Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics; Notice of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture Meeting, 39717-39718 [05-13515]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 131 / Monday, July 11, 2005 / Notices and other green space outside their homes; (2) the kinds of trees Hispanics prefer, such as oak, pine, sycamore; (3) the ways Hispanics use yard space; and (4) the perceptions Hispanics have of trees and other green space in their neighborhoods. The information will enable the FS to better understand the types of tree coverage and green spaces preferred by recent Hispanic immigrants and migrants to Gainesville, GA. Description of Respondents: Individuals or households. Number of Respondents: 300. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Quarterly. Total Burden Hours: 75. Charlene Parker, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 05–13539 Filed 7–8–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agriculture Marketing Service [No. TM–05–06] Notice of Agricultural Management Assistance Organic Certification Cost Share Program Agricultural Marketing Services, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice invites eligible States to submit a Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance, and to enter into a Cooperative Agreement with the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) for the Allocation of Organic Certification Cost-Share Funds. The AMS has allocated $1.0 million for this organic certification cost-share program in Fiscal Year 2005. Funds will be available under this program to 15 designated States to assist organic crop and livestock producers certified by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) accredited certifying agents to the National Organic Program (NOP). Eligible States interested in obtaining cost-share funds for their organic producers will have to submit an Application for Federal Assistance, and will have to enter into a cooperative agreement with AMS for the allocation of such funds. DATES: Completed applications for federal assistance along with signed cooperative agreements must be received by August 25, 2005, in order to participate in this program. ADDRESSES: Applications for federal assistance and cooperative agreements shall be requested from and submitted VerDate jul<14>2003 16:03 Jul 08, 2005 Jkt 205001 to: Robert Pooler, Agricultural Marketing Specialist, National Organic Program, USDA/AMS/TMP/NOP, Room 4008-South, Ag Stop 0268, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250–0268; telephone: (202) 720–3252; Fax: (202) 205–7808; email: bob.pooler@usda.gov. Additional information may be found through the National Organic Program’s home page at https://www.ams.usda.gov/nop. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Pooler, Agricultural Marketing Specialist, National Organic Program, USDA/AMS/TM/NOP, Room 4008South, Ag Stop 0268, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250–0268; telephone: (202) 720–3252; Fax: (202) 205–7808; email: bob.pooler@usda.gov. This Organic Certification Cost-Share Program is part of the Agricultural Management Assistance Program authorized under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (FCIA), as amended, (7 U.S.C. 1524). Under the applicable FCIA provisions, the Department is authorized to provide cost share assistance to producers in the States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. This organic certification cost share program provides financial assistance to organic producers certified to the National Organic Program authorized under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, as amended (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.) To participate in the program, eligible States must complete a Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance, and enter into a written cooperative agreement with AMS. The program will provide cost-share assistance, through participating States, to organic crop and livestock producers receiving certification or update of certification by a USDA accredited certifying agent from October 1, 2005, through September 30, 2006. The Department has determined that payments will be limited to 75 percent of an individual producer’s certification costs up to a maximum of $500.00. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1524. Dated: July 5, 2005. Kenneth C. Clayton, Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 05–13537 Filed 7–8–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 39717 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Research Service Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics; Notice of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture Meeting Agricultural Research Service, Agriculture. ACTION: Notice of meeting. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. II, the United States Department of Agriculture announces a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture (AC21). DATES: August 9–10, 2005, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Written requests to make oral presentations at the meeting must be received by the contact person identified herein at least three business days before the meeting. ADDRESSES: Ballroom D, Loews L’Enfant Plaza Hotel, 480 L’Enfant Plaza, SW., Washington, DC 20024. Requests to make oral presentations at the meeting may be sent to the contact person at USDA, Office of the Deputy Secretary, 202 B Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building, 12th Street and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Schechtman, Designated Federal Official, Office of the Deputy Secretary, USDA, Telephone (202) 720– 3817; Fax (202) 690–4265; E-mail mschechtman@ars.usda.gov. The eighth meeting of the AC21 has been scheduled for February 7–8, 2004. The AC21 consists of 18 members representing the biotechnology industry, the seed industry, international plant genetics research, farmers, food manufacturers, commodity processors and shippers, environmental and consumer groups, and academic researchers. In addition, representatives from the Departments of Commerce, Health and Human Services, and State, and the Environmental Protection Agency, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative serve as ‘‘ex officio’’ members. At this meeting, new members will be introduced and the Committee will be provided updates on reports already completed. The Committee will then consider how best to complete, in a timely fashion, ongoing examining the impacts of agricultural biotechnology on American agriculture and USDA over SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\11JYN1.SGM 11JYN1 39718 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 131 / Monday, July 11, 2005 / Notices the next 5 to 10 years. In particular, the AC21 will review the status of current sections of text and discuss how best to modify and finalize them to provide a coherent report to USDA. A work plan for completion of ongoing work will be developed. In addition, there will be preliminary discussions of potential future work topics of the Committee. Background information regarding the work of the AC21 will be available on the USDA Web site at https:// www.usda.gov/agencies/biotech/ ac21.html. On August 9, 2005, if time permits, reasonable provision will be made for oral presentations of no more than five minutes each in duration. The meeting will be open to the public, but space is limited. If you would like to attend the meetings, you must register by contacting Ms. Dianne Harmon at (202) 720–4074, by fax at (202) 720–3191 or by e-mail at dharmon@ars.usda.gov at least 5 days prior to the meeting. Please provide your name, title, business affiliation, address, and telephone and fax numbers when you register. If you require a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation due to disability, please indicate those needs at the time of registration. Dated: June 30, 2005. Bernice Slutsky, Special Assistant for Biotechnology. [FR Doc. 05–13515 Filed 7–8–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–03–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Bugtown Gulch Mountain Pine Beetle and Fuels Project Hell Canyon Ranger District, Black Hills National Forest Custer, South Dakota Forest Service, USDA. Revised notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: On March 1, 2005, the Forest Service published a Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Bugtown Gulch Mountain Pine Beetle and Fuels Project. This is an authorized project under Section 102(a)(4) of the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003. The Forest Service is modifying the proposed action and decision to be made, name and address of the Responsible Official, the expected dates for filing the draft and final EIS, the significant issues to be addressed and has developed an alternative to the proposed action. The proposed action is modified to include VerDate jul<14>2003 16:03 Jul 08, 2005 Jkt 205001 3 site specific, non-significant Forest Plan amendments and the decision to be made will include whether or not to approve those amendments. The original NOI stated that a nonsignificant Forest Plan amendment related to big game habitat capability values as modeled by the HABCAP model may be part of the decision. Further analysis determined that amendments for big game HABCAP values would be necessary in both management areas 5.1 and 5.4. In addition, a third amendment to allow a short term reduction in mature, dense habitat within goshawk post fledging area habitat is included as part of the proposed action. The responsible official was listed as the Hell Canyon District Ranger in the March 1, 2005 NOI. Due to the inclusion of Forest Plan amendments to the proposal, the responsible official will be the Forest Supervisor. The draft and final EISs are expected to be filed in August, 2005 and December, 2005, respectively. The original NOI listed several preliminary issues. Further analysis determined that there are 3 significant issues to be addressed with this project and they are: (1) The mountain pine beetle epidemic, (2) fuels and fire risks, and (3) wildlife habitat. One alternative to the proposed action has been developed to address public input concerning post-treatment diversity on the project area landscape. This alternative differs from the proposal by deferring approximately 1,300 acres from all proposed treatments. This alternative does not include a Forest Plan amendment to lower the big game HABCAP values in management area 5.1 as discussed above for the proposed action. However, it does include Forest Plan amendments to lower big game HABCAP values in management area 5.4 and to allow for a short term reduction of dense, mature stands in goshawk post-fledging area habitat as in the proposed action. Comments concerning this revision should be received in writing by July 29, 2005. Comments submitted by individuals, groups or other agencies in response to previous scoping efforts for this project have been incorporated into the analysis and there is no need to resubmit comments in response to this revised NOI. The draft environmental impact statement is expected to be filed in August 2005 and the final environmental impact statement is expected to be filed in December 2005. Another formal opportunity to comment will be provided following completion of the Draft EIS. DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Send written comments concerning this revision to Michael D. Lloyd, District Ranger, Black Hills National Forest, Hell Canyon Ranger District, 330 Mount Rushmore Road, Custer, South Dakota 57730. Telephone number (605) 673–4853. Fax number: (605) 673–5461. Electronic comments must be readable in Word, Rich Text or pdf formats and must contain ‘‘Bugtown Gulch’’ in the subject line. Electronic comments may be e-mailed to comments-rocky-mountain-black-hillshell-canyon@fs.fed.us. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Hudson, District NEPA Coordinator, at (605) 673–4853, Hell Canyon Ranger District, Black Hills National Forest, 330 Mount Rushmore Road, Custer, SD 57730. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Further information about the proposal can be found in the original notice of intent published in the Federal Register, Vol. 70, No. 39, pp. 9914–9916, on March 1, 2005. ADDRESSES: Responsible Official The responsible official for this project is Craig Bobzien, Forest Supervisor, Black Hills National Forest, 25041 North Highway 16, Custer, SD 57730–7239. Nature of Decision To Be Made The decision to be made is whether or not to implement the proposed action or alternatives at this time and whether to amend the Forest Plan to allow for implementation of this project. Early Notice of Importance of Public Participation in Subsequent Environmental Review: A draft environmental impact statement will be prepared for comment. The comment period on the draft environmental impact statement will be 45 days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes the notice of availability in the Federal Register. The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, it is important to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to public participation in the environmental review process. First, reviewers of draft environmental impact statements must structure their participation in the environmental review of the proposal so that it is meaningful and alerts an agency to the reviewer’s positions and contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Also, environmental objections that could be raised at the draft environmental impact statement stage but that are not raised until after completion of the final environmental impact statement may be E:\FR\FM\11JYN1.SGM 11JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 131 (Monday, July 11, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39717-39718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-13515]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service


Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and 
Economics; Notice of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st 
Century Agriculture Meeting

AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 
U.S.C. App. II, the United States Department of Agriculture announces a 
meeting of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century 
Agriculture (AC21).

DATES: August 9-10, 2005, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Written requests 
to make oral presentations at the meeting must be received by the 
contact person identified herein at least three business days before 
the meeting.

ADDRESSES: Ballroom D, Loews L'Enfant Plaza Hotel, 480 L'Enfant Plaza, 
SW., Washington, DC 20024. Requests to make oral presentations at the 
meeting may be sent to the contact person at USDA, Office of the Deputy 
Secretary, 202 B Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building, 12th Street and 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Schechtman, Designated Federal 
Official, Office of the Deputy Secretary, USDA, Telephone (202) 720-
3817; Fax (202) 690-4265; E-mail mschechtman@ars.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The eighth meeting of the AC21 has been 
scheduled for February 7-8, 2004. The AC21 consists of 18 members 
representing the biotechnology industry, the seed industry, 
international plant genetics research, farmers, food manufacturers, 
commodity processors and shippers, environmental and consumer groups, 
and academic researchers. In addition, representatives from the 
Departments of Commerce, Health and Human Services, and State, and the 
Environmental Protection Agency, the Council on Environmental Quality, 
and the Office of the United States Trade Representative serve as ``ex 
officio'' members.
    At this meeting, new members will be introduced and the Committee 
will be provided updates on reports already completed. The Committee 
will then consider how best to complete, in a timely fashion, ongoing 
examining the impacts of agricultural biotechnology on American 
agriculture and USDA over

[[Page 39718]]

the next 5 to 10 years. In particular, the AC21 will review the status 
of current sections of text and discuss how best to modify and finalize 
them to provide a coherent report to USDA. A work plan for completion 
of ongoing work will be developed. In addition, there will be 
preliminary discussions of potential future work topics of the 
Committee.
    Background information regarding the work of the AC21 will be 
available on the USDA Web site at https://www.usda.gov/agencies/biotech/
ac21.html. On August 9, 2005, if time permits, reasonable provision 
will be made for oral presentations of no more than five minutes each 
in duration.
    The meeting will be open to the public, but space is limited. If 
you would like to attend the meetings, you must register by contacting 
Ms. Dianne Harmon at (202) 720-4074, by fax at (202) 720-3191 or by e-
mail at dharmon@ars.usda.gov at least 5 days prior to the meeting. 
Please provide your name, title, business affiliation, address, and 
telephone and fax numbers when you register. If you require a sign 
language interpreter or other special accommodation due to disability, 
please indicate those needs at the time of registration.

    Dated: June 30, 2005.
Bernice Slutsky,
Special Assistant for Biotechnology.
[FR Doc. 05-13515 Filed 7-8-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P
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