This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules. 

# Proposed Rules Federal Register 

### 14440

Vol. 79, No. 50

Friday, March 14, 2014

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Agricultural Marketing Service**

**7 CFR Part 959**

**[Docket No. AMS–FV–13–0098; FV14–959– 1 CR]** 

**Onions Grown in South Texas; Continuance Referendum** 

**AGENCY :**  Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  Referendum order.

**SUMMARY :**  This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible producers of onions grown in South Texas to determine whether they favor continuance of the marketing order that regulates the handling of onions produced in the production area.

**DATES :**  The referendum will be conducted from May 12 through May 27, 2014. To vote in this referendum, producers must have produced onions within the designated production area in Texas during the period of August 1, 2012, through July 31, 2013.

**ADDRESSES :**  Copies of the marketing order may be obtained from the referendum agents at 799 Overlook Drive, Winter Haven, FL 33884, or the Office of the Docket Clerk, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250–0237; Fax: (202) 720–8938; or Internet: www.regulations.gov.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Doris Jamieson, Marketing Specialist, or Christian D. Nissen, Regional Director, Southeast Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 799 Overlook Drive, Winter Haven, FL 33884; Telephone: (863) 324–3375, Fax: (863) 325–8793, or Email: Doris.Jamieson@ams.usda.gov or Christian.Nissen@ams.usda.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Pursuant to Marketing Order No. 959, as amended (7 CFR Part 959), hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘order,’’ and the applicable provisions of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601–674), hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Act,’’ it is hereby directed that a referendum be conducted to ascertain whether continuance of the order is favored by the producers. The referendum shall be conducted from May 12 through May 27, 2014, among onion producers in the production area. Only Texas onion producers that were engaged in the production of onions grown in South Texas during the period of August 1, 2012, through July 31, 2013, may participate in the continuance referendum.

USDA has determined that continuance referenda are an effective means for determining whether producers favor the continuation of marketing order programs. USDA would consider termination of the order if fewer than two-thirds of the producers voting in the referendum and producers of less than two-thirds of the volume of onions grown in South Texas represented in the referendum favor continuance. In evaluating the merits of continuance versus termination, USDA will consider the results of the continuance referendum. USDA will also consider all other relevant information concerning the operation of the order and the relative benefits and disadvantages to producers, handlers, and consumers in determining whether continued operation of the order would tend to effectuate the declared policy of the Act.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501– 3520), the ballot materials to be used in the referendum have been submitted to and approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and have been assigned OMB No. 0581– 0178, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Marketing Orders. It has been estimated that it will take an average of 20 minutes for each of the approximately 100 producers of onions grown in South Texas to cast a ballot. Participation is voluntary. Ballots postmarked after May 27, 2014, will not be included in the vote tabulation.

Doris Jamieson and Christian D. Nissen of the Southeast Marketing Field Office, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, are hereby designated as the referendum agents of the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct this referendum. The procedure applicable to the referendum shall be the ‘‘Procedure for the Conduct of Referenda in Connection With Marketing Orders for Fruits, Vegetables, and Nuts Pursuant to the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as Amended’’ (7 CFR 900.400–900.407).

Ballots will be mailed to all producers of record and may also be obtained from the referendum agents, or from their appointees. List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 959

Marketing agreements, Onions, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601–674. Dated: February 21, 2014. Rex A. Barnes, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–05586 Filed 3–13–14; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Agricultural Marketing Service**

**7 CFR Part 984**

**[Doc. No. AMS–FV–13–0099; FV14–984–1 CR]** 

**Walnuts Grown in California; Continuance Referendum** 

**AGENCY :**  Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  Referendum order.

**SUMMARY :**  This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible California walnut growers to determine whether they favor continuance of the marketing order regulating the handling of walnuts grown in California.

**DATES :**  The referendum will be conducted from April 1 through April 19, 2014. To vote in this referendum, growers must have produced walnuts in California during the period September 1, 2012, through August 31, 2013.

**ADDRESSES :**  Copies of the marketing order may be obtained from the California Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2202 Monterey Street, Suite 102B, Fresno, California, 93721–3129, or the


### 14441 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 50 / Friday, March 14, 2014 / Proposed Rules

Office of the Docket Clerk, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250–0237, or Internet: http://www.regulations.gov.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Andrea Ricci, Marketing Specialist, or Martin Engeler, Regional Director, California Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA; Telephone: (559) 487– 5901, Fax: (559) 487–5906, or Email: Andrea.Ricci@ams.usda.gov or Martin.Engeler@ams.usda.gov, respectively.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Pursuant to Marketing Order No. 984, as amended (7 CFR part 984), hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘order,’’ and the applicable provisions of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601–674), hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Act,’’ it is hereby directed that a referendum be conducted to ascertain whether continuance of the order is favored by growers. The referendum shall be conducted from April 1 through April 19, 2014, among eligible California walnut growers. Only current growers that were also engaged in the production of walnuts in California during the period of September 1, 2012, through August 31, 2013, may participate in the continuance referendum.

USDA has determined that continuance referenda are an effective means for determining whether growers favor the continuation of marketing order programs. USDA would considertermination of the order if less than twothirds of the growers voting in the referendum and growers of less than two-thirds of the volume of California walnuts represented in the referendum favor continuance of their program. In evaluating the merits of continuance versus termination, USDA will consider the results of the continuance referendum and other relevant information regarding operation of the order. USDA will also consider the order’s relative benefits and disadvantages to growers, handlers, and consumers to determine whether continuing the order would tend to effectuate the declared policy of the Act.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the ballot materials used in the referendum herein ordered have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), under OMB No. 0581–0178, Walnuts Grown in California. It has been estimated that it will take an average of 20 minutes for each of the approximately 4,100 growers of California walnuts to cast a ballot. Participation is voluntary. Ballots postmarked after April 19, 2014, will not be included in the vote tabulation.

Andrea Ricci and Terry Vawter of the California Marketing Field Office, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, are hereby designated as the referendum agents of the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct this referendum. The procedure applicable to the referendum shall be the ‘‘Procedure for the Conduct of Referenda in Connection With Marketing Orders for Fruits, Vegetables, and Nuts Pursuant to the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as Amended’’ (7 CFR 900.400–900.407).

Ballots will be mailed to all growers of record and may also be obtained from the referendum agents or from their appointees. List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 984

Marketing agreements, Nuts, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Walnuts.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601–674. Dated: February 26, 2014. Rex A. Barnes, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–05585 Filed 3–13–14; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–02–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Agricultural Marketing Service**

**7 CFR Part 985**

**[Doc. No. AMS–FV–13–0087; FV14–985–1 PR]** 

**Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced in**  **the Far West; Salable Quantities and Allotment Percentages for the 2014–**  **2015 Marketing Year**

**AGENCY :**  Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  Proposed rule.

**SUMMARY :**  This proposed rule invites comments on proposed limits to the quantity of Far West Scotch and Native spearmint oil that handlers may purchase from, or handle on behalf of, producers during the 2014–2015 marketing year, which begins on June 1, 2014. The Far West includes Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and designated parts of Nevada and Utah. The salable quantity and allotment percentage for Class 1 (Scotch) spearmint oil would be set at 1,149,030 pounds and 55 percent, respectively. For Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil, the salable quantity and allotment percentage would be set at 1,090,821 pounds and 46 percent, respectively. The Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee), the agency responsible for local administration of the marketing order for spearmint oil produced in the Far West, recommended these quantities.

**DATES :**  Comments must be received by March 31, 2014.

**ADDRESSES :**  Interested persons are invited to submit written comments concerning this proposal. Comments must be sent to the Docket Clerk, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250–0237; Fax: (202) 720–8938; or Internet: http://www.regulations.gov. All comments should reference the document number and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register and will be made available for public inspection in the Office of the Docket Clerk during regular business hours, or can be viewed at: http:// www.regulations.gov. All comments submitted in response to this proposal will be included in the record and will be made available to the public. Please be advised that the identity of the individuals or entities submitting the comments will be made public on the internet at the address provided above.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Manuel Michel, Marketing Specialist, or Gary Olson, Regional Director, Northwest Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA; Telephone: (503) 326– 2724, Fax: (503) 326–7440, or Email: Manuel.Michel@ams.usda.gov or GaryD.Olson@ams.usda.gov.

Small businesses may request information on complying with this regulation by contacting Jeffrey Smutny, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250–0237; Telephone: (202) 720– 2491, Fax: (202) 720–8938, or Email: Jeffrey.Smutny@ams.usda.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  This proposal is issued under Marketing Order No. 985 (7 CFR Part 985), as amended, regulating the handling of spearmint oil produced in the Far West (Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and designated parts of Nevada and Utah), hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘order.’’ The order is effective under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act