Notice of a Public Meeting on Implementation of Title IX, Energy Authorities of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, 50302-50304 [E8-19703]
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50302
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 26, 2008 / Notices
Scoping Process
Public participation will be especially
important at several points during the
analysis. The Forest Service will be
seeking information, comments, and
assistance from Federal, State, and local
agencies and other individuals or
organizations interested in or affected
by the proposed action.
The comment period on the proposed
action will extend 30 days from the date
the Notice of Intent is published in the
Federal Register.
The draft environmental impact
statement is expected to be filed with
the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) and to be available for public
review by June 2009. EPA will publish
a notice of availability of the draft EIS
in the Federal Register. The comment
period on the draft EIS will extend 45
days from the date the EPA notice
appears in the FederalRegister. At that
time, copies of the draft EIS will be
distributed to interested and affected
agencies, organizations, and members of
the public for their review and
comment. It is very important that those
interested in the Tule River Reservation
Protection Project participate at that
time.
The final EIS is scheduled to be
completed in November 2009. In the
final EIS, the Forest Service is required
to respond to substantive comments
received during the comment period
that pertain to the environmental
consequences discussed in the draft EIS
and applicable laws, regulations, and
policies considered in making the
decision. Substantive comments are
defined as ‘‘comments within the scope
of the proposed action, specific to the
proposed action, and have a direct
relationship to the proposed action, and
include supporting reasons for the
responsible official to consider’’ (36 CFR
215.2). Submission of substantive
comments is a prerequisite for eligibility
to appeal under the 36 CFR part 215
regulations.
sroberts on PROD1PC76 with NOTICES
Comment Requested
This notice of intent initiates the
scoping process which guides the
development of the environmental
impact statement.
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.
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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
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
waived or dismissed by the courts. City
of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016,
1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin
Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp.
1334, 1338 (ED. Wis. 1980). Because of
these court rulings, it is very important
that those interested in this proposed
action participate by the close of the 45
day comment period so that substantive
comments and objections are made
available to the Forest Service at a time
when it can meaningfully consider them
and respond to them in the final
environmental impact statement.
To assist the Forest Service in
identifying and considering issues and
concerns on the proposed action,
comments on the draft environmental
impact statement should be as specific
as possible. It is also helpful if
comments refer to specific pages or
chapters of the draft statement.
Comments may also address the
adequacy of the draft environmental
impact statement or the merits of the
alternatives formulated and discussed in
the statement. Reviewers may wish to
refer to the Council on Environmental
Quality Regulations for implementing
the procedural provisions of the
National Environmental PolicyAct at 40
CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points.
Comments received, including the
names and addresses of those who
comment, will be considered part of the
public record on this proposal and will
be available for public inspection.
(Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22;
Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Section
21).
Dated: August 18, 2008.
Tina J. Terrell,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. E8–19621 Filed 8–25–08; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Notice of a Public Meeting on
Implementation of Title IX, Energy
Authorities of the Food, Conservation
and Energy Act of 2008
Rural Business-Cooperative
Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Business and Cooperative
Programs, an Agency in the Rural
Development Mission Area of the
United States Department of
Agriculture, will hold a public meeting
September 4, 2008, entitled ‘‘Expanding
Rural Renewable Energy
Opportunities—Inviting a Dialogue with
the Public on the new authorities of the
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of
2008 (Pub. L. 110–234) (‘‘the Act’’).’’
The purpose of this event is to gather
public comments and suggestions on
how to implement certain new
authorities authorized under Title IX of
the Act.
DATES: The meeting will be held on
Thursday, September 4, 2008.
Registration will start at 8 a.m.; the
program will begin at 8:30 a.m. and
conclude by 4 p.m. Eastern Time.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in
the Jefferson Auditorium, South
Agriculture Building, U.S. Department
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC.
Participants should enter the building
through the 5th wing entrance of the
South Building located on
Independence Avenue between 12th
and 14th Street. Valid photo
identification is required for clearance
by building security personnel.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robin Robinson, Confidential Assistant,
Office of the Administrator, USDA,
Rural Development, Business and
Cooperative Programs, Room 5803,
South Agriculture Building, STOP 3201,
1400 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20250–3201,
Telephone: (202) 690–4730, E-mail:
robin.robinson@wdc.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Specifically, USDA has an interest in
initiating a dialogue on the following
sections of Title IX of the Act:
Section numbers below refer to
sections of the Farm Security and Rural
Investment Act that are amended by
section 9001 of the Food, Conservation,
and Energy Act of 2008.
Section 9003, Biorefinery
Assistance—Provides loan guarantees to
fund the development, construction,
C:\FR\FM\26AUN1.SGM
26AUN1
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 26, 2008 / Notices
and retrofitting of commercial-scale
biorefineries and grants to assist in
paying the cost of the development and
construction of demonstration-scale
biorefineries. The Act provides $75
million in fiscal year (FY) 2009 and
$245 million for FY 2010 for loan
guarantee costs for the financing of
commercial-scaled biorefineries. In
addition, the Act authorizes
appropriated funding of $150 million
for each of FY 2009–2012, for both the
demonstration and commercial scaled
biorefineries.
Section 9004, Repowering
Assistance—Provides for payments to be
made to biorefineries in existence at
time of enactment of the Act to replace
fossil fuels used to produce heat or
power to operate the biorefineries with
renewable biomass. The Act provides
$35 million for FY 2009, to remain
available until expended. In addition,
the Act authorizes additional
appropriated funding in the amount of
$15 million for each of FY 2009–2012.
Section 9005, Bioenergy Program for
Advanced Biofuels—Provides for
payments to be made to eligible
producers to support and ensure an
expanding production of advanced
biofuels. The Act provides $55 million
for FY 2009 and 2010, $85 million for
FY 2011, and $105 million for FY 2012.
In addition, the Act authorizes
appropriated funding in the amount of
$25 million for each of FY 2009–2012.
Section 9007, Rural Energy for
America Program—Expands and
renames the program formerly referred
to as the Renewable Energy Systems and
Energy Efficiency Improvements
Program. Under the expansion,
hydroelectric source technologies will
be added as eligible; energy audits will
be included as eligible costs, and loan
limits will be increased. The Act
provides $55 million for FY 2009, $60
million for FY 2010, and $70 million for
FY 2011 and 2012. In addition, the Act
authorizes additional appropriated
funding in the amount $25 million for
each of FY 2009–2012.
Section 9009, Rural Energy SelfSufficiency Initiative—Provides
financial assistance (grants) for the
purpose of enabling eligible rural
communities to substantially increase
the energy self-sufficiency of the eligible
rural communities. The Act authorizes
appropriated funding in the amount of
$5 million for each of FY 2009–2012.
Section 9011, Biomass Crop
Assistance Program (BCAP)—Provides
support to the establishment and
production of crops for conversion to
bio-energy in project areas and to assist
with collection, harvest, storage, and
transportation of eligible material for
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00:53 Aug 26, 2008
Jkt 214001
use in a biomass conversion facility.
The BCAP will be implemented by the
Farm Service Agency with the support
of other Federal and local agencies.
Section 9012, Forest Biomass for
Energy—The Forest Service is
authorized to conduct a competitive
research and development program to
use forest biomass for energy. Forest
Service R&D and other federal agencies,
state and local governments, Indian
tribes, land-grant colleges and
universities, and private entities are
eligible to compete in the program.
Priority research projects include:
• The use of low-value forest biomass
for energy from forest health and
hazardous fuels reduction treatment.
• The integrated production of energy
from forest biomass into biorefineries or
other existing manufacturing.
• The development of new
transportation fuels from forest biomass.
• The improved growth and yield of
trees for renewable energy production.
The Act authorizes appropriation
funding in the amount $15 million for
each of FY 2009 through 2012.
Section 9013, Community Wood
Energy Program—Reducing the Nation’s
dependence on foreign energy sources
remains a top Administration priority.
USDA Secretary Schafer is committed to
increasing domestic energy production,
including the development of farm- and
forest-based energy sources,
strengthening the economy of rural
America, and reducing our dependence
on imported oil. Program provides
grants to State and local governments to
develop community wood energy plans
and to acquire or upgrade wood energy
systems. The act authorizes
appropriated funding in the amount of
$5 million for each of fiscal years 2009
through 2012.
Instructions for Participation
Although registration is encouraged,
walk-ins will be accommodated to the
extent that space permits. Registered
participants will be given priority for
making presentations prior to walk-ins.
Anyone interested in the Act programs
that support renewable energy
development and energy efficiency
improvements is encouraged to attend
the public meeting. Presentations will
be limited to no more than 10 minutes
in duration. To register and request time
for an oral statement, contact Robin
Robinson, Office of the Administrator,
USDA, Rural Development, Business
and Cooperative Programs, Room 5803
South Agriculture Building, STOP 3201,
1400 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20250–3201;
Telephone: 202–690–4730, E-mail:
robin.robinson@wdc.usda.gov.
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50303
Comments by e-mail should be in an
ASCII file. Written comments should
clearly identify which of the above
referenced sections the comments are
addressing. Anyone may attend without
preregistering.
Anyone intending in making an
electronic presentation must provide
such presentation via e-mail to Robin
Robinson no later than Friday, August
29th and bring a copy of the
presentation with them on a portable
electronic media to the meeting. You
will be notified if USDA does not have
the equipment available to permit you
to make the presentation. Due to
technical problems that can arise, you
are advised to have a backup plan for
making the presentation.
Depending on the level of interest
expressed by the registered participants,
certain blocks of time will be allotted for
oral presentations by referenced
sections mentioned in this notice.
In addition, the Department will
allow written comments to be provided
on the referenced Sections of Title IX of
the Act up to 15 days following the date
of the public meeting. These written
comments should be submitted to Robin
Robinson, Room 5803 SouthAgriculture
Building, STOP 3201, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20250–3201.
Copies of the presentations and any
additional written comments that are
received within the 15 days following
the public meeting will be available for
review at https://www.usda.gov/wps/
portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/
7_0_2KD?navid=FARMBILL2008.
Participants who require a sign
language interpreter or other special
accommodations should contact Robin
Robinson as directed above.
The oral and written information
obtained from interested parties will be
considered in implementing provisions
of Sections 9003, 9004, 9005, 9007,
9009, 9011, 9012, and 9013. In order to
assure that the Act is implemented to
meet constituent needs, USDA, Rural
Development is sponsoring a listening
forum and soliciting written comments
to encourage public comment in
conjunction with Farm Service Agency
and Forest Service participation in
gathering input and comments and in
making recommendations on program
implementation. All comments are
welcome, and no attempt will be made
to establish a consensus.
Non-Discrimination Statement
‘‘The U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) prohibits discrimination in all
its program and activities on the basis
of race, color, national origin, age,
disability, and where applicable, sex,
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50304
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 26, 2008 / Notices
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 Adjudication
andCompliance, 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 15, 2008.
Thomas C. Dorr,
Under Secretary,Rural Development.
[FR Doc. E8–19703 Filed 8–25–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P
appliance shelving and racks (‘‘kitchen
shelving and racks’’). In response to the
Department’s requests, the petitioners
provided timely information
supplementing the petition on August
13 and 15, 2008.
In accordance with section 702(b)(1)
of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended
(‘‘the Act’’), the petitioners allege that
manufacturers, producers, or exporters
of certain kitchen appliance shelving
and racks in the People’s Republic of
China ( the ‘‘PRC’’), receive
countervailable subsidies within the
meaning of section 701 of the Act and
that such imports are materially
injuring, or threatening material injury
to, an industry in the United States.
The Department finds that the
petitioners filed the petition on behalf of
the domestic industry because they are
interested parties as defined in section
771(9)(C) and (D) of the Act and the
petitioners have demonstrated sufficient
industry support with respect to the
countervailing duty investigation (see
‘‘Determination of Industry Support for
the Petition’’ section below).
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Period of Investigation
International Trade Administration
The period of investigation is January
1, 2007, through December 31, 2007.
(C–570–942)
Scope of the Investigation
Notice of Initiation of Countervailing
Duty Investigation: Certain Kitchen
Appliance Shelving and Racks from
the People’s Republic of China
The scope of this investigation
consists of shelving and racks for
refrigerators, freezers, combined
refrigerator–freezers, other refrigerating
or freezing equipment, cooking stoves,
ranges, and ovens (‘‘certain kitchen
appliance shelving and racks’’ or ‘‘the
subject merchandise’’). Certain kitchen
appliance shelving and racks are
defined as shelving, baskets, racks (with
or without extension slides, which are
carbon or stainless steel hardware
devices that are connected to shelving,
baskets, or racks to enable sliding), side
racks (which are welded wire support
structures for oven racks that attach to
the interior walls of an oven cavity that
does not include support ribs as a
design feature), and subframes (which
are welded wire support structures that
interface with formed support ribs
inside an oven cavity to support oven
rack assemblies utilizing extension
slides) with the following dimensions:
—shelving and racks with dimensions
ranging from 3 inches by 5 inches by
0.10 inch to 28 inches by 34 inches by
6 inches; or
—baskets with dimensions ranging from
2 inches by 4 inches by 3 inches to 28
inches by 34 inches by 16 inches; or
—side racks from 6 inches by 8 inches
by 0.1 inch to 16 inches by 30 inches
by 4 inches; or
Import Administration,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
EFFECTIVE DATE: August 26, 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Scott Holland and Yasmin Nair, AD/
CVD Operations, Import
Administration, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230;
telephone: (202) 482–1279 and (202)
482–3813, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
AGENCY:
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The Petition
On July 31, 2008, the Department of
Commerce (the ‘‘Department’’) received
a petition filed in proper form by
Nashville Wire Products Inc., SSW
Holding Company, Inc., United Steel,
Paper and Forestry, Rubber,
Manufacturing, Energy, Allied–
Industrial and Service Workers
International Union, and the
International Association of Machinists
and Aerospace Workers, District Lodge
6 (Clinton, IA) (the ‘‘petitioners’’),
domestic producers of certain kitchen
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—subframes from 6 inches by 10 inches
by 0.1 inch to 28 inches by 34 inches
by 6 inches.
The subject merchandise is comprised
of carbon or stainless steel wire ranging
in thickness from 0.050 inch to 0.500
inch and may include sheet metal of
either carbon or stainless steel ranging
in thickness from 0.020 inch to 0.2 inch.
The subject merchandise may be coated
or uncoated and may be formed and/or
welded. Excluded from the scope of this
investigation is shelving in which the
support surface is glass. The
merchandise subject to this
investigation is currently classifiable in
the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States (‘‘HTSUS’’) statistical
reporting numbers 8418.99.80.50,
7321.90.50.00, 7321.90.60.90 and
8516.90.80.00. Although the HTSUS
subheadings are provided for
convenience and customs purposes, the
written description of the scope of this
investigation is dispositive.
Comments on the Scope of the
Investigation
During our review of the petition, we
discussed the scope with the petitioners
to ensure that it is an accurate reflection
of the products for which the domestic
industry is seeking relief. Moreover, as
discussed in the preamble to the
regulations (Antidumping Duties;
Countervailing Duties, 62 FR 27296,
27323 (May 19, 1997)), we are setting
aside a period for interested parties to
raise issues regarding product coverage.
The Department encourages all
interested parties to submit such
comments within 20 calendar days of
the publication of this notice.
Comments should be addressed to
Import Administration’s Central
Records Unit (‘‘CRU’’), Room 1117, U.S.
Department of Commerce, 14th Street
and Constitution Avenue, NW,
Washington, DC 20230. The period of
scope consultations is intended to
provide the Department with ample
opportunity to consider all comments
and to consult with parties prior to the
issuance of the preliminary
determination.
Consultations
Pursuant to section 702(b)(4)(A)(ii) of
the Act, the Department invited
representatives of the Government of the
PRC for consultations with respect to
the countervailing duty petition. The
Department held these consultations in
Beijing, China, with representatives of
the Government of the PRC on August
15, 2008. See the Memorandum to The
File, entitled, ‘‘Consultations with
Officials from the Government of the
People’s Republic of China’’ (August 15,
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 166 (Tuesday, August 26, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50302-50304]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-19703]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Notice of a Public Meeting on Implementation of Title IX, Energy
Authorities of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Business and Cooperative Programs, an Agency in the Rural
Development Mission Area of the United States Department of
Agriculture, will hold a public meeting September 4, 2008, entitled
``Expanding Rural Renewable Energy Opportunities--Inviting a Dialogue
with the Public on the new authorities of the Food, Conservation, and
Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-234) (``the Act'').'' The purpose of
this event is to gather public comments and suggestions on how to
implement certain new authorities authorized under Title IX of the Act.
DATES: The meeting will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2008.
Registration will start at 8 a.m.; the program will begin at 8:30 a.m.
and conclude by 4 p.m. Eastern Time.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Jefferson Auditorium, South
Agriculture Building, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. Participants should enter the building
through the 5th wing entrance of the South Building located on
Independence Avenue between 12th and 14th Street. Valid photo
identification is required for clearance by building security
personnel.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robin Robinson, Confidential
Assistant, Office of the Administrator, USDA, Rural Development,
Business and Cooperative Programs, Room 5803, South Agriculture
Building, STOP 3201, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
20250-3201, Telephone: (202) 690-4730, E-mail:
robin.robinson@wdc.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Specifically, USDA has an interest in
initiating a dialogue on the following sections of Title IX of the Act:
Section numbers below refer to sections of the Farm Security and
Rural Investment Act that are amended by section 9001 of the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.
Section 9003, Biorefinery Assistance--Provides loan guarantees to
fund the development, construction,
[[Page 50303]]
and retrofitting of commercial-scale biorefineries and grants to assist
in paying the cost of the development and construction of
demonstration-scale biorefineries. The Act provides $75 million in
fiscal year (FY) 2009 and $245 million for FY 2010 for loan guarantee
costs for the financing of commercial-scaled biorefineries. In
addition, the Act authorizes appropriated funding of $150 million for
each of FY 2009-2012, for both the demonstration and commercial scaled
biorefineries.
Section 9004, Repowering Assistance--Provides for payments to be
made to biorefineries in existence at time of enactment of the Act to
replace fossil fuels used to produce heat or power to operate the
biorefineries with renewable biomass. The Act provides $35 million for
FY 2009, to remain available until expended. In addition, the Act
authorizes additional appropriated funding in the amount of $15 million
for each of FY 2009-2012.
Section 9005, Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels--Provides for
payments to be made to eligible producers to support and ensure an
expanding production of advanced biofuels. The Act provides $55 million
for FY 2009 and 2010, $85 million for FY 2011, and $105 million for FY
2012. In addition, the Act authorizes appropriated funding in the
amount of $25 million for each of FY 2009-2012.
Section 9007, Rural Energy for America Program--Expands and renames
the program formerly referred to as the Renewable Energy Systems and
Energy Efficiency Improvements Program. Under the expansion,
hydroelectric source technologies will be added as eligible; energy
audits will be included as eligible costs, and loan limits will be
increased. The Act provides $55 million for FY 2009, $60 million for FY
2010, and $70 million for FY 2011 and 2012. In addition, the Act
authorizes additional appropriated funding in the amount $25 million
for each of FY 2009-2012.
Section 9009, Rural Energy Self-Sufficiency Initiative--Provides
financial assistance (grants) for the purpose of enabling eligible
rural communities to substantially increase the energy self-sufficiency
of the eligible rural communities. The Act authorizes appropriated
funding in the amount of $5 million for each of FY 2009-2012.
Section 9011, Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP)--Provides
support to the establishment and production of crops for conversion to
bio-energy in project areas and to assist with collection, harvest,
storage, and transportation of eligible material for use in a biomass
conversion facility. The BCAP will be implemented by the Farm Service
Agency with the support of other Federal and local agencies.
Section 9012, Forest Biomass for Energy--The Forest Service is
authorized to conduct a competitive research and development program to
use forest biomass for energy. Forest Service R&D and other federal
agencies, state and local governments, Indian tribes, land-grant
colleges and universities, and private entities are eligible to compete
in the program. Priority research projects include:
The use of low-value forest biomass for energy from forest
health and hazardous fuels reduction treatment.
The integrated production of energy from forest biomass
into biorefineries or other existing manufacturing.
The development of new transportation fuels from forest
biomass.
The improved growth and yield of trees for renewable
energy production.
The Act authorizes appropriation funding in the amount $15 million
for each of FY 2009 through 2012.
Section 9013, Community Wood Energy Program--Reducing the Nation's
dependence on foreign energy sources remains a top Administration
priority. USDA Secretary Schafer is committed to increasing domestic
energy production, including the development of farm- and forest-based
energy sources, strengthening the economy of rural America, and
reducing our dependence on imported oil. Program provides grants to
State and local governments to develop community wood energy plans and
to acquire or upgrade wood energy systems. The act authorizes
appropriated funding in the amount of $5 million for each of fiscal
years 2009 through 2012.
Instructions for Participation
Although registration is encouraged, walk-ins will be accommodated
to the extent that space permits. Registered participants will be given
priority for making presentations prior to walk-ins. Anyone interested
in the Act programs that support renewable energy development and
energy efficiency improvements is encouraged to attend the public
meeting. Presentations will be limited to no more than 10 minutes in
duration. To register and request time for an oral statement, contact
Robin Robinson, Office of the Administrator, USDA, Rural Development,
Business and Cooperative Programs, Room 5803 South Agriculture
Building, STOP 3201, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
20250-3201; Telephone: 202-690-4730, E-mail:
robin.robinson@wdc.usda.gov. Comments by e-mail should be in an ASCII
file. Written comments should clearly identify which of the above
referenced sections the comments are addressing. Anyone may attend
without preregistering.
Anyone intending in making an electronic presentation must provide
such presentation via e-mail to Robin Robinson no later than Friday,
August 29th and bring a copy of the presentation with them on a
portable electronic media to the meeting. You will be notified if USDA
does not have the equipment available to permit you to make the
presentation. Due to technical problems that can arise, you are advised
to have a backup plan for making the presentation.
Depending on the level of interest expressed by the registered
participants, certain blocks of time will be allotted for oral
presentations by referenced sections mentioned in this notice.
In addition, the Department will allow written comments to be
provided on the referenced Sections of Title IX of the Act up to 15
days following the date of the public meeting. These written comments
should be submitted to Robin Robinson, Room 5803 SouthAgriculture
Building, STOP 3201, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
20250-3201.
Copies of the presentations and any additional written comments
that are received within the 15 days following the public meeting will
be available for review at https://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/--s.7--
0--A/7--0--2KD?navid=FARMBILL2008.
Participants who require a sign language interpreter or other
special accommodations should contact Robin Robinson as directed above.
The oral and written information obtained from interested parties
will be considered in implementing provisions of Sections 9003, 9004,
9005, 9007, 9009, 9011, 9012, and 9013. In order to assure that the Act
is implemented to meet constituent needs, USDA, Rural Development is
sponsoring a listening forum and soliciting written comments to
encourage public comment in conjunction with Farm Service Agency and
Forest Service participation in gathering input and comments and in
making recommendations on program implementation. All comments are
welcome, and no attempt will be made to establish a consensus.
Non-Discrimination Statement
``The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits
discrimination in all its program and activities on the basis of race,
color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex,
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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 Adjudication andCompliance, 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 15, 2008.
Thomas C. Dorr,
Under Secretary,Rural Development.
[FR Doc. E8-19703 Filed 8-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P
