Conservation Reserve Program; Critical Feed Use, 31053-31054 [E8-12054]

Download as PDF sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 105 / Friday, May 30, 2008 / Notices Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: Congress enacted the Egg Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1031–1056 (EPIA)) to provide, in part, a mandatory inspection program to control the disposition of dirty and checked shell eggs; to control unwholesome, adulterated, and inedible shell eggs that are unfit for human consumption; and to control the movement and disposition of imported shell eggs. The EPIA authorizes the Department to issue regulations, to assure that only eggs fit for human food are used for such purposes. Under the shell egg surveillance program, shell egg handlers are required to register with USDA. Quarterly, a State or Federal surveillance inspector visits each registered handler to verify that shell eggs packed for consumer use are in compliance, that restricted eggs are being disposed of properly, and that adequate records are being maintained. The information and recordkeeping requirements in this request are essential to carry out the intent of the Congress, to administer the mandatory inspection program, and to take regulatory action, in accordance with the regulations and the EPIA. The forms within this collection package require the minimum information necessary to effectively carry out the requirements of the regulations, and their use is necessary to fulfill the intent of the EPIA. The information collected is used only by authorized representatives: AMS, Poultry Programs’ national staff; regional directors and their staffs; Federal-State supervisors and their staffs; and resident Federal-State graders, which include State agencies. The information is used to assure compliance with the EPIA and the regulations and to facilitate regulatory action. The Agency is the primary user of the information; secondary users include each authorized State agency having a cooperative agreement with AMS. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.29 hours per response. Respondents: State or local governments, businesses or other forprofit, Federal agencies or employees, small businesses or organizations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 864. Estimated Number of Responses: 5,223. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 6.04. VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:52 May 29, 2008 Jkt 214001 Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,529.63 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 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: David Bowden, Jr., Chief, Standards, Promotion & Technology Branch; Poultry Programs, AMS, U.S. Department of Agriculture; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0259; Washington, DC 20250–0259. All comments received will be available for public inspection during regular business hours at the above address and may be viewed at https:// www.regulations.gov. 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. Dated: May 23, 2008. Douglas C. Bailey, Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. E8–12053 Filed 5–29–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Commodity Credit Corporation Conservation Reserve Program; Critical Feed Use Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA. ACTION: Notice of Voluntary Modification of Conservation Reserve Program Contract. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces the opportunity to allow Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participants with certain established vegetative cover to voluntarily modify the CRP contract to utilize certain CRP land enrolled for a critical feed use this year without a rental reduction. Producers will be required to obtain a modified conservation plan to include, among PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 31053 other things, haying or grazing of the established cover. DATES: This modification to the CRP contract will be available beginning June 2, 2008. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beverly J. Preston, Program Manager, Conservation Reserve Program, USDA/ FSA/CEPD/Stop 0513, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250–0513, (202) 720–9563, or e-mail at: Beverly.Preston@wdc.usda.gov. More detailed information on CRP may be obtained from FSA’s Web site: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp? area=home&subject=copr&topic=crp. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: CRP was authorized by the Food Security Act of 1985 [16 U.S.C. 3801– 3862], as amended. It is operated by CCC through the Farm Service Agency (FSA) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA). CRP is a voluntary program to cost-effectively assist producers in conserving and improving soil, water, and wildlife resources by converting highly erodible and other environmentally-sensitive acreage to a long-term vegetative cover. CRP participants enroll land under contracts for 10 to 15 years in exchange for annual rental payments and financial assistance to install certain conservation practices and maintain vegetative or tree covers. Enrollment authority in the CRP is 39.2 million acres. Enrollment as of April 1, 2008, is 34.7 million acres. This notice is intended to advise CRP participants that they may request a contract modification to allow for this year a special, one-time, critical feed use of the property under contract, without a rental rate reduction. Such contract modifications are authorized by 16 U.S.C. 3835(c). Participants that request a voluntary modification to the CRP contract to allow this critical feed use must obtain a modified conservation plan for haying and grazing management according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service Field Office Technical Guide haying and grazing standards. The critical feed use activity on the property must be completed by November 10, 2008. The modified conservation plan will provide for haying or grazing in a manner that is consistent with the conservation goals of the CRP to reduce soil erosion and enhance water quality and wildlife habitat. Haying and grazing must be conducted in a manner that limits the scope, frequency and duration of the activity and provides unhayed and ungrazed acreage for wildlife. To ensure the protection of the resources, critical E:\FR\FM\30MYN1.SGM 30MYN1 31054 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 105 / Friday, May 30, 2008 / Notices feed use is not authorized during the primary nesting or brood-rearing season. Participants who request a voluntary modification of the CRP contract for a critical feed use will be subject to compliance reviews. Producers will be required to pay an administrative fee of $75 for this modification. Prices for most field crops have advanced to record or near record levels in recent months, reflecting strong demand, tight supplies, and competition for acres. Higher grain prices are affecting the livestock sector by raising production costs. At the same time, harvested hay acres are expected to drop from 61,625,000 in 2007 to 60,583,000 in 2008. This action differs from emergency haying and grazing allowances made in response to emergency conditions such as natural disasters. Rather, this allowance, by contract modification, reflects the general reserve nature of the overall program. Accordingly, as described above, FSA is allowing voluntary modifications of CRP contracts to utilize CRP lands for critical feed use. Further information will be available at FSA offices. Signed at Washington, DC, on May 22, 2008. Glen Z. Keppy, Acting Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation. [FR Doc. E8–12054 Filed 5–29–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–05–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Salmon-Challis National Forest, Idaho; Salmon-Challis National Forest Travel Management Plan and Off-highway Vehicle Designation Forest Service, USDA. Revised Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. AGENCY: sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES ACTION: Responsible Official SUMMARY: On August 3, 2007 (72 FR 43223), the USDA, Forest Service published in the Federal Register a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an environmental impact statement to designate a portion of the National Forest roads, trails, and areas open to public motor vehicle use on the SalmonChallis National Forest (SCNF), and assign the type of use(s) and season of use allowed on each road and trail or portion thereof. The Forest Service is revising the proposed action to correct inconsistencies with the Salmon National Forest and Challis National Forest Land and Resource Management VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:52 May 29, 2008 Jkt 214001 plans, correct errors in the mileages of roads and motorized trails described in the original proposed action, and announce a 60-day public comment period, rather than a 45-day public comment period on the Draft EIS. DATES: Written comments concerning the revised proposed action should be received by June 13, 2008. The draft environmental impact statement is expected to be released in July 2008 and the final environmental impact statement is expected in March 2009. ADDRESSES: Send or e-mail written comments to Salmon-Challis National Forest, ATTN: Travel Management Planning, 1206 South Challis Street, Salmon, ID 83467; e-mail commentsintermtn-salmon-challis@fs.fed.us. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Gallogly, Travel Planning Team Leader, Salmon-Challis National Forest, 1206 South Challis Street, Salmon, ID 83467. Telephone: (208) 756–5103. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Further information about the proposal can be found in the original NOI published in the Federal Register, Vol. 72, No.149, pp. 43223–43225, on August 3, 2007. This Revised Notice of Intent modifies the proposed action as defined in the original Notice of Intent to correct the proposed miles of designated roads from about 3,400 miles to about 2,300 miles and about 1,100 miles of motorized trails to about 900 miles. The revised proposed action also corrects project inconsistencies with the Salmon National and the Challis National Forest Land and Resource Management plans and announces a 60-day public comment period on the Draft EIS. Maps and data tables displaying the roads and motorized trails proposed for designation in the revised proposed action and a list of changes from the original proposed action are posted on the SCNF Web site at: https:// www.fs.fed.us/r4/sc/. William A. Wood, Supervisor, Salmon-Challis National Forest, Headquarters Office, 1206 South Challis Street, Salmon, Idaho 83467, is the responsible official for making the decision and providing direction for the analysis. Nature of Decision To Be Made Based on the purpose and need for the proposal, the Forest Supervisor will evaluate the revised proposed action and other alternatives to decide which roads, trails and areas will be designated as open to the public for motorized use and the allowed season and/or type of PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 use for those routes open to motorized travel. Federal land managers are directed (Executive Order 11644, 36 CFR 212 and 43 CFR 8342.1) to ensure that the use of motorized vehicles and off-road vehicles will be controlled and directed so as to protect the resources of those lands, to promote the safety of users, minimize conflicts among the the various uses of federal lands, and to provide for public use of roads and trails designated as open. Scoping Process In August 2007, the Forest Service issued an earlier version of the proposed action. Many public comments requesting better quality and more accurate proposed action maps were received. During the fall and winter of 2007–2008, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and associated databases were upgraded and refined to improve the quality and accuracy of the maps and information needed for detailed analysis. As a result, errors in the mileages of roads and motorized trails described in the proposed action and inconsistencies with direction in the forest plans were discovered. Public comment received during the initial scoping period along with resourcerelated input from the interdisciplinary team and other agency resource specialists was used to identify a set of issues to carry forward into the environmental analysis. Comment Requested This notice of intent initiates the final phase of the scoping process which guides the development of the EIS. The Forest Service is requesting any new scoping comments related to the revised proposed action and its potential effects on the quality of the human environment. All comments received during the initial comment period (April 2006–March 2007) are being retained and considered as potentially relevant to the revised proposed action; such comments do not need to be resubmitted unless there are changes or additions. Any new or additional comments about the revised proposed action would be most useful if received by June 13, 2008. Persons and organizations commenting during the intitial scoping will be maintained on the mailing list for future information about Salmon-Challis National Forest Travel Management Planning. Early Notice of Importance of Public Participation in Subsequent Environmental Review A draft environmental impact statement will be prepared for comment E:\FR\FM\30MYN1.SGM 30MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 105 (Friday, May 30, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31053-31054]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-12054]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation


Conservation Reserve Program; Critical Feed Use

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Voluntary Modification of Conservation Reserve 
Program Contract.

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

SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces the 
opportunity to allow Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participants 
with certain established vegetative cover to voluntarily modify the CRP 
contract to utilize certain CRP land enrolled for a critical feed use 
this year without a rental reduction. Producers will be required to 
obtain a modified conservation plan to include, among other things, 
haying or grazing of the established cover.

DATES: This modification to the CRP contract will be available 
beginning June 2, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beverly J. Preston, Program Manager, 
Conservation Reserve Program, USDA/FSA/CEPD/Stop 0513, 1400 
Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-0513, (202) 720-9563, or 
e-mail at: Beverly.Preston@wdc.usda.gov. More detailed information on 
CRP may be obtained from FSA's Web site:  https://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/
webapp?area=home&subject=copr&topic=crp.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    CRP was authorized by the Food Security Act of 1985 [16 U.S.C. 
3801-3862], as amended. It is operated by CCC through the Farm Service 
Agency (FSA) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA). CRP is a 
voluntary program to cost-effectively assist producers in conserving 
and improving soil, water, and wildlife resources by converting highly 
erodible and other environmentally-sensitive acreage to a long-term 
vegetative cover. CRP participants enroll land under contracts for 10 
to 15 years in exchange for annual rental payments and financial 
assistance to install certain conservation practices and maintain 
vegetative or tree covers. Enrollment authority in the CRP is 39.2 
million acres. Enrollment as of April 1, 2008, is 34.7 million acres.
    This notice is intended to advise CRP participants that they may 
request a contract modification to allow for this year a special, one-
time, critical feed use of the property under contract, without a 
rental rate reduction. Such contract modifications are authorized by 16 
U.S.C. 3835(c). Participants that request a voluntary modification to 
the CRP contract to allow this critical feed use must obtain a modified 
conservation plan for haying and grazing management according to the 
Natural Resources Conservation Service Field Office Technical Guide 
haying and grazing standards. The critical feed use activity on the 
property must be completed by November 10, 2008. The modified 
conservation plan will provide for haying or grazing in a manner that 
is consistent with the conservation goals of the CRP to reduce soil 
erosion and enhance water quality and wildlife habitat.
    Haying and grazing must be conducted in a manner that limits the 
scope, frequency and duration of the activity and provides unhayed and 
ungrazed acreage for wildlife. To ensure the protection of the 
resources, critical

[[Page 31054]]

feed use is not authorized during the primary nesting or brood-rearing 
season. Participants who request a voluntary modification of the CRP 
contract for a critical feed use will be subject to compliance reviews. 
Producers will be required to pay an administrative fee of $75 for this 
modification.
    Prices for most field crops have advanced to record or near record 
levels in recent months, reflecting strong demand, tight supplies, and 
competition for acres. Higher grain prices are affecting the livestock 
sector by raising production costs. At the same time, harvested hay 
acres are expected to drop from 61,625,000 in 2007 to 60,583,000 in 
2008.
    This action differs from emergency haying and grazing allowances 
made in response to emergency conditions such as natural disasters. 
Rather, this allowance, by contract modification, reflects the general 
reserve nature of the overall program. Accordingly, as described above, 
FSA is allowing voluntary modifications of CRP contracts to utilize CRP 
lands for critical feed use. Further information will be available at 
FSA offices.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on May 22, 2008.
Glen Z. Keppy,
Acting Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
 [FR Doc. E8-12054 Filed 5-29-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P

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