[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 245 (Monday, December 22, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 76674-76681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-28928]



[[Page 76673]]

Vol. 79

Monday,

No. 245

December 22, 2014

Part III





Department of Agriculture





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

  Federal Register / Vol. 79 , No. 245 / Monday, December 22, 2014 / 
Unified Agenda  

[[Page 76674]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary

2 CFR Subtitle B, Ch. IV

5 CFR Ch. LXXIII

7 CFR Subtitle A; Subtitle B, Chs. I-XI, XIV-XVIII, XX, XXV-
XXXVIII, XLII

9 CFR Chs. I-III

36 CFR Ch. II

48 CFR Ch. 4


Semiannual Regulatory Agenda, Fall 2014

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.

ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This agenda provides summary descriptions of significant and 
not significant regulations being developed in agencies of the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture (USDA) in conformance with Executive Orders 
(EO) 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.
    For this edition of the USDA regulatory agenda, the most important 
significant regulatory actions and a Statement of Regulatory Priorities 
are included in the Regulatory Plan, which appears in both the online 
regulatory agenda and in part II of the Federal Register that includes 
the abbreviated regulatory agenda.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information on any 
specific entry shown in this agenda, please contact the person listed 
for that action. For general comments or inquiries about the agenda, 
please contact Michael Poe, Office of Budget and Program Analysis, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250, (202) 720-3257.

    Dated: September 29, 2014.
 Michael Poe,
Chief, Legislative and Regulatory Staff.


           Agricultural Marketing Service--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
160.......................  National Organic Program,          0581-AD08
                             Origin of Livestock, NOP-
                             11-0009 (Reg Plan Seq No.
                             1).
161.......................  National Organic Program,          0581-AD20
                             Organic Pet Food
                             Standards (Reg Plan Seq
                             No. 2).
162.......................  National Organic Program,          0581-AD31
                             Organic Apiculture
                             Practice Standard, NOP-12-
                             0063 (Reg Plan Seq No. 3).
163.......................  National Organic                   0581-AD34
                             Program_Organic
                             Aquaculture Standards
                             (Reg Plan Seq No. 4).
164.......................  Exemption of Producers and        0581-AD37
                             Handlers of Organic
                             Products From Assessment
                             Under a Commodity
                             Promotion Law (Reg Plan
                             Seq No. 5).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in The Regulatory Plan in part II of this
  issue of the Federal Register.


            Agricultural Marketing Service--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
165.......................  User Fees for 2014 Crop            0581-AD35
                             Cotton Classification
                             Services to Growers.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


     Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
166.......................  Introduction of Organisms          0579-AC31
                             and Products Altered or
                             Produced Through Genetic
                             Engineering.
167.......................  Scrapie in Sheep and Goats         0579-AC92
168.......................  Plant Pest Regulations;            0579-AC98
                             Update of General
                             Provisions.
169.......................  Bovine Spongiform                  0579-AD10
                             Encephalopathy and
                             Scrapie; Importation of
                             Small Ruminants and Their
                             Germplasm, Products, and
                             Byproducts.
170.......................  Brucellosis and Bovine             0579-AD65
                             Tuberculosis; Update of
                             General Provisions (Reg
                             Plan Seq No. 9).
171.......................  Establishing a Performance         0579-AD71
                             Standard for Authorizing
                             the Importation and
                             Interstate Movement of
                             Fruits and Vegetables
                             (Reg Plan Seq No. 10).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in The Regulatory Plan in part II of this
  issue of the Federal Register.


[[Page 76675]]


      Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
172.......................  Importation of Poultry and         0579-AC36
                             Poultry Products From
                             Regions Affected With
                             Highly Pathogenic Avian
                             Influenza.
173.......................  Importation of Wood                0579-AD28
                             Packaging Material From
                             Canada.
174.......................  Importation of Beef From a         0579-AD41
                             Region in Brazil.
175.......................  Treatment of Firewood and          0579-AD60
                             Spruce Logs Imported From
                             Canada.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


      Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
176.......................  Importation of Live Dogs..         0579-AD23
177.......................  Importation of Female              0579-AD72
                             Squash Flowers From
                             Israel Into the
                             Continental United States.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                 Rural Housing Service--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
178.......................  Guaranteed Single-Family           0575-AC18
                             Housing.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


             Food and Nutrition Service--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
179.......................  Child and Adult Care Food          0584-AE18
                             Program: Meal Pattern
                             Revisions Related to the
                             Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids
                             Act of 2010 (Reg Plan Seq
                             No. 15).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in The Regulatory Plan in part II of this
  issue of the Federal Register.


              Food and Nutrition Service--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
180.......................  Child Nutrition Programs:          0584-AE25
                             Local School Wellness
                             Policy Implementation
                             Under the Healthy, Hunger-
                             Free Kids Act of 2010
                             (Reg Plan Seq No. 18).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in The Regulatory Plan in part II of this
  issue of the Federal Register.


          Food Safety and Inspection Service--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
181.......................  Mandatory Inspection of            0583-AD36
                             Fish of the order
                             Siluriformes and Products
                             Derived From Such Fish
                             (Reg Plan Seq No. 21).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in The Regulatory Plan in part II of this
  issue of the Federal Register.


          Food Safety and Inspection Service--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
182.......................  Change in Accredited Lab           0583-AD55
                             Fees.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                   Forest Service--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
183.......................  Management of Surface              0596-AD03
                             Activities Associated
                             With Outstanding Mineral
                             Rights on National Forest
                             System Lands.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 76676]]


                    Forest Service--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
184.......................  Ski Area_D Clauses:                0596-AD14
                             Resource and Improvement
                             Protection, Water
                             Facilities and Water
                             Rights.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Proposed Rule Stage

160. National Organic Program, Origin of Livestock, NOP-11-0009

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 1 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 0581-AD08

161. National Organic Program, Organic Pet Food Standards

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 2 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 0581-AD20

162. National Organic Program, Organic Apiculture Practice Standard, 
NOP-12-0063

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 3 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 0581-AD31

163.  National Organic Program--Organic Aquaculture Standards

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 4 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 0581-AD34

164.  Exemption of Producers and Handlers of Organic Products 
From Assessment Under a Commodity Promotion Law

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 5 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 0581-AD37

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Completed Actions

165.  User Fees for 2014 Crop Cotton Classification Services to 
Growers

    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 471 to 476
    Abstract: The Department is required to announce the adjusted fee 
by June 1 each year, and it must be set at a sufficient level to 
recover the full costs of providing services. To meet the mandate that 
cotton growers pay a uniform fee that truly covers USDA's estimated 
cost of providing grading services, revenues and costs associated with 
classification services that will be provided during the 2014 crop year 
must be estimated. The user fee represents less than 1 percent of the 
average value of a bale of cotton, the cotton classing user fee has 
remained the same since 2009, and the publication of user fee 
adjustments over the past 10 years has generated no significant public 
comment.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Rule..........................   05/14/14  79 FR 27479
Final Rule Effective................   07/01/14
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Darryl W. Earnest, Deputy Administrator, Department 
of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, 14th & Independence 
Avenue SW., Room 2639--South Building, Washington, DC 20250, Phone: 202 
720-3193, Fax: 202 690-1718, Email: [email protected]..
    RIN: 0581-AD35
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Proposed Rule Stage

166. Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or Produced Through 
Genetic Engineering

    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7701 to 7772; 7 U.S.C. 7781 to 7786; 31 
U.S.C. 9701
    Abstract: This rulemaking will amend the regulations regarding the 
importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain 
genetically engineered organisms. This rule will affect persons 
involved in the importation, interstate movement, or release into the 
environment of genetically engineered plants and certain other 
genetically engineered organisms.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Intent to Prepare an         01/23/04  69 FR 3271
 Environmental Impact Statement.
Comment Period End..................   03/23/04  .......................
Notice of Availability of Draft        07/17/07  72 FR 39021
 Environmental Impact Statement.
Comment Period End..................   09/11/07  .......................
NPRM................................   10/09/08  73 FR 60007
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/24/08
Correction..........................   11/10/08  73 FR 66563
NPRM Comment Period Reopened........   01/16/09  74 FR 2907
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/17/09  .......................
NPRM; Notice of Public Scoping         03/11/09  74 FR 10517
 Session.
NPRM Comment Period Reopened........   04/13/09  74 FR 16797
NPRM Comment Period End.............   06/29/09
NPRM; Withdrawal....................   11/00/14
NPRM; Withdrawal Effective..........   11/00/14
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Andrea Huberty, Branch Chief, Regulatory and 
Environmental Analysis, BRS, Department of Agriculture, Animal and 
Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 146, Riverdale, 
MD 20737-1236, Phone: 301 851-3880.
    RIN: 0579-AC31

167. Scrapie in Sheep and Goats

    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 8301 to 8317
    Abstract: This rulemaking would amend the scrapie regulations by 
changing the risk groups and categories established for individual 
animals and for flocks. It would simplify, reduce, or remove certain 
recordkeeping requirements. This action would provide designated 
scrapie epidemiologists with more alternatives and flexibility when 
testing animals in order to determine flock designations under the 
regulations. It would also make the identification and recordkeeping 
requirements for goat

[[Page 76677]]

owners consistent with those for sheep owners. These changes would 
affect sheep and goat producers and State governments.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/00/14
NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/00/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Diane Sutton, National Scrapie Program Coordinator, 
Ruminant Health Programs, NCAHP, VS, Department of Agriculture, Animal 
and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 43, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1235, Phone: 301 851-3509.
    RIN: 0579-AC92

168. Plant Pest Regulations; Update of General Provisions

    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450; 7 U.S.C. 2260; 7 U.S.C. 7701 to 
7772; 7 U.S.C. 7781 to 7786; 7 U.S.C. 8301 to 8817; 19 U.S.C. 136; 21 
U.S.C. 111; 21 U.S.C. 114a; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 42 
U.S.C. 4331 and 4332
    Abstract: We are proposing to revise our regulations regarding the 
movement of plant pests. We are proposing to regulate the movement of 
not only plant pests, but also biological control organisms and 
associated articles. We are proposing risk-based criteria regarding the 
movement of biological control organisms, and are proposing to 
establish regulations to allow the movement in interstate commerce of 
certain types of plant pests without restriction by granting exceptions 
from permitting requirements for those pests. We are also proposing to 
revise our regulations regarding the movement of soil and to establish 
regulations governing the biocontainment facilities in which plant 
pests, biological control organisms, and associated articles are held. 
This proposed rule replaces a previously published proposed rule, which 
we are withdrawing as part of this document. This proposal would 
clarify the factors that would be considered when assessing the risks 
associated with the movement of certain organisms, facilitate the 
movement of regulated organisms and articles in a manner that also 
protects U.S. agriculture, and address gaps in the current regulations.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Intent To Prepare an         10/20/09  74 FR 53673
 Environmental Impact Statement.
Notice Comment Period End...........   11/19/09
NPRM................................   04/00/15
NPRM Comment Period End.............   06/00/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Shirley Wager-Page, Chief, Pest Permitting Branch, 
Plant Health Programs, PPQ, Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 131, Riverdale, MD 
20737-1236, Phone: 301 851-2323.
    RIN: 0579-AC98

169. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and Scrapie; Importation of Small 
Ruminants and Their Germplasm, Products, and Byproducts

    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450; 7 U.S.C. 1622; 7 U.S.C. 7701 to 
7772; 7 U.S.C. 7781 to 7786; 7 U.S.C. 8301 to 8317; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 
136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701
    Abstract: This rulemaking would amend the bovine spongiform 
encephalopathy (BSE) and scrapie regulations regarding the importation 
of live sheep, goats, and wild ruminants and their embryos, semen, 
products, and byproducts. The proposed scrapie revisions regarding the 
importation of sheep, goats, and susceptible wild ruminants for other 
than immediate slaughter are similar to those recommended by the World 
Organization for Animal Health in restricting the importation of such 
animals to those from scrapie-free regions or certified scrapie-free 
flocks.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   03/00/15
NPRM Comment Period End.............   05/00/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Peter Merrill, Assistant Director, Technical Trade 
Services, National Center for Import and Export, VS, Department of 
Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River 
Road, Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, Phone: 301 851-3300.
    RIN: 0579-AD10

170. Brucellosis and Bovine Tuberculosis; Update of General Provisions

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 9 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 0579-AD65

171. Establishing a Performance Standard for Authorizing the 
Importation and Interstate Movement of Fruits and Vegetables

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 10 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 0579-AD71

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Final Rule Stage

172. Importation of Poultry and Poultry Products From Regions Affected 
With Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622; 7 U.S.C. 8301 to 8317; 21 U.S.C. 
136 and 136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701
    Abstract: This rulemaking will amend the regulations concerning the 
importation of animals and animal products to prohibit or restrict the 
importation of birds, poultry, and bird and poultry products from 
regions that have reported the presence in commercial birds or poultry 
of highly pathogenic avian influenza of any subtype. This action will 
supplement existing prohibitions and restrictions on articles from 
regions that have reported the presence of Newcastle disease or highly 
pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5N1.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interim Final Rule..................   01/24/11  76 FR 4046
Interim Final Rule Comment Period      03/25/11
 End.
Interim Final Rule Comment Period      05/03/11  76 FR 24793
 Reopened.
Interim Final Rule Comment Period      05/18/11
 Reopened End.
Interim Final Rule Comment Period      06/12/12  77 FR 34783
 Reopened.
Interim Final Rule Comment Period      07/12/12
 Reopened End.
Final Rule..........................   02/00/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

[[Page 76678]]

    Agency Contact: Javier Vargas, Case Manager, National Center for 
Import and Export, VS, Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 38, Riverdale, MD 
20737-1231, Phone: 301 851-3300.
    RIN: 0579-AC36

173. Importation of Wood Packaging Material From Canada

    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450; 7 U.S.C. 7701 to 7772; 7 U.S.C. 7781 
to 7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a
    Abstract: This rulemaking will amend the regulations for the 
importation of unmanufactured wood articles to remove the exemption 
that allows wood packaging material from Canada to enter the United 
States without first meeting the treatment and marking requirements of 
the regulations that apply to wood packaging material from all other 
countries. This action is necessary in order to prevent the 
dissemination and spread of pests via wood packaging material from 
Canada.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/02/10  75 FR 75157
NPRM Comment Period End.............   01/31/11
Final Rule..........................   12/00/14
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John Tyrone Jones, Trade Director, Forestry 
Products, Phytosanitary Issues Management, PPQ, Department of 
Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River 
Road, Unit 140, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, Phone: 301 851-2344.
    RIN: 0579-AD28

174. Importation of Beef From a Region in Brazil

    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450; 7 U.S.C. 7701 to 7772; 7 U.S.C. 7781 
to 7786; 7 U.S.C. 8301 to 8317; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701
    Abstract: This rulemaking will amend the regulations governing the 
importation of certain animals, meat, and other animal products by 
allowing, under certain conditions, the importation of fresh (chilled 
or frozen) beef from a region in Brazil (the States of Bahia, Distrito 
Federal, Espirito Santo, Goias, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas 
Gerais, Parana, Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro, Rondonia, Sao Paulo, 
Sergipe, and Tocantis). Based on the evidence in a recent risk 
assessment, we have determined that fresh (chilled or frozen) beef can 
be safely imported from those Brazilian States, provided certain 
conditions are met. This action will provide for the importation of 
beef from the designated region in Brazil into the United States while 
continuing to protect the United States against the introduction of 
foot-and-mouth disease.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/23/13  78 FR 77370
NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/21/14
Final Rule..........................   04/00/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Silvia Kreindel, Senior Staff Veterinarian, 
Regionalization Evaluation Services Staff, NCIE, VS, Department of 
Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River 
Road, Unit 38, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, Phone: 301 851-3313.
    RIN: 0579-AD41

175. Treatment of Firewood and Spruce Logs Imported From Canada.

    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450; 7 U.S.C. 7701 to 7772; 7 U.S.C. 7781 
to 7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a
    Abstract: This rulemaking will amend the regulations to require 
firewood of all species imported from Canada, including treated lumber 
(furniture scraps) sold as kindling, and all spruce logs imported from 
Nova Scotia to be heat-treated and to be accompanied by either a 
certificate of treatment or an attached commercial treatment label. 
This action is necessary on an immediate basis to prevent the 
artificial spread of pests, including emerald ash borer, Asian 
longhorned beetle, gypsy moth, European spruce bark beetle, and brown 
spruce longhorn beetle to noninfested areas of the United States and to 
prevent further introduction of these pests into the United States.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interim Final Rule..................   01/00/15
Interim Final Rule Comment Period      03/00/15
 End.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John Tyrone Jones, Trade Director, Forestry 
Products, Phytosanitary Issues Management, PPQ, Department of 
Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700 River 
Road, Unit 140, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, Phone: 301 851-2344.
    RIN: 0579-AD60

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Completed Actions

176. Importation of Live Dogs

    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2148
    Abstract: We are amending the regulations to implement an amendment 
to the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
of 2008 added a new section to the AWA to restrict the importation of 
certain live dogs. Consistent with this amendment, this rule prohibits 
the importation of dogs, with limited exceptions, from any part of the 
world into the continental United States or Hawaii for purposes of 
resale, research, or veterinary treatment, unless the dogs are in good 
health, have received all necessary vaccinations, and are at least 6 
months of age. This action is necessary to implement the amendment to 
the AWA and will help to ensure the welfare of imported dogs.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Rule..........................   08/18/14  79 FR 48653
Final Rule Effective................   11/17/14
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Gerald Rushin, Phone: 301 851-3740.
    RIN: 0579-AD23

177.  Importation of Female Squash Flowers From Israel Into the 
Continental United States

    Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450; 7 U.S.C. 7701 to 7772; 7 U.S.C. 7781 
to 7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a
    Abstract: This rulemaking amends the regulations governing the 
importation of fruits and vegetables to allow the importation of female 
squash flowers from Israel into the continental United States. As a 
condition of entry, female squash flowers from Israel will be subject 
to a systems approach that includes requirements for pest exclusion at 
the production site and fruit fly trapping and monitoring. The female 
squash flowers must also be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate 
issued by the national plant protection organization of Israel with an 
additional declaration that the female squash flowers have been 
inspected and found free of quarantine pests. This action allows for 
the importation of female squash flowers from Israel into the 
continental United States while continuing to provide protection 
against the introduction of quarantine pests.

[[Page 76679]]

    Timetable:

 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   05/02/13  78 FR 25620
NPRM Comment Period End.............   07/01/13
Final Rule..........................   06/05/14  79 FR 32433
Final Rule Effective................   07/07/14
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: George Balady, Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist, 
PPQ, Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236, Phone: 
301 851-2240.
    RIN: 0579-AD72
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Final Rule Stage

Rural Housing Service (RHS)

178. Guaranteed Single-Family Housing

    Legal Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 7 U.S.C. 1989; 42 U.S.C. 1480
    Abstract: The Guaranteed Single-Family Housing Loan Program interim 
final rule encourages new residential construction in rural areas. The 
new rule provides for a ``construction-to-permanent financing'' 
process. Lenders will be able to obtain a loan note guarantee when 
construction commences, in a ``single close'' transaction, rather than 
first obtaining short-term construction financing and then later 
obtaining the guaranteed loan. The new rule streamlines the financing 
of building new homes. The interim final rule also expands the types of 
lenders who are eligible to participate, increasing the reach of the 
program to small community banks in remote areas and to credit unions 
with memberships who are teachers as well as other groups. The rule 
change will allow participation by any lending entity supervised and 
regulated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National 
Credit Union Administration, the Office of the Comptroller of the 
Currency, the Federal Reserve Banks, or the Federal Housing Finance 
Board. Currently, these entities may not be eligible lenders.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   10/28/11  76 FR 66860
NPRM Comment Period End.............   12/27/11
Interim Final Rule..................   12/09/13  78 FR 73927
Interim Final Rule Effective........   12/01/14
Final Rule..........................   12/00/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Joaquin Tremols, Acting Director, Single-Family 
Housing Guaranteed Loan Division, Department of Agriculture, Rural 
Housing Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0784, Washington, 
DC 20250, Phone: 202 720-1465, Fax: 202 205-2476, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 0575-AC18
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)

Proposed Rule Stage

179. Child and Adult Care Food Program: Meal Pattern Revisions Related 
to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 15 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 0584-AE18

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)

Final Rule Stage

180. Child Nutrition Programs: Local School Wellness Policy 
Implementation Under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 18 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 0584-AE25
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

Completed Actions

181. Mandatory Inspection of Fish of the Order Siluriformes and 
Products Derived from Such Fish

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 21 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 0583-AD36

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

182. Change in Accredited Lab Fees

    Legal Authority: 21 U.S.C. 601, et seq.; 21 U.S.C. 451, et seq.; 7 
U.S.C. 138
    Abstract: The Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) proposed to 
amend its regulations to change the fees it charges for the 
accreditation and the maintenance of accreditation of non-Federal 
laboratories for the FSIS Accredited Lab Program (ALP). Currently, the 
Agency charges a flat annual fee of $5,000 for each accreditation or 
maintenance of accreditation. Laboratories that participate in FSIS' 
ALP can receive accreditation in one to six analyte classes. FSIS 
proposed to charge laboratories $5,000 per year for the first analyte 
class accreditation or maintenance (as it currently does), but to 
reduce the charges to $2,900 per year for the second, and $2,100 per 
year for each additional analyte class accreditation or maintenance of 
accreditation.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   04/21/14  79 FR 22052
Final Action........................   09/19/14  79 FR 56235
Final Action Effective..............   11/18/14
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Charles Williams, Phone: 202 720-5627, Fax: 202 
690-0486, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0583-AD55
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P


[[Page 76680]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Forest Service (FS)

Proposed Rule Stage

183. Management of Surface Activities Associated With Outstanding 
Mineral Rights on National Forest System Lands

    Legal Authority: EPA 1992
    Abstract: Close to 11,000,000 acres (approximately 6 percent) of 
National Forest System (NFS) lands overlie severed (split) mineral 
estates owned by a party other than the Federal Government. Over 75 
percent of these lands are in the Eastern Region (Forest Service 
Regions 8 and 9). There are two kinds of severed mineral estates, 
generally known as ``private rights'': reserved and outstanding. 
Reserved mineral rights are those retained by a grantor in a deed 
conveying land to the United States. Outstanding mineral rights are 
those owned by a party other than the surface owner at the time the 
surface was conveyed to the United States. Because these are non-
Federal mineral interests, the U.S. Department of Interiors Bureau of 
Land Management has no authority for or role in managing development 
activities associated with such interests. States have the authority 
and responsibility for regulating development of the private mineral 
estate.
    Various Secretary's Rules and Regulations (years of 1911, 1937, 
1938, 1939, 1947, 1950, and 1963) and Forest Service regulations at 36 
CFR 251.15 provide direction for the use of NFS lands for mineral 
development activities associated with the exercise of reserved mineral 
rights. These existing rules for reserved minerals development 
activities also include requirements for protection of NFS resources.
    Currently, there are no formal regulations governing the use of NFS 
lands for activities associated with the exercise of outstanding 
mineral rights underlying those lands. The Energy Policy Act of 1992, 
section 2508, directed the Secretary of Agriculture to: apply specified 
terms and conditions to surface-disturbing activities related to 
development of oil and gas on certain lands with outstanding mineral 
rights on the Allegheny National Forest, and promulgate regulations 
implementing that section.
    The Forest Service initiated rulemaking for the use of NFS lands 
for development activities associated with both reserved and 
outstanding minerals rights with an Advance Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking (ANPRM) in the Federal Register on December 29, 2008. 
Comments from the public in response to the ANPRM conveyed a high level 
of concern about the broad scope of the rule, along with a high level 
of concern about effects of a broad rule on small businesses and local 
economies.
    Timetable:

 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANPRM...............................   12/29/08  73 FR 79424
ANPRM Comment Period End............   02/27/09
NPRM................................   03/00/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: LaRenda C. King, Assistant Director, Directives and 
Regulations, Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, ATTN: ORMS, D&R 
Branch, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-0003, Phone: 
202 205-6560, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0596-AD03

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

Forest Service (FS)

Final Rule Stage

184. Ski Area--D Clauses: Resource and Improvement Protection, Water 
Facilities and Water Rights

    Legal Authority: FSH 2709.11
    Abstract: On November 8, 2011, the Forest Service issued an interim 
directive (FSH 2709.11-2011-3) including a revised clause to address 
the ownership of water rights developed on National Forest System (NFS) 
lands for use by ski area permit holders. On March 6, 2012, a second 
interim directive (FSH 2709.11-2012-1) for the revised ski area water 
rights clause was issued, superseding the 2011 version. The National 
Ski Areas Association filed a lawsuit in the United States District 
Court for the District of Colorado on March 12, 2012, opposing use of 
the revised clause. On December 19, 2012, the court ruled that the 
Forest Service had erred in not providing an opportunity for notice and 
comment on the interim directive and that the agency needed to conduct 
a Regulatory Flexibility Act analysis of the impact of the directive on 
small business entities that hold ski area permits. The court vacated 
the interim directive and enjoined enforcement of the 2011 and 2012 
clauses in permits containing them.
    The proposed directive would address the development of water 
facilities on NFS lands; the ownership of preexisting and future water 
rights; mechanisms to ensure sufficient water remains for ski areas on 
NFS lands; and measures necessary to protect NFS lands and resources.
    The Forest Service published the proposed ski area water rights 
clause in the Federal Register for public notice and comment. To 
identify interests and views from a diverse group of stakeholders 
regarding a revised water rights clause for ski areas, the Forest 
Service held four stakeholder meetings in April 2013. The input from 
the stakeholder sessions will be considered in the development of a 
final water rights clause for ski areas.
    Timetable:

 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed Directive..................   06/23/14  79 FR 35513
Proposed Directive Comment Period      08/22/14
 End.
Final Directive.....................   02/00/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: LaRenda C. King, Assistant Director, Directives and 
Regulations, Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, ATTN: ORMS, D&R 
Branch, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-0003, Phone: 
202 205-6560, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 0596-AD14
[FR Doc. 2014-28928 Filed 12-19-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P