Department of Agriculture January 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is requesting the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to conduct an emergency review of a new collection entitled ``Build America, Buy America (BABA) Waiver Request Data Collection.'' This will be a common form for other Federal Agencies to adopt. Additionally, USDA is requesting public comments on the proposed information collection.

In accordance with Section 3(d)(1) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the USDA Forest Service announces the completion and availability of a comprehensive river management plan (CRMP) for the Middle Fork Snoqualmie and Pratt Wild and Scenic Rivers.

This rule implements a recommendation from the Kiwifruit Administrative Committee (Committee) to modify the handling regulations prescribed under the Federal marketing order for kiwifruit grown in California. This action revises the size and uniformity requirements for all varieties of Actinidia chinensis species kiwifruit, which is commonly known as golden kiwifruit, regulated under the marketing order. A corresponding change is also made to the kiwifruit import regulation as required under section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937.

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 the regulations for the importation of live swine (from certain regions), pork, and pork products free of classical swine fever, particularly from Brazil, Chile, and Mexico.

A public hearing is being held to consider and take evidence on proposals to amend the inter-market transportation credits in the Appalachian and Southeast Federal milk marketing orders (FMMOs) and adopt distributing plant delivery credits (intra-market transportation credits) in the Appalachian, Southeast, and Florida FMMOs.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA or Department) is repealing an October 2020 rule (the 2020 Alaska Roadless Rule) that exempted the Tongass National Forest (the Tongass) from the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (2001 Roadless Rule). Repealing the 2020 Alaska Roadless Rule will reinstate the pre-existing management regime, which prohibited timber harvest and road construction/ reconstruction with limited exceptions within designated Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRAs).

The Shasta 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, consistent with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. General information and meeting details can be found at the following website under Shasta County RAC https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/stnf/ workingtogether/advisorycommittees.

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 South Fork Clackamas National Wild and Scenic River to Congress. The South Fork Clackamas Wild and Scenic River boundary description is available for review at the following website: https:// www.fs.usda.gov/main/mthood/landmanagement/planning.

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 federal debt credit reporting and employment verification.

This rulemaking amends the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic regulations to strengthen oversight and enforcement of the production, handling, and sale of organic agricultural products. The amendments protect integrity in the organic supply chain and build consumer and industry trust in the USDA organic label by strengthening organic control systems, improving farm to market traceability, and providing robust enforcement of the USDA organic regulations. Topics addressed in this rulemaking include: applicability of the regulations and exemptions from organic certification; National Organic Program Import Certificates; recordkeeping and product traceability; certifying agent personnel qualifications and training; standardized certificates of organic operation; unannounced on-site inspections of certified operations; oversight of certification activities; foreign conformity assessment systems; certification of producer group operations; labeling of nonretail containers; annual update requirements for certified operations; compliance and appeals processes; and calculating organic content of multi-ingredient products.

This notice is to invite applications for grants to provide technical assistance for passenger rural transportation (RT) systems under the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program and the terms for such funding. Grant funds will provide technical assistance for RT systems including designated funds to provide technical assistance to RT systems operating within Tribal lands of Federally Recognized Native American Tribes (FRNAT) (collectively ``Programs''). This notice is being issued in order to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, prepare and submit their applications and give the Agency time to process applications within fiscal year (FY) 2023. Based on FY 2023 appropriated funding, the Agency estimates that approximately $750,000 available for 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. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications.

The Food and Nutrition Service published a document in the Federal Register of January 6, 2023, concerning reimbursement rates for meals served in the Summer Food Service Program for Children. The document contained an incorrect table heading.

We are announcing to the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) intends to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to examine the potential environmental effects of the Agency's response activities to highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in commercial and backyard poultry operations in the United States. APHIS is requesting public comment to further define the scope of the EIS, identify reasonable alternatives and potential issues, as well as relevant information, studies, and/or analyses that APHIS should consider in the EIS.

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.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) to request an extension from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of a currently approved information collection for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Local and Regional Food Aid Procurement Program.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request approval of a new information collection to conduct the National Animal Health Monitoring System's Sheep 2024 Study.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 created several new clean energy provisions to be administered by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the Rural Development (RD) mission area of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Following formal listening sessions, Tribal consultation, and a written comment period in November and December of 2022 regarding these IRA RUS clean energy provisions, RUS will host a series of virtual roundtables in January of 2023 to gain additional individual input from stakeholders regarding the design of IRA sections 22001 and 22004, with the intention of releasing a funding opportunity announcement in the first half of 2023.

The Federal Subsistence Board (Board) announces the public meetings of the 10 Alaska Subsistence Regional Advisory Councils (Councils) for the winter and fall cycles of 2023. The Councils each meet approximately twice a year to provide advice and recommendations to the Board about subsistence hunting and fishing issues on Federal public lands in Alaska.

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 the regulations for the movement of organisms and products modified or produced through genetic engineering.

We are soliciting public comment on our plan to strengthen regulations regarding the handling of wild and exotic animals for exhibition, as well as the training of personnel involved in the handling of wild and exotic animals, and to establish standards addressing environmental enrichment for all regulated animals. The changes we are considering would help ensure the humane handling and treatment of exhibited animals, as well as the health and well-being of all animals covered under the Animal Welfare Act.