Meeting Entitled “Conservation Reserve Program: Re-enrollments and Extensions”, 32564-32565 [05-11128]

Download as PDF 32564 Notices Federal Register Vol. 70, No. 106 Friday, June 3, 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 Agricultural Marketing Service [Doc. No. TM–05–03] Request for an Extension of and Revision to a Currently Approved Information Collection Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget, for an extension of and revision to the currently approved information collection for the Farmers Market Questionnaire. DATES: Comments received by August 2, 2005, will be considered. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Ed Ragland, Marketing Services Branch, Transportation and Marketing, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 2646 South Building, Washington, DC 20250– 0269. Comments may also be sent by email to USDAFMComments@usda.gov or by fax to 202–690–0031. State that your comments refer to Docket No. TM– 05–03. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Farmers Market Questionnaire. OMB Number: 0581–0169. Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2007. Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: Under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is responsible for conducting research to enhance VerDate jul<14>2003 18:03 Jun 02, 2005 Jkt 205001 market access for small and medium sized farmers. The role of the Marketing Services Branch (MSB) of AMS is to facilitate distribution of U.S. agricultural products. The branch identifies marketing opportunities, provides analysis to help take advantage of those opportunities and develops and evaluates solutions including improving farmers markets and other direct-toconsumer marketing activities. Various types of farmers markets serve different parts of the food marketing chain but all focus on the small-to medium-sized agricultural producers that have difficulty obtaining access to large scale commercial distribution channels. Information has been collected by the Marketing Services Branch periodically about the size and growth of farmers markets. On the revised questionnaire, information will be collected about the size and growth of markets, farmers served, products sold, sales, and management structure to better monitor how this marketing channel changes over time and the impact farmers markets have on the farming community nationwide. Currently, OMB 0581–0169 is approved for 3888 burden hours. The rise in the number of farmers markets since the previous submission and the new revised questionnaire will result in an increase of 198 burden hours. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average .32 hours per response. Respondents: Farmers market managers. Estimated Number of Respondents: 3700. Estimated Number of Responses: 1850. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: .5. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 586 hours. Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Ed Ragland, Marketing Services Branch, Transportation and Marketing Programs, Agricultural Marketing Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 2646 South Building, Washington, DC 20250– 0269. All comments received will be available for public inspection during regular business hours at the same address. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. AMS is committed to implementation of the Government Paperwork Elimination Act, which provides for the use of information resources to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations, including providing the public with the option of submitting information or transacting business electronically to the extent possible. Dated: May 27, 2005. Kenneth C. Clayton, Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 05–11024 Filed 6–2–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Farm Service Agency Meeting Entitled ‘‘Conservation Reserve Program: Re-enrollments and Extensions’’ Farm Service Agency, USDA. Notice of a meeting on the Conservation Reserve Program. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is hosting a public meeting on reenrollment and extension of certain Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts. The CRP is the Nation’s largest conservation program. DATES: June 24, 2005. ADDRESSES: The conference will be held at the Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), USDA Conference Center, 4700 River Road, Riverdale, Maryland 20737. The facility is located E:\FR\FM\03JNN1.SGM 03JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 106 / Friday, June 3, 2005 / Notices near the College Park Metro Station, or parking is available nearby for $2.25. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM CONTACT: John Carter, Farm Service Agency, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 0513, Washington, DC 20250–0513; telephone: (202) 720– 8774; FAX (202) 720–4619; e-mail: john.carter@wdc.uda.gov. FOR FURTHER MEETING INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Ponish, Farm Service Agency, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 0513, Washington, DC 20250–0513; telephone: (202) 720–6853; FAX: (202) 720–4619; e-mail: matthew.ponish@wdc.usda.gov regarding conference questions. Persons with disabilities who require special accommodation to attend or participate in the conference should contact Toni Paris, telephone: (301) 734–8010 by June 16, 2005. CONFERENCE REGISTRATION: Meeting attendees must register in advance online at https://www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/ cepd/public_meeting/register.htm. There is no charge to attend the meeting. Because space is limited and for security purposes, advance registration is required and all attendees will need to present a valid picture ID to enter the building. Conference details, including registration, meeting agenda, hotel accommodations and directions are available on FSA’s Web site at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/ cepd/public_meeting/information.htm or from Matthew Ponish at (202) 720– 6853; e-mail: matthew.ponish@wdc.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: First established in 1985, the CRP is a voluntary program, funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), encouraging farmers to implement conservation practices on environmentally-sensitive agricultural land to reduce soil erosion, protect water quality and enhance wildlife habitat. The CRP has provided significant environmental benefits across the nation, primarily by providing wildlife habitat, improving stream quality, and reducing soil erosion. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is committed to full enrollment up to the authorized level of 39.2 million acres. To ensure that the environmental benefits of CRP continue, and because of the significant number of contract expirations beginning in 2007, the FSA will offer early re-enrollments and extensions of existing contracts to current CRP participants. About 35 million acres are currently enrolled in the CRP. Over 16 million acres of CRP contracts expire in 2007, VerDate jul<14>2003 18:03 Jun 02, 2005 Jkt 205001 over 6 million acres expire in 2008, and 6 million acres in 2009 and 2010. Determining the future direction of the CRP is thus critical. CCC published a notice in the Federal Register on August 10, 2004 [69 FR 48447] seeking public comment on a number of issues involving the large number of expiring CRP contracts, such as how to best stagger contract expirations using re-enrollments and extensions over several years and under what criteria. In response to the FR notice, CCC received over 5,000 comments from a total of 570 individuals, agencies, and organizations. A majority of the comments received pertained to extending a contract for a certain length of time (question 1) and renewing a contract without competition (question 5). However, before proceeding with changes in the CRP implementation, CCC has determined that a public meeting should be held in order to solicit additional comments as well as provide a forum for open discussion of the following two topics: Topic 1. How should CCC address the large number of expiring CRP contracts and their associated acres in a manner that achieves the most environmental benefits but is also administratively feasible and cost-effective? What methods should be pursued that would address the large acreage expiring beginning in 2007 (for example, how could CCC stagger the contract expirations over several-year intervals and what criteria could CCC use to select and extend contracts)? Topic 2. If CCC offered CRP reenrollment without competition, how could it ensure that program goals are achieved in a manner that results in the most environmental benefits but is also administratively feasible and cost effective? How could CCC determine which contracts and acres would be most environmentally valuable to reenroll in the CRP without competition through a standard Environmental Benefits Index ranking process? The meeting will be structured around the two primary issues regarding expiring contracts and re-enrollment. Information and presentations will help establish the scope of the meeting and focus the facilitated discussion on the primary topics outlined in this notice. AGENDA: Signed in Washington, DC May 26, 2005. James R. Little, Administrator, Farm Service Agency. [FR Doc. 05–11128 Filed 5–31–05; 3:18 pm] BILLING CODE 3410–05–P PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 32565 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [CO–140–1610–DS] Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Rock Creek Integrated Management Project Forest Service, USDA, and Bureau of Land Management, USDI. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, National Forest Management Act of 1976, and Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976, a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared for the Rock Creek Integrated Management Project and is available for a 60-day public review and comment period. The planning area lies in Routt County, Colorado. This project is an ‘‘authorized project’’ under Title I of the Healthy Forest Restoration Act (HFRA). DATES: Written comments on the Draft EIS will be accepted for 60 days following the date EPA publishes their NOA in the FR. Future public meetings and any other public involvement activities will be announced at least 15 days in advance through public notices, local media releases in Steamboat Springs, Glenwood Springs, and the project Web site at https://www.fs.fed.us/ r2/mbr/project under Environmental Analysis and Forest Health. When submitting comments please include your full name and address. Submit comments in Microsoft Word 2000 file format or as an ASCII file, avoiding the use of special characters and any form of encryption. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods: Web site: https://www.fs.fed.us/r2/ mbr/projects under Environmental Analysis and Forest Health. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the Web site. E-mail: comments-rocky-mountainmedicine-bow-routt-yampa@fs.fed.us. Include ‘‘Rock Creek’’ in the subject line of the e-mail message. Fax: (970) 870–2284. Mail or Hand Delivery: Joanne Sanfilippo, Environmental Coordinator, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, 925 Weiss Drive, Steamboat Springs, Colorado 80487. Written comments, including names and addresses of recipients, will be E:\FR\FM\03JNN1.SGM 03JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 106 (Friday, June 3, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32564-32565]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11128]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


Meeting Entitled ``Conservation Reserve Program: Re-enrollments 
and Extensions''

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of a meeting on the Conservation Reserve Program.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) is hosting a public meeting 
on re-enrollment and extension of certain Conservation Reserve Program 
(CRP) contracts. The CRP is the Nation's largest conservation program.

DATES: June 24, 2005.

ADDRESSES: The conference will be held at the Animal & Plant Health 
Inspection Service (APHIS), USDA Conference Center, 4700 River Road, 
Riverdale, Maryland 20737. The facility is located

[[Page 32565]]

near the College Park Metro Station, or parking is available nearby for 
$2.25.

For Further Information on the Conservation Reserve Program Contact: 
John Carter, Farm Service Agency, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
STOP 0513, Washington, DC 20250-0513; telephone: (202) 720-8774; FAX 
(202) 720-4619; e-mail: john.carter@wdc.uda.gov.

FOR FURTHER MEETING INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Ponish, Farm Service 
Agency, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 0513, Washington, DC 
20250-0513; telephone: (202) 720-6853; FAX: (202) 720-4619; e-mail: 
matthew.ponish@wdc.usda.gov regarding conference questions. Persons 
with disabilities who require special accommodation to attend or 
participate in the conference should contact Toni Paris, telephone: 
(301) 734-8010 by June 16, 2005.

Conference Registration: Meeting attendees must register in advance 
online at https://www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/cepd/public_meeting/
register.htm. There is no charge to attend the meeting. Because space 
is limited and for security purposes, advance registration is required 
and all attendees will need to present a valid picture ID to enter the 
building. Conference details, including registration, meeting agenda, 
hotel accommodations and directions are available on FSA's Web site at: 
https://www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/cepd/public_meeting/information.htm or 
from Matthew Ponish at (202) 720-6853; e-mail: 
matthew.ponish@wdc.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: First established in 1985, the CRP is a 
voluntary program, funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), 
encouraging farmers to implement conservation practices on 
environmentally-sensitive agricultural land to reduce soil erosion, 
protect water quality and enhance wildlife habitat. The CRP has 
provided significant environmental benefits across the nation, 
primarily by providing wildlife habitat, improving stream quality, and 
reducing soil erosion. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is committed 
to full enrollment up to the authorized level of 39.2 million acres. To 
ensure that the environmental benefits of CRP continue, and because of 
the significant number of contract expirations beginning in 2007, the 
FSA will offer early re-enrollments and extensions of existing 
contracts to current CRP participants.
    About 35 million acres are currently enrolled in the CRP. Over 16 
million acres of CRP contracts expire in 2007, over 6 million acres 
expire in 2008, and 6 million acres in 2009 and 2010. Determining the 
future direction of the CRP is thus critical.
    CCC published a notice in the Federal Register on August 10, 2004 
[69 FR 48447] seeking public comment on a number of issues involving 
the large number of expiring CRP contracts, such as how to best stagger 
contract expirations using re-enrollments and extensions over several 
years and under what criteria.
    In response to the FR notice, CCC received over 5,000 comments from 
a total of 570 individuals, agencies, and organizations. A majority of 
the comments received pertained to extending a contract for a certain 
length of time (question 1) and renewing a contract without competition 
(question 5). However, before proceeding with changes in the CRP 
implementation, CCC has determined that a public meeting should be held 
in order to solicit additional comments as well as provide a forum for 
open discussion of the following two topics:
    Topic 1. How should CCC address the large number of expiring CRP 
contracts and their associated acres in a manner that achieves the most 
environmental benefits but is also administratively feasible and cost-
effective? What methods should be pursued that would address the large 
acreage expiring beginning in 2007 (for example, how could CCC stagger 
the contract expirations over several-year intervals and what criteria 
could CCC use to select and extend contracts)?
    Topic 2. If CCC offered CRP re-enrollment without competition, how 
could it ensure that program goals are achieved in a manner that 
results in the most environmental benefits but is also administratively 
feasible and cost effective? How could CCC determine which contracts 
and acres would be most environmentally valuable to re-enroll in the 
CRP without competition through a standard Environmental Benefits Index 
ranking process?

AGENDA: The meeting will be structured around the two primary issues 
regarding expiring contracts and re-enrollment. Information and 
presentations will help establish the scope of the meeting and focus 
the facilitated discussion on the primary topics outlined in this 
notice.

    Signed in Washington, DC May 26, 2005.
James R. Little,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 05-11128 Filed 5-31-05; 3:18 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P

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