Department of Agriculture November 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) is amending its regulations to revise organic terminology to be consistent with USDA's National Organic Program, provide cover crop relief for prevented planting situations, add flexibility to the prevented planting provisions, provide an option for rice producers to delay measurement of farm-stored production, allow enterprise units by type for sunflowers, add earlage and snaplage as an acceptable method of harvest for corn, clarify that in a loss situation when a producer changes their planned method of harvest they must notify insurance providers before harvest begins, and clarify enterprise and optional unit insurance choices for contract seed bean producers. The changes to the policy made in this rule are applicable for the 2022 and succeeding crop years for crops with a contract change date on or after November 30, 2021. For all other crops, the changes to the policy made in this rule are applicable for the 2023 and succeeding crop years.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, this notice announces the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's (NIFA) intention to request a new information collection titled Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Lifecycle Certification. This information collection replaces an existing information collection, Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Lifecycle Certification.

Pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974 and Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A-108, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) gives notice that a component agency, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), proposes to modify an existing system of records notice titled LabWare Laboratory Information Management System (LabWare LIMS), USDA/APHIS-19. Among other changes, the system will be renamed National Veterinary Services Laboratories' Laboratory Information Management System (NVSL-LIMS), USDA/APHIS-19. NVSL-LIMS is a laboratory information system that tracks and saves test results on animal diagnostic samples received at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories.

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 revision of an existing collection announces the intent of the Food and Nutrition Service to revise and continue the requirements associated with initiating and conducting Federal collection actions against households with delinquent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipient debts.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, this notice announces the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's (NIFA) intention to extend and revise a previously approved information collection, entitled NIFA Application Kit. This information collection replaces an existing information collection, also entitled NIFA Application Kit.

We are amending the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations governing facilities that conduct research, experimentation, teaching, and testing by removing duplicative and unnecessary reviews and requests for information. We are removing the requirement that registered research facilities update their registration information every 3 years because the information is already collected by other means. We are also removing a redundant requirement for the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at each facility to conduct a continuing review of research activities involving animals and instead requiring a complete resubmission and review of such activities at least every 3 years. We will also no longer require that research facilities request an inactive status if they no longer use, handle, or transport AWA covered animals. In addition, we are clarifying the duration of a registration and conditions for its cancellation and will no longer require that the Institutional Official or Chief Executive Officer sign the annual report. We are also making miscellaneous changes to improve readability. These changes will reduce duplicative requirements and administrative burden on facilities while continuing to ensure the integrity and credibility of research findings and the protection of research animals.

We are advising the public that we have added Malaysia to the list of regions that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service considers to be affected with African horse sickness (AHS). We have taken this action because of confirmation of AHS in Malaysia.

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 regulations for privately owned quarantine facilities for ruminants.

On January 20, 2021, President Biden ordered all executive departments and agencies to immediately review and, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, take action to address the promulgation of Federal regulations during the last 4 years that may conflict with protecting the environment, and to immediately commence work to confront the climate crisis (Executive Order 13990). In addition, on January 26, 2021, President Biden directed all Federal agencies to review tribal consultation policies and practices and recommit to more robust nation-to-nation relationships and respect for our Federal trust responsibilities. Consistent with these Presidential directives, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA or Department), proposes to repeal a final rule promulgated in 2020 that exempted the Tongass National Forest (Tongass or the Forest) from the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (2001 Roadless Rule). The 2001 Roadless Rule prohibited timber harvest and road construction or reconstruction within designated Inventoried Roadless Areas, with limited exceptions. Repealing the Subpart E exemption would reinstate application of the 2001 Roadless Rule to the Tongass (as provided for in the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska's Judgment in Organized Village of Kake v. USDA. USDA invites written comments on the proposed rule and associated documents. Substantive comments received during the comment period will be considered in developing the final rule.

The Rural-Business Cooperative Service (the Agency) published a notice of solicitation of applications (NOSA) in the Federal Register on July 26, 2021, entitled ``Inviting Applications for the Rural Energy for America Program,'' to allow potential applicants time to submit applications for financial assistance under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for fiscal year (FY) 2022 and allow the Agency time to process applications within the current FY. This notice amends scoring provisions found in Section V.A. to notify stakeholders of how the Agency intends to utilize State Director and Administrator priority points for FY 2022.

This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the Texas Valley Citrus Committee (Committee) to increase the assessment rate established for the 2021-22 and subsequent fiscal periods. The proposed assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

The Tri-County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold two virtual meeting by phone and/or video conference. 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 as well as to make recommendations on recreation fee proposals for sites on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest within Deer Lodge, Granite, and Powell Counties, consistent with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. RAC information and virtual meeting information can be found at the following website: https:// www.fs.usda.gov/main/bdnf/workingtogether/advisorycommittees.

The Del Norte County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold two virtual meetings. 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 as well as make recommendations on recreation fee proposals for sites on the Six Rivers National Forest within Del Norte County, consistent with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. RAC information can be found at the following website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/srnf/ workingtogether/advisorycommittees.

The Siuslaw Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold three virtual meetings by phone and/or video conference. 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, as well as to make recommendations on recreation fee proposals for sites on the Siuslaw National Forest, consistent with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, within Tillamook, Lincoln, Yamhill, Benton, Lane, Coos, and Douglas counties. RAC information and virtual meeting information can be found at the following website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/siuslaw/ workingtogether/advisorycommittees.

The Trinity County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold a virtual meeting by phone and/or video conference. 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, as well as to make recommendations on recreation fee proposals for sites on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest within Trinity County, consistent with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. RAC information and virtual meeting information can be found at the following website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/stnf/ workingtogether/advisorycommittees.

The Sabine-Angelina Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold two virtual meetings by phone and/or video conference. 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 as well as to make recommendations on recreation fee proposals for sites on the Sabine National Forest within Sabine and Shelby Counties, consistent with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. RAC information and virtual meeting information can be found at the following website: https:// www.fs.usda.gov/main/pts/specialprojects/racs.

The Huron-Manistee Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold a virtual meeting by phone and/or video conference. 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, as well as to make recommendations on recreation fee proposals for sites on the Huron-Manistee National Forests within Occoda and Wexford Counties, consistent with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. General information can be found at the following website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/secure- rural-schools.

On July 9, 2021, Rural Development's Rural Utilities Service referred to as ``the Agency'' or ``Agency'' published a document to streamline its procedures for the Electric Program borrowers, including its loan application requirements, approval of construction work plans, contract bidding procedures, contact approval procedures, system operation and maintenance reviews, long-range engineering plans and system design procedures. That document inadvertently published the incorrect accounting information. This document corrects the final regulations.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the renewal with revisions of the currently approved information collection, Post-Hurricane Research and Assessment of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Communities in the U.S. Caribbean. (OMB #0596-0246).