Farm Service Agency – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is establishing the regulation for the Agriculture Priorities and Allocations System (APAS). Food is a critical commodity essential to the national defense (including civil emergency preparedness and response). To avoid civilian hardship during national defense emergencies, it may be necessary to regulate the production, processing, storage, and wholesale distribution of food. Through the APAS rule, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will respond to requests to place priority ratings on contracts or orders (establishing priority on which contracts or orders are filled first) for agriculture commodities up through the wholesale levels, including agriculture production equipment, and allocate resources, as specified in the Defense Production Act (DPA) of 1950, as amended, if the necessity arises. FSA is implementing this rule as a way to redirect the agriculture commodities and resources to areas of hardship or potential hardship due to national emergencies. In most cases, there is likely to be no economic impact in filling priority orders because it would generally just be changing the timing in which orders are completed.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is requesting comments from all interested individuals and organizations on a revision and an extension of a currently approved information collection that supports 7 CFR part 764. The Direct Loan Making regulations specify the application process and requirements for direct loan assistance. FSA is adding additional information collection to the existing collection to reflect the addition of the Direct Farm Ownership Microloan (DFOML). The collected information is used in eligibility and feasibility determinations on farm loan applications.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is requesting comments from all interested individuals and organizations on an extension of a currently approved information collection to support the Servicing Minor Program Loans.

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Mount Lewis Field Office, Battle Mountain, Nevada, intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and by this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability for review of our final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental impact statement (EIS) for Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (NWR, refuge) and Wallops Island NWR. The CCP/ EIS describes how we propose to manage both the staffed 14,032-acre Chincoteague NWR and the unstaffed 373-acre Wallops Island NWR over the next 15 years.

Following consultation with the General Services Administration, notice is hereby given that the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) is renewing the charter for the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group. The purpose of the Adaptive Management Work Group is to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary concerning the operation of Glen Canyon Dam and the exercise of other authorities pursuant to applicable Federal law.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Western Montana Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will meet as indicated below.

The boundary of Richmond National Battlefield Park is modified to include 165.69 acres of land, more or less, located in Henrico County, Virginia, consisting of four parcels immediately adjoining the boundary of Richmond National Battlefield Park. Subsequent to the proposed boundary revision, the National Park Service will acquire the lands by purchase from The Civil War Preservation Trust, a nonprofit conservation organization.

Albert Sparks, Kenneth C. Knowles, Joan Kathleen Knowles, and the David L. Sullivan Living Trust (Knowles) have applied for the United States to issue a recordable disclaimer of interest in lands which were patented by the State of California with a reservation to the United States for future use.

An application has been filed with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) by Charles J. Muncy, Jr., for a Recordable Disclaimer of Interest from the United States pursuant to Section 315 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), and the regulations in 43 CFR subpart 1864 for the surface estate of land lying between certain deeded lands and the adjusted left bank of the Rio Grande in Socorro County, New Mexico. This notice is intended to inform the public of the pending application and provide a public comment period for the Disclaimer of Interest.

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Tuscarora Field Office, Elko, Nevada, intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and by this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues. The BLM is also soliciting public comments regarding archaeological resources and Native American traditional and cultural values under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).

We (the U.S. Geological Survey) will ask the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection (IC) described below. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, we invite the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this IC.

The National Park Service (NPS) will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a Breach Management Plan at Fire Island National Seashore (Seashore), New York. The purpose of the Breach Management Plan is to address issues associated with a breach that developed within the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness at the Seashore. The Breach Management Plan and EIS process is needed to analyze all the feasible alternatives and to make a decision on whether or not to close the breach.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) is announcing its intention to seek the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to continue the collection of information for our General provisions. This information collection activity was previously approved by OMB and assigned clearance number 1029-0094.

BOEM is announcing the availability of a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas Western Planning Area (WPA) Lease Sale 248 (WPA Sale 248). WPA Sale 248 is tentatively scheduled for August 2016. The Draft Supplemental EIS provides a discussion of the potential significant impacts of the proposed action and an analysis of reasonable alternatives to the proposed action; it considers new information made available since completion of earlier EISs related to WPA Sale 248. The prior EISs supplemented by the Draft Supplemental EIS are available at: https://www.boem.gov/nepaprocess/. This Notice of Availability (NOA) serves to announce the beginning of the public comment period for the Draft Supplemental EIS. Public Availability: In keeping with the Department of the Interior's mission to protect natural resources and to limit costs, while ensuring availability of the document to the public, the Draft Supplemental EIS and associated information are available on BOEM's Web site at https://www.boem.gov/nepaprocess/. BOEM will also distribute digital copies of the Draft Supplemental EIS on compact discs. You may request a paper copy or the location of a library with a digital copy of the Draft Supplemental EIS from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Public Information Office (GM 250C), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Room 250, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394 (1-800-200-GULF).

BOEM is announcing the availability of a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Central Planning Area Lease Sales 241 and 247 and Eastern Planning Area Lease Sale 226. The Final Supplemental EIS provides a discussion of potential significant impacts of the proposed actions, provides an analysis of reasonable alternatives to the proposed actions, and identifies the Bureau's preferred alternatives. This Final Supplemental EIS updates the environmental and socioeconomic analyses for proposed CPA and EPA sales evaluated in the following EISs: Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2012-2017; Western Planning Area Lease Sales 229, 233, 238, 246, and 248; Central Planning Area Lease Sales 227, 231, 235, 241, and 247, Final Environmental Impact Statement (OCS EIS/EA BOEM 2012-019) (2012-2017 WPA/CPA Multisale EIS); Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2013-2014; Western Planning Area Lease Sale 233; Central Planning Area Lease Sale 231, Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (OCS EIS/EA BOEM 2013-0118) (WPA 233/CPA 231 Supplemental EIS); Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sale: 2015-2017; the Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2014 and 2016, Eastern Planning Area Lease Sales 225 and 226, Final Environmental Impact Statement (OCS EIS/ EA BOEM 2013-200) (EPA 225/226 EIS); and Central Planning Area Lease Sales 235, 241, and 247; Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (OCS EIS/EA BOEM 2014-010) (CPA 235, 241 and 247 Supplemental EIS). The Final Supplemental EIS is available on the Bureau's Web site at https://www.boem.gov/nepaprocess/. BOEM will distribute primarily digital copies of the Final Supplemental EIS on compact discs. You may request a paper copy, compact disc, or the location of a library with a digital copy of the Final Supplemental EIS from BOEM, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Public Information Office (GM 250C), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Room 250, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394 (1-800-200- GULF).

Under the Endangered Species Act, as amended (Act), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on an incidental take permit application for take of the federally listed American burying beetle resulting from activities associated with the geophysical exploration (seismic) and construction, maintenance, operation, repair, and decommissioning of oil and gas well field infrastructure within Oklahoma. If approved, the permit would be issued under the approved Oil and Gas Industry Conservation Plan Associated with Issuance of Endangered Species Act Section 10(a)(1)(B) Permits for the American Burying Beetle in Oklahoma (ICP).

As required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act (16 U.S.C. Appendix 1-16), the National Park Service (NPS) is hereby giving notice that the Aniakchak National Monument Subsistence Resource Commission (SRC), the Lake Clark National Park SRC and the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park SRC will hold public meetings to develop and continue work on NPS subsistence program recommendations, and other related regulatory proposals and resource management issues. The NPS SRC program is authorized under Section 808 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, (16 U.S.C. 3118), title VIII. Aniakchak National Monument SRC Meeting/Teleconfernce Date and Location: The Aniakchak National Monument SRC will meet from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. or until business is completed on Thursday, September 24, 2015, at the Chignik Lagoon Subsistence Hall in Chignik Lake, AK. Teleconference participants must call the National Park Service office in King Salmon, AK at (907) 246-2154 or (907) 246-3305, by Thursday, September 17, 2015, prior to the meeting to receive teleconference passcode information. For more detailed information regarding this meeting, or if you are interested in applying for SRC membership contact Designated Federal Official Diane Chung, Superintendent, at (907) 442-3890, or via email at diane_chung@nps.gov or Linda Chisholm, Subsistence Coordinator, at (907) 246-2154, or via email at linda_chisholm or Clarence Summers, Subsistence Manager, at (907) 644- 3603 or via email at clarence_summers@nps.gov. Lake Clark National Park SRC Meeting/Teleconfernce Date and Location: The Lake Clark National Park SRC will meet from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. or until business is completed on Wednesday, October 7, 2015, at the National Park Service Visitor Center in Port Alsworth, AK. Teleconference participants must call the National Park Service office at (907) 644-3626 or (907) 781-2218, by Wednesday, September 30, 2015, prior to the meeting to receive teleconference passcode information. For more detailed information regarding this meeting, or if you are interested in applying for SRC membership, contact Designated Federal Official Margaret L. Goodro, Superintendent, at (907) 644-3627, or via email at margaret_goodro@nps.gov, or Liza Rupp, Subsistence Manager, at (907) 644-3603, or via email at liza_rupp@nps.gov or Clarence Summers, Subsistence Manager, at (907) 644-3603 or via email at clarence_summers@nps.gov. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park SRC Meeting/Teleconference Date and Location: The Wrangell-St. Elias National Park SRC will meet from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, October 19, 2015, and Tuesday, October 20, 2015, or until business is completed at the Tazlina Village Hall in Tazlina, AK. Evening sessions may take place on these dates at the call of the chair. If the work of the SRC is completed on Monday, October 19, 2015, the SRC will not meet on Tuesday, October 20, 2015. Teleconference participants must call National Park Service at (907) 822-7236 or (907) 822-5234, by Wednesday, October 14, 2015, to receive teleconference information. For more detailed information regarding this meeting, or if you are interested in applying for SRC membership, contact Barbara Cellarius, Subsistence Manager, at (907) 822-7236 or via email at barbara_cellarius@nps.gov or Clarence Summers, Subsistence Manager, at (907) 644-3603 or via email at clarence_summers@nps.gov. Proposed Meeting Agenda: The agenda may change to accommodate SRC business. The proposed meeting agenda for each meeting includes the following:

We, the Bureau of Reclamation, intend to submit a request for renewal of an existing approved information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Recreation Use Data Report, OMB Control Number 1006-0002. As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, Reclamation invites other Federal agencies, State, local, or tribal governments that manage recreation sites at Reclamation projects; concessionaires, and not-for-profit organizations who operate concessions on Reclamation lands; and the public, to comment on this information collection.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) prohibit activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is acquired that allows such activities.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is processing an application under the Federal Land Policy Management Act of October 21, 1976 (FLPMA), to convey the undivided mineral interest owned by the United States in 96.75 acres located in Mathews County, Virginia, to the surface owner, Joseph M. Perdue. Upon publication of this notice, the BLM is temporarily segregating the federally owned mineral interests in the land covered by the application from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining laws, for up to 2 years while the BLM processes the application. If the application meets the requirements in the statute and the regulation, the BLM may convey the United States' entire interest in the minerals within the tract.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act (Act) prohibits activities with endangered or threatened species unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The Act requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.

We (the U.S. Geological Survey) are asking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the information collection request (ICR) described below. The revision includes no changes to forms or instructions. To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, we invite the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this ICR. This collection is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2015.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado State Office is publishing this notice to inform the public of the intent to officially file the survey plats listed below and afford a proper period of time to protest this action prior to the plat filing. During this time, the plats will be available for review in the BLM Colorado State Office.