The Federal Register

Tart Cherries Grown in the States of Michigan, et al.; Final Free and Restricted Percentages for the 2007-2008 Crop

Tue, Dec 11 2007 11:00:00 GMT

This proposed rule invites comments on the establishment of final free and restricted percentages for 200708 crop year tart cherries covered under the Federal marketing order regulating tart cherries grown in seven states (order). The percentages are 57 percent free and 43 percent restricted and will establish the proportion of cherries from the 2007 crop which may be handled in commercial outlets. The percentages are intended to stabilize supplies and prices, and strengthen market conditions. The percentages were recommended by the Cherry Industry Administrative Board (Board), the body that locally administers the order. The order regulates the handling of tart cherries grown in the States of Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Irish Potatoes Grown in Colorado; Modification of the Handling Regulation for Area No. 2

Tue, Dec 11 2007 11:00:00 GMT

This rule invites comments on a modification of the minimum size requirements under the Colorado potato marketing order, Area No. 2. The marketing order regulates the handling of Irish potatoes grown in Colorado, and is administered locally by the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, Area No. 2 (Committee). The minimum size requirements for Area No. 2 potatoes currently allow the handling of potatoes that are at least 2 inches in diameter or 4 ounces minimum weight, except that round potatoes may be of any weight, and Russet Burbank, Russet Norkotah,
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and Silverton Russet varieties may be a minimum of 1\7/8\ inches in diameter or 4 ounces in weight. This rule would remove the exception that Russet Burbank, Russet Norkotah, and Silverton Russet varieties may be 1\7/8\ inches in diameter, thus requiring these varieties to also meet the minimum requirements of 2 inches in diameter or 4 ounces in weight. This change is intended to facilitate the handling and marketing of Colorado

Rural Business--Cooperative Service

Tue, Dec 11 2007 11:00:00 GMT

The Rural Housing Service (Agency) is amending its regulations to be consistent with other Federal agencies. The current thermal standards for existing single family housing can impose an unnecessary financial burden on the borrower and are not always costeffective. Removing the thermal standards for existing single family housing will provide consistency with HUD. This change will not affect the thermal standards for new construction; such requirements are generally prescribed by adopted building and model energy codes. Construction materials and building techniques have improved tremendously during the last thirty years, creating many alternatives to achieve thermally efficient homes. Removing the Agency's imposed thermal standards for existing single family housing will give a borrower the opportunity to allocate money towards other improvements which may result in higher cost savings. The rule will not result in any increase in costs or prices to consumers; nonprofit organizations; business

Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Tue, Dec 11 2007 11:00:00 GMT

December 6, 2007.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 10413. Comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB),

Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Tue, Dec 11 2007 11:00:00 GMT

December 6, 2007.

Sheppard Creek Post-Fire Project, Flathead National Forest, Flathead and Lincoln Counties, MT

Tue, Dec 11 2007 11:00:00 GMT

The USDA Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for a proposal to salvage merchantable timber affected by the Brush Creek wildland fire on the Tally Lake Ranger District of the Flathead National Forest. This fire burned a total of approximately 30,000 acres on the Flathead and Kootenai National Forests from July to September of 2007. Approximately 25,000 acres burned on the Tally Lake Ranger District where this project is proposed. The Kootenai National Forest will be preparing a separate salvage proposal. The city of Whitefish, Montana is located about twenty air miles to the east of the central portion of the project area.

Privacy Act of 1974; Revision of Systems of Records and Proposed New Routine Uses

Tue, Dec 11 2007 11:00:00 GMT

Pursuant to the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) gives notice that it proposes to amend five Privacy Act Systems of Records maintained by the Risk Management Agency (RMA).

Cold Treatment Regulations; Correction

Tue, Dec 11 2007 11:00:00 GMT

We are correcting an error in the cold treatment regulations that resulted from the publication of an interim rule on July 2, 2007, that was effective on August 31, 2007, and the publication of a separate final rule on July 18, 2007, that was effective on August 17, 2007. Because the July 18 final rule reorganized the cold treatment regulations, changes we made in the July 2 interim rule inadvertently removed provisions relating to places for cold treatment and ports of entry from the regulations when the interim rule became effective on August 31, 2007. This correction amends the regulations by reinstating those provisions.

Importation of Fruits and Vegetables

Tue, Dec 11 2007 11:00:00 GMT

We are proposing to amend the regulations pertaining to the importation of fruits and vegetables to eliminate a treatment requirement for Ya pears imported from Shandong Province, China; to clarify the conditions that apply to the importation of sand pears from the Republic of Korea and Japan; and to clarify the distinction between plant parts that would be considered to be plant litter or debris and those that would not. These proposed changes would eliminate a treatment requirement that no longer appears to be necessary and would clarify some existing provisions in order to make the regulations easier to understand and implement.