Department of Agriculture 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Tongass National Forest is proposing to establish several recreation fee sites. Proposed recreation fees collected at the proposed recreation fee sites would be used for operation, maintenance, and improvement of the sites. An analysis of nearby recreation fee sites with similar amenities shows the proposed recreation fees that would be charged at the proposed recreation fee sites are reasonable and typical of similar recreation fee sites in the area.

The Daniel Boone National Forest is proposing to establish several recreation fee sites. Proposed recreation fees collected at the proposed recreation fee sites would be used for operation, maintenance, and improvement of the sites. An analysis of nearby recreation fee sites with similar amenities shows the proposed recreation fees that would be charged at the proposed recreation fee sites are reasonable and typical of similar recreation fee sites in the area.

The Bridger-Teton National Forest is proposing to establish two recreation fee sites. Proposed recreation fees collected at the proposed recreation fee sites would be used for operation, maintenance, and improvement of the sites. An analysis of nearby recreation fee sites with similar amenities shows the proposed recreation fees that would be charged at the new recreation fee sites are reasonable and typical of similar recreation fee sites in the area.

This final rule adopts, without change, an interim final rule that temporarily changes the substandard and maturity dockage requirements for raisins covered under the Federal marketing order for raisins produced from grapes grown in California (Order). For the 2023- 2024 crop year, the minimum requirements for substandard and maturity dockage in the marketing order's handling regulations are relaxed to accommodate raisins adversely impacted by severe weather conditions.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is currently accepting stakeholder feedback in the form of content requests for the 2027 Census of Agriculture. This census is required by law under the Census of Agriculture Act of 1997.

This rulemaking proposes amendments to Marketing Order No. 930, which regulates the handling of tart cherries grown in Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin. The proposed amendments would modify the basis for calculating district representation on the Cherry Industry Administrative Board ("Board"), change the starting date for the term of office for Board members, simplify the way a Board member's sales constituency is determined, clarify how the sales constituency applies to alternate Board members, change the timeframe for submitting nominations, and clarify when districts are subject to volume regulation.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) requests comments on the need for U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA) services in the newly formed Lower Northwest Texas and Southeast Texas geographic areas described below in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. AMS is also asking persons, entities, or governmental agencies interested in providing official inspection and weighing services, in those areas, to apply for designation. The designated USGSA authority for two official agencies, Keokuk Grain Inspection (Keokuk) and North Dakota Grain Inspection, Inc. (NDGI), will end on the prescribed dates listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. AMS is requesting designation applications from interested persons, entities, or governmental agencies that would like to provide official inspection and weighing services for the areas presently served by these two agencies. In addition to this request for applications, AMS seeks comments on the quality of services provided by Keokuk and NDGI.

We are advising the public that we have prepared a pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated with the importation of leaves and stems of fresh sage from Ethiopia into the continental United States. 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 leaves and stems of fresh sage from Ethiopia. We are making the pest risk analysis available to the public for review and comment.

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 its efforts to safeguard the health of U.S. livestock and poultry populations by the use of National Veterinary Services Laboratories request forms.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Economic Research Service's (ERS) to request a renewal to a currently approved information collection on supplemental food security questions in the Current Population Survey (CPS).

The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture requests comments from the public to inform an understanding on non-traditional, shelf-stable commodities that could be used in food assistance programming. FAS seeks to learn what commodities could be considered outside the traditional food assistance commodities. This RFI offers interested parties the opportunity to provide FAS with information regarding non-traditional, shelf-stable food aid commodities.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Housing Service's intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the Community Facilities Grant Program.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposes multiple clarifying amendments to the Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research and Information Order (Order). The amendments include revising the definition of importer; adding a definition for partnership; clarifying the nominations process; clarifying language about in person and electronic voting for any Board meetings; updating the timing of financial reporting; and revising requirements for when exemptions can be requested. These actions would modify language in the Order to bring it up to date with current industry practices.

The Rural Business- Cooperative Service (the Agency) is issuing a notice of the Agency's intention to remove the self-imposed restriction that all Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 applications that are submitted under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) prior to June 30, 2024, and were not funded in the national unrestricted pooling competitions, must be withdrawn. The Agency is also updating its approach for application reviews. This Notice also outlines the Agency's prioritization of Underutilized Renewable Energy Technologies (UT) in National Office competitions for FY 2024.

This action decreases the assessment rate established for the 2024 fiscal year and subsequent fiscal years for California olives as recommended by the California Olive Committee. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

This Notice announces the annual adjustments to the national average payments, the amount of money the Federal Government provides States for lunches, afterschool snacks, and breakfasts served to children participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs; to the maximum reimbursement rates, the maximum per lunch rate from Federal funds that a State can provide a school food authority for lunches served to children participating in the National School Lunch Program; and to the rate of reimbursement for a half-pint of milk served to non-needy children in a school or institution that participates in the Special Milk Program for Children. The annual payments and rates adjustments for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs reflect changes in the Food Away From Home series of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. The annual rate adjustment for the Special Milk Program reflects changes in the Producer Price Index for Fluid Milk Products. Further adjustments are made to these rates to reflect higher costs of providing meals in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands. The payments and rates are prescribed on an annual basis each July.

This notice announces the annual adjustments to the national average payment rates for meals and snacks served in child care centers, outside-school-hours care centers, at-risk afterschool care centers, and adult day care centers; the food service payment rates for meals and snacks served in day care homes; and the administrative reimbursement rates for sponsoring organizations of day care homes, to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index. Further adjustments are made to these rates to reflect the higher costs of providing meals in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands. The adjustments contained in this notice are made on an annual basis each July, as required by the laws and regulations governing the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974 and Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A-108, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) gives notice that a component agency, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), proposes to modify an existing system of records notice titled Wildlife Services Management Information System, USDA/APHIS-9. Among other changes, the system will be renamed Wildlife Services Information Management System, USDA/APHIS- 9. Wildlife Services Information Management System serves as the official record of Wildlife Services' work in wildlife damage management activities related to agriculture, human health and safety, natural resources, and human property.

The U.S. Codex Office is sponsoring a public meeting on August 21, 2024. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions to be discussed at the 27th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). The 27th Session of the CCFICS will be held in Cairns, Australia, from September 16-20, 2024. The U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius and the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 27th Session of the CCFICS and to address items on the agenda.