Sweet Cherries Grown in Designated Counties in Washington; Decreased Assessment Rate, 44367-44369 [E7-15397]
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44367
Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
Vol. 72, No. 152
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by
the Superintendent of Documents. Prices of
new books are listed in the first FEDERAL
REGISTER issue of each week.
OFFICE OF PERSONNEL
MANAGEMENT
5 CFR Part 451
RIN 3206–AJ65
Awards
Office of Personnel
Management.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Office of Personnel
Management (OPM) is issuing final
regulations governing Presidential Rank
Awards to implement the Treasury and
General Government Appropriations
Act of 2002, which extends eligibility
for Presidential Rank Awards to certain
senior career employees. The
amendments will also enhance the
clarity of the regulations and improve
readability.
September 7, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Karen English at (202) 606–2747 or by
e-mail at karen.english@opm.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August
13, 2002, OPM issued an interim rule at
67 FR 52595–52597 amending part 451
and requesting comments on or before
October 15, 2002.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Comments
OPM received comments from four
Federal agencies and two professional
organizations. Those comments are
addressed below.
ebenthall on PRODPC61 with RULES
§ 451.304
AGENCY:
Decorations, medals, awards,
Government employees.
Office of Personnel Management.
Linda M. Springer,
Director.
Accordingly, the interim rule
published on August 13, 2002,
amending 5 CFR 451 (67 FR 52595), is
adopted as a final rule with the
following changes:
I
PART 451—AWARDS
1. The authority citation for part 451
continues to read as follows:
I
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 4302, 4501–4509, E.O.
11438, 12828.
Subpart C—Presidential Rank Awards
§ 451.302
[Amended]
2. Section 451.302(c) is amended by
removing the phrase ‘‘career senior
employees’’ and adding in its place, the
phrase ‘‘senior career employees’’.
I
§ 451.303
[Amended]
3. Section 451.303 is amended:
A. By redesignating paragraphs (a)(i),
(a)(ii), (b)(i) and (b)(ii) as (a)(1), (a)(2),
(b)(1) and (b)(2), respectively;
I B. By removing the italics from the
words ‘‘Senior career employees’’ in
paragraph (b) introductory text; and
I C. By removing the words ‘‘career
senior employees’’ and adding in its
place, the phrase ‘‘senior career
employees’’ in newly redesignated
paragraphs (b)(1) and (2).
I
Purpose
I
Two agencies favored the interim rule
and had no further comments.
One agency recommended that OPM
include a statement encouraging agency
heads to consider diversity when
submitting award nominations and to
collect and publish the number of
Hispanics receiving the award. OPM did
not adopt this suggestion because the
award is conferred upon an executive
VerDate Aug<31>2005
who has demonstrated extraordinary
and sustained career accomplishments
regardless of race, gender, age, etc.
One professional organization asked if
section 451.303, paragraphs (a) and (b),
were intended to use Roman numerals
(i) and (ii) rather than Arabic numerals
(1) and (2). OPM agrees and has changed
paragraphs (a) and (b) to include Arabic
numerals (1) and (2) for format
consistency throughout the regulation.
Two agencies recommended the
official term ‘‘senior career employee’’
vs. ‘‘career senior employee’’ be used
consistently throughout the chapter.
OPM agrees and has made the change.
In section 451.303(b) we are removing
the italics from ‘‘Senior career
employees’’ for format consistency
throughout the regulation.
List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 451
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains regulatory documents having general
applicability and legal effect, most of which
are keyed to and codified in the Code of
Federal Regulations, which is published under
50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
15:29 Aug 07, 2007
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[Amended].
4. In Section 451.304(a) and (b)
remove the words ‘‘career senior
employee’’ and add, in their place the
words ‘‘senior career employee’’.
I
[FR Doc. E7–15470 Filed 8–7–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325–39–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 923
[Docket No. AMS–FV–07–0073; FV07–923–
1 FR]
Sweet Cherries Grown in Designated
Counties in Washington; Decreased
Assessment Rate
Agricultural Marketing Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: This rule decreases the
assessment rate established for the
Washington Cherry Marketing
Committee (Committee) for the 2007–
2008 and subsequent fiscal periods from
$0.50 to $0.40 per ton for Washington
sweet cherries. The Committee is
responsible for local administration of
the marketing order regulating the
handling of sweet cherries grown in
designated counties in Washington.
Assessments upon handlers of sweet
cherries are used by the Committee to
fund reasonable and necessary expenses
of the program. The fiscal period for the
marketing order begins April 1 and ends
March 31. The assessment rate remains
in effect indefinitely unless modified,
suspended or terminated.
EFFECTIVE DATE: August 9, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robert J. Curry or Gary D. Olson,
Northwest Marketing Field Office,
Marketing Order Administration
Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs,
AMS, USDA, 1220 SW Third Avenue,
suite 385, Portland, OR 97204;
Telephone: (503) 326–2724; Fax: (503)
326–7440; or E-mail:
Robert.Curry@usda.gov or
GaryD.Olson@usda.gov.
Small businesses may request
information on complying with this
regulation by contacting Jay Guerber,
Marketing Order Administration
Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs,
AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence SW.,
E:\FR\FM\08AUR1.SGM
08AUR1
44368
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 152 / Wednesday, August 8, 2007 / Rules and Regulations
STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250–
0237; Telephone: (202) 720–2491; Fax:
(202) 720–8938; or E-mail:
Jay.Guerber@usda.gov.
This rule
is issued under Marketing Order No.
923 (7 CFR part 923), as amended,
regulating the handling of sweet
cherries grown in designated counties in
Washington, hereinafter referred to as
the ‘‘order.’’ The order is effective under
the Agricultural Marketing Agreement
Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601–
674), hereinafter referred to as the
‘‘Act.’’
The Department of Agriculture
(USDA) is issuing this rule in
conformance with Executive Order
12866.
This rule has been reviewed under
Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice
Reform. Under the marketing order now
in effect, cherry handlers in designated
counties in Washington are subject to
assessments. Funds to administer the
order are derived from such
assessments. It is intended that the
assessment rate as issued herein will be
applicable to all assessable Washington
sweet cherries beginning April 1, 2007,
and continue until amended,
suspended, or terminated. This rule will
not preempt any State or local laws,
regulations, or policies, unless they
present an irreconcilable conflict with
this rule.
The Act provides that administrative
proceedings must be exhausted before
parties may file suit in court. Under
section 608c(15)(A) of the Act, any
handler subject to an order may file
with USDA a petition stating that the
order, any provision of the order, or any
obligation imposed in connection with
the order is not in accordance with law
and request a modification of the order
or to be exempted therefrom. Such
handler is afforded the opportunity for
a hearing on the petition. After the
hearing USDA would rule on the
petition. The Act provides that the
district court of the United States in any
district in which the handler is an
inhabitant, or has his or her principal
place of business, has jurisdiction to
review USDA’s ruling on the petition,
provided an action is filed not later than
20 days after the date of the entry of the
ruling.
This rule decreases the assessment
rate established for the Committee for
the 2007–2008 and subsequent fiscal
periods from $0.50 to $0.40 per ton for
Washington sweet cherries handled
under the order.
The order provides authority for the
Committee, with the approval of USDA,
to formulate an annual budget of
ebenthall on PRODPC61 with RULES
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:29 Aug 07, 2007
Jkt 211001
expenses and collect assessments from
handlers to administer the program. The
members of the Committee are
producers and handlers of sweet
cherries in designated counties in
Washington. They are familiar with the
Committee’s needs and with the costs
for goods and services in their local area
and are thus in a position to formulate
an appropriate budget and assessment
rate. The assessment rate is formulated
and discussed at a public meeting.
Thus, all directly affected persons have
an opportunity to participate and
provide input.
For the 2006–2007 and subsequent
fiscal periods, the Committee
recommended, and USDA approved, an
assessment rate of $0.50 per ton of sweet
cherries handled. This rate would
continue in effect from fiscal period to
fiscal period unless modified,
suspended, or terminated by USDA
upon recommendation and information
submitted by the Committee or other
information available to USDA.
The Committee met on May 2, 2007,
and unanimously recommended 2007–
2008 expenditures of $71,600. In
comparison, last year’s budgeted
expenditures were $49,800. The
Committee also recommended that the
$0.50 per ton assessment rate be
decreased by $0.10 to $0.40 per ton of
sweet cherries handled. The Committee
recommended the lower assessment rate
for the purpose of decreasing the
monetary reserve, which is
approximately $83,792. Funds in the
reserve must be kept within the
maximum permitted by the order of
approximately one fiscal period’s
operational expenses (7 CFR 923.42).
The major expenditures
recommended by the Committee for the
2007–2008 fiscal period include $22,500
for administration and data management
fees, $36,500 for Committee expenses
such as travel, accounting and
compliance, and $7,600 for office
expenses—including bonds, insurance,
telephone, office equipment and
supplies. Budgeted expenses for these
items in 2006–2007 were $25,000,
$16,200, and $7,100, respectively.
Higher expenses are anticipated this
season due to a producer survey and
other regulatory research expenses
requested by the Committee, as well as
the associated increase in staff costs.
The assessment rate recommended by
the Committee was derived by dividing
anticipated expenses by expected
shipments of Washington sweet
cherries. Applying the $0.40 per ton rate
of assessment to the Committee’s
120,000 ton crop estimate should
provide $48,000 in assessment income.
Income derived from handler
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
assessments, along with interest income
and approximately $23,600 from the
Committee’s reserve, should be
adequate to cover budgeted expenses.
While the monetary reserve held about
$83,792 at the close of the 2006–2007
fiscal period, the Committee estimates
that it will close on March 31, 2008,
with approximately $60,267, given the
recommended budget of expenses and
the income expected from the $0.40
assessment rate.
The assessment rate established in
this rule will continue in effect
indefinitely unless modified,
suspended, or terminated by USDA
upon recommendation and information
submitted by the Committee or other
available information.
Although this assessment rate will be
effective for an indefinite period, the
Committee will continue to meet prior
to or during each fiscal period to
recommend a budget of expenses and
consider recommendations for
modification of the assessment rate. The
dates and times of the Committee’s
meetings are available from the
Committee or USDA. Committee
meetings are open to the public and
interested persons may express their
views at these meetings. USDA will
evaluate the Committee’s
recommendations and other available
information to determine whether
modification of the assessment rate is
needed. Further rulemaking will be
undertaken as necessary. The
Committee’s 2007–2008 budget has been
reviewed and approved by USDA as
will those for subsequent fiscal periods.
Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Pursuant to requirements set forth in
the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), the
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
has considered the economic impact of
this rule on small entities. Accordingly,
AMS has prepared this final regulatory
flexibility analysis.
The purpose of the RFA is to fit
regulatory actions to the scale of
business subject to such actions in order
that small businesses will not be unduly
or disproportionately burdened.
Marketing orders issued pursuant to the
Act, and the rules issued thereunder, are
unique in that they are brought about
through group action of essentially
small entities acting on their own
behalf.
There are approximately 1,500 cherry
producers within the regulated
production area and approximately 53
regulated handlers. Small agricultural
producers are defined by the Small
Business Administration (13 CFR
121.201) as those having annual receipts
of less than $750,000, and small
E:\FR\FM\08AUR1.SGM
08AUR1
ebenthall on PRODPC61 with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 152 / Wednesday, August 8, 2007 / Rules and Regulations
agricultural service firms are defined as
those whose annual receipts are less
than $6,500,000.
The Washington Agricultural
Statistics Service prepared a
preliminary report for the 2006 shipping
season showing that the sweet cherry
fresh market utilization of 136,000 tons
sold for an average of $2,000 per ton.
Based on the number of producers in
the production area (1,500), the average
producer revenue from the sale of sweet
cherries in 2006 can therefore be
estimated at approximately $181,333
per year. In addition, the Committee
reports that most of the industry’s 53
handlers would have each averaged
gross receipts of less than $6,500,000
from the sale of fresh sweet cherries last
season. Thus, the majority of producers
and handlers of Washington sweet
cherries may be classified as small
entities.
This rule decreases the assessment
rate established for the Committee and
collected from handlers for the 2007–
2008 and subsequent fiscal periods from
$0.50 to $0.40 per ton for sweet cherries.
The Committee also unanimously
recommended 2007–2008 expenditures
of $71,600. With the 2007–2008
Washington sweet cherry crop estimate
of 120,000 tons, the Committee
anticipates assessment income of
$48,000. The Committee recommended
the assessment rate decrease for the
purpose of decreasing the monetary
reserve, which is approximately
$83,792. With this assessment rate and
budget, the Committee may need to
draw up to $23,600 from its monetary
reserve, thus helping to decrease the
reserve to a level that is less than
approximately one fiscal period’s
operating expenses, the maximum
permitted by the order.
The major expenditures
recommended by the Committee for the
2007–2008 fiscal period include $22,500
for administration and data management
fees, $36,500 for Committee expenses,
and $7,600 for office expenses.
Budgeted expenses for these items in
2006–2007 were $25,000, $16,200, and
$7,100, respectively.
The Committee discussed alternatives
to this rule. Leaving the assessment rate
at the current $0.50 per ton was initially
considered, but not recommended
because of the Committee’s desire to
decrease the level of the monetary
reserve so that it is not more than
approximately one fiscal period’s
operational expenses.
A review of historical information and
preliminary information pertaining to
the upcoming crop year indicates that
the producer price for the 2007–2008
season could average about $2,000 per
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:29 Aug 07, 2007
Jkt 211001
ton for fresh Washington sweet cherries.
Therefore, the estimated assessment
revenue for the 2007–2008 fiscal period
as a percentage of total producer
revenue is 0.02 percent for Washington
sweet cherries.
This action decreases the assessment
obligation imposed on handlers.
Assessments are applied uniformly on
all handlers, and some of the costs may
be passed on to producers. However,
decreasing the assessment rate reduces
the burden on handlers, and may reduce
the burden on producers. In addition,
the Committee’s meeting was widely
publicized throughout the Washington
sweet cherry industry and all interested
persons were invited to attend and
participate in Committee deliberations
on all issues. Like all Committee
meetings, the May 2, 2007, meeting was
a public meeting and all entities, both
large and small, were able to express
views on the issues.
This rule imposes no additional
reporting or recordkeeping requirements
on either small or large Washington
sweet cherry handlers. As with all
Federal marketing order programs,
reports and forms are periodically
reviewed to reduce information
requirements and duplication by
industry and public sector agencies.
Furthermore, USDA has not identified
any relevant Federal rules that
duplicate, overlap, or conflict with this
rule.
The AMS is committed to complying
with the E-Government Act, to promote
the use of the Internet and other
information technologies to provide
increased opportunities for citizen
access to Government information and
services, and for other purposes.
A proposed rule regarding this action
was published in the Federal Register
on June 20, 2007 (72 FR 33922). Copies
of the proposed rule were made
available to the industry by the
Committee and through the Internet by
the USDA and the Office of the Federal
Register. A 10-day comment period
ending July 2, 2007, was provided for
interested persons to respond to the
proposal. No comments were received.
A small business guide on complying
with fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop
marketing agreements and order may be
viewed at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/
moab.html. Any questions about the
compliance guide should be sent to Jay
Guerber at the previously mentioned
address in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section.
After consideration of all relevant
material presented, including the
information and recommendation
submitted by the Committee and other
available information, it is hereby found
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
44369
that this rule, as hereinafter set forth,
will tend to effectuate the declared
policy of the Act.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, it is also
found and determined that good cause
exists for not postponing the effective
date of this rule until 30 days after
publication in the Federal Register
because: (1) This rule decreases the
assessment rate, and thus also decreases
the burden on handlers; (2) handlers are
currently receiving 2007–2008 sweet
cherries from producers; (3) the 2007–
2008 fiscal period began on April 1,
2007, and the assessment rate applies to
all assessable sweet cherries handled
during this and subsequent fiscal
periods; (4) handlers are aware of this
action which was recommended by the
Committee at a public meeting; and (5)
a 10-day comment period was provided
for in the proposed rule.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 923
Cherries, Marketing agreements,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
For the reasons set forth in the
preamble, 7 CFR part 923 is amended as
follows:
I
PART 923—SWEET CHERRIES
GROWN IN DESIGNATED COUNTIES
IN WASHINGTON
1. The authority citation for 7 CFR
part 923 continues to read as follows:
I
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601–674.
2. Section 923.236 is revised to read
as follows:
I
§ 923.236
Assessment rate.
On and after April 1, 2007, an
assessment rate of $0.40 per ton is
established for the Washington Cherry
Marketing Committee.
Dated: August 2, 2007.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
Service.
[FR Doc. E7–15397 Filed 8–7–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
E:\FR\FM\08AUR1.SGM
08AUR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 8, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44367-44369]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15397]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 923
[Docket No. AMS-FV-07-0073; FV07-923-1 FR]
Sweet Cherries Grown in Designated Counties in Washington;
Decreased Assessment Rate
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This rule decreases the assessment rate established for the
Washington Cherry Marketing Committee (Committee) for the 2007-2008 and
subsequent fiscal periods from $0.50 to $0.40 per ton for Washington
sweet cherries. The Committee is responsible for local administration
of the marketing order regulating the handling of sweet cherries grown
in designated counties in Washington. Assessments upon handlers of
sweet cherries are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and
necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period for the marketing
order begins April 1 and ends March 31. The assessment rate remains in
effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended or terminated.
EFFECTIVE DATE: August 9, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert J. Curry or Gary D. Olson,
Northwest Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order Administration
Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1220 SW Third Avenue,
suite 385, Portland, OR 97204; Telephone: (503) 326-2724; Fax: (503)
326-7440; or E-mail: Robert.Curry@usda.gov or GaryD.Olson@usda.gov.
Small businesses may request information on complying with this
regulation by contacting Jay Guerber, Marketing Order Administration
Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence SW.,
[[Page 44368]]
STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone: (202) 720-2491; Fax:
(202) 720-8938; or E-mail: Jay.Guerber@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This rule is issued under Marketing Order
No. 923 (7 CFR part 923), as amended, regulating the handling of sweet
cherries grown in designated counties in Washington, hereinafter
referred to as the ``order.'' The order is effective under the
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-
674), hereinafter referred to as the ``Act.''
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing this rule in
conformance with Executive Order 12866.
This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil
Justice Reform. Under the marketing order now in effect, cherry
handlers in designated counties in Washington are subject to
assessments. Funds to administer the order are derived from such
assessments. It is intended that the assessment rate as issued herein
will be applicable to all assessable Washington sweet cherries
beginning April 1, 2007, and continue until amended, suspended, or
terminated. This rule will not preempt any State or local laws,
regulations, or policies, unless they present an irreconcilable
conflict with this rule.
The Act provides that administrative proceedings must be exhausted
before parties may file suit in court. Under section 608c(15)(A) of the
Act, any handler subject to an order may file with USDA a petition
stating that the order, any provision of the order, or any obligation
imposed in connection with the order is not in accordance with law and
request a modification of the order or to be exempted therefrom. Such
handler is afforded the opportunity for a hearing on the petition.
After the hearing USDA would rule on the petition. The Act provides
that the district court of the United States in any district in which
the handler is an inhabitant, or has his or her principal place of
business, has jurisdiction to review USDA's ruling on the petition,
provided an action is filed not later than 20 days after the date of
the entry of the ruling.
This rule decreases the assessment rate established for the
Committee for the 2007-2008 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.50 to
$0.40 per ton for Washington sweet cherries handled under the order.
The order provides authority for the Committee, with the approval
of USDA, to formulate an annual budget of expenses and collect
assessments from handlers to administer the program. The members of the
Committee are producers and handlers of sweet cherries in designated
counties in Washington. They are familiar with the Committee's needs
and with the costs for goods and services in their local area and are
thus in a position to formulate an appropriate budget and assessment
rate. The assessment rate is formulated and discussed at a public
meeting. Thus, all directly affected persons have an opportunity to
participate and provide input.
For the 2006-2007 and subsequent fiscal periods, the Committee
recommended, and USDA approved, an assessment rate of $0.50 per ton of
sweet cherries handled. This rate would continue in effect from fiscal
period to fiscal period unless modified, suspended, or terminated by
USDA upon recommendation and information submitted by the Committee or
other information available to USDA.
The Committee met on May 2, 2007, and unanimously recommended 2007-
2008 expenditures of $71,600. In comparison, last year's budgeted
expenditures were $49,800. The Committee also recommended that the
$0.50 per ton assessment rate be decreased by $0.10 to $0.40 per ton of
sweet cherries handled. The Committee recommended the lower assessment
rate for the purpose of decreasing the monetary reserve, which is
approximately $83,792. Funds in the reserve must be kept within the
maximum permitted by the order of approximately one fiscal period's
operational expenses (7 CFR 923.42).
The major expenditures recommended by the Committee for the 2007-
2008 fiscal period include $22,500 for administration and data
management fees, $36,500 for Committee expenses such as travel,
accounting and compliance, and $7,600 for office expenses--including
bonds, insurance, telephone, office equipment and supplies. Budgeted
expenses for these items in 2006-2007 were $25,000, $16,200, and
$7,100, respectively. Higher expenses are anticipated this season due
to a producer survey and other regulatory research expenses requested
by the Committee, as well as the associated increase in staff costs.
The assessment rate recommended by the Committee was derived by
dividing anticipated expenses by expected shipments of Washington sweet
cherries. Applying the $0.40 per ton rate of assessment to the
Committee's 120,000 ton crop estimate should provide $48,000 in
assessment income. Income derived from handler assessments, along with
interest income and approximately $23,600 from the Committee's reserve,
should be adequate to cover budgeted expenses. While the monetary
reserve held about $83,792 at the close of the 2006-2007 fiscal period,
the Committee estimates that it will close on March 31, 2008, with
approximately $60,267, given the recommended budget of expenses and the
income expected from the $0.40 assessment rate.
The assessment rate established in this rule will continue in
effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated by USDA
upon recommendation and information submitted by the Committee or other
available information.
Although this assessment rate will be effective for an indefinite
period, the Committee will continue to meet prior to or during each
fiscal period to recommend a budget of expenses and consider
recommendations for modification of the assessment rate. The dates and
times of the Committee's meetings are available from the Committee or
USDA. Committee meetings are open to the public and interested persons
may express their views at these meetings. USDA will evaluate the
Committee's recommendations and other available information to
determine whether modification of the assessment rate is needed.
Further rulemaking will be undertaken as necessary. The Committee's
2007-2008 budget has been reviewed and approved by USDA as will those
for subsequent fiscal periods.
Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Pursuant to requirements set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility
Act (RFA), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has considered the
economic impact of this rule on small entities. Accordingly, AMS has
prepared this final regulatory flexibility analysis.
The purpose of the RFA is to fit regulatory actions to the scale of
business subject to such actions in order that small businesses will
not be unduly or disproportionately burdened. Marketing orders issued
pursuant to the Act, and the rules issued thereunder, are unique in
that they are brought about through group action of essentially small
entities acting on their own behalf.
There are approximately 1,500 cherry producers within the regulated
production area and approximately 53 regulated handlers. Small
agricultural producers are defined by the Small Business Administration
(13 CFR 121.201) as those having annual receipts of less than $750,000,
and small
[[Page 44369]]
agricultural service firms are defined as those whose annual receipts
are less than $6,500,000.
The Washington Agricultural Statistics Service prepared a
preliminary report for the 2006 shipping season showing that the sweet
cherry fresh market utilization of 136,000 tons sold for an average of
$2,000 per ton. Based on the number of producers in the production area
(1,500), the average producer revenue from the sale of sweet cherries
in 2006 can therefore be estimated at approximately $181,333 per year.
In addition, the Committee reports that most of the industry's 53
handlers would have each averaged gross receipts of less than
$6,500,000 from the sale of fresh sweet cherries last season. Thus, the
majority of producers and handlers of Washington sweet cherries may be
classified as small entities.
This rule decreases the assessment rate established for the
Committee and collected from handlers for the 2007-2008 and subsequent
fiscal periods from $0.50 to $0.40 per ton for sweet cherries. The
Committee also unanimously recommended 2007-2008 expenditures of
$71,600. With the 2007-2008 Washington sweet cherry crop estimate of
120,000 tons, the Committee anticipates assessment income of $48,000.
The Committee recommended the assessment rate decrease for the purpose
of decreasing the monetary reserve, which is approximately $83,792.
With this assessment rate and budget, the Committee may need to draw up
to $23,600 from its monetary reserve, thus helping to decrease the
reserve to a level that is less than approximately one fiscal period's
operating expenses, the maximum permitted by the order.
The major expenditures recommended by the Committee for the 2007-
2008 fiscal period include $22,500 for administration and data
management fees, $36,500 for Committee expenses, and $7,600 for office
expenses. Budgeted expenses for these items in 2006-2007 were $25,000,
$16,200, and $7,100, respectively.
The Committee discussed alternatives to this rule. Leaving the
assessment rate at the current $0.50 per ton was initially considered,
but not recommended because of the Committee's desire to decrease the
level of the monetary reserve so that it is not more than approximately
one fiscal period's operational expenses.
A review of historical information and preliminary information
pertaining to the upcoming crop year indicates that the producer price
for the 2007-2008 season could average about $2,000 per ton for fresh
Washington sweet cherries. Therefore, the estimated assessment revenue
for the 2007-2008 fiscal period as a percentage of total producer
revenue is 0.02 percent for Washington sweet cherries.
This action decreases the assessment obligation imposed on
handlers. Assessments are applied uniformly on all handlers, and some
of the costs may be passed on to producers. However, decreasing the
assessment rate reduces the burden on handlers, and may reduce the
burden on producers. In addition, the Committee's meeting was widely
publicized throughout the Washington sweet cherry industry and all
interested persons were invited to attend and participate in Committee
deliberations on all issues. Like all Committee meetings, the May 2,
2007, meeting was a public meeting and all entities, both large and
small, were able to express views on the issues.
This rule imposes no additional reporting or recordkeeping
requirements on either small or large Washington sweet cherry handlers.
As with all Federal marketing order programs, reports and forms are
periodically reviewed to reduce information requirements and
duplication by industry and public sector agencies. Furthermore, USDA
has not identified any relevant Federal rules that duplicate, overlap,
or conflict with this rule.
The AMS is committed to complying with the E-Government Act, to
promote the use of the Internet and other information technologies to
provide increased opportunities for citizen access to Government
information and services, and for other purposes.
A proposed rule regarding this action was published in the Federal
Register on June 20, 2007 (72 FR 33922). Copies of the proposed rule
were made available to the industry by the Committee and through the
Internet by the USDA and the Office of the Federal Register. A 10-day
comment period ending July 2, 2007, was provided for interested persons
to respond to the proposal. No comments were received.
A small business guide on complying with fruit, vegetable, and
specialty crop marketing agreements and order may be viewed at: https://
www.ams.usda.gov/fv/moab.html. Any questions about the compliance guide
should be sent to Jay Guerber at the previously mentioned address in
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
After consideration of all relevant material presented, including
the information and recommendation submitted by the Committee and other
available information, it is hereby found that this rule, as
hereinafter set forth, will tend to effectuate the declared policy of
the Act.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, it is also found and determined that good
cause exists for not postponing the effective date of this rule until
30 days after publication in the Federal Register because: (1) This
rule decreases the assessment rate, and thus also decreases the burden
on handlers; (2) handlers are currently receiving 2007-2008 sweet
cherries from producers; (3) the 2007-2008 fiscal period began on April
1, 2007, and the assessment rate applies to all assessable sweet
cherries handled during this and subsequent fiscal periods; (4)
handlers are aware of this action which was recommended by the
Committee at a public meeting; and (5) a 10-day comment period was
provided for in the proposed rule.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 923
Cherries, Marketing agreements, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
0
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 7 CFR part 923 is amended as
follows:
PART 923--SWEET CHERRIES GROWN IN DESIGNATED COUNTIES IN WASHINGTON
0
1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 923 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601-674.
0
2. Section 923.236 is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 923.236 Assessment rate.
On and after April 1, 2007, an assessment rate of $0.40 per ton is
established for the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee.
Dated: August 2, 2007.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E7-15397 Filed 8-7-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
