Notice of Availability of Hurricane Disaster Assistance, 47164-47165 [E6-13432]

Download as PDF 47164 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 158 / Wednesday, August 16, 2006 / Notices Street, Room 2006, Peoria, Illinois 61604. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Shafer, Midwest Area Director, USDA–ARS, Telephone (309) 681–6602; Fax (309) 681–6684; E-mail sshafer@mwa.ars.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 4, 2006, the City of Ames received allegations that wastes from areas at the National Animal Disease Center (NADC) with animals challenged with prions were not properly treated prior to discharge to the City wastewater plant. USDA, in cooperation with the City of Ames, is convening an expert panel to review scientific information about deactivation of prions and assess practices used at NADC to treat liquid wastes from areas where animals with prions are housed and handled that enter the Ames wastewater treatment system. (Note: For the purposes of this panel and its review, prions are defined as specific proteins that are abnormally shaped and can cause transmissible diseases associated with the allegations). This meeting will initiate implementation of the panel’s charge to evaluate four main issues related to the handling and disposal of potentially prion-contaminated materials in wastewater from the NADC: (1) Identify scientifically accepted methods for effectively destroying prions; (2) Assess the concerns raised regarding NADC’s current and past methods for the destruction of prions; (3) Determine the risk posed to humans and the environment from the current, as well as previous, methods for the destruction of prions utilized at NADC; and (4) If remediation is needed, provide scientifically sound approaches for corrective action(s) that may be taken. Final conclusions of the review will be developed during a meeting at a later date, also to be announced. At the conclusion of its review, the panel will prepare a written report that documents the panel’s findings for the four main issues being evaluated. On August 23, 2006, between 8:30 a.m. and 12 noon Central Time, if time permits, reasonable provision will be made for verbal comments of no more than three minutes each in duration. The meeting will be open to the public, but space is limited. If you want to be assured of a seat at this meeting, you must register by contacting the contact person named above 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 VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:24 Aug 15, 2006 Jkt 208001 indicate those needs at the time of registration. Pre-registrations will be limited to 80 people; others may be able to attend on a space-available basis. determination will be made by the NRCS in Indiana regarding disposition of those comments and a final determination of changes will be made. Dated: August 7, 2006. Caird E. Rexroad, Jr., Associate Administrator, Agricultural Research Service. [FR Doc. 06–6987 Filed 8–15–06; 8:45 am] Dated: July 27, 2006. Jane E. Hardisty, State Conservationist, Indianapolis, Indiana. [FR Doc. E6–13462 Filed 8–15–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–16–P BILLING CODE 3410–03–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Housing Service Natural Resources Conservation Service Notice of Availability of Hurricane Disaster Assistance Notice of Proposed Changes to Section IV of the Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG) of the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Indiana Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Department of Agriculture. ACTION: Notice of availability of proposed changes in Section IV of the FOTG of the NRCS in Indiana for review and comment. AGENCY: SUMMARY: It is the intention of NRCS in Indiana to issue three (3) revised conservation practice standards in Section IV of the FOTG. The revised standards are: Surface Drainage, Field Ditch (607), Surface Drainage, Main or Lateral (608), and Water and Sediment Control Basin (638). These practices may be used in conservation systems that treat highly erodible land and/or wetlands. DATES: Comments will be received for a 30-day period commencing with this date of publication. ADDRESSES: Address all requests and comments to Jane E. Hardisty, State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), 6013 Lakeside Blvd., Indianapolis, Indiana 46278. Copies of these standards will be made available upon written request. You may submit your electronic requests and comments to shannon.zezula@in.usda.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane E. Hardisty, 317–290–3200. Section 343 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 states that after enactment of the law, revisions made to NRCS state technical guides used to carry out highly erodible land and wetland provisions of the law, shall be made available for public review and comment. For the next 30 days, the NRCS in Indiana will receive comments relative to the proposed changes. Following that period, a SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Rural Housing Service, USDA. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service programs are administered through USDA Rural Development. This Notice is intended to announce the availability of supplemental hurricane disaster assistance to be administered through the Community Facilities (CF) Direct Loan and Grant program. USDA Rural Development will provide CF Grant funds in the amount of $20,000,000 and CF Direct Loan funds in the amount of $149,253,000 for essential community facilities in rural areas affected by Hurricane Katrina and other hurricanes of the 2005 season. DATES: Effective Date: August 16, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information for the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program may be obtained by contacting your USDA Rural Development State Office as outlined in Section I.D. For questions regarding information contained in this Notice, please contact Derek L. Jones, Loan Specialist, Community Programs, at 202–720–1504. Background: The CF Direct Loan and Grant Program is designed to finance and facilitate the development of many different types of essential community facilities serving rural areas. These facilities include, but are not limited to, hospitals, medical clinics, elderly care facilities, police stations and vehicles, fire and rescue stations and vehicles, vocational and medical rehabilitation centers, and educational facilities. Funds under this Notice can be used to construct, enlarge, repair, or improve community facilities. This can include the purchase of equipment required for a facility’s operation. Chapter 1 of title I of Division B of the Department of Defense, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and Pandemic Influenza Act, 2006 (Pub. L. 109–148) (Act) provides E:\FR\FM\16AUN1.SGM 16AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 158 / Wednesday, August 16, 2006 / Notices USDA Rural Development with additional authorities to waive certain program requirements and resources to address the damage caused by the Gulf Coast hurricanes. Section 2103 of title II of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 extended the expiration date of these waiver authorities under the Act for an additional 18 months and provided a total amount of $169,253,000 in CF Direct Loan and Grant funds for CF projects. Accordingly, the matching funds requirement for the CF Grant program will be waived for assistance provided under this Notice. In addition, the median household income requirements and the grant limits will also be waived for the purpose of this Notice. I. General Provisions A. Designated Disaster Area For the purposes of this Notice, the designated disaster area shall be those Presidentially-declared areas in the states of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Texas in accordance with the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. B. Limitation of Grant Amounts The Act enables the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants under the CF Grant program without regard to any grant amount limitation. Rural Development has determined that it will review and make awards under this NOFA as applications are received. Applications will be reviewed, approved, and obligated in the State Rural Development Office. C. Contacts for Additional Information For questions about USDA Rural Development’s programs and for application assistance, please contact your USDA Rural Development State Office. The contact information for your State Office can be found at: https:// www.rurdev.usda.gov. You can also reach your State Office by calling (202) 720–4323 and pressing ‘‘1’’. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES D. Programs Referenced in This Notice Are Subject to Applicable Civil Rights Laws These laws include the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended in 1988, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:24 Aug 15, 2006 Jkt 208001 II. Assistance Available Through This Notice Direct Loan and Grant Program 1. Description of Assistance Section 105 of the Act enables USDA Rural Development to make Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grants in designated disaster areas. CF Grants can be made without regard to graduated funding or matching fund requirements. 2. Eligibility Criteria Public entities such as municipalities, counties, and special-purpose districts, as well as non-profit corporations and tribal governments in designated Rural disaster areas with a population of 20,000 or less are eligible to apply. 3. Priority Administrator’s points may be awarded for geographic distribution of funds and for projects with pre-existing hurricane or tornado damage which were subsequently affected by hurricanes of the 2005 season. 4. Applicable Statutory or Regulatory Authority Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, Section 306 (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(1) and (19)); and, to the extent not waived by this Notice, 7 CFR, Part 3570, Subpart B, Community Facilities Grant Program, and 7 CFR Part 1942, Subpart A, Community Facilities Direct Loan Program. III. Emergency Declaration Consistent with Proclamation 7925 issued by President Bush, the USDA Rural Development Mission Area has determined that it would be impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to public interest to delay the effective date of this Notice for any reason. The USDA Rural Development Agencies need to act promptly on hurricane related needs in the designated disaster areas. IV. Non-Discrimination Statement The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 47165 USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720– 2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250–9410, or call (800) 795–3272 (voice), or (202) 720– 6382 (TDD). ‘‘USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender’’. Dated: August 2, 2006. Russell T. Davis, Administrator, Rural Housing Service. [FR Doc. E6–13432 Filed 8–15–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–XV–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Telephone Bank Determination of the 2005 Fiscal Year Interest Rates on Rural Telephone Bank Loans Rural Telephone Bank, USDA. Notice of 2005 fiscal year interest rates determination. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: In accordance with 7 CFR 1610.10, the Rural Telephone Bank (Bank) fiscal year 2005 cost of money rates have been established as follows: 6.18% and 5.00% for advances from the liquidating account and financing account, respectively (fiscal year is the period beginning October 1 and ending September 30). All loan advances made during fiscal year 2005 under Bank loans approved in fiscal years 1988 through 1991 shall bear interest at the rate of 6.18% (the liquidating account rate). All loan advances made during fiscal year 2005 under Bank loans approved during or after fiscal year 1992 shall bear interest at the rate of 5.00% (the financing account rate). The calculation of the Bank’s cost of money rates for fiscal year 2005 for the liquidating account and the financing account are provided in Tables 1 and 2. Since the calculated rates are greater than or equal to the minimum rate (5.00%) allowed under 7 U.S.C. 938(b)(3)(A), the cost of money rates for the liquidating account and financing account are set at 6.18% and 5.00%, respectively. The methodology required to calculate the cost of money rates is established in 7 CFR 1610.10(c). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathan P. Claffey, Deputy Assistant Governor, Rural Telephone Bank, STOP 1590—Room 5151, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250– 1590. Telephone: (202) 720–9556. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 E:\FR\FM\16AUN1.SGM 16AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 158 (Wednesday, August 16, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47164-47165]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-13432]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Notice of Availability of Hurricane Disaster Assistance

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service programs are administered through 
USDA Rural Development. This Notice is intended to announce the 
availability of supplemental hurricane disaster assistance to be 
administered through the Community Facilities (CF) Direct Loan and 
Grant program. USDA Rural Development will provide CF Grant funds in 
the amount of $20,000,000 and CF Direct Loan funds in the amount of 
$149,253,000 for essential community facilities in rural areas affected 
by Hurricane Katrina and other hurricanes of the 2005 season.

DATES: Effective Date: August 16, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information for the Community 
Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program may be obtained by contacting 
your USDA Rural Development State Office as outlined in Section I.D.
    For questions regarding information contained in this Notice, 
please contact Derek L. Jones, Loan Specialist, Community Programs, at 
202-720-1504.
    Background: The CF Direct Loan and Grant Program is designed to 
finance and facilitate the development of many different types of 
essential community facilities serving rural areas. These facilities 
include, but are not limited to, hospitals, medical clinics, elderly 
care facilities, police stations and vehicles, fire and rescue stations 
and vehicles, vocational and medical rehabilitation centers, and 
educational facilities. Funds under this Notice can be used to 
construct, enlarge, repair, or improve community facilities. This can 
include the purchase of equipment required for a facility's operation.
    Chapter 1 of title I of Division B of the Department of Defense, 
Emergency Supplemental Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf 
of Mexico and Pandemic Influenza Act, 2006 (Pub. L. 109-148) (Act) 
provides

[[Page 47165]]

USDA Rural Development with additional authorities to waive certain 
program requirements and resources to address the damage caused by the 
Gulf Coast hurricanes. Section 2103 of title II of the Emergency 
Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, 
and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 extended the expiration date of these 
waiver authorities under the Act for an additional 18 months and 
provided a total amount of $169,253,000 in CF Direct Loan and Grant 
funds for CF projects.
    Accordingly, the matching funds requirement for the CF Grant 
program will be waived for assistance provided under this Notice. In 
addition, the median household income requirements and the grant limits 
will also be waived for the purpose of this Notice.

I. General Provisions

A. Designated Disaster Area

    For the purposes of this Notice, the designated disaster area shall 
be those Presidentially-declared areas in the states of Alabama, 
Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Texas in 
accordance with the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.

B. Limitation of Grant Amounts

    The Act enables the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants under 
the CF Grant program without regard to any grant amount limitation. 
Rural Development has determined that it will review and make awards 
under this NOFA as applications are received. Applications will be 
reviewed, approved, and obligated in the State Rural Development 
Office.

C. Contacts for Additional Information

    For questions about USDA Rural Development's programs and for 
application assistance, please contact your USDA Rural Development 
State Office. The contact information for your State Office can be 
found at: https://www.rurdev.usda.gov. You can also reach your State 
Office by calling (202) 720-4323 and pressing ``1''.

D. Programs Referenced in This Notice Are Subject to Applicable Civil 
Rights Laws

    These laws include the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Title VI of 
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 
1968, as amended in 1988, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 
and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975.

II. Assistance Available Through This Notice

Direct Loan and Grant Program

1. Description of Assistance
    Section 105 of the Act enables USDA Rural Development to make 
Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grants in designated disaster 
areas. CF Grants can be made without regard to graduated funding or 
matching fund requirements.
2. Eligibility Criteria
    Public entities such as municipalities, counties, and special-
purpose districts, as well as non-profit corporations and tribal 
governments in designated Rural disaster areas with a population of 
20,000 or less are eligible to apply.
3. Priority
    Administrator's points may be awarded for geographic distribution 
of funds and for projects with pre-existing hurricane or tornado damage 
which were subsequently affected by hurricanes of the 2005 season.
4. Applicable Statutory or Regulatory Authority
    Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, Section 306 (7 U.S.C. 
1926(a)(1) and (19)); and, to the extent not waived by this Notice, 7 
CFR, Part 3570, Subpart B, Community Facilities Grant Program, and 7 
CFR Part 1942, Subpart A, Community Facilities Direct Loan Program.

III. Emergency Declaration

    Consistent with Proclamation 7925 issued by President Bush, the 
USDA Rural Development Mission Area has determined that it would be 
impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to public interest to delay 
the effective date of this Notice for any reason. The USDA Rural 
Development Agencies need to act promptly on hurricane related needs in 
the designated disaster areas.

IV. Non-Discrimination Statement

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination 
in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, 
national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital 
status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, 
genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or 
part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance 
program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with 
disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program 
information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact 
USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a 
complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil 
Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or 
call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). ``USDA is an 
equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender''.

    Dated: August 2, 2006.
Russell T. Davis,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-13432 Filed 8-15-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P
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