A comprehensive summary of today’s judicial, legislative, and regulatory developments in agriculture and food. Email important additions HERE.
REGULATORY: ARS, EPA, FDA, FWS, FSA, FNS
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE
Notice announcing the Agricultural Research Service’s intention to request an extension of a currently approved information collection, Form AD-761, USDA Patent License Application for Government Invention that expires October 31, 2022. Info here.
Proposed rule invites comments on changes in membership of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council under the Blueberry Promotion, Research and Information Order, by removing the first-handler member and alternate position and adding two exporter member and alternate positions. Info here.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Final rule making a finding that Arizona has not submitted a required revision to the Arizona State Implementation Plan for the West Pinal County nonattainment area addressing Clean Air Act requirements for a Moderate area attainment plan, related rules, and other analyses needed to attain the 1987 24-hour particulate matter National Ambient Air Quality Standard by December 31, 2018. Info here.
Final rule taking final action to approve a state implementation plan revision submitted by the State of Tennessee, through the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Air Pollution Control Division, via a letter dated January 23, 2020. Info here.
Proposed rule proposing to approve in part and disapprove in part portions of a state implementation plan revision submitted by the State of California to meet Clean Air Act requirements for the 1997 annual fine particulate matter national ambient air quality standards in the San Joaquin Valley PM 2.5 nonattainment area. Info here.
Final rule taking final action to approve a revision to the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District portion of the California State Implementation Plan by approving a local rule that regulates emissions of volatile organic compounds from graphic arts printing operations under the Clean Air Act. Info here.
Notice announcing that the State of Texas is revising its approved Public Water System Supervision program. Info here.
Final rule expanding the size of the EPA designated ocean dredged material disposal site offshore of Port Everglades, Florida, pursuant to the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act. Info here.
FARM SERVICE AGENCY
Notice announcing the availability of assistance for timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak through PATHH. Timber harvesting and hauling businesses are also commonly referred to as loggers and truckers. Info here.
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Final rule removing the textual descriptions of critical habitat boundaries from those designations for plants for which the maps have been determined to be sufficient to stand as the official delineation of critical habitat. Info here.
Final rule issued to comply with a court order to vacate Unit 6 and the New Mexico portion of Unit 5 from the March 5, 2014, final rule designating approximately 764,207 acres (309,263 hectares) of land in New Mexico and Arizona as critical habitat for the jaguar (Panthera onca) under the Endangered Species Act. Info here.
FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE
Notice inviting the general public and other public agencies to comment on the Agency’s proposed revision to the currently approved information collection for the Summer Food Service Program. Info here.