### 41164 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 134 / Thursday, July 12, 2012 / Notices

FSIS will use the information provided to assess the merits of the petition.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 10. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 400.

Ruth Brown, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012–16968 Filed 7–11–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Agricultural Research Service**

**DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE**

**National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration** 

**RIN 0648–XC007**

**Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture Research and Development Strategic**  **Plan**

**AGENCIES :**  Agricultural Research Service (ARS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA); National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

**ACTION :**  Notice of availability and request for comments.

**SUMMARY :**  NOAA and U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) announce on behalf of the Federal Interagency Working Group on Aquaculture under the Office of Science and Technology Policy that a draft National Aquaculture Research and Development Strategic Plan (R&D Plan) for the United States is being made available for public review and comment. This plan will provide a framework for federal agencies to develop programs for research and development that affect the production of aquatic organisms such as finfish, crustaceans, mollusks, and algae. We are soliciting public comment in regard to priorities, vision, and goals. Please be specific regarding what section or content in the R&D plan your comment refers. The draft R&D plan can be found
at http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/ programs/programs.htm?np

_code=106& docid=22641

.
**DATES :**  Written comments must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), August 27, 2012.

**ADDRESSES :**  You may submit comments on this action identified by NOAA– NMFS–2012–0136 by either of the following methods:

• Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the federal e-Rulemaking Portal, http:// www.regulations.gov. To submit comments via the e-Rulemaking Portal, first enter NOAA–NMFS–2012–0136 in the keyword search. Locate the document you wish to comment on from the resulting list and click on the ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ icon on that line. You may also view supporting and related materials. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted to http:// www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (for example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. The agency will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/ A’’ in the required fields, if you wish to remain anonymous). You may submit attachments to electronic comments in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only.

• Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send two copies of your comment to RIN 0648–XC007, Dr. Jeff Silverstein,USDA–ARS, National Program LeaderAquaculture, 5601 Sunnyside Ave., Room 4–2106, Beltsville, MD 20705. Please state that your comment refers to RIN 0648–XC007.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  ARS: Dr. Jeffrey Silverstein, National Program Leader for Aquaculture, USDA–ARS Office of National Programs, 5601 Sunnyside Ave., Room 4–2106, Beltsville, MD 20705; (301) 504–5925. NMFS: Dr. Michael Rubino, Director, Office of Aquaculture, NOAA Fisheries, 1315 East-West Hwy, SSMC#3 Rm. 13137, Silver Spring, MD 20910; (301) 427–8325. To receive a hard copy of the R&D Plan please contact Dr. Jeff Silverstein.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Aquaculture is the production of finfish, shellfish, algae, plants, and other aquatic organisms (except mammals and birds) for (1) food and other commercial products; (2) wild stock replenishment for commercial or recreational fisheries; (3) rebuilding populations of threatened or endangered species under species recovery and conservation plans; and (4) restoration and conservation of aquatic and marine habitat.

The National Aquaculture Act (Pub. L. 96–362, 94 Stat. 1198, 16 U.S.C. 2801, et seq. ) and the National Aquaculture Improvement Act (Pub. L. 99–198, 99 Stat. 1641) were passed to promote aquaculture in the Nation by:

1. Declaring a national aquaculture policy to encourage development of aquaculture in the United States,

2. Calling for the establishment and implementation of a national aquaculture development plan, and

3. Encouraging aquaculture activities and programs in both the public and private sectors of the economy that will result in increased aquacultural production, coordination of domestic aquaculture efforts, conservation and enhancement of aquatic resources, and creation of new industries and job opportunities.

The legislation emphasizes the need for government-wide coordination of national activities regarding aquaculture. To this end, it established a federal interagency aquaculture coordinating group within the Office of Science and Technology Policy that operates as the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture (JSA).

The JSA prepared an R&D Plan to help shape, focus, and coordinate interagency research and development efforts on the highest-priority strategic goals and crosscutting objectives over 5– 10 years that will encourage aquaculture development and uses in the Nation.

The JSA R&D Plan envisions ‘‘a globally competitive, technologically appropriate, and diverse aquaculture sector in the United States that meets increasing demand for seafood and products that are affordable and meet high standards for safety, quality, and environmental stewardship, with maximum opportunity for profitability and economic growth. A critical element of this vision is that the aquaculture sector develops in concert with, natural ecosystems that support recreational, fishery, and environmental services needs.’’

The R&D Plan identifies nine strategic goals:

1. Advance Integration of Aquaculture Development and Environmental Conservation.

2. Employ Genetics to Increase Productivity and Protect Natural Populations.

3. Improve Aquatic Animal Health. 4. Improve Production Efficiency and Well-being.

5. Improve Nutrition and Develop Novel Feeds.

6. Increase Supply of Nutritious, Safe, High-quality Seafood.

7. Introduce Innovative Production Systems.

8. Create Skilled Workforce and Effective Technology Transfer.

9. Integrate Economic and Social Sciences.


### 41165 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 134 / Thursday, July 12, 2012 / Notices

Each goal, along with its outcomes, milestones, and performance measures, is described in detail within the R&D Plan.

Dated: July 9, 2012. Michael Rubino, Director, Office of Aquaculture, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service.

Dated: July 2, 2012. Jeffrey Silverstein, National Program Leader for Aquaculture, USDA-ARS Office of National Programs.
[FR Doc. 2012–17051 Filed 7–11–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3510–22–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Natural Resources Conservation Service** 

**Notice of Meeting of the Agricultural Air Quality Task Force** 

**AGENCY :**  Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice of meeting.

**SUMMARY :**  The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Air Quality Task Force (AAQTF) will meet to continue discussions on critical air quality issues relating to agriculture. Special emphasis will be placed on obtaining a greater understanding about the relationship between agricultural production and air quality. A draft agenda is included with this notice. The meeting is open to the public.

**DATES :**  The AAQTF meeting will convene on Wednesday, August 1, 2012, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Thursday, August 2, 2012, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A portion of the meeting is reserved for public comment. See the procedure section of this notice.

**ADDRESSES :**  The meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn Syracuse/Liverpool, 441 Electronics Parkway, Liverpool, New York 13088; telephone: (315) 457–1122.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Questions and comments should be directed to Elvis L. Graves, Designated Federal Official, Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 2901 East Lee Street, Suite 2100, Greensboro, North Carolina 27401; telephone: (336) 370– 3352; fax: (336) 273–8132; or email: elvis.graves@wdc.usda.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Notice of this meeting is given under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2. Additional information concerning AAQTF, including revisions to the meeting agenda that may occur after this Federal Register Notice is published, may be found at: http:// www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/ main/national/air. Draft Agenda Meeting of AAQTF
August 1–2, 2012 A. Welcome to Syracuse, New York USDA, NRCS, and local officials B. Review Minutes and Action Items from Last Meeting C. USDA Agency and Environmental Protection Agency Updates D. Air Quality Issues/Concerns Discussion

• Continued discussion of goals for

Task Force

• Anaerobic Digester Technologies

• Odor Management Technologies

• Committee Updates E. Next Meeting, time/place

Note: Public Input (time will be reserved for public comment. Individual presentations will be limited to 5 minutes).

Please note that the sequence of events in the agenda is subject to change to accommodate potential changes in schedules of expected speakers and extended discussions.

Procedural

This meeting is open to the public. At the discretion of the Chair, members of the public may present oral presentations during the meeting. Persons wishing to make an oral presentation should notify Elvis Graves at (336) 370–3352 no later than July 20, 2012. Those wishing to distribute written materials at the meeting (in conjunction with spoken comments) must bring at least 35 copies of the materials with them. Written materials for distribution to AAQTF members prior to the meeting must be submitted and received by Elvis Graves no later than July 20, 2012.

Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities

For information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, please contact Elvis Graves. USDA prohibits discrimination in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability. Additionally, discrimination on the basis of political beliefs and marital or family status is also prohibited by statutes enforced by USDA. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternate means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact the USDA Target Center at (202) 720–2000 (voice and TDD).

Signed this 2nd day of July, 2012, in Washington, DC. Dave White, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2012–16975 Filed 7–11–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–10–P**

**COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS**

**Agenda and Notice of Public Meeting of the Arkansas Advisory Committee** 

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission), and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), that a factfinding meeting of the Arkansas Advisory Committee to the Commission will convene on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 thru Thursday, September 13, 2012 and adjourn each day at approximately 5:00 p.m. (CST). The meeting will convene at University of Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law Auditorium, 1201 McMath Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202. The purpose of the meeting is to receive information from local, state and federal officials, community leaders and experts on whether or not there is a need for a state civil rights enforcement agency.

Members of the public are entitled to submit written comments. The comments must be received in the regional office by October 12, 2012. The address is U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 400 State Avenue, Suite 908, Kansas City, Kansas 66101. Persons wishing to email their comments, or to present their comments verbally at the meeting, or who desire additional information should contact Farella E. Robinson, Regional Director, Central Regional Office, at (913) 551–1400, (or for hearing impaired TDD 913–551– 1414), or by email to frobinson@usccr.gov

.

Hearing-impaired persons who will attend the meeting and require the services of a sign language interpreter should contact the Regional Office at least ten (10) working days before the scheduled date of the meeting.

Records generated from this meeting may be inspected and reproduced at the Central Regional Office, as they become available, both before and after the meeting. Persons interested in the work of this advisory committee are advised to go to the Commission’s Web site,
www.usccr.gov, or to contact the Central Regional Office at the above email or street address.