A comprehensive summary of today’s judicial, legislative, and regulatory developments in agriculture and food. Email important additions HERE.
REGULATORY: Includes APHIS, EPA, FEMA, FWS, NOAA, RUS
ANIMAL PLANT AND HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE
Final rule removes the domestic quarantine regulations for the plant pest emerald ash borer. Info here.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Notice EPA has received a specific exemption request from the Washington State Department of Agriculture to use the pesticide broflanilide to treat an amount of spring wheat seed sufficient to plant up to 206,000 acres to control wireworms. Info here.
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Final rule identifies communities where the sale of flood insurance has been authorized under the National Flood Insurance Program that are scheduled for suspension on the effective dates listed within this rule because of noncompliance with the floodplain management requirements of the program. Info here.
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Final rule adding a definition of “habitat” to the regulations that implement section 4 of the Endangered Species Act. This rulemaking responds to Supreme Court case law regarding the designation of critical habitat and provides transparency, clarity, and consistency for stakeholders. Info here.
Notice announcing a 12-month finding on a petition to list the northern spotted owl as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. Info here.
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
Proposed rule NMFS proposes to amend the regulations implementing the Atlantic Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan to reduce mortalities and serious injuries of short-finned pilot whales incidental to the Atlantic pelagic longline fishery to meet the long-term goal of the Plan as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Info here.
Final rule NMFS approves and implements changes to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Risk Policy. Info here.
Temporary rule NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from vessels using jig gear and trawl catcher vessels to less than 60 feet length overall using hook-and-line or pot gear and American Fisheries Act catcher/processors in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. Info here.
Notice NMFS announces that the State of North Carolina is transferring a portion of its 2020 commercial summer flounder quota to the State of Connecticut. Info here.
Notice NMFS announces that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the State of Delaware, and the Commonwealth of Virginia are transferring a portion of their 2020 commercial bluefish quota to the State of North Carolina, the State of Rhode Island, and the State of New York, respectively. Info here.
RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE
Notice that the Rural Utilities Service, a Rural Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, is soliciting Letters of intent for loan applications under the Rural Energy Savings Program, announcing the application process for those loans and deadlines for applications from eligible entities for funding in fiscal year 2021, until expended or further notice. Info here.