Rural Development; Notice of Privatization of the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center, 28945-28946 [E7-9932]

Download as PDF 28945 Notices Federal Register Vol. 72, No. 99 Wednesday, May 23, 2007 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 Office of the Secretary Solicitation for Members To Fill Vacancies to the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board Research, Education, and Economics, USDA. ACTION: Solicitation for membership. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App., the United States Department of Agriculture announces solicitation for nominations to fill 10 vacancies on the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board. DATES: Deadline for Advisory Board member nominations is July 20, 2007. ADDRESSES: The nominee’s name, resume, and completed Form AD–755 must be sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board Office, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.; Room 344– A, Whitten Building; Washington, DC 20250–2255. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shirley Morgan-Jordan, Program Support Coordinator; National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board; telephone: 202–720–3684; fax: 202–720–6199; e-mail: smorgan@csrees.usda.gov. Section 1408 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123) was amended by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 by adding one additional member to the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board, which totals 31 members. Since the Advisory Board’s inception by pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:32 May 22, 2007 Jkt 211001 congressional legislation in 1996, each member has represented a specific category related to farming or ranching, food production and processing, forestry research, crop and animal science, landgrant institutions, non-land-grant colleges or universities with a historic commitment to research in the food and agricultural sciences, food retailing and marketing, rural economic development, and natural resource and consumer interest groups, among many others. The Board was first appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture in September 1996 and one-third of its members were appointed for a one-, two-, and threeyear term, respectively. The terms for 10 of the 31 members who represent the specific categories to be filled will expire September 30, 2010. Nominations for a 3-year appointment for these 10 vacant categories are sought. All nominees will be carefully reviewed for their expertise, leadership, and relevance to each category. The 10 categories to be filled are: Category H. National Food Animal Science Society. Category I. National Crop, Soil, Agronomy, Horticulture or Weed Science Societies. Category N. 1890 Land-Grant Colleges and Universities. Category O. 1994 Equity in Education Land-Grant Institutions. Category Q. American Colleges of Veterinary Medicine. Category U. Food Retailing and Marketing Interests. Category W. Rural Economic Development. Category X. National Consumer Interest Group. Category Y. National Forestry Group. Category Z. National Conservation or Natural Resource Group. Nominations are being solicited from organizations, associations, societies, councils, federations, groups, and companies that represent a wide variety of food and agricultural interests throughout the country. Nominations for one individual who fits several of the categories listed above, or for more than one person who fits one category, will be accepted. In your nomination letter, please indicate the specific membership category for each nominee. Each nominee must fill out a form AD– 755, ‘‘Advisory Committee Membership Background Information’’ (which can be obtained from the contact person above PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 or from the following Web site: https:// www.ree.usda.gov/nareeeab/downloads/ forms/AD–755.pdf. All nominees will be vetted before selection. Nominations are open to all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical handicap, marital status, or sexual orientation. To ensure that recommendations of the Advisory Board take into account the needs of the diverse groups served by the Department, membership shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. Appointments to the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board will be made by the Secretary of Agriculture. Done at Washington, DC this 10th day of May 2007. Gale Buchanan, Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics. [FR Doc. E7–9891 Filed 5–22–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–22–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Development; Notice of Privatization of the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center AGENCY: ACTION: Rural Development, USDA. Notice. SUMMARY: The Secretary of Agriculture approved the Transition Plan to privatize the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center. The American Sheep and Goat Center, a Utah nonprofit corporation, became the successor to the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center on October 1, 2006. Privatization was effective Midnight, September 30, 2006. DATES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas C. Dorr, Under Secretary, USDA Rural Development, Room 205-W, Mail Stop 0107, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250–0107, telephone: 202–720–4581, TTY: 800– 877–8339 (Federal Information Relay Service). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\23MYN1.SGM 23MYN1 28946 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 99 / Wednesday, May 23, 2007 / Notices Background Section 375 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, 7 U.S.C. 2008j, created the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center (NSIIC) to strengthen the infrastructure of the sheep and goat industry. The NSIIC provided loans and grants for business ventures where normal commercial credit or funding was not available. Section 375(j) of the Farm Bill legislation required the privatization of the NSIIC to occur on the earlier of its receiving a certain level of Federal funding or September 30, 2006. The legislation required a transition plan, to be approved by the Secretary of Agriculture, that provides for a private successor entity that would have the same purposes and be able to continue the activities of the NSIIC. The Secretary of Agriculture has approved a privatization plan that was triggered by the September 30, 2006 deadline. The NSIIC ceased operations on September 30, 2006. The American Sheep and Goat Center became the successor private organization on October 1, 2006. All assets and liabilities of the NSIIC have now been transferred to the private American Sheep and Goat Center. The transition plan is completed as of May 23, 2007. Dated: May 16, 2007. Douglas Faulkner, Acting Under Secretary, Rural Development. [FR Doc. E7–9932 Filed 5–22–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2007–0047] Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Bees and Related Articles Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request. pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with regulations for the importation of bees and related articles. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before July 23, 2007. VerDate Aug<31>2005 You may submit comments by either of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov, select ‘‘Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’’ from the agency drop-down menu, then click ‘‘Submit.’’ In the Docket ID column, select APHIS–2007– 0047 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through the site’s ‘‘User Tips’’ link. Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS–2007–0047, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS– 2007–0047. Reading Room: You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 690–2817 before coming. Other Information: Additional information about APHIS and its programs is available on the Internet at https://www.aphis.usda.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on an information collection associated with regulations for the importation of bees and related articles, contact Dr. Wayne Wehling, Entomologist, Pest Permit Evaluations, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734–8757. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS’ Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734–7477. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Bees and Related Articles. OMB Number: 0579–0207. Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection. Abstract: Under the Honeybee Act (7 U.S.C. 281–286), the Secretary is authorized to prohibit or restrict the importation of honeybees and honeybee semen to prevent the introduction into the United States of diseases and ADDRESSES: 18:32 May 22, 2007 Jkt 211001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 parasites harmful to honeybees and of undesirable species such as the African honeybee. This authority has been delegated to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Further, the Plant Protection Act (PPA) (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to prohibit or restrict the importation, entry, or interstate movement of plants, plant products, and other articles to prevent the introduction of plant pests into the United States or their dissemination within the United States. As with the Honeybee Act, APHIS has delegated authority for the PPA. The establishment of certain bee diseases, parasites, or undesirable species and subspecies of honeybees in the United States could cause substantial reductions in pollination by bees. These reductions could cause serious damage to crops and other plants and result in substantial financial losses to American agriculture. Regulations for the importation of honeybees and honeybee semen and regulations to prevent the introduction of exotic bee diseases and parasites through the importation of bees other than honeybees, certain beekeeping products, and used beekeeping equipment are contained in 7 CFR part 322, ‘‘Bees, Beekeeping Byproducts, and Beekeeping Equipment.’’ These regulations require the use of certain information collection activities, including: An application for permit, appeals for denial of permit application and cancellation of permit, request for risk assessment, inspection report of containment facilities, request for release of containment, transit documentation, export certificate, notice of arrival, packaging and labeling, and recordkeeping by containment facilities. We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of these information collection activities for an additional 3 years. The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. These comments will help us: (1) Evaluate 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; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the information collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and E:\FR\FM\23MYN1.SGM 23MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 99 (Wednesday, May 23, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28945-28946]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-9932]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Rural Development; Notice of Privatization of the National Sheep 
Industry Improvement Center

AGENCY: Rural Development, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Secretary of Agriculture approved the Transition Plan to 
privatize the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center. The American 
Sheep and Goat Center, a Utah non-profit corporation, became the 
successor to the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center on October 
1, 2006.

DATES: Privatization was effective Midnight, September 30, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas C. Dorr, Under Secretary, USDA 
Rural Development, Room 205-W, Mail Stop 0107, 1400 Independence Avenue 
SW., Washington, DC 20250-0107, telephone: 202-720-4581, TTY: 800-877-
8339 (Federal Information Relay Service).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 28946]]

Background

    Section 375 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, 7 
U.S.C. 2008j, created the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center 
(NSIIC) to strengthen the infrastructure of the sheep and goat 
industry. The NSIIC provided loans and grants for business ventures 
where normal commercial credit or funding was not available. Section 
375(j) of the Farm Bill legislation required the privatization of the 
NSIIC to occur on the earlier of its receiving a certain level of 
Federal funding or September 30, 2006. The legislation required a 
transition plan, to be approved by the Secretary of Agriculture, that 
provides for a private successor entity that would have the same 
purposes and be able to continue the activities of the NSIIC. The 
Secretary of Agriculture has approved a privatization plan that was 
triggered by the September 30, 2006 deadline. The NSIIC ceased 
operations on September 30, 2006. The American Sheep and Goat Center 
became the successor private organization on October 1, 2006. All 
assets and liabilities of the NSIIC have now been transferred to the 
private American Sheep and Goat Center. The transition plan is 
completed as of May 23, 2007.

    Dated: May 16, 2007.
Douglas Faulkner,
Acting Under Secretary, Rural Development.
 [FR Doc. E7-9932 Filed 5-22-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P
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