate carrots of colors other than orange, orange red, and orange scarlet. The current U.S. No. 1 grades will remain unchanged. In addition, AMS is removing the Unclassified section and renumbering sections due to the additional grades.
Forest Service Manual 2710 and Forest Service Handbook 2709.11; Special Uses; Use and Storage of Explosive Materials on National Forest System Lands Under Special Use Authorizations
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (Forest Service), is issuing interim directives on the use and storage of explosive materials on National Forest System lands as part of activities authorized under special use permits. The Forest Service has determined that some of the direction contained in these interim directives formulates standards, criteria, and guidelines applicable to Forest Service programs and is therefore subject to public notice and comment. The Forest Service has made a finding of good cause that an exigency exists to support issuance of the interim directives, which go into effect upon publication for public comment.
West Virginia Resource Advisory Committee
The West Virginia Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold a virtual meeting. 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 the Act. RAC information can be found at the following website: https://cloudapps-usda-gov.secure.force.com/ FSSRS/RAC_Page?id=001t0000002JcuqAAC.
Ketchikan Resource Advisory Committee
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. RAC information can be found at the following website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/pts.
West Virginia Resource Advisory Committee
The West Virginia Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold a virtual meeting. 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 the Act. RAC information can be found at the following website: https://cloudapps-usda-gov.secure.force.com/ FSSRS/RAC_Page?id=001t0000002JcuqAAC.
Information Collection Activity; Comment Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Housing Service's intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the program for Fire and Rescue Loans.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Alimentarius Commission
The U.S Codex Office is sponsoring a public meeting on June 25, 2020. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States (U.S.) positions for the 43rd Session of the of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). The CAC will not be meeting physically during its previously scheduled dates in July 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is currently preparing for the possibility of convening for a virtual Commission session. 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 43rd Session of the CAC and to address items on the agenda.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): 2020/2021 Income Eligibility Guidelines; Correction
The Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service published a document in the Federal Register of May 26, 2020 concerning income eligibility guidelines for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The document contains a mislabeled column in one of the tables.
Notice of Intent To Issue Forest Order Closing Areas Near Beattie Gulch Trailhead and McConnell Fishing Access North and West of Gardiner, Montana to the Discharge of Firearms
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, is giving notice of intent to issue an order closing the Beattie Gulch Trailhead and McConnell Fishing Access areas north and west of Gardiner, Montana to the discharge of firearms in advance of the public comment period for the proposed closure. At the end of the notice of intent period, the Forest Service will solicit public comments, as specified in this notice, on the proposed forest order.
Debt Management
The general debt management regulations of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) provide that individual USDA agencies may issue regulations for their own specific debt collection activities principally in recognition that the agencies conducted debt collection activities prior to the enactment of the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (DCIA). Many of the provisions of individual agencies are redundant to part 3. This rule will eliminate the debt collection regulations of the following USDA agencies, and part 3 will be revised to include specific provisions used by these agencies: the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC); the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), and the Farm Service Agency (FSA). In addition, as required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Improvements Act of 2015 (the 2015 Civil Penalties Act), this rule updates the size of civil monetary penalties to reflect inflationary adjustments for 2020.
Lassen County Resource Advisory Committee
The Lassen County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold a virtual meeting. 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 the Act. RAC information can be found at the following website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/lassen/ workingtogether/advisorycommittees.
Meeting Notice of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board
In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, and the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces a meeting of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board.
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, All Subtypes, and Newcastle Disease; Additional Restrictions
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 to prevent the introduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza, all subtypes, and Newcastle disease into the United States through the importation of birds, poultry, and unprocessed bird and poultry products.
Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; U.S. Origin Health Certificate
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 export of animals and animal products from the United States.
Notice of Funding Availability; Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) Additional Commodities Request for Information; Correction
This document corrects the supplementary information section to the notice of funding availability and additional commodities request for information published in the Federal Register on May 22, 2020, concerning CFAP. This document adds questions to request specific information related to certain specialty crops. This is intended to add clarity. USDA is still requesting comments on additional commodities that are not already identified and on the paperwork reduction act for CFAP activities. The questions added in this correction cover additional commodities and the development of their payment rates as envisioned in the cost analysis for the CFAP rule and are not expected to impact the costs of CFAP.
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program; Correction
The Secretary of Agriculture is correcting a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on May 21, 2020. The document was issued to implement the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) that provides assistance to agricultural producers impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. There is one typo in the table of payment rates for the commodity of carrots that needs to be corrected. Additional corrections are being made to add clarity to the rule.
Warm Springs, North River, and Glenwood-Pedlar Ranger Districts, George Washington National Forest; Highland, Bath, and Augusta Counties, Virginia; Marlington Ranger District, Monongahela National Forest; Pocahontas County, West Virginia, Atlantic Coast Pipeline and Supply Header Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
The USDA Forest Service is preparing a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to the 2017 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) and Supply Header project. The ACP proposed action that is specific to National Forest System (NFS) lands is to construct, operate and maintain a 42-inch natural gas pipeline with associated facilities, such as roads, across the Monogahela (MNF) and George Washington National Forests (GWNF).
Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced in the Far West; Salable Quantities and Allotment Percentages for the 2020-2021 Marketing Year
This final rule implements a recommendation from the Far West Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee) to establish salable quantities and allotment percentages of Class 1 (Scotch) and Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil produced in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and designated parts of Nevada and Utah (the Far West) for the 2020-2021 marketing year.
International Trade Data System Test Concerning the Electronic Submission Through the Automated Commercial Environment of Notification of Importation of Fruits, Vegetables, and Specialty Crops Required by the Agricultural Marketing Service Using the Partner Government Agency Message Set; Conclusion of Pilot Test
This notice announces the conclusion of a pilot test of the International Trade Data System (ITDS) involving the electronic submission of data related to importations of fruits, vegetables, and specialty crops. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) regulates imports of the food commodities and is engaged in a partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other government agencies to test the Partner Government Agency (PGA) Message Set component of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). The submission of this import information is required under section 608e (section 8e-1) of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937. The pilot program tested the electronic transmission of data related to AMS's responsibilities through CBP's ACE known as the PGA Message Set to AMS's Compliance Enforcement Management System (CEMS).
Tomatoes Grown in Florida; Modification of Handling Requirements
This proposed rule invites comment on recommendations from the Florida Tomato Committee (Committee) to change the handling requirements in the Marketing Order regulating the handling of tomatoes grown in Florida. This action would revise the exemption, container, and definition sections under the handling requirements and would update language to reflect current industry practices.
Collaborative Forest Restoration Program Technical Advisory Panel
The Collaborative Forest Restoration Program Technical Advisory Panel (Panel) will hold a virtual meeting. The Panel is established consistent with the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), and Title VI of the Community Forest Restoration Act (the Act). Additional information concerning the Panel, including the meeting summary/minutes, can be found by visiting the Panel's website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r3/cfrp.
National Organic Program; Proposed Amendments to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances per April 2019 NOSB Recommendations (Livestock and Handling)
This proposed rule would amend the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) section of the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) organic regulations to implement recommendations submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). This rule proposes to add the following substances to the National List: Oxalic acid dihydrate as a pesticide for organic apiculture; pullulan for use in organic handling in products labeled, ``Made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s))''; and collagen gel casing as a nonorganic agricultural substance for use in organic handling when organic forms of collagen gel casing are not commercially available.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Forms: Applications, Periodic Reporting, and Notices
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on the proposed information collection. This collection is a revision of the currently approved collection for the applications, periodic reporting, and notices burden calculations for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Decision To Authorize the Importation of Fresh Carrots From the Republic of Korea Into the United States
We are advising the public of our decision to authorize the importation of fresh carrots from the Republic of Korea into the United States. Based on the findings of a pest risk analysis, which we made available to the public to review and comment through a previous notice, we have concluded that the application of one or more phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation of fresh carrots from the Republic of Korea into the United States.
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