Department of Agriculture 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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.

The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposes to amend the organic livestock and poultry production requirements by adding new provisions for livestock handling and transport for slaughter and avian living conditions; and expanding and clarifying existing requirements covering livestock care and production practices and mammalian living conditions.

This agenda provides summary descriptions of the significant and not significant regulations being developed in agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in conformance with Executive Orders 12866 ``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' and 13563, ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review.'' The agenda also describes regulations affecting small entities as required by section 602 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, Public Law 96-354. This agenda also identifies regulatory actions that are being reviewed in compliance with section 610(c) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. We invite public comment on those actions as well as any regulation consistent with Executive Order 13563. USDA has attempted to list all regulations and regulatory reviews pending at the time of publication except for minor and routine or repetitive actions, but some may have been inadvertently missed. There is no legal significance to the omission of an item from this listing. Also, the dates shown for the steps of each action are estimated and are not commitments to act on or by the date shown. USDA's complete regulatory agenda is available online at www.reginfo.gov. Because publication in the Federal Register is mandated for the regulatory flexibility agendas required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 602), USDA's printed agenda entries include only: (1) Rules that are likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities; and (2) Rules identified for periodic review under section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Notice is hereby given that Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is extending the comment period for the proposed rule published in the Federal Register on June 1, 2022 by 30 days. The proposed rule invited comments on proposed revisions to U.S. Standards for Grades of Pecans in the Shell and U.S. Standards for Grades of Shelled Pecans.

This notice announces a public comment period on the information collection request associated with the Multiple Peril Crop Insurance.

The Coronado National Forest is proposing to charge new fees at multiple recreation sites listed in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION of this notice. Funds from fees would be used for operation, maintenance, and improvements of these recreation sites. An analysis of nearby developed recreation sites with similar amenities shows the proposed fees are reasonable and typical of similar sites in the area.

The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest is proposing to charge new fees at multiple recreation sites listed in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION of this notice. Funds from fees would be used for operation, maintenance, and improvements of these recreation sites. Many sites have recently been reconstructed or amenities are being added to improve services and experiences. An analysis of nearby developed recreation sites with similar amenities shows the proposed fees are reasonable and typical of similar sites in the area.

The Prescott National Forest is proposing to charge new fees at multiple recreation sites listed in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION of this notice. Funds from fees would be used for operation, maintenance, and improvements of these recreation sites. An analysis of nearby developed recreation sites with similar amenities shows the proposed fees are reasonable and typical of similar sites in the area.

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 the second funding round in fiscal year 2022 (FY 22) for the Rural eConnectivity Program (the ReConnect Program) utilizing funding provided under the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act. In addition, this FOA defines requirements that are determined at the time a funding announcement is published, as outlined in the regulation.

NRCS is announcing the draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding opportunity is available for public review and comment.

The Rural Housing Service (RHS or Agency), a Rural Development agency within the United States Department of Agriculture, is proposing to amend its regulations that would grant to Delegated Lenders participating in the Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) the authority to make loans and issue the Loan Note Guarantees after closing using automated loan underwriting and closing systems.

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 published 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.

Through this Notice, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing the following: Its intent to reestablish the Charter of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC), which expires March 16, 2022; its call for nominations to fill up to 25 upcoming vacancies for appointments in 2022, and its call for nominations for a pool of candidates to fill future unexpected vacancies in any position categories should that occur. The FVIAC is seeking members who represent the fruit and vegetable industry including growers, shippers, wholesalers/distributors, brokers, retailers/restaurant representatives, state agencies, state departments of agriculture, foodservice suppliers, and fresh-cut and other fruit and vegetable processors. The FVIAC should also include representatives of farmers markets and food hubs, organic and non-organic fruit and vegetable representatives, farmer organizations, and produce trade associations. Please note, individuals who are federally registered lobbyists, appointed to committees to exercise their own individual best judgment on behalf of the government (e.g., as Special Government Employees) are ineligible to serve and cannot be considered for USDA advisory committee membership. Members can only serve on one USDA advisory committee at a time. All nominees will undergo a USDA background check. You must submit the following to nominate yourself or someone else to the FVIAC: a resume (required), a USDA Advisory Committee Membership Background Information Form AD-755available online at https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-755.pdf (required), a cover letter (required), and a list of endorsements or letters of recommendation (optional). The resume or curriculum vitae must be limited to five one-sided pages and should include a summary of the following information: Current and past organization affiliations; areas of expertise; education; career positions held; and any other notable positions held. For submissions received that are more than five one-sided pages in length, only the first five pages will be reviewed.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is correcting a notice that was published in the Federal Register on March 8, 2022. The notice announced APHIS' intention to request a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with the Horse Protection Program and enforcement of the Horse Protection Act. We provided an invalid telephone number for one of the contacts listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. This notice provides the correct telephone number.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (``Department'') announces adjusted income eligibility guidelines to be used by State agencies in determining the income eligibility of persons applying to participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). These income eligibility guidelines are to be used in conjunction with the WIC Regulations.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Utah State Office announces its intent to prepare an EIS for the Cove-East Fork Virgin River Watershed Plan EIS Project located within the East Fork Virgin River Watershed in Kane County, Utah. The EIS process will examine alternative solutions to provide adequate irrigation water in Kane and Washington counties during summer months, local water-based recreation, and green energy opportunities. This EIS will also serve as the necessary environmental documentation for development of a new Black Knoll borrow pit and potential expansion of the existing Bald Knoll borrow pit. Both pits are located on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administered public lands and require BLM authorization. The BLM will be a cooperating agency in the development of this EIS. NRCS is requesting comments to identify significant issues, potential alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the Proposed Action from all interested individuals, Federal and State agencies, and Tribes.