Department of Agriculture 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing its intention to revise the approved information collection regarding records to be kept by official establishments and retail stores that grind raw beef products. The approval for this information collection will expire on March 31, 2022. FSIS is reducing the burden hours for this collection by 1,658,651 hours after consulting with several establishments and retail stores because they typically use half of the time initially estimated for the collection of records.

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 revision of a currently approved collection of information relating to the reporting and recordkeeping burden associated with completing, submitting, and maintaining form FNS-339, the Federal-State Supplemental Nutrition Programs Agreement for the administration of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC); the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP); and/or the Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP).

As required by the Privacy Act of 1974, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-108, this notice is a new Privacy Act System of Records titled USDA/OSEC-02 Contractor and Visitor Public Health Emergency Records, which include information on contractor employees who work in, as well as visitors to, Department of Agriculture (USDA) facilities during declared public health emergencies. The system contains information provided by the contractor's employees including such information as their applicable vaccination or medical countermeasure status and whether they are experiencing symptoms associated with the public health emergency. Each contractor with employees who will work in USDA facilities (regardless of whether the contract is with USDA or another Federal agency) will be asked to confirm if its employees have been vaccinated or have received appropriate medical countermeasures, in addition, the contractor will be required to ensure that its employees follow the guidelines specified for working in USDA facilities, for example, to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, not fully vaccinated employees are required to wear masks and maintain physical distancing. Visitors to USDA facilities will also be asked to provide information about their vaccination or medical countermeasure status and may be asked to provide proof of their status and information about whether they are experiencing any symptoms associated with the public health emergency.

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 Generic Clearance for Survey Research Studies. Burden hours and number of contacts will be increased to accommodate the proposed testing for the upcoming three year period.

Pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-108, notice is hereby given that the Office of the Secretary (OSEC), a component within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA or ``the Department''), proposes to develop a new system of records notice titled, ``USDA Personnel Public Health Emergency Records System.'' USDA/OSEC-01 proposes to establish this system of records to protect the Department's workforce and respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), a declared public health emergency, and other high-consequence public health threats.

This final rule adjusts the number of members on the United Soybean Board (Board) to reflect changes in production levels that have occurred since the Board was last reapportioned in 2018. As required by the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act (Act), membership on the Board is reviewed every 3 years and adjustments are made accordingly. This change results in a decrease in Board membership for one State (Alabama), decreasing the total number of Board members from 78 to 77. These changes are reflected in the Soybean Promotion and Research Order (Order) and will be effective with the Secretary of Agriculture's (Secretary) appointments for terms in the year 2022. This final rule also corrects the number of States and units to the Order. Technical corrections to the regulations adjust the number of States and units from 30 to 31.