Department of Agriculture 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
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Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for the Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP)
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is announcing the availability of $20 million through the new Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP) for certified operations and transitional operations that incurred eligible expenses in fiscal years (FY) 2020, 2021, and 2022. Producers and handlers incur significant costs to obtain or renew USDA organic certification each year, and the economic challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic have made obtaining and renewing USDA organic certification financially challenging for many operations. In this document, FSA is providing the eligibility requirements, application process, and payment calculation for OTECP.
Next Era Energy LLC, Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Notice of Public Meeting; Correction
On October 4, 2021, the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), published a document announcing that a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a project proposed by Next Era Energy Inc (NEER), is available for public review and comment. RUS published the Draft EIS to inform interested parties and the general public about the project proposal and to invite the public to comment on the proposed action addressed in the Draft EIS. Following the publication of the Notice of Availability, the Agency found that a correction due to an error, is necessary. This correction changes the date public comments are due to RUS.
Notice of Request for Approval of a New Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, and the Rural Utilities Service, agencies of the Rural Development mission area within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), hereinafter collectively referred to as the Agency to request approval for a new information collection in support of compliance with applicable acts for planning and performing construction and other development work.
Notice of Request for Approval of a New Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, and the Rural Utilities Service, agencies of the Rural Development mission area within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), hereinafter collectively referred to as the Agency to request approval for a new information collection in support of compliance with applicable acts for planning and performing construction and other development work.
Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Grant Program
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service, a Rural Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), hereinafter referred to as ``RBCS'' or ``the Agency,'' published in the Federal Register on June 15, 2021, a final rule with request for comments. The Agency received no substantiative comments, so this document confirms the final rule as published.
Poultry Grower Ranking Systems; Withdrawal of Proposed Rule
The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is withdrawing a proposed rule published in the Federal Register on December 20, 2016. The proposed rule would have identified criteria that the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) could consider when determining whether a live poultry dealer's use of a system for ranking poultry growers for settlement purposes is unfair, unjustly discriminatory, or deceptive or gives an undue or unreasonable preference, advantage, prejudice, or disadvantage. Proposed amendments would also have clarified that, absent demonstration of a legitimate business justification, failing to use a poultry grower ranking system in a fair manner after applying the identified criteria is unfair, unjustly discriminatory, or deceptive and a violation of the Packers and Stockyards Act, regardless of whether it harms or is likely to harm competition. The Secretary has determined to withdraw the 2016 proposed rule and develop revised proposals pertaining to poultry grower ranking systems.
Notice of Proposed Revision to Requirements for the Importation of Plums From Chile Into the United States
We are advising the public that we have prepared a commodity import evaluation document (CIED) relative to the importation into the United States of plums from Chile. Chile plums are currently subject to irradiation, either in Chile or in the United States, as a mitigation for European grapevine moth (EGVM). Based on the findings of the CIED, in addition to the option of irradiation, we are also proposing to authorize the importation of plums from Chile under a systems approach for EGVM, as well as an option for fumigation with methyl bromide. We are making the CIED available to the public for review and comment.
Egg Products Inspection Regulations; Correction
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is correcting its regulations requiring official plants that process egg products (herein also referred to as ``egg products plants'' or ``plants'') to develop and implement Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Systems and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (Sanitation SOPs) and to meet other sanitation requirements consistent with FSIS' meat and poultry regulations.
Solicitation of Nominations for Membership on the Equity Commission Advisory Committee and Equity Commission Subcommittee on Agriculture Extension of Application Period; Correction
The United State Department of Agriculture published a notice of solicitation of nominations for memberships to extend the application period for the Equity Commission Advisory Committee and Equity Commission Subcommittee on Agriculture in the Federal Register on October 27, 2021, titled ``Solicitation of Nominations for Membership on the Equity Commission Advisory Committee and Equity Commission Subcommittee on Agriculture Extension of Application Period.'' The nomination application period for individuals who wish to serve and/or submit nominations to recommend potential candidates for the Equity Commission and/or Subcommittee on Agriculture has been extended until November 30, 2021. Contrary to what was published in the summary section of (86 FR 59360), this Correction Notice (Correction) is being issued to clarify and confirm that USDA will be accepting nominations for membership until the November 30, 2021 date.
Notice of Intent To Request New Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) intention to request approval for a Field Test for a new information collection for a Second National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS-2) also called the National Food Study among American households.
Fiscal Year 2021 Raw Cane Sugar Tariff-Rate Quota Extension of the Entry Period
The Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing notice of an extension of the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) entry period for the fiscal year (FY) 2021 raw cane sugar TRQ.
Final Record of Decision for the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Land Management Plan
William Avey, the Forest Supervisor for the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (referred to as the Forest), Northern Region, signed the record of decision (ROD) for the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Land Management Plan (Forest Plan). The final ROD documents the rationale for approving the Land Management Plan and is consistent with the reviewing officer's responses to objections and instructions.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefit Expungement and Off-Line Storage
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 associated with SNAP benefit storage and expungement provisions of the 2008 and 2018 Farm Bills. This collection involves both a new collection and an existing collection in use without an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The new collection is for providing SNAP households advance or concurrent notice prior to the State agency expunging unused SNAP benefits from the household's Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) account due to nine months of account inactivity. The existing collection is for providing SNAP households advance or concurrent notice of State agency action to store unused SNAP benefits offline due to three or more months of account inactivity and for those households to seek reinstatement of benefits prior to permanent expungement. A 60- Day Federal Register Notice for this proposed information collection was previously published on February 11, 2020 (85 FR 7716). The Department was unable to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) to OMB within a reasonable timeframe following the publication of the 2020 notice. In an effort to be fully transparent, the Department is publishing the notice again for public comment and plans to submit an ICR to OMB following an analysis of comments.
Plant Variety Protection Board Meeting on December 14, 2021
Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing a meeting of the Plant Variety Protection Board (Board). The meeting is being held to discuss a variety of topics including, but not limited to, regulation updates, subcommittee activities, and program activities. The meeting is open to the public. This notice sets forth the schedule and location for the meeting.
Solicitation of Nominations for Membership on the Equity Commission Advisory Committee and Equity Commission Subcommittee on Agriculture Extension of Application Period
On September 27, 2021, the United State Department of Agriculture published in the Federal Register a notice of intent to establish and solicit nominations for membership on the USDA Equity Commission and its Subcommittee on Agriculture. The nomination application period for this notice has been extended in order to provide additional opportunities for interested persons to submit their nomination application. The nomination application period for individuals who wish to serve and/or submit nominations to recommend potential candidates for the Equity Commission and/or Subcommittee on Agriculture has been extended until November 20, 2021. A complete application consists of the three documents listed in the initial notice: (1) Brief summary of qualifications for the position (e.g., a letter of interest that explains how the candidate's experience would contribute to the Commission), (2) r[eacute]sum[eacute], and (3) background disclosure form (Form AD-755).
Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for the Importation of Fresh Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Rhizome From Samoa Into the United States (Including Territories)
We are advising the public that we have prepared a pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated with importation of fresh turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizome from Samoa into the United States (including territories). Based on the analysis, we have determined that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation of turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizome from Samoa. We are making the pest risk analysis available to the public for review and comment.
Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers
Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the Department of Agriculture and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), that a public teleconference of the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers (ACMF) will be held to discuss USDA outreach, technical assistance, and capacity building for and with minority farmers; the implementation of the Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmer and Rancher Grant Program (2501 Program); and methods of maximizing the participation of minority farmers and ranchers in the U.S. Department of Agriculture; and to plan mechanisms for best providing advice to the Secretary on the issues outlined above.
Rural eConnectivity Program
The Rural Utilities Service, a Rural Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), hereinafter referred to as ``RUS'' or ``the Agency'' is issuing a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to announce that it is accepting applications for fiscal year 2022 (FY 22) for the Rural eConnectivity Program (the ReConnect Program). In addition, this FOA defines requirements that are determined at the time a funding announcement is published, as outlined in the regulation. As part of this announcement, the Agency is also informing potential applicants and other interested parties about its intention to seek information on a topic that will help inform future funding announcements. More information is located in Section G of this announcement.
Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Husky 1 North Dry Ridge Phosphate Mine, Caribou County, Idaho
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service (USFS) Caribou-Targhee National Forest (CTNF) have prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed Husky 1 North Dry Ridge Phosphate Mine, and by this Notice is announcing the opening of the public comment period.
United States Grain Standards Act Designation Opportunities and Request for Comments on Official Agencies Providing Services
United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA) designations of official agencies listed in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below will end on prescribed dates. We are seeking persons or governmental agencies interested in providing official services in areas presently served by these agencies to submit an application for designation. In addition, we request comments on the quality of services provided by the following designated agencies: Northeast Indiana Grain Inspection, Inc. (Northeast Indiana); State Grain Inspection, Inc. (State Grain); J.W. Barton Grain Inspection Service, Inc. (Barton); Farwell Commodity and Grain Services, Inc. (Farwell Southwest); Northern Plains Grain Inspection Service, Inc. (Northern Plains); Plainview Grain Inspection and Weighing Service, Inc. (Plainview); Sioux City Inspection and Weighing Service Company (Sioux City); and the Montana Department of Agriculture (Montana). The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) encourages submissions from traditionally underrepresented individuals, organizations, and businesses to reflect the diversity of this industry. AMS encourages submissions from qualified applicants, regardless of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Modoc County Resource Advisory Committee
The Modoc 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 make recommendations on recreation fee proposals for sites on or benefitting the Modoc National Forest within Modoc 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/modoc/ workingtogether/advisorycommittees.
Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service intends to reestablish the Charter of the Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board (Board). The purpose of the Board is to obtain advice and recommendations on a broad range of forest issues such as forest plan revisions or amendments, forest health including fire management and mountain pine beetle infestations, travel management, forest monitoring and evaluation, recreation fees, and site-specific projects having forest wide implications.
National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods
This notice is announcing a public meeting of the full Committee and Subcommittees from November 17, 2021 to November 19, 2021. The Committee will discuss the following two new charges: Enhancing Salmonella Control in Poultry Products and Cyclospora cayetanensis Contamination.
Addition of the Republic of Mali to the List of Regions Affected With Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
We are advising the public that we added the Republic of Mali to the list of regions that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service considers to be affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). These actions follow our imposition of HPAI-related restrictions on avian commodities originating from or transiting the Republic of Mali, as a result of the confirmation of HPAI in the Republic of Mali.
Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Animal Disease Traceability
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 animal disease traceability.
Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for the Importation of Fresh Leaves and Stems of Garland Chrysanthemum (Glebionis coronarium) From Mexico Into the Continental United States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands
We are advising the public that we have prepared a pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated with importation of fresh leaves and stems of garland chrysanthemum (Glebionis coronarium) from Mexico into the continental United States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Based on the analysis, we have determined that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation of fresh leaves and stems of garland chrysanthemum (Glebionis coronarium) from Mexico. We are making the pest risk analysis available to the public for review and comment.
Farm and Food Workers Relief Grant Program; Request for Emergency Approval of a New Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has requested emergency approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a new information collection described in this notice to administer the Farm and Food Workers Relief Grant Program, a new competitive grant program authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.
White River National Forest; Colorado; El Jebel Administrative Sites, Upper and Lower Parcels, Conveyance Project-Withdrawal of Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
The White River National Forest (WRNF) is withdrawing its Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the El Jebel Administrative Sites, Upper and Lower Parcels, Conveyance Project. The original NOI was published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2016. The WRNF has decided to change the proposed action of the project. With the change in the proposed action the preliminary analysis indicates there will not be effects that rise to a level of significance that would warrant an EIS.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Mobile Payment Pilots (MPPs)
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on the proposed information collection. This is a request for a new collection to conduct demonstration pilot projects to test the redemption of SNAP benefits through mobile payment technologies and issue a request for volunteers (RFV) to solicit applications from SNAP State agencies (State agencies) for these pilots.
CACFP Meal Pattern Revisions Related to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010; Technical Amendments
On October 1, 2021, the requirement to credit grains served in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) in ``ounce equivalents'' was implemented. This action also applied to the crediting of grains served to infants and toddlers in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. This document corrects the final regulations to align meal pattern tables and corresponding endnotes with regulatory requirements.
Black Hills National Forest; Lawrence, Meade, Pennington, Custer, and Fall River Counties, South Dakota; Crook and Weston Counties, Wyoming; Revision of the Land and Resource Management Plan for the Black Hills National Forest
The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, is initiating the Land Management Plan revision process, pursuant to the 2012 Planning Rule (36 CFR 219) and as directed by the National Forest Management Act, for the Black Hills National Forest (Black Hills), located in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming. This process will result in a revised Land Management Plan which will guide all resource management activities on the Black Hills National Forest for approximately fifteen years. This notice announces the initiation of the assessment phase, the preliminary stage of the plan revision process. Assessments will identify and consider relevant and readily accessible material about ecological, social, and economic conditions and trends in the planning area, including best available scientific information. Findings will be documented in assessment reports. Trends and conditions identified in the assessments will then help describe a need to change the existing plan and inform the revision of the Forest Plan.
Strategic Economic and Community Development Program
The Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development (RD) is seeking applications for the Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) priority, as reauthorized by Section 6401of the Agriculture Improvement Act, 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) with modifications, for projects that support multi-jurisdictional and multi-sectoral strategic community investment plans. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, the Agency will implement SECD by reserving loan and or grant funds from the appropriations of the programs covered by this funding priority. This notice describes the requirements by which the Agency will consider projects eligible for the covered programs' reserved appropriated funds and the information needed to submit an application.
Tomatoes Grown in Florida; Reapportionment of Membership
This final rule adjusts the number of member seats apportioned to each district represented on the Florida Tomato Committee (Committee). The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking this action due to a 2020 amendment to the marketing order for tomatoes grown in Florida, which reduced the size of the Committee from 12 members to 10, but did not also reduce the number of member seats per district. This action changes the number of members in each of the two districts from six members and their alternates to five members and their alternates, to resolve the regulatory conflict.
Prince William Sound Resource Advisory Committee
The Prince William Sound 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 make recommendations on recreation fee proposals for sites on the Chugach National Forest within boroughs associated with the Prince William Sound RAC area, 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/chugach/ workingtogether/advisorycommittees.
Trinity County Resource Advisory Committee
The Trinity County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet virtually via Microsoft Teams. 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 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/advisorycom mittees.
Siskiyou County Resource Advisory Committee
The Siskiyou County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet virtually via Microsoft Teams. 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 Klamath National Forest wthin Siskiyou 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/klamath/workingtogether/advisorycommitte es.
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