What did Agriculture Department publish on Dec. 16?

The US Agriculture Department published a two page rule on Dec. 16, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.

The rule is focused on Gypsy Moth Generally Infested Areas; Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Ohio, and Virginia.

The Department is primarily focused on food nutrition, with assistance programs making up 80 percent of its budget. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department implements too many regulations and restrictions and impedes the economy.

Notices are required documents detailing rules and regulations being proposed by each federal department. This allows the public to see what issues legislators and federal departments are focusing on.

Any person or organization can comment on the proposed rules. Departments and agencies must then address “significant issues raised in comments and discuss any changes made,” the Federal Register says.

Notices published by the Agriculture Department on Dec. 16

Title
Gypsy Moth Generally Infested Areas; Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Ohio, and Virginia
Pike & San Isabel Resource Advisory Committee
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Study To Assess the Effect of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Participation on Food Security in the Post-American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Environment
Emergency Food Assistance Program; Availability of Foods for Fiscal Year 2011
Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative-Chesapeake Bay Watershed