Department of Agriculture August 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Rural Housing Service (RHS or Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is implementing changes to the Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) to update the requirements for Federally supervised lenders, minimum net worth and experience for non-supervised lenders, approved lender participation requirements, handling of applicants with delinquent child support payments, and builder credit requirements.

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (Agency), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Development (RD), is making an initial announcement to invite applications for loans and grants under the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) for fiscal year (FY) 2023, subject to the availability of funding. This notice is being issued prior to the passage of a FY 23 Appropriations Act, which may or may not provide funding for this program, in order to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, prepare and submit their applications, and give the Agency time to process applications within FY23. Successful applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded to the extent that funding may ultimately be made available through appropriations. RMAP provides the following types of support: loan only, combination loan and technical assistance grant, and subsequent technical assistance grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDO). An announcement will be made on the Agency website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/federal-funding-opportunitie s regarding any amount received in the FY23 appropriations. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications or any costs incurred prior to the obligation date.

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (Agency), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) invites applications under the Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) for fiscal year (FY) 2023, subject to availability of funding. This Notice is being issued prior to passage of a FY 2023 Appropriations Act in order to allow applicants enough time to leverage financing, prepare and submit their applications, and give the Agency time to process program applications within FY 2023. Successful applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded to the extent that funding may ultimately be made available through appropriations. An announcement on the website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/federal-funding- opportunities will identify the amount received in the appropriations. The Agency advises that all interested parties bear the financial burden of preparing and submitting an application in response to the notice whether or not funding is appropriated for this Program in FY 2023.

On June 30, 2022, the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation revised the Area Risk Protection Insurance (ARPI) Regulations, Common Crop Insurance Policy (CCIP) Basic Provisions, and 20 Crop Provisions. That final rule contained some incorrect references, missing words, grammatical and spelling errors, repetitive parenthetical titles, and inadvertently removed text in the amendatory instructions. This document makes the corrections.

This interim final rule amends the regulations that provide for the issuance of licenses to import certain dairy articles under tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) as set forth in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). The rule suspends for an additional year the historical license reduction provision which would otherwise apply beginning with the 2023 quota year. This change will allow license holders additional time to adjust to challenging market conditions impacting the dairy sector.

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), that a public meeting of the USDA Equity Commission (EC or Commission), Subcommittee for Agriculture and the Rural Community Economic Development Subcommittee will convene to continue its work reviewing USDA programs, services, and policies for the purpose of making recommendations for how the Department can improve access and advance equity. The Commission and Subcommittee are authorized under section 1006(b)(3) of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2 (the Act) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. app. 2.

This rule implements a recommendation from the Avocado Administrative Committee to increase the assessment rate established for the 2022-23 and subsequent fiscal years. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) to meet its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) as amended, RUS's implementing regulations, and other applicable environmental requirements related to providing financial assistance for Badger State Solar, LLC's proposed Alternating Current solar project (Project) in Wisconsin. RUS has included documentation in the FEIS demonstrating RUS has completed its responsibilities under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and its implementing regulations, ``Protection of Historic Properties.'' The FEIS addresses the construction, operation, and maintenance of a 149 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic (PV) alternating current solar energy generating facility on a site in in Jefferson County, Wisconsin described previously in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). It also addresses comments received during the comment period for the DEIS.

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is correcting a final rule with request for comments that appeared in the Federal Register on February 7, 2022 and went into effect in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) on July 1, 2022. The rule established Child Nutrition Program transitional standards for milk, whole grains, and sodium for school years 2022-23 and 2023-24.

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 is a revision of a currently approved collection. This information collection consists of State agency notification and data collection activities associated with a major change in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) operations at the State level.

The Risk Management Agency (RMA), on behalf of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), announces the availability of funding under the Transitional and Organic Grower Assistance (TOGA) Program. The TOGA Program aims to assist producers that transition to and continue using organic agricultural systems. To address the economic challenges that arose due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this crop insurance support to growers is a part of building more and better markets for American growers and consumers and increasing the resilience of the food supply chain. TOGA premium assistance will be applied to the premium billing statements for the 2023 reinsurance year, which covers applicable policies with sales closing dates from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. For most eligible crops, the 2023 reinsurance year is also the 2023 crop year. However, a few crops are in the 2023 reinsurance year but cover a different crop year. Some examples include raisins, California avocados, macadamia nuts, and several citrus crops.

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 regulations for the importation of live poultry, poultry meat, and other poultry products from specified regions.

In accordance with section 3(b) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the USDA Forest Service, Washington Office, is transmitting the final boundary of the Eagle Creek National Wild and Scenic River to Congress.

The United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA) designations of the official agencies listed in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below will end on the prescribed dates. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking persons or governmental agencies interested in providing official services in the areas presently served by these agencies to submit an application for designation. Designation provides for private entities or state governmental agencies to be an integral part of the official grain inspection system. Designated agencies work under the supervision of AMS's Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) and are authorized to provide official inspection and weighing services in a defined geographical area. In addition, we request comments on the quality of services provided by the following designated agencies: Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (Alabama); Kankakee Grain Inspection, Inc. (Kankakee); Missouri Department of Agriculture (Missouri); Hastings Grain Inspection, Inc. (Hastings); Aberdeen Grain Inspection, Inc. (Aberdeen); and Washington Department of Agriculture (Washington). 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.

This final rule implements a recommendation from the California Olive Committee to decrease the assessment rate established for the 2022 fiscal year and subsequent fiscal years. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is amending the definition of ``income derived from farming, ranching, and forestry operations'' for ELRP and ERP and clarifying policy around the filing of certifications of average adjusted gross farm income. FSA is clarifying the ERP Phase 1 policy related to producers who received both a crop insurance indemnity and a Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) payment. FSA is also amending ERP Phase 1 to include eligibility for Federal Crop Insurance policies with an intended use for nursery.

On July 15, 2022, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), United States Forest Service (Forest Service), and the United States Department of the Interior (DOI), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), published in the Federal Register a document entitled ``Request for Information (RFI) on Federal Old-growth and Mature Forests'' and invited public comments to inform the response to Executive Order Strengthening the Nation's Forests, Communities, and Local Economies which requires USDA and DOI to define old-growth and mature forests on Federal lands; complete an inventory and make it publicly available; coordinate conservation and wildfire risk reduction activities; identify threats to mature and old-growth forests; develop policies to address threats; develop Agency-specific reforestation goals by 2030; develop climate-informed reforestation plans; and develop recommendations for community-led local and regional economic development opportunities. In response to requests by prospective commenters that they would benefit from additional time to adequately consider and respond to the RFI, USDA Forest Service and DOI Bureau of Land Management have determined that an extension of the comment period until August 30, 2022, is appropriate.

The Missouri River Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold a public meeting according to the details shown below. 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 (FACA). 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 Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, consistent with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. General information and meeting details can be found at the following website: Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Advisory Committees (usda.gov).

The Trinity County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold a public meeting according to the details shown below. 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 (FACA). 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/advisorycommittees.

The Shasta County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold two public meetings in September 2022 according to the details shown below. 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 (FACA). 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/advisorycommittees.

The Trinity County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold two public meetings in September 2022 according to the details shown below. 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 (FACA). 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, consistent with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. General information and meeting details can be found at the following website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/stnf/ workingtogether/advisorycommittees.

We are advising the public that we added the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Republic of Benin, and the Republic of Botswana 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 Kingdom of Lesotho, the Republic of Benin, and the Republic of Botswana, as a result of the confirmation of HPAI in the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Republic of Benin, and the Republic of Botswana.