REGULATORY:
Final rule: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of waxes and waxy substances, rice bran, oxidized when used as an inert ingredient in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops and raw agricultural commodities after harvest, on animals, and in antimicrobial formulations (food-contact surface sanitizing solutions). Spring Trading Company, on behalf of Clariant Corporation, submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting establishment of an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of waxes and waxy substances, rice bran, oxidized in accordance with the terms of the exemptions. Info HERE
Notice of availability: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA; We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment relative to permitting the release of Calophya latiforceps and Pseudophilothrips ichini for the biological control of Brazilian peppertree, a significant invasive weed, within the contiguous United States. Based on the environmental assessment and other relevant data, we have reached a preliminary determination that the release of these control agents will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. We are making the environmental assessment available to the public for review and comment. Info HERE
Withdrawal of Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement: Forest Service, USDA. The Klamath National Forest is withdrawing the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Elk Creek Watershed Project. The original NOI was published in the Federal Register on October 2, 2017. The project is being canceled and will be combined with a new project for which an Environmental Assessment will be prepared. Info HERE
Withdrawal of notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement: Forest Service, USDA; The Shasta-Trinity National Forest is withdrawing the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Lower McCloud Fuels Management Project. The original NOI was published in the Federal Registeron March 22, 2016. No significant issues were identified during this scoping period or any other opportunity to comment. Upon further evaluation, it also appears that there are no potential significant impacts to the human environment associated with the project. As a result, the Forest is withdrawing its intent to prepare an EIS and is now preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA). All comments previously received regarding this project will be retained and considered in the development of the EA. If it is determined that the project may have significant impacts, the EIS process will be reinitiated and a NOI will be published. Info HERE
Notice of meetings: Forest Service, USDA; The Idaho Panhandle Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. 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. 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. RAC information can be found at the following website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/ipnf/workingtogether/advisorycommittees. Info HERE
Notice of meeting: Forest Service, USDA. The Virginia Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Roanoke, VA. 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. 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. Additional RAC information, including the meeting agenda and the meeting summary/minutes can be found at the following website: www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj. Info HERE
Notice: National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), USDA; In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, this notice announces an invitation from the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture for nominations to the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics. Info HERE
Notice of public meetings: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, published a notice of availability, public meetings, and Section 106 notification on December 7, 2018 (83 FR 63149) Federal Register for the Cardinal-Hickory Creek 345-kV Transmission Line Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Meetings were scheduled for January 2019 and the public review period was to conclude on February 5, 2019.
On February 12, 2019 (84 FR 3412), RUS published a notice announcing an extension of the public comment period to April 1, 2019 due to the lapse in federal funding. Previously cancelled Draft EIS public comment meetings in January 2019 are rescheduled for six days in March. Info HERE