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

The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides direction to employees through issuances in its Directive System, comprised of the Forest Service Manual and Forest Service Handbooks. The Agency must provide public notice of and opportunity to comment on any directives that formulate standards, criteria, or guidelines applicable to Forest Service programs. Once per quarter, the Agency provides advance notice of proposed and interim directives that will be made available for public comment during the next three months and notice of final directives issued in the last three months.

The Tri County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will have a hybrid meeting, with the option to attend virtually or in-person. 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. RAC information and virtual meeting information can be found at the following website: https:// www.fs.usda.gov/main/bdnf/workingtogether/advisorycommittees.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) is announcing a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers (ACMF). USDA Secretary Vilsack is committed to actions that enhance minority farmers' ability to produce and thrive as businesses through USDA's customer service enhancements, expanded outreach, technical assistance, and capacity building. To that end, the ACMF will likewise recommend action-oriented strategies for maximizing the participation of minority farmers by leveraging those programs that ensure a food secure nation and effectively steward our natural resources. These principals will usher in business growth and opportunity for those minority agricultural communities plagued with fragile economies in decline.

We are advising the public that we are extending the comment period on a notice of availability of a draft environmental impact statement and draft plant pest risk assessment evaluating the potential environmental impacts and plant pest risk that may result from the approval of a petition for nonregulated status for blight-tolerant Darling 58 American chestnut (Castanea dentata) from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) are making a correction to the notice that was published on December 6, 2022. We are making a minor correction specifically in the description of the information collection request section to correct a typographical error in a number.

FSIS is announcing the 2023 rates it will charge meat and poultry establishments, egg products plants, and importers and exporters for providing voluntary, overtime, and holiday inspection and identification, certification, and laboratory services. Additionally, FSIS is announcing that there will be no changes to the fee FSIS assesses to exporters that choose to apply for export certificates electronically through the export component of the Agency's Public Health Information System. The 2023 basetime, overtime, holiday, and laboratory services rates will be applied on January 1, 2023.

Economic Research Service (ERS) within US Department of Agriculture (USDA) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on a proposed information collection. ERS plans to collect information from the public to fulfill its data security requirements when providing access to restricted use microdata for the purpose of evidence building. ERS's data security agreements and other paperwork along with the corresponding security protocols allow ERS to maintain careful controls on confidentiality and privacy, as required by law. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment on the proposed data security information collection, prior to submission of the information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension with no revision of a currently approved information collection, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Financial Assistance to Facilities that Purchase and Process Byproducts for Ecosystem Restoration (CFDA 10.725) Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance (WPIA).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension of a currently approved information collection, Temporary Bridge Funding Opportunity Program.

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 to evaluate service delivery by Veterinary Services Field Operations Service Centers to the public.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is giving notice that it intends to issue a series of revised conservation practice standards in the National Handbook of Conservation Practices (NHCP). NRCS is also giving the public an opportunity to provide comments on specified conservation practice standards in the NHCP.

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (the Agency) Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) announces the acceptance of grant, guaranteed loan, and combined grant and guaranteed loan applications under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The REAP program helps agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption and helps meet the Nation's critical energy needs. Applications for REAP may be submitted at any time throughout the year. This notice announces the deadlines, dates, and times that applications must be received in order to be considered for federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 REAP funds. The NOSA is being issued prior to passage of a final appropriations act for FY 2023 to allow potential applicants time to submit applications for financial assistance under the program and to give the Agency time to process applications within the current FY. All REAP applications competing for FY 2023 funding will be evaluated and scored according to the provisions listed in this Notice, unless otherwise amended via a subsequent FY 2023 Notice. Applicants who have already filed REAP applications for FY 2023 will be allowed to modify their application to revise the amount of grant requested and project budget and to provide additional information if necessary for application evaluation and scoring; the modification will not be treated as a new application, nor will it alter the submission date of record if there are no changes to the scope of the project. A planned second notice for FY 2023 is expected to address such matters as additional application deadlines, dates, and times, scoring modifications, as well as additional funding, including technical assistance and an amendment to the Federal grant portion not to exceed 50 percent of total eligible project costs per Inflation Reduction Act language.

On October 25, 2022, the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) revised the Walnut Crop Insurance Provisions. That final rule contained an incorrect instruction in the Settlement of Claim section. This document makes the correction.

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 the case-control study on highly pathogenic avian influenza in U.S. commercial turkey flocks.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) California State Office announces its intent to prepare an EIS for the McGriff LakesSutter Basin Watershed Flood Control and Flood Safety Project, which is located approximately 30 miles northwest of Sacramento in the proximity of Knights Landing, California. NRCS is requesting comments to identify significant issues and alternatives to be addressed in the EIS from all interested individuals, Tribes, and Federal, State and local Agencies and jurisdictions. The EIS process will examine alternative solutions to modernize the existing Karnak Drainage Facility, portions of which are over 100 years old, to continue to provide reliable flood protection for the Reclamation District No. 1500 (RD 1500) service area. The Reclamation District service area includes over 60,000 acres of agricultural farmland, the community of Robbins and surrounding rural areas, and California State Route 113, a designated emergency route through the watershed. The primary purpose for this watershed plan is to provide reliable and long-term flood prevention and damage reduction to the RD 1500 service area and improve public safety and emergency access. Although the existing Karnak Drainage Facility has been well maintained, the required repairs for the pump stations are becoming more costly while the reliability of the facility is decreasing because parts needed for repair and continued operation are no longer available and must be custom fabricated. The aging infrastructure and lack of parts availability puts all land within the RD1500 service area at risk in the event of a significant rainfall event. Without adequate and reliable flood control, millions of dollars in agricultural products would be at risk, the designated emergency route would be in jeopardy of flood closures, and substantial property damage and potential loss of life are possible in the community of Robbins and surrounding areas.

The Central Montana 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: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/hlcnf/ workingtogether/advisorycommittees.

The Florida National Forests 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 National Forests in Florida, consistent with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. General information and meeting details can be found at the following website: National Forests in FloridaAdvisory Committees (usda.gov).

The Rural Housing Service (RHS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing the implementation of a pilot program for simple transfers of USDA Section 515 Rural Rental Housing properties. The Agency's intention is to evaluate the existing regulations and remove regulatory barriers to reduce application requirements for certain types of transfers, resulting in lower transaction-related costs for applicants and improved processing times.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of a currently approved information collection for Regulations Governing Inspection Certification of Fresh & Processed Fruits, Vegetables, & Other Products.

This rule establishes the Cattle Contracts Library pilot program. Under this pilot program, the Agricultural Marketing Service will collect, maintain, and report aggregated information on contracts between packers and cattle producers for the purchase of fed cattle. The library will include different types of contracts and contract terms, including contract terms on any schedules of premiums or discounts, delivery and transportation, terms and payments, financing, risk-sharing or profit sharing, and other financial arrangements. In addition to contract term information, the Agricultural Marketing Service will also report on the number of head of cattle purchased under these contracts.

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 Paint Wild and Scenic River to Congress. The Paint Wild and Scenic River boundary description is available for review at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/ottawa/recreation/wateractiv ities.

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 East Branch of the Tahquamenon National Wild and Scenic River to Congress. The East Branch of the Tahquamenon Wild and Scenic River boundary description is available for review at: https:// www.fs.usda.gov/activity/hiawatha/recreation/wateractivities.