Department of Agriculture August 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this Notice announces the Rural Housing Service's (RHS) intention to request a revision for a currently approved information collection in support of the program for the Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on proposed information collections. This is a revision of currently approved information collection requirements associated with initiating collection actions against households who have received an overissuance in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

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 collection is a new collection to collect information on the operational aspects of the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program (P-EBT).

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. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, enacted March 18, 2020, includes a general provision that allows the Department of Agriculture to issue emergency allotments (EA) based on a public health emergency declaration by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act related to an outbreak of COVID-19 when a State has also issued an emergency or disaster declaration. This is a new collection for activities associated with administering emergency allotments.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), is hosting a virtual public meeting with participation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Partnership for Food Safety Education. FSIS seeks to establish a comprehensive understanding of how consumers handle and prepare food today, by reviewing recent research and forthcoming research, so as to develop the most effective approach for consumer outreach and education in the future. Industry, consumer representatives, non-profits, food safety advocates working at state, county and local levels, and other interested individuals are invited to participate in the meeting and comment on the data and science that drive FSIS consumer education.

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 a new information collection associated with volunteer service agreements and volunteer service time and attendance record.

This final rule amends the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) regulations to implement provisions of the 2008 Farm Bill regarding monthly benefit issuance allotments, storage of benefits off-line, and permanent expungement of unused benefits, as well as related benefit expungement and off-line storage provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill. This final rule also updates SNAP regulations to reflect the program's name change to SNAP and benefit issuance through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) systems.

Pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the Department of Agriculture and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing a virtual meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI). The committee is authorized under the Federal Meat Inspection Act and Poultry Products Inspection Act and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The committee will convene virtually on September 24-25, 2020. The objective of the public meeting is for the Committee to review and advise about the steps FSIS should take to ensure better control of artisanal, shelf-stable ready- to-eat (RTE) fermented, salt-cured, or dried products that rely on multiple hurdles for lethality. NACMPI will also review and advise whether the Agency should continue not to test boxed beef primal and sub-primal products for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), if they are intended for intact cuts.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension of a currently approved information collection, National Visitor Use Monitoring (0596-0110).

We are notifying the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will hold virtual listening sessions to receive public input on topics related to the development of regulations regarding the welfare of birds not bred for use in research.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on a new information collection, Significant Cave Nominations under the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act (FCRPA).

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has received a petition from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) seeking a determination of nonregulated status for blight- resistant Darling 58 American chestnut (Castanea dentata). The petition has been submitted in accordance with our regulations concerning the introduction of certain genetically engineered organisms. We are making available for public comment the ESF petition and requesting public input regarding potential issues and impacts that APHIS should be considering in our evaluation of the petition.

The Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board (Board) will conduct a virtual meeting. The committee is established consistent with 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 Secretary of Agriculture through the Black Hills National Forest Supervisor on a broad range of forest issues. Board information, including the meeting agenda and the meeting summary/minutes can be found at the following website: https:// www.fs.usda.gov/main/blackhills/workingtogether/advisorycommi ttees.

We are reopening the comment period for our proposed rule that would amend the animal disease regulations to provide for a National List of Reportable Animal Diseases, along with reporting responsibilities for animal health professionals that encounter or suspect cases of communicable diseases and disease agents. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA), United States Forest Service (Forest Service), is issuing directives implementing the public notice and comment requirements for issuance of orders that temporarily or permanently close National Forest System lands to hunting, fishing, or recreational shooting, except in an emergency.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the intention of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights to request a renewal to an approved information collection for race, ethnicity, and gender along with comments.

CFAP helps agricultural producers impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. As provided in the CFAP regulation, this document announces additional commodities that have been determined eligible for CFAP assistance. USDA carefully reviewed the additional information provided in the comments to develop the list of additional commodities.

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 NEW information collection will provide USDA with information on Child Support Cooperation Requirements in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

This proposal invites comments on amending the Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order (Order) to increase the assessment rate from $0.35 to $0.41 per thousand board feet (mbf). The Order is administered by the Softwood Lumber Board (Board) with oversight by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Under the program, assessments are collected from domestic manufacturers and importers and used for research and promotion projects designed to strengthen the position of softwood lumber in the marketplace. This proposal would also add the conversion factor for square meters to board feet and make one conforming change.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is correcting a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on July 10, 2020. The final rule amends existing special use regulations to implement section 512 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, as added by section 211 of division O, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (hereinafter ``section 512''). Section 512 governs the development and approval of operating plans and agreements for maintenance and vegetation management of electric transmission and distribution line facilities (powerline facilities) on National Forest System (NFS) lands inside the linear boundary of special use authorizations for powerline facilities and on abutting NFS lands to remove or prune hazard trees.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA), on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), is announcing changes to the availability of funding and payment calculation for certified organic operations, which are required based on expected participation levels and limited funding, under the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). FSA is also announcing the opportunity for State Agencies to apply for grant agreements to administer the OCCSP program in fiscal year (FY) 2020.