🌾EPA Announces Pesticide Petitions Affecting Agricultural Regulations
This document announces the Agency's receipt of and solicits public comment on initial filings of pesticide petitions requesting the establishment or modification of regulations for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities. The Agency is providing this notice in accordance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). EPA uses the month and year in the title to identify when the Agency compiled the petitions identified in this notice of filing. Unit II. of this document identifies certain petitions received in 2023, 2024, and 2025 that are currently being evaluated by EPA, along with information about each petition, including who submitted the petition and the requested action.
Learn More🌸USDA's Nonregulated Status Determination for Genetically Engineered Orchid
We are advising the public of our determination that ISK- 311NR-4 phalaenopsis (moth orchid), which was developed using genetic engineering to produce a blue-purple flower color, is no longer considered regulated. Our determination is based on our evaluation of information and data Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Limited submitted in its petition for a determination of nonregulated status, available scientific data, the plant pest risk assessment, and public comments received in response to a previous notice announcing the availability of the petition for nonregulated status and a draft plant pest risk assessment. This notice announces the availability of our written determination and supporting documents.
Learn More📊SNAP-Ed Information Collection Notice and Comments Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This collection is a revision of a currently approved collection for the electronic reporting forms, SNAP-Ed Annual Report (Form FNS-925A) and SNAP-Ed State Plan (Form FNS- 925B), as required in the 2018 Farm Bill.
Learn More🐑Discontinuation of NASS Data Collections and Business Impact
This notice announces the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has discontinued the information collection for both the Mink Survey (OMB Control Number 0535-0212) and the Agricultural Labor Survey (OMB Control Number 0535-0109), as these collections are deemed duplicative and/or no longer necessary. This action is taken under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) as part of the government's efforts to improve efficiency and eliminate unnecessary burdens.
Learn More💧Notice of Draft EIS/EIR for North-to-South Water Transfers
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) will prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate a range of alternatives for potential one-year water transfer activities subject to proposal, review, and approval on an annual basis (the "Proposed Action"). Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority (SLDMWA) will prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the same range of potential north-to-south water transfer activities (the "Project") concurrent with the EIS preparation. A joint EIS/EIR will be prepared to examine the effects of water transfers between willing buyers and sellers when circumstances allow. To afford an informational opportunity for comprehensive environmental review otherwise unavailable to the public, Reclamation's responsibilities are defined under Federal law and it is serving as the Lead Agency for the "Proposed Action" under NEPA and SLDMWA is the Lead Agency under CEQA for the "Project." Reclamation is requesting comments on alternatives and effects, as well as on relevant information, studies, or analyses with respect to the proposed action.
Learn More🌲Forest Service Notice on Proposed and Interim Directives
The Forest Service (Forest Service or Agency), U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides direction to employees through issuances in its Directive System, comprised of the Forest Service Manual and Forest Service Handbooks. The Agency must provide public notice of and opportunity to comment on directives that formulate standards, criteria, or guidelines applicable to Forest Service programs. Once per quarter, the Agency provides advance notice of proposed and interim directives that will be made available for public comment during the next three months; proposed and interim directives that were previously published for public comment but not yet finalized and issued; and notice of final directives issued in the last three months.
Learn More🌲Proposed Rule Changes for Roadless Areas Impacting Local Businesses
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is initiating an environmental impact statement (EIS) and rulemaking concerning management of inventoried roadless areas on approximately 44.7 million acres of National Forest System lands, including in Alaska. The proposed rule would rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (2001 Roadless Rule) (66 FR 3244, 36 CFR Subpart B (2001)), which prohibits road construction, road reconstruction, and timber harvesting in inventoried roadless areas, with limited exceptions. State-specific roadless rules for Idaho and Colorado at 36 CFR 294 Subparts C and D will be retained and are excluded from this notice. Rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule is intended to return decision making for road construction, road reconstruction, and timber harvesting in inventoried roadless areas to local officials, in conjunction with Forest-level land management planning. As directed by Executive Order 14153: Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential, the proposed rule will expressly exclude the Tongass National Forest from the 2001 Roadless Rule. The EIS will evaluate the impacts of the proposed rule rescission and study alternatives for roadless area conservation on National Forest System lands, including the Tongass National Forest, in the context of multiple use resource management. USDA invites written comments on alternatives or effects and on relevant information, studies, or analyses with respect to the proposal.
Learn More🌱Comments Requested on Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act requirement, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is requesting comments from all interested individuals and organizations on an extension with a revision of a currently approved information collection request associated with the Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) program.
Learn More📊Sunshine Act Meeting Notice from Farm Credit Administration
The Farm Credit Administration announces a public meeting to discuss essential matters related to economic conditions and performance of the Farm Credit System. Attendees can join in person or virtually, highlighting the agency's commitment to transparency and public engagement in financial regulatory processes.
Learn More🌲Boundary Establishment for Wild and Scenic Rivers in California
The USDA Forest Service, Washington Office, in accordance with section 3(b) and section 3(d)(1) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, is transmitting the final boundary of Bautista Creek, Fuller Mill Creek, North Fork of the San Jacinto, and Palm Canyon Creek Wild and Scenic Rivers to Congress.
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