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

Prior Label Approval System: Expansion of Generic Label Approval
Document Number: 2020-17340
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-09-14
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to amend its inspection regulations to expand the circumstances under which FSIS will generically approve the labels of meat, poultry, and egg products. FSIS is also proposing to cease evaluating generically approved labels submitted to FSIS for review.
Fiscal Year 2020 Raw Cane Sugar Tariff-Rate Quota Increase and Extension of Entry Period
Document Number: 2020-20065
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-10
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary
The Office of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (the Secretary) is providing notice of an increase in the fiscal year (FY) 2020 raw cane sugar tariff-rate quota (TRQ) of 90,718 metric tons raw value (MTRV) and an extension of the TRQ entry period.
Innovative Technologies and Practices for the Agriculture Innovation Agenda
Document Number: 2020-20020
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-10
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is requesting comments and suggestions on the most innovative technologies and practices that can be readily deployed across U.S. agriculture to meet USDA's goal of increasing agricultural production by 40 percent to meet the needs of the global population in 2050 while cutting the environmental footprint of U.S. agriculture in half. This effort is a part of USDA's Agriculture Innovation Agenda (AIA), USDA's commitment to the continued success of American farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers in the face of current and future challenges. Note: Technologies and practices that have potential to address these AIA goals, but that need substantial development or research before deployment, were captured in the recent USDA request for written stakeholder input published in the Federal Register on April 1, 2020, and open for comment until August 1st, 2020.
Fishlake National Forest; Utah; Southern Monroe Mountain Allotments Livestock Grazing Authorization
Document Number: 2020-19955
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-10
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to disclose the environmental impacts of proposed land management activities and corresponding alternatives within the Southern Monroe Mountain Allotments Livestock Grazing Authorization project area. The project is located on National Forest System lands, administered by the Richfield Ranger District, south of Richfield, Utah. These six allotments are in Sevier and Piute Counties and cover multiple sections in Ranges 1, 2, 2.5, and 3 West and in Townships 26, 27, 28, and 29 South.
Joint Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Impact Statement for Wildlife Damage Management in California
Document Number: 2020-19090
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-10
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, working in coordination with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, intends to prepare a joint environmental impact report (EIR) and environmental impact statement (EIS) analyzing alternatives for wildlife damage management in California in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. This notice proposes issues and alternatives for consideration in the joint EIR/EIS and requests public comments to further delineate the scope of the alternatives, environmental issues, and other issues of public concern to be considered in the EIR/EIS.
Information Collection; Request for Comment; National Visitor Use Monitoring; Correction
Document Number: 2020-19929
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-09
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Forest Service published a document in the Federal Register on August 20, 2020, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, to seek comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension of a currently approved information collection, National Visitor Use Monitoring (0596-0110). The document contained the incorrect Expiration Date of Approval.
Pacific Northwest Region; Oregon; Land Management Plan Amendment; Forest Management Direction for Large Diameter Trees in Eastern Oregon
Document Number: 2020-19803
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-08
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Pacific Northwest Region of the Forest Service is extending the public comment period for the Preliminary Environmental Assessment (EA) for Forest Management Direction for Large Diameter Trees in Eastern Oregon, a proposed amendment to land management plans for the Deschutes, Fremont-Winema, Malheur, Ochoco, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests.
Sanders Resource Advisory Committee
Document Number: 2020-19795
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-08
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Sanders 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 Title II of the Act. RAC information can be found at the following website: https://cloudapps-usda-gov.force.com/ FSSRS/RAC_Page?id=001t0000002JcwJAAS.
Request for Nominations to the Task Force on Agricultural Air Quality Research
Document Number: 2020-19783
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-08
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
The Secretary of Agriculture invites nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for a 2-year term on the Task Force on Agricultural Air Quality Research, typically referred to as the Agricultural Air Quality Task Force (AAQTF) established by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to provide recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture on agricultural air quality issues. This notice solicits nominations for membership on AAQTF.
Sanders Resource Advisory Committee
Document Number: 2020-19739
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-08
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Sanders 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 Title II of the Act. RAC information can be found at the following website: https://cloudapps-usda-gov.force.com/ FSSRS/RAC_Page?id=001t0000002JcwJAAS.
Lassen County Resource Advisory Committee
Document Number: 2020-19738
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-08
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
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.
Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Animals and Poultry, Animal and Poultry Products, Certain Animal Embryos, Semen, and Zoological Animals
Document Number: 2020-19733
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-08
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 importation of animals and poultry, animal and poultry products, certain animal embryos, semen, and zoological animals.
Establishment of a Domestic Hemp Production Program; Comment Period Reopened
Document Number: 2020-17659
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-08
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is providing an additional thirty (30) days for public comments on the interim final rule (IFR) that established the Domestic Hemp Production Program on October 31, 2019. Reopening the comment period gives interested persons an additional opportunity to comment on the IFR. Comments are solicited from all stakeholders, notably those who were subject to the regulatory requirements of the IFR during the 2020 production cycle.
Review and Issuance of Agency Guidance Documents
Document Number: 2020-17652
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-08
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary
In a final rule published in the Federal Register on June 3, 2020, and effective on July 6, 2020, we amended the U.S. Department of Agriculture's administrative regulations by adding procedural regulations for the review and issuance of agency guidance documents as mandated by Executive Order. The final rule contained an incorrect email address and a provision that is inconsistent with the Executive Order and other provisions of the final rule. This document addresses those issues.
Onions Grown in South Texas; Continuance Referendum
Document Number: 2020-17578
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-09-08
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible producers of onions grown in South Texas to determine whether they favor continuance of the marketing order regulating the handling of onions produced in the production area.
Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Pummelos Grown in Florida; Establishment of Reporting Requirements and New Information Collection
Document Number: 2020-17576
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-08
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This rule implements a recommendation from the Citrus Administrative Committee (Committee) to establish reporting requirements under the Federal marketing order for oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and pummelos grown in Florida. This action requires Florida citrus handlers who handle citrus grown within the production area to register with the Committee.
Information Collection; Certification of Concrete Construction
Document Number: 2020-19622
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-04
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 new information collection, Certification of Concrete Construction.
Information Collection Requests; Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Customer Feedback on the Farm Service Agency Service Delivery (0560-0286), and Certified State Mediation Program (0560-0165)
Document Number: 2020-19540
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-04
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is requesting comments from all interested individuals and organizations associated with the extension of two information collection requests. The two collection requests are Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Customer Feedback on the Farm Service Agency Service Delivery (0560-0286), and Certified State Mediation Program (0560-0165). For Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Customer Feedback on FSA Service Delivery, this option is a fast track for approval to streamline the timing to implement certain types of surveys and related collection of information. FSA uses the approval to cover the instruments of collection (such as a survey, a window pop-up survey, a focus group, or a comment card), which are designed to get customer feedback on FSA service delivery for various programs. This request for approval broadly addresses FSA's need for information about what our customers think of our services so that we can improve service delivery; specific information collection activities will be incorporated into the approval as the need for the information is identified. For example, when we implement a new program and provide information about the services for the program on our website, we may provide a voluntary customer service questionnaire about how well the program is working for our customers, specifically within the area of customer service. FSA is requesting to increase the number of respondents in the fast track approval due to an anticipated increase in the number of customer respondents responding to customer service surveys that will be sent to a broader scope and greater number of FSA customers. For Certified State Mediation Program collection is necessary to ensure that the grant program is administered properly. The collection of information is used to determine whether participants meet the eligibility requirements to be a recipient of grant funds. Lack of adequate information to make the determination could result in the improper administration of Federal grant funds.
Notice of Request for a Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection
Document Number: 2020-19497
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-03
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Foreign Agricultural Service to revise the currently approved information collection for the USDA's Quality Samples Program.
Mineral County Resource Advisory Committee
Document Number: 2020-19493
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-03
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The Mineral 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 Title II of the Act; and to make recommendations on recreation fee proposals for sites consistent with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. RAC information can be found at the following website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/lolo/ workingtogether/advisorycommittees/?cid=fsm9_021467.
Notice of Request for Reinstatement of an Information Collection; Export Health Certificate for Animal Products
Document Number: 2020-19483
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-03
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 the reinstatement of an information collection associated with the export of animal products from the United States.
Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research and Information Order; Continuance Referendum
Document Number: 2020-17547
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-09-03
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible domestic manufacturers and importers of paper and paper-based packaging to determine whether they favor continuance of the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) regulations regarding a national paper and paper-based packaging research and promotion program.
Collaborative Forest Restoration Program Technical Advisory Panel
Document Number: 2020-19323
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-02
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
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.
Collaborative Forest Restoration Program Technical Advisory Panel
Document Number: 2020-19319
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-02
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
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.
OneRD Annual Notice of Guarantee Fee Rates, Periodic Retention Fee Rates, Loan Guarantee Percentage and Fee for Issuance of the Loan Note Guarantee Prior to Construction Completion for Fiscal Year 2021
Document Number: 2020-19288
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-01
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, Rural Utilities Service
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS), Rural Housing Service (RHS), and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), agencies of the Rural Development mission area within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), hereinafter collectively referred to as the Agency, offer loan guarantees through four programs: Community Facilities (CF) administered by RHS; Water and Waste Disposal (WWD) administered by the RUS; and Business and Industry (B&I) and Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) administered by the RBCS. This notice provides applicants with the Guarantee Fee rates, Guarantee percent for Guaranteed Loans, the Periodic Retention Fee, and Fee for Issuance of the Loan Note Guarantee Prior to Construction Completion for FY 2021, to be used when applying for guarantee loans under the aforementioned guarantee loan types. This notice is being published prior to the passage of a FY 2021 appropriation. Should the fees need to be adjusted after passage of the FY 2021 appropriation bill, the agency will publish a subsequent notice in the Federal Register.
Oil and Gas Resources
Document Number: 2020-18518
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-09-01
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service (Agency) is proposing revisions to its regulations governing Federal oil and gas resources on National Forest System lands. The Agency proposes these revisions to update and modernize its existing regulations. In addition, conforming technical amendments to other parts of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) affected by this rule are proposed. The proposed regulations would revise the procedures the Forest Service will follow in the future to make lands available for leasing. The proposed regulations would also clarify requirements for conducting operations and revise procedures that the Agency will follow to monitor operator compliance on leases. These requirements would apply to operations on both existing and future leases. Public input has informed the development of the rules, including through an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR). The Agency is now requesting public comments on the proposed revisions to the rule. The Agency will carefully consider public comments in preparing the final rule. The Agency is also requesting comments on the information collection associated with the Subpart E revision and the Environmental Assessment (EA).
Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board
Document Number: 2020-17365
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-01
Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture
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). The NOSB assists the USDA in the development of standards for substances to be used in organic production and advises the Secretary of Agriculture on any other aspects of the implementation of the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA).
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