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

This notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) not to collect data for the currently approved information collection, the Agricultural Labor Survey, and its associated publication originally planned for November 2020.

We are giving notice that the Secretary of Agriculture has renewed the charter of the General Conference Committee of the National Poultry Improvement Plan (Committee) for a 2-year period. The Secretary of Agriculture has determined that the Committee is necessary and in the public interest.

The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing a revision to the method of interpretation for determining ``sample grade criteria,'' in the Bean Inspection Handbook, as it pertains to the class ``Blackeye beans,'' in the U.S. Standards for Beans under the United States Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA). Stakeholders in the dry bean processing/handling industry requested that AMS amend the definition of sample grade in the Blackeye bean inspection instructions by revising the unit of measurement for the factor Insect Webbing or Filth and removing clean-cut weevil-bore as a sample grade factor. Clean-cut weevil-bore will be considered a damage factor only. To ensure that the Blackeye bean class standard remains relevant, AMS invites interested parties to comment on whether revising the inspection instructions facilitate the marketing of Blackeye beans. This action does not revise or amend the Grade and Grade Requirements for the class Blackeye Beans in the U.S. Standard for Beans.

The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing a revision to the method of interpretation for determining ``whole peas,'' in the Pea and Lentil Inspection Handbook, as it pertains to the class ``Split Peas,'' in the U.S. Standards for Split Peas under the United States Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA). Stakeholders in the pea processing/ handling industry requested AMS to amend the interpretation of whole peas in the Split Pea inspection instructions by increasing the percent requirement for the factor whole peas. To ensure that the Split Pea class standard remains relevant, AMS invites interested parties to comment on whether revising the inspection instruction facilitates the marketing of Split Peas. This action does not revise or amend the Grade and Grade Requirements for the class Split Peas in the U.S. Standard for Split Peas.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service is issuing this final rule to implement certain changes to the Small Tracts Act, which was enacted in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, also known as the 2018 Farm Bill. These statutory changes create two new categories of lands eligible for conveyance outside of the National Forest System under the Small Tracts Act: parcels 40 acres or less that are physically isolated, inaccessible, or have lost National Forest System character; and parcels of ten acres or less that are not eligible for conveyance under previous eligibility conditions and are encroached on by a permanent habitable improvement for which there is no evidence that the encroachment was intentional or negligent.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing a delay in the full implementation of the APHIS Core Message Set in the Automated Commercial Environment/International Trade Data System (ACE/ITDS) for the electronic submission of data required by APHIS Animal Care, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, Plant Protection and Quarantine, and Veterinary Services. APHIS intended to begin applying Harmonized Tariff Schedule flags, which would alert filers who opted to submit electronically using ACE whether APHIS import data is or may be required, on August 3, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, APHIS is delaying implementation until January 25, 2021. Full implementation of the message set will bring APHIS into compliance with the mandates of the Security and Accountability For Every Port Act of 2006 and Executive Order 13659. The information collected will enhance APHIS' ability to make data-driven policy decisions, improve risk analysis/assessments, and enhance ability to respond to changing pest/ disease conditions.

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.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the revised information collection, Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) and Firefighter Property (FFP) Program Administration.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, is proposing to revise its directives to update and clarify guidance on management of electric bicycle (e-bike) use on National Forest System (NFS) lands. E-bikes have become increasingly popular nationwide among outdoor recreationists on NFS and other federal lands. E-bikes expand recreational opportunities for many people, particularly the elderly and disabled, enabling them to enjoy the outdoors and associated health benefits. Currently e-bike use is not allowed on NFS roads, on NFS trails, and in areas on NFS lands that are not designated for motor vehicle use. To promote designation of NFS roads, NFS trails, and areas on NFS lands for e-bike use, the proposed revisions include new definitions for an e-bike and a Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 e- bike, as well as guidance and criteria for designating e-bike use on NFS roads, on NFS trails, and in areas on NFS lands.

We are advising the public that we have prepared a final environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact relative to establishing an integrated management strategy to control cogongrass, a noxious weed, in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina. Based on our finding of no significant impact, we have determined that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared.

The Secretary of Agriculture is issuing this rule to provide additional assistance under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to agricultural producers who continue to be impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. This rule specifies the eligibility requirements, payment calculations, and application procedures for a second round of payments (CFAP 2). In addition, it also extends the special payment limitation provisions to trusts and estates for CFAP 1 and amends the provisions regarding applicable year and direct attribution of payments to members of legal entities that qualify for the increased payment limitation.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to seek approval to conduct a new information collection to gather data related to water usage for North Carolina agricultural operations that likely use between 10,000 and 1,000,000 gallons per day.

This proposal invites comments on the establishment of the Pecan Research, Promotion, and Information Order (Order). The purpose of the program would be to strengthen the position of pecans in the marketplace, maintain and expand markets for pecans, and develop new uses for pecans. The program would be financed by an assessment on pecan producers and importers. This proposal also invites comments on the procedures for conducting a referendum to determine whether the continuation of the proposed Order is favored by domestic producers and importers of pecans. In addition, this proposal announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intent to request approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of new information collection requirements to implement the program.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the OPPE to request approval for a new information collection for survey administration.

This Notice announces the solicitation of applications for funds available under the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program (the Program) to provide guaranteed loans to fund the development, construction, and retrofitting of commercial scale biorefineries using eligible technology and of biobased product manufacturing facilities that use technologically new commercial scale processing and manufacturing equipment to convert renewable chemicals and other biobased outputs of biorefineries into end-user products, on a commercial scale.

We are proposing to amend the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations governing research facilities by removing duplicative and unnecessary information requirements. We would remove the requirement that registered research facilities update their registration information every 3 years. We also propose to remove the requirement for continual, but not less than annual, review of research animal use activities and replace it with a requirement for a complete review at least every 3 years, and to no longer require that research facilities request an inactive status if they no longer use, handle, or transport AWA covered animals. In addition, we propose to clarify the duration of a registration and conditions for its cancellation, and to no longer require that the Institutional Official or Chief Executive Officer sign the annual report. We would also make miscellaneous changes to improve readability. The changes we propose would reduce duplicative requirements and administrative burden on research facilities, maintain research integrity and oversight, and ensure that research animals continue to receive humane care.

In accordance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA), the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Final Programmatic Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan and Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (Final PDARP/PEIS), Record of Decision, and Consent Decree, the Federal and State natural resource trustee agencies for the Mississippi Trustee Implementation Group (MS TIG) prepared a Final Restoration Plan II Environmental Assessment: Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats and Oysters (RPII/EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The RPII/EA describes the restoration project alternatives considered by the MS TIG that meet the Trustees' goals to restore and conserve habitat and replenish and protect living coastal and marine resources. The MS TIG evaluated these alternatives under criteria set forth in the OPA natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) regulations and also evaluated the environmental consequences of the restoration alternatives in accordance with NEPA. The MS TIG selected four restoration projects in the RPII/EA for implementation in the Mississippi Restoration Area, which are consistent with the Trustees' selected programmatic alternative in the PDARP/PEIS. The purpose of this notice is to inform the public of the availability of the RPII/EA and FONSI.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and entities on substantive revisions of a currently approved information collection, Special Use Administration.

The Rural Utilities Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and Rural Housing Service, agencies that comprise the Rural Development Mission Area within the United States Department of Agriculture, are issuing this final rule to establish the authority authorized by Section 6210 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which will assist rural families and small businesses in gaining access to broadband service by permitting recipients of a loan, grant, or loan guarantee from RD to use up to 10 percent of the amount provided to construct broadband infrastructure in areas not served by minimum acceptable level of broadband service. This rule describes the procedures by which these agencies will consider projects eligible for special broadband authority.

The Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Twin Mountain II Timber Sale, which proposes to offer timber for harvest in the Staney and Red Bay areas within the Thorne Bay Ranger District, Tongass National Forest. The Proposed Action would offer for harvest about 42 million board feet of timber from approximately 3,000 acres. In addition, transportation management activities such as road construction, reconstruction, maintenance and decommissioning are proposed.

This rule realigns the representation on the National Watermelon Promotion Board (Board) under the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) regulations regarding a national research and promotion program for watermelons. This rule reduces the number of production districts and the number of importers on the Board, accordingly. This rule also makes administrative changes to other provisions of the Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan (Plan).