Farm Storage Facility Loan Program; Public Meetings, 14768-14769 [E9-7243]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 61 / Wednesday, April 1, 2009 / Notices
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
E-mail: Roadmap@osec.usda.gov.
Include REE–2009–0001 in the subject
line of the message.
Fax: (202) 690–1677.
Mail: Paper, disk or CD–ROM
submissions should be submitted to:
Michele Simmons; Research, Education,
and Extension Office (REEO); U.S.
Department of Agriculture; Mail Stop
0114; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.;
Washington, DC 20250–0114.
Hand Delivery/Courier: Michele
Simmons; Research, Education, and
Extension Office (REEO); U.S.
Department of Agriculture; Room 3858–
S; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.;
Washington, DC 20250–0114.
Instructions: All submissions received
must include the title ‘‘Roadmap’’ and
REE–2009–0001. All comments received
will be posted to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michele Simmons, (202) 720–1777
(phone), (202) 690–1677 (fax), or
Roadmap@osec.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Additional Comment Procedures
Information on the REEO and
Roadmap is available for review at
https://www.ree.usda.gov. Written
comments must be received by 5 p.m.
EST, May 31, 2009, to be considered.
All comments, when they become
available, may be reviewed on the REE
Web page for six months.
Background and Purpose
The preparation of the roadmap for
agricultural research, education, and
extension is mandated in section 7504
of the Food, Conservation, and Energy
Act (FCEA) of 2008, (Pub. L. 110–246,
7 U.S.C. 7614a. The Secretary, acting
through the Under Secretary for
Research, Education, and Education
(Under Secretary), will prepare the
Roadmap. The Secretary will implement
and use the Roadmap to set the
agricultural research, education, and
extension agenda of the Department of
Agriculture.
The Under Secretary is also the Chief
Scientist for USDA, responsible for the
coordination of the research, education,
and extension activities of the
Department. [7 U.S.C. 6971(c)]. The
Research, Education, and Extension
Office (REEO) recently organized within
the Office of the Under Secretary is the
office that provides such coordination,
per 7 U.S.C. #6971(e)(1). Therefore the
Office of the Chief Scientist and Under
VerDate Nov<24>2008
17:46 Mar 31, 2009
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Secretary is inviting input on the
Roadmap to be provided to the REEO by
all interested parties from the Federal
Government and nongovernmental
entities.
The Roadmap will identify current
trends and constraints and major
opportunities and gaps that no single
entity within the Department of
Agriculture would be able to address
individually. Stakeholder input is
encouraged on any and all aspects of the
development and implementation of the
Roadmap, including responses to the
following questions:
1. What types of current and future
critical issues (including those affecting
citizens, communities and natural
resources) does agriculture face that no
USDA entity could address
individually?
2. What criteria should USDA use to
prioritize agricultural science (i.e.,
research, education, and extension)
investments to address these issues?
3. How might USDA better coordinate
agricultural sciences among its various
agencies and with its partners?
4. What are some examples where
agricultural sciences are successfully
coordinated for maximum benefit? Why
are they successful?
5. What are some examples where
agricultural sciences are not coordinated
effectively? Why is coordination
lacking? What are the barriers?
6. What else might USDA do to
improve coordination of science;
enhance USDA’s ability to identify
issues and prioritize investments; and
elevate its role in science
implementation and coordination?
Implementation Plans
The Under Secretary and the REEO
plan to consider stakeholder input
received from written comments in
developing the Roadmap. The Secretary
will make the Roadmap available to the
public, with an expected publication
date of not later than September 16,
2009.
Done at Washington, DC, this 4th day of
March, 2009.
Katherine Smith,
Acting Deputy Under Secretary, Research,
Education, and Economics.
[FR Doc. E9–7252 Filed 3–31–09; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Commodity Credit Corporation
Farm Service Agency
RIN 0560–AH60
Farm Storage Facility Loan Program;
Public Meetings
AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation
and Farm Service Agency, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of public meetings and
request for comments.
SUMMARY: The Farm Service Agency
(FSA), on behalf of the Commodity
Credit Corporation (CCC), is holding
public meetings to solicit comments on
the Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL)
Program. The comments received at the
public meetings will be considered in
the development and preparation of a
Programmatic Environmental
Assessment (PEA) for FSFL. The
purpose of the PEA is to assist in
providing USDA decision-makers and
the public with an analysis of the
environmental benefits and potential
impacts associated with implementing
various changes to FSFL consistent with
the Food, Conservation and Energy Act
of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill). CCC
administers the FSFL program and is
now conducting a comprehensive
review of the current policies,
achievements, and potential future
program changes. The meetings provide
an opportunity for the public to voice
any concerns they may have about the
program and any ideas for improving it
in the future consistent with the 2008
Farm Bill.
DATES: Public meetings: The public
meetings will be held on April 14, 2009,
Kansas City, KS, and April 15, 2009,
Cleveland, OH.
Comments: We will consider
comments that we receive by May 13,
2009. We will consider comments
submitted after that date, to the extent
possible.
ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit
comments on the Farm Storage Facility
Loan Program and to participate in the
public meetings. The public meeting
locations are:
1. Kansas City—Hilton Garden Inn
Kansas City (McCarthy Gallery), 520
Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, KS
66101.
2. Cleveland—Hilton Garden Inn
Cleveland Downtown (Edison 1 Room),
1100 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland OH
44115.
You may also submit comments by
any of the following methods:
E:\FR\FM\01APN1.SGM
01APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 61 / Wednesday, April 1, 2009 / Notices
• Mail: FSFL PEA, Geo-Marine
Incorporated, 2713 Magruder Blvd.,
Suite D, Hampton, VA 23666–1572.
• Internet: Access https://public.geomarine.com.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Matthew T. Ponish, National
Environmental Compliance Manager,
USDA, FSA, CEPD, Stop 0513, 1400
Independence Ave., SW., Washington,
DC 20250–0513, (202) 720–6853, or email at: Matthew.Ponish@wdc.usda.gov.
The FSFL
program provides, through the FSA
county offices, low-interest loans to
eligible producers for constructing onfarm storage facilities for the
commodities they produce. Since the
FSFL Program was reestablished in May
2000, FSA has disbursed
$731,453,541.46 in facility loans to over
18,600 producers to build or upgrade
storage and handling facilities for
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
562,493,806 bushels of on-farm grain
storage.
The 2008 Farm Bill (Pub. L. 110–246)
includes several changes to the FSFL
program. The 2008 Farm Bill adds hay
and renewable biomass as eligible FSFL
commodities; extends the maximum
loan term to 12 years; increases the
maximum loan amount to $500,000; and
allows for one partial loan disbursement
and the final disbursement. The 2008
Farm Bill also clarifies the loan security
requirements. The 2008 Farm Bill gives
the USDA Secretary discretionary
authority to determine other eligible
commodities. CCC is looking into the
following questions and options:
• Defining the eligible structures for
new commodities,
• Handling portions of FSFL
structures not used for FSFL storage,
• Defining the purpose of FSFL
facilities, and
• Further securing loans with no
resale collateral value.
14769
Changes to the FSFL program will be
implemented through rulemaking. More
detailed information on FSFL is
available on FSA’s Web site at: https://
www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=
home&subject=prsu&topic=flp-fp.
Public Participation
To increase public involvement and
provide additional opportunities to
comment, FSA is holding two public
scoping meetings to provide information
and opportunities for discussing the
issues and the proposed alternatives to
be covered in the PEA. Consistent with
the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321–4347, the PEA
will analyze the environmental benefits
and potential impacts associated with
implementing the changes to FSFL as
required by the 2008 Farm Bill. The two
National meetings will be held on the
following dates and locations:
Date
Time
Location information
April 14, 2009 ............
5–8 p.m. ....................
April 15, 2009 ............
5–8 p.m. ....................
Hilton Garden Inn Kansas City in the McCarthy Gallery, 520 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City,
Kansas 66101; Phone 913–342–7900; Free parking.
Hilton Garden Inn Cleveland Downtown, in Edison 1 Room, 1100 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland,
OH 44115; Phone: 216–658–6400.
Additional information about the
public scoping meetings, including
directions and how to provide
comments, is available at: https://
public.geo-marine.com.
A Final Programmatic Environmental
Assessment (PEA) will be available from
FSA or Geo-Marine Incorporated using
the contact information included above.
Signed in Washington, DC, on March 26,
2009.
Robert Stephenson,
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency,
and Executive Vice President, Commodity
Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. E9–7243 Filed 3–31–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–05–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farm Service Agency
Information Collection; Request for
Aerial Photography
Farm Service Agency, USDA.
Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Farm Service Agency (FSA) is
requesting comments from all interested
individuals and organizations on a
revision of a currently approved
VerDate Nov<24>2008
17:46 Mar 31, 2009
Jkt 217001
information collection, Request for
Aerial Photography. The revision adds
two new collections to the existing
information collection. The new Aerial
Photography Field Office (APFO)
Service Quality Survey will be provided
to the customers who purchased the
aerial photography and the collected
information will be used to improve the
products and services. The new APFO
Custom Digital Print Request will be
available to the producers, ranchers and
other customers to place a special order
for aerial custom digital print.
DATES: We will consider comments that
we receive by June 1, 2009.
ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit
comments on this notice. In your
comments, include the date, volume
and page number of this issue of the
Federal Register. You may submit
comments by any of the following
methods:
• Mail: David Parry, Supervisor,
USDA, Farm Service Agency, APFO
Customer Service Section, 2222 West
2300 South Salt Lake City, Utah 84119–
2020.
• E-mail: david.parry@slc.usda.gov.
• Fax: 801–956–3653.
You may also send comments to the
Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget,
Washington, DC 20503.
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4703
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Copies of the information collection
may be obtained from David Parry at the
above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Parry, Supervisor, APFO
Customer Service Section, (801) 844–
2922.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Request for Aerial Photography.
OMB Control Number: 0560–0176.
Type of Request: Revision.
Abstract: This information collection
is needed to enable the Department of
Agriculture to effectively administer the
Aerial Photography Program. The Aerial
Photography Field Office (APFO) has
the authority to coordinate aerial
photography, remote sensing programs
and the aerial photography flying
contract programs. The digital and film
imagery secured by FSA is public
domain and reproductions are available
at cost to any customer with a need. All
information regarding the use of aerial
photography products and services are
retained by FSA.
The following two new collections
will be added to the currently approved
information collection. The APFO
Service Quality Survey will be given to
the customers to obtain feedback on
aerial imagery products and services
when they purchase the aerial
photography. The collected information
from the survey will be used to improve
E:\FR\FM\01APN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 61 (Wednesday, April 1, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14768-14769]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-7243]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Commodity Credit Corporation
Farm Service Agency
RIN 0560-AH60
Farm Storage Facility Loan Program; Public Meetings
AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation and Farm Service Agency, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of public meetings and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Farm Service Agency (FSA), on behalf of the Commodity
Credit Corporation (CCC), is holding public meetings to solicit
comments on the Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) Program. The comments
received at the public meetings will be considered in the development
and preparation of a Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for
FSFL. The purpose of the PEA is to assist in providing USDA decision-
makers and the public with an analysis of the environmental benefits
and potential impacts associated with implementing various changes to
FSFL consistent with the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (the
2008 Farm Bill). CCC administers the FSFL program and is now conducting
a comprehensive review of the current policies, achievements, and
potential future program changes. The meetings provide an opportunity
for the public to voice any concerns they may have about the program
and any ideas for improving it in the future consistent with the 2008
Farm Bill.
DATES: Public meetings: The public meetings will be held on April 14,
2009, Kansas City, KS, and April 15, 2009, Cleveland, OH.
Comments: We will consider comments that we receive by May 13,
2009. We will consider comments submitted after that date, to the
extent possible.
ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on the Farm Storage
Facility Loan Program and to participate in the public meetings. The
public meeting locations are:
1. Kansas City--Hilton Garden Inn Kansas City (McCarthy Gallery),
520 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66101.
2. Cleveland--Hilton Garden Inn Cleveland Downtown (Edison 1 Room),
1100 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland OH 44115.
You may also submit comments by any of the following methods:
[[Page 14769]]
Mail: FSFL PEA, Geo-Marine Incorporated, 2713 Magruder
Blvd., Suite D, Hampton, VA 23666-1572.
Internet: Access https://public.geo-marine.com.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew T. Ponish, National
Environmental Compliance Manager, USDA, FSA, CEPD, Stop 0513, 1400
Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-0513, (202) 720-6853, or
e-mail at: Matthew.Ponish@wdc.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FSFL program provides, through the FSA
county offices, low-interest loans to eligible producers for
constructing on-farm storage facilities for the commodities they
produce. Since the FSFL Program was reestablished in May 2000, FSA has
disbursed $731,453,541.46 in facility loans to over 18,600 producers to
build or upgrade storage and handling facilities for 562,493,806
bushels of on-farm grain storage.
The 2008 Farm Bill (Pub. L. 110-246) includes several changes to
the FSFL program. The 2008 Farm Bill adds hay and renewable biomass as
eligible FSFL commodities; extends the maximum loan term to 12 years;
increases the maximum loan amount to $500,000; and allows for one
partial loan disbursement and the final disbursement. The 2008 Farm
Bill also clarifies the loan security requirements. The 2008 Farm Bill
gives the USDA Secretary discretionary authority to determine other
eligible commodities. CCC is looking into the following questions and
options:
Defining the eligible structures for new commodities,
Handling portions of FSFL structures not used for FSFL
storage,
Defining the purpose of FSFL facilities, and
Further securing loans with no resale collateral value.
Changes to the FSFL program will be implemented through rulemaking.
More detailed information on FSFL is available on FSA's Web site at:
https://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=prsu&topic=flp-fp.
Public Participation
To increase public involvement and provide additional opportunities
to comment, FSA is holding two public scoping meetings to provide
information and opportunities for discussing the issues and the
proposed alternatives to be covered in the PEA. Consistent with the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347, the PEA
will analyze the environmental benefits and potential impacts
associated with implementing the changes to FSFL as required by the
2008 Farm Bill. The two National meetings will be held on the following
dates and locations:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Location
Date Time information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 14, 2009............. 5-8 p.m................... Hilton Garden
Inn Kansas
City in the
McCarthy
Gallery, 520
Minnesota
Avenue, Kansas
City, Kansas
66101; Phone
913-342-7900;
Free parking.
April 15, 2009............. 5-8 p.m................... Hilton Garden
Inn Cleveland
Downtown, in
Edison 1 Room,
1100 Carnegie
Avenue,
Cleveland, OH
44115; Phone:
216-658-6400.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional information about the public scoping meetings, including
directions and how to provide comments, is available at: https://public.geo-marine.com.
A Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) will be
available from FSA or Geo-Marine Incorporated using the contact
information included above.
Signed in Washington, DC, on March 26, 2009.
Robert Stephenson,
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency, and Executive Vice
President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. E9-7243 Filed 3-31-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P
