Commodity Credit Corporation – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is amending the Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) and Sugar Storage Facility Loan (SSFL) regulations to implement provisions of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill). The 2008 Farm Bill adds hay and renewable biomass as eligible FSFL commodities, extends the maximum loan term to 12 years, and increases the maximum loan amount to $500,000. This rule also adds fruits and vegetables (including nuts) as eligible facility loan commodities and adds cold storage facilities as eligible facilities pursuant to discretionary authority in the 2008 Farm Bill. This rule amends the regulations to clarify requirements for loan security and to allow for a partial loan disbursement during construction if certain conditions are met. This rule amends the FSFL program regulations, which include SSFLs; however, there are no changes to the specific requirements for SSFLs.

This notice announces that the Farm Service Agency (FSA), on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), has completed a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the administration and implementation of the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) enacted by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill). FSA is requesting comments on the draft PEIS.

Section 2301 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Act) amended the Food Security Act of 1985 to establish the Conservation Stewardship Program. The purpose of the Conservation

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) published in the Federal Register of January 16, 2009, an interim final rule with request for comment amending the program regulations for the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) to incorporate programmatic changes authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Act). The public comment period closed March 17, 2009.

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) amends the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) regulations to update the terms and conditions of enrolling acreage in CRP and other eligibility requirements to implement certain provisions of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill). The purpose of CRP is to cost-effectively assist producers in conserving and improving soil, water, wildlife, and other natural resources by converting environmentally-sensitive acreage from the production of agricultural commodities to a long-term vegetative cover.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) published in the Federal Register of January 15, 2009, an interim final rule with request for comment amending the program regulations for the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) to incorporate programmatic changes authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Act). The January 15, 2009 interim final rule changed the nature and scope of the agreement NRCS enters into with the landowner under a WRP easement in a manner which could interfere with the restoration efforts of some lands enrolled in the program. Since the change to the program was not necessitated by the 2008 Act, this amendment to the January 15, 2009 interim final rule revises these provisions to further the practical administration of the program consistent with the WRP statute. This amendment re-opens the public comment period for the interim final rule, as amended, for an additional 30 days.

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). BCAP is a new program authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill). The EIS will assess the potential environmental impacts of alternatives for administration and implementation of BCAP. Through this notice and public meetings, CCC is requesting the public to provide comments and inputs on the preliminary proposed program alternatives and environmental concerns associated with the implementation of BCAP.

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces that it is inviting proposals for the 2010 Emerging Markets Program (EMP). The intended effect of this notice is to solicit additional applications from the private sector and from government agencies for FY 2010. The EMP is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces that it is inviting proposals for the 2010 Market Access Program (MAP). The intended effect of this notice is to solicit applications from eligible applicants and award funds in October 2009. The MAP is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension of a currently approved information collection. The information collection is to allow farmers to voluntarily assign their payment to a third party and to authorize a joint payment.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Farm Service Agency (FSA), on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on an extension, with revision, of a currently approved information collection. The survey in this information collection is designed to analyze the effect of the CCC's Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) on opportunities for recreational activities, including hunting and fishing in accordance with the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill).

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is amending regulations as required by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill) to administer the sugar loan and sugar marketing allotment program through 2012. The 2008 Farm Bill generally extends the existing sugar program with some changes, including new loan rates for raw cane sugar and beet sugar, new provisions to guarantee domestic suppliers an 85 percent market share, and revised procedures for granting new allocations for new entrants.

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) published in the Federal Register of January 14, 2009, a Notice of Request for Proposals to announce the availability of funds and to solicit proposals from potential partners who seek to enter into partnership agreements with the Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The deadline for submitting proposals was March 2, 2009. The purpose of this notice is to reopen the deadline for submitting proposals and to provide NRCS State Conservationists up to 2 weeks following the proposal submission deadline to submit their letter of review. The CCC is hereby reopening the deadline for submitting proposals until April 1, 2009.

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) published in the Federal Register of November 20, 2008, an interim final rule with request for comment amending the program regulations for the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Program to incorporate programmatic changes authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Act). The language in the interim final rule regarding the application of the payment limitation to joint operations was incorrect and is inconsistent with payment attributions specified in the regulation which governs payment limitations and eligibility determinations for CCC-funded programs. This document corrects that language.

Section 2707 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Act) establishes the Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) by amending Section 1243 of the Food Security Act of 1985 [16 U.S.C. 3843]. The Secretary of Agriculture has delegated the authority for CCPI to the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), who is a Vice President of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). NRCS is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Congress established CCPI to assist potential partners with focusing conservation assistance in defined project areas to achieve high-priority natural resource objectives. In fiscal year (FY) 2009, NRCS will make Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) funds available to owners and operators of agricultural and nonindustrial private forest lands who will participate in CCPI projects. The purpose of this notice is to inform potential partners and producers that include nonindustrial private forest landowners of the availability of CCPI funds and other assistance and to solicit proposals from potential partners who seek to enter into partnership agreements with NRCS to enhance conservation outcomes on agricultural and nonindustrial private forest land. Additionally, NRCS requests public comment on how CCPI can contribute to the Nation's efforts on energy, climate change, and carbon sequestration within the framework of the Initiative.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Commodity Credit Corporation's (CCC) intention to request an extension from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a currently approved information collection in support of the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) program.

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) published an interim rule on December 29, 2008 (73 FR 79267-79284), revising rules about payment limitation and payment eligibility for Farm Programs as required by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill). The 2008 Farm Bill provided new eligibility requirements based on annual income, sources of income, and type of entity. The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is reopening and extending the comment period for the interim rule to give the public more time to provide input and recommendations on the interim rule. The original comment period closed on January 28, 2009, and CCC is reopening and extending it for 60 days from the date of this notice. While the interim rule became effective on December 23, 2008, CCC is extending the comments period by 60 days on the amendments to the regulations that will apply to 2009 and subsequent crop, program, or fiscal year benefits for programs subject to the provisions in our regulations.

The Grasslands Reserve Program (GRP) assists landowners and operators in protecting grazing uses and other related conservation values by restoring and conserving eligible grassland and certain other lands through rental contracts and easements. This interim final rule sets forth how USDA, using the funds, facilities, and authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), will implement GRP in response to the changes made to the program by section 2403 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. In addition, this interim final rule incorporates other changes to the regulation for clarification or program administrative improvement.

The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) assists owners of eligible land in restoring and protecting wetlands. This interim final rule sets forth how the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), using the funds, facilities, and authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), will implement WRP in response to changes made to the program by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. In addition, this interim final rule incorporates other changes to the regulation for clarification or program administration improvement.

Section 2510 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Act) established the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) by amending section 1240I of the Food Security Act of 1985. The Secretary of Agriculture delegated the authority for AWEP to the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), who is a vice president of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). NRCS is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Up to $58.4 million in AWEP financial assistance is expected to be available in fiscal year 2009 for NRCS to enter into contracts with producers. The purpose of this notice is to inform agricultural producers of the availability of AWEP funds and to solicit proposals from potential partners who seek to enter into partnership agreements with the Chief to promote the conservation of ground and surface water and the improvement of water quality.

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is revising regulations as required by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill) to make changes in payment eligibility, payment attribution, maximum income limits, and maximum dollar benefit amounts for participants in CCC-funded programs. This interim rule amends the regulations to ensure that program payments and benefits are issued only to those persons and entities that meet all eligibility requirements, that a program participant does not receive any program payment above the maximum allowable benefit amount, and that applicable payments are not made to anyone whose average adjusted gross income exceeds the maximum dollar amounts established by the 2008 Farm Bill. This interim rule will apply to 2009 and subsequent crop, program, or fiscal year benefits for programs subject to the provisions in our regulations.

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces that it is inviting proposals for the FY 2009 Emerging Markets Program (EMP). The intended effect of this notice is to solicit additional applications from the private sector and from government agencies for FY 2009. The EMP is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

This notice announces that the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) has completed a Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) and is issuing a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) with respect to the implementation of changes to the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and changes to the Farmable Wetlands Program (FWP) authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill). FWP operates as part of CRP.

This proposed rule would amend the regulations used to administer the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) program by increasing the amount of funding per proposal to $500,000 in a given year, extending the allowable length of an activity to 5 years; and by allowing up to five approved projects for any one TASC participant at any given time.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Commodity Credit Corporation's (CCC) intention to request a revision for a currently approved information collection in support of the CCC Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102) based on current program levels and participants. CCC is not requesting a revision or extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the Intermediate Term Guarantee (GSM-103) Program or the Supplier Credit Guarantee Program, due to repeal of these programs by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.