Extension of Repayment Period for Advance Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program Payments, 13443-13444 [05-5462]

Download as PDF 13443 Notices Federal Register Vol. 70, No. 53 Monday, March 21, 2005 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request March 15, 2005. The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13. Comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), OIRA_Submisson@omb.eop.gov or fax (202) 395–5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250–7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720–8681. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it VerDate jul<14>2003 18:36 Mar 18, 2005 Jkt 205001 displays a currently valid OMB control number. Rural Utilities Service Title: Public Television Digital Transition Grant Program. OMB Control Number: 0572–0134. Summary of Collection: As part of the nation’s transition to digital television, the Federal Communications Commission required all television broadcasters to initiate the broadcast of a digital television signal and to cease analog television broadcasts on December 31, 2006. The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) will develop and issue requirements for the grant program to finance the conversion of television services from analog to digital broadcasting for public television stations serving rural areas. Need and Use of the Information: Applicants will submit grant applications to RUS for review. The information will consist of the following: Standard Form (SF)424, ‘‘Application for Federal Assistance, executive summary, evidence of eligibility and compliance with other Federal statutes and any other supporting documentation. RUS will use the information to score and rank applications for funding. Scoring will consist of three categories: rurality; per capita income; and special disadvantaging factors facing the station’s transition plans. If this information is not collected, there would be no basis for awarding grant funding. Description of Respondents: Not-forprofit institutions; State, local or tribal government. Number of Respondents: 50. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: on occasion. Total Burden Hours: 1,168. Ruth Brown, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 05–5460 Filed 3–18–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–15–M PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Commodity Credit Corporation Extension of Repayment Period for Advance Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program Payments Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice extends until October 31, 2005, the period in which CCC will automatically reduce any Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payments (DCP) to satisfy a producer’s obligation to repay unearned 2003-crop advance counter-cyclical payments. Scheduled payments received during this period include 2004-crop final direct payments, 2004-crop advance countercyclical payments, and 2005-crop advance direct payments. EFFECTIVE DATE: March 21, 2005. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Sharp, Director, Production, Emergencies, and Compliance Division, Farm Service Agency, USDA, STOP 0517, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250–0517. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA Target Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7911–7918, 7951–7956) provides for counter-cyclical payments for covered commodities and peanuts beginning with crop year 2002. Under section 1412.503(f) of 7 CFR part 1412, CCC issues advance counter-cyclical program payments when the target price for the commodity exceeds the projected effective price. The effective price equals the direct payment rate plus the higher of the national average market price received by producers during the 12-month marketing year for the covered commodity or peanuts, or the national average loan rate for a marketing assistance loan for the covered commodity or peanuts in effect for the applicable period. Under section 1412.503(i)(2) of 7 CFR part 1412, a producer must refund to CCC any amounts representing payments that exceed the payments determined by CCC to have been earned under the program. Accordingly, producers participating in DCP were notified by E:\FR\FM\21MRN1.SGM 21MRN1 13444 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 53 / Monday, March 21, 2005 / Notices letter dated May 3, 2004, that if market prices continued near then current levels, they may be required to refund all or a portion of the 2003 countercyclical payments they received for some crops. Producers with advance overpayments were offered a refund option under which CCC would automatically reduce any DCP payments received between October 2004 and March 2005 to satisfy an obligation to repay unearned 2003-crop advance counter-cyclical payments. This notice extends, until October 31, 2005, the period in which CCC will automatically reduce any Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payments (DCP) to satisfy a producer’s obligation to repay unearned 2003-crop advance counter-cyclical payments. Scheduled payments received during this period include 2004-crop final direct payments, 2004-crop advance counter-cyclical payments, and 2005crop advance direct payments. If the above scheduled DCP payments are insufficient to repay the total unearned advances, CCC will notify applicable producers in November 2005 that the refunds will be collected using the procedures established under the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996. Signed in Washington, DC, on March 8, 2005. James R. Little, Administrator, Farm Service Agency. [FR Doc. 05–5462 Filed 3–18–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–05–P Foreign Agricultural Service Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), denied a petition for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) for cabbages that was filed on February 11, 2005, by A. Sam Farm, Inc., Dunkirk, New York. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Upon investigation, the Administrator determined that imports for the January–December 2003 marketing year declined by 22 percent from the same period in 2003. Since imports declined during the marketing year, the petition did not meet the increasing imports requirement, a condition required for certifying a petition for TAA. 18:36 Mar 18, 2005 Jkt 205001 Dated: March 10, 2005. A. Ellen Terpstra, Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service. [FR Doc. 05–5461 Filed 3–18–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–10–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Information Collection; Request for Comments; Small Business Timber Sale Set-Aside Program; Appeal Procedures on Recomputation of Shares AGENCY: ACTION: Forest Service, USDA. Notice. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service announces its intention to extend, with no revision, an information collection. The collected information will help the Forest Service fairly consider administrative appeals from timber companies appealing small business timber sale set-aside recomputations. Comments must be received in writing on or before May 20, 2005, to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable. DATES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to Rod Sallee, Forest Management Staff, Forest Service, USDA, Mail Stop 1103, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250. Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (202) 205–1045 or by e-mail to rsallee@fs.fed.us. The public may inspect comments received at the Forest Management Staff Office, Room 3SW, Yates Building, Forest Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. Visitors should call ahead to (202) 205–1766 to facilitate entrance into the building. ADDRESSES: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE VerDate jul<14>2003 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Jean-Louis Pajot, Coordinator, Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers, FAS, USDA, (202) 720–2916, e-mail: trade.adjustment@fas.usda.gov. Rod Sallee, Forest Management Staff, at (202) 205–1766. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Background The Forest Service adopted the Small Business Timber Sale Set-Aside Program on July 26, 1990 (55 FR 30485). The agency administers the program in cooperation with the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the authorities of The Small Business Act 1988, the National Forest Management Act of 1976, and SBA’s regulations at Part 121 of Title 13 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The program is designed to ensure that small business timber purchasers have the opportunity to purchase a fair proportion of National Forest System timber offered for sale. Under the program, the Forest Service must recompute the shares of timber sales to be set aside for qualifying small businesses every 5 years on the actual volume of sawtimber that has been purchased by small business. Also, shares must be recomputed if there is a change in manufacturing capability, if the purchaser size class changes, or if certain purchasers discontinue operations. Direction to guide administration of the Set-Aside Program is issued in Chapter 2430 of the Forest Service Manual and Chapter 90 of the Forest Service Timber Sale Preparation Handbook. In 1992, the agency adopted new administrative appeal procedures at Part 215 of Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations in response to new statutory direction. These rules apply to certain National Forest System project-level decisions for which an environmental assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS) has been prepared. Because the recomputation of shares under the Small Business Timber Sale Set-Aside Program is not subject to documentation in an EA or EIS, the decisions on the 1996–2000 Forest Service recomputation of small business shares were not subject to the new appeal procedures. These decisions also were not appealable as conditions of special-use authorizations under Part 251, Subpart C, of Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations. However, since the agency had accepted appeals of recomputation decisions under Part 217 of Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations prior to adoption of Part 215, the agency decided to establish procedures for providing notice to affected purchasers with opportunity to comment on the recomputation of shares. Notice of these procedures was published in the Federal Register on February 28, 1996 (61 FR 7468). The Conference Report accompanying the 1997 Omnibus Appropriation Act found the Forest Service decision to E:\FR\FM\21MRN1.SGM 21MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 53 (Monday, March 21, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13443-13444]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5462]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation


Extension of Repayment Period for Advance Direct and Counter-
Cyclical Program Payments

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice extends until October 31, 2005, the period in 
which CCC will automatically reduce any Direct and Counter-Cyclical 
Payments (DCP) to satisfy a producer's obligation to repay unearned 
2003-crop advance counter-cyclical payments. Scheduled payments 
received during this period include 2004-crop final direct payments, 
2004-crop advance counter-cyclical payments, and 2005-crop advance 
direct payments.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 21, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Sharp, Director, Production, 
Emergencies, and Compliance Division, Farm Service Agency, USDA, STOP 
0517, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0517. Persons 
with disabilities who require alternative means for communication 
(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA Target 
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7911-7918, 7951-7956) provides for counter-cyclical 
payments for covered commodities and peanuts beginning with crop year 
2002. Under section 1412.503(f) of 7 CFR part 1412, CCC issues advance 
counter-cyclical program payments when the target price for the 
commodity exceeds the projected effective price. The effective price 
equals the direct payment rate plus the higher of the national average 
market price received by producers during the 12-month marketing year 
for the covered commodity or peanuts, or the national average loan rate 
for a marketing assistance loan for the covered commodity or peanuts in 
effect for the applicable period. Under section 1412.503(i)(2) of 7 CFR 
part 1412, a producer must refund to CCC any amounts representing 
payments that exceed the payments determined by CCC to have been earned 
under the program. Accordingly, producers participating in DCP were 
notified by

[[Page 13444]]

letter dated May 3, 2004, that if market prices continued near then 
current levels, they may be required to refund all or a portion of the 
2003 counter-cyclical payments they received for some crops.
    Producers with advance overpayments were offered a refund option 
under which CCC would automatically reduce any DCP payments received 
between October 2004 and March 2005 to satisfy an obligation to repay 
unearned 2003-crop advance counter-cyclical payments. This notice 
extends, until October 31, 2005, the period in which CCC will 
automatically reduce any Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payments (DCP) to 
satisfy a producer's obligation to repay unearned 2003-crop advance 
counter-cyclical payments. Scheduled payments received during this 
period include 2004-crop final direct payments, 2004-crop advance 
counter-cyclical payments, and 2005-crop advance direct payments.
    If the above scheduled DCP payments are insufficient to repay the 
total unearned advances, CCC will notify applicable producers in 
November 2005 that the refunds will be collected using the procedures 
established under the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on March 8, 2005.
James R. Little,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 05-5462 Filed 3-18-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P
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