Availability of the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) of the Kika de la Garza Subtropical Research Center (KSARC), 65607-65608 [2013-26015]
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emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 212 / Friday, November 1, 2013 / Notices
• Athens-Clarke County Public
Library, 2025 Baxter Street, Athens,
Georgia 30606.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, as amended, and the Federal Land
Policy and Management Act of 1976
(FLPMA), as amended, the USDA has
prepared an EA for the proposed
transfer of approximately 1,055 acres of
land at the JPC–NRCC from the USDA
ARS in Watkinsville, Georgia to the
Board of Regents of the University
System of Georgia for the benefit of
UGA. The USDA ARS signed a FONSI
on August 30, 2013 based on the Final
EA.
The Final EA evaluated USDA’s
proposal to transfer approximately 1,055
acres of land and facilities at the JPC–
NRCC from USDA ARS in Watkinsville,
GA to the Board of Regents of the
University System of Georgia for the
benefit of UGA. As a condition of the
transfer, UGA would commit to using
the property for agricultural and natural
resources research for a period of 25
years, supporting the strategic goals of
USDA and establishing a Beginning
Farmers and Ranchers Program at the
Property. UGA would assume
responsibility for management and
maintenance of the constructed facilities
and land to be conveyed from USDA.
The JPC–NRCC has been in operation
as a USDA ARS research station since
1937, with the mission, ‘‘to develop and
transfer environmentally sustainable
and profitable agricultural systems to
landowners and managers in order to
protect the natural resource base, build
accord with non-agricultural sectors,
and support healthy rural economies.’’
The facility was closed under Public
Law (Pub. L.) 112–55, Consolidated and
Further Continuing Appropriations Act,
2012. In August 2012, a 5-year revocable
permit was issued between USDA and
the Board of Regents of the University
System of Georgia that allows the
College of Agricultural and
Environmental Sciences (CAES) to
utilize the Property as a Research and
Education Center (REC) and conduct a
wide range of research, teaching,
extension and demonstration activities.
Since August 2012, it has been operated
by the CAES as the JPC–REC under this
permit. A Memorandum of
Understanding was executed on March
25, 2013 that would allow the formal
transfer of the Property from USDA to
the Board of Regents of the University
System of Georgia.
The property transfer will be done
with no monetary cost to UGA and a
Quit Claim Deed will be prepared by the
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Oct 31, 2013
Jkt 232001
USDA to convey the title/property rights
to the Board of Regents of the University
System of Georgia. The Quit Claim Deed
will incorporate any use restrictions
identified by the NEPA process as well
as the 25-year use restriction for
agricultural and natural resources
research as required by Section 732 of
the Public Law.
Two alternatives are analyzed in the
Final EA, the No Action Alternative and
the Proposed Action. The Final EA
addresses potential impacts of these
alternatives on the natural and human
environment.
• Alternative 1—No Action. The
USDA would retain possession of the
approximately 1,055 acres of land and
facilities at the JPC–NRCC. USDA would
no longer operate and/or maintain the
property and current research at the
property would cease.
• Alternative 2—Proposed Action.
The USDA would formally transfer
approximately 1,055 acres of land at the
JPC–NRCC to the Board of Regents of
the University System of Georgia. As a
condition of the transfer, UGA would
commit to using the Property for
agricultural and natural resources
research for a period of 25 years,
supporting the strategic goals of USDA
and establishing a Beginning Farmers
and Ranchers Program at the Property.
UGA would assume responsibility for
management and maintenance of the
constructed facilities and land to be
conveyed from USDA. This land
transfer alternative meets the purpose
and need of the action.
In addition, one alternative was
considered in the Final EA but
eliminated from detailed study. In this
alternative, USDA would retain
possession of the land and it would be
transferred to the General Services
Administration for disposal. Since it
cannot reasonably be determined who
would ultimately take possession of the
property and how it would be utilized,
it was not analyzed in detail in the EA.
A Notice of Availability of the Draft
EA was issued in the Federal Register
on July 5, 2013. This notice announced
the opening of a 30-day public comment
period. The USDA used and
coordinated the NEPA commenting
process to satisfy the public
involvement process for Section 106 of
the National Historic Preservation Act
(16 U.S.C. 470(f) as provided for in 36
CFR 800.2(d)(3)). No comments were
received during the public comment
period. Based on its analysis of the Final
EA for the property transfer, ARS has
found that transferring the land and
buildings to the Board of Regents of the
University System of Georgia for the
benefit of UGA would have no
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
65607
significant impact on the quality of the
human environment. Therefore, ARS
will not prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement for this proposed
action.
Dated: October 21, 2013.
Caird E. Rexroad, Jr.,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural
Research Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–26023 Filed 10–31–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–03–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Research Service
Availability of the Final Environmental
Assessment (EA) and Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) of the Kika
de la Garza Subtropical Research
Center (KSARC)
Agricultural Research Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
Notice is hereby given that
the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) Agricultural Research Service
(ARS) has made a FONSI for transferring
the land and real estate at the KSARC
in Weslaco, Texas to the Texas A&M
University System (TAMUS). The
FONSI document is based on impact
analysis documented in the draft EA
that was issued for a 30-day public
comment period beginning on August 2,
2013 and that was finalized on
September 4, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phil
Smith, Acting Property Team Lead,
USDA–ARS–WBSC, 1001 Holleman
Drive East, College Station, Texas
77840; Telephone: 979–260–9449;
email: phil.smith@ars.usda.gov. You
may contact Mr. Smith for a copy of the
FONSI document. Copies of the Final
EA and FONSI are available for public
inspection during normal business
hours at the following locations:
• Weslaco Public Library, 525 South
Kansas Avenue, Weslaco, Texas 78596.
• Larry Ringer Library, 1818 Harvey
Mitchell Parkway South, College
Station, Texas 77845.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, as amended, and the Federal Land
Policy and Management Act of 1976
(FLPMA), as amended, USDA ARS has
prepared a Final EA for the proposed
transfer of approximately 70-acres of
land and associated buildings at the
KSARC in Weslaco, Texas from the
USDA ARS to TAMUS. The KSARC is
divided into two separate properties,
with the main research station located at
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\01NON1.SGM
01NON1
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
65608
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 212 / Friday, November 1, 2013 / Notices
2413 East Highway 83, Weslaco, Texas
77840 and a research farm located at
2301 South International Boulevard,
Weslaco, Texas 77840. As a condition of
the transfer, TAMUS would commit to
using the property for agricultural and
natural resources research for a period
of 25 years, supporting the strategic
goals of USDA and establishing a
Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
Program at the Property. TAMUS would
assume responsibility and maintenance
of the constructed facilities and land to
be conveyed from USDA. The KSARC
has been in operation as a USDA ARS
research facility since 1960, with the
mission ‘‘to increase food and fiber
productivity by developing new
technology for safe and efficient
agricultural production methods and by
conserving natural resources and
protecting the environment.’’ The
facility was closed under Public Law
(Pub. L.)112–55, Consolidated and
Further Continuing Appropriations Act,
2012 and is currently being utilized in
a very limited capacity by researchers
from other ARS locations. Under the
terms of the PL, the Secretary of
Agriculture has the authority to transfer
the Property from USDA to TAMUS. If
the Property is tranferred, it will be
done with no monetary cost to TAMUS
and a Deed Without Warranty will be
prepared by the USDA to convey the
title/property rights to TAMUS. The
Deed Without Warranty would
incorporate any use restrictions
identified by the NEPA process, as well
as the 25-year use restriction for
agricultural and natural resources
research as required by Section 732 of
the PL.
Two alternatives are analyzed in the
Final EA, the No Action Alternative and
the Proposed Action. The Final EA
addresses potential impacts of these
alternatives on the natural and human
environment.
• Alternative 1—No Action. The
USDA would retain possession of the
approximate 70 acres of land and
facilities at the KSARC. The USDA
would no longer operate and/or
maintain approximately 85–90% of the
property and it would likely fall into a
state of disrepair. The USDA will
continue ongoing research funded by
other Locations on the remaining 10–
15% of the property.
• Alternative 2—Proposed Action.
The USDA would formally transfer
approximately 70 acres of land at the
KSARC to TAMUS. As a condition of
the transfer, TAMUS would commit to
using the Property for agricultural and
natural resources research for a period
of 25 years, supporting the strategic
goals of USDA and establishing a
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:40 Oct 31, 2013
Jkt 232001
Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
Program at the Property. TAMUS would
assume responsibility and maintenance
of the constructed facilities and land to
be conveyed from USDA.
In addition, one alternative was
considered in the Draft EA but
eliminated from detailed study. In this
alternative, USDA would retain
possession of the land and it would be
transferred to the General Services
Administration for disposal. Since it
cannot reasonably be determined who
would ultimately take possession of the
property and how it would be utilized,
it was not analyzed in detail in the EA.
The USDA used and coordinated the
NEPA commenting process to satisfy the
public involvement process for Section
106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470(f) as
provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3)). No
comments were received during the
public comment period. Based on its
analysis of the Final EA for the poperty
transfer, ARS has found that transferring
the land and buildings to TAMUS
would have no significant impact on the
quality of the human environment.
Therefore, ARS will not prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
this proposed action.
Dated: October 22, 2013.
Caid E. Rexroad, Jr.,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural
Research Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–26015 Filed 10–31–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–03–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Information Collection; Outreach
Opportunity Questionnaire
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice; request for comment.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Forest Service is seeking comments
from all interested individuals and
organizations on the extension with
revision of a currently approved
information collection, Outreach
Opportunity Questionnaire.
DATES: Comments must be received in
writing on or before December 31, 2013
to be assured of consideration.
Comments received after that date will
be considered to the extent practicable.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this
notice should be addressed to the
Northern Research Station, Attention:
Judy Terrell, USDA, Forest Service, 11
Campus Boulevard, Suite 200, Newtown
Square, PA 19073. Comments also may
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
be submitted via email to: jterrell@
fs.fed.us.
The public may inspect comments
received at USDA Forest Service, 11
Campus Boulevard, Suite 200, Newtown
Square, PA 19073 during normal
business hours. Visitors are encouraged
to call ahead to 610–557–4257 to
facilitate entry to the building.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Judy
Terrell, 610–557–4257. Individuals who
use TDD may call the Federal Relay
Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339,
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern
Standard Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Outreach Opportunity
Questionnaire.
OMB Number: 0596–0207.
Expiration Date of Approval: January
31, 2014.
Type of Request: Extension with
revision.
Abstract:
This information collection collects
information from students attending
local college and university career fairs
regarding the effectiveness of the
information provided by the Forest
Service personnel on career
opportunities in the Forest Service. The
collection is necessary to evaluate and
determine the effectiveness of the Forest
Service Northern Research Station’s
(NRS) Civil Rights Outreach Program.
Forest Service Civil Rights personnel
utilize the Outreach Opportunity
Questionnaire to collect evaluation
information from students regarding
presentations at career day events as
well as at colleges and universities. Data
received has appeared in reports
provided to the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, senior Forest Service
officials, the NRS Director, and the NRS
Civil Rights Diversity Committee. This
information is a vital component in the
analysis of Agency outreach efforts.
Type of Respondents: Individuals.
Estimated Annual Number of
Respondents: 520.
Estimated Annual Number of
Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimate of Burden per Response: 2
minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 17.33 hours.
Comment is invited on: (1) Whether
this collection of information is
necessary for the stated purposes and
the proper performance of the functions
of the Agency, including whether the
information will have practical or
scientific utility; (2) the accuracy of the
Agency’s estimate of the burden of the
collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and
assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance
E:\FR\FM\01NON1.SGM
01NON1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 212 (Friday, November 1, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65607-65608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-26015]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Research Service
Availability of the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) of the Kika de la Garza
Subtropical Research Center (KSARC)
AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has made a FONSI for
transferring the land and real estate at the KSARC in Weslaco, Texas to
the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS). The FONSI document is based on
impact analysis documented in the draft EA that was issued for a 30-day
public comment period beginning on August 2, 2013 and that was
finalized on September 4, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phil Smith, Acting Property Team Lead,
USDA-ARS-WBSC, 1001 Holleman Drive East, College Station, Texas 77840;
Telephone: 979-260-9449; email: phil.smith@ars.usda.gov. You may
contact Mr. Smith for a copy of the FONSI document. Copies of the Final
EA and FONSI are available for public inspection during normal business
hours at the following locations:
Weslaco Public Library, 525 South Kansas Avenue, Weslaco,
Texas 78596.
Larry Ringer Library, 1818 Harvey Mitchell Parkway South,
College Station, Texas 77845.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal
Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, USDA ARS
has prepared a Final EA for the proposed transfer of approximately 70-
acres of land and associated buildings at the KSARC in Weslaco, Texas
from the USDA ARS to TAMUS. The KSARC is divided into two separate
properties, with the main research station located at
[[Page 65608]]
2413 East Highway 83, Weslaco, Texas 77840 and a research farm located
at 2301 South International Boulevard, Weslaco, Texas 77840. As a
condition of the transfer, TAMUS would commit to using the property for
agricultural and natural resources research for a period of 25 years,
supporting the strategic goals of USDA and establishing a Beginning
Farmers and Ranchers Program at the Property. TAMUS would assume
responsibility and maintenance of the constructed facilities and land
to be conveyed from USDA. The KSARC has been in operation as a USDA ARS
research facility since 1960, with the mission ``to increase food and
fiber productivity by developing new technology for safe and efficient
agricultural production methods and by conserving natural resources and
protecting the environment.'' The facility was closed under Public Law
(Pub. L.)112-55, Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations
Act, 2012 and is currently being utilized in a very limited capacity by
researchers from other ARS locations. Under the terms of the PL, the
Secretary of Agriculture has the authority to transfer the Property
from USDA to TAMUS. If the Property is tranferred, it will be done with
no monetary cost to TAMUS and a Deed Without Warranty will be prepared
by the USDA to convey the title/property rights to TAMUS. The Deed
Without Warranty would incorporate any use restrictions identified by
the NEPA process, as well as the 25-year use restriction for
agricultural and natural resources research as required by Section 732
of the PL.
Two alternatives are analyzed in the Final EA, the No Action
Alternative and the Proposed Action. The Final EA addresses potential
impacts of these alternatives on the natural and human environment.
Alternative 1--No Action. The USDA would retain possession
of the approximate 70 acres of land and facilities at the KSARC. The
USDA would no longer operate and/or maintain approximately 85-90% of
the property and it would likely fall into a state of disrepair. The
USDA will continue ongoing research funded by other Locations on the
remaining 10-15% of the property.
Alternative 2--Proposed Action. The USDA would formally
transfer approximately 70 acres of land at the KSARC to TAMUS. As a
condition of the transfer, TAMUS would commit to using the Property for
agricultural and natural resources research for a period of 25 years,
supporting the strategic goals of USDA and establishing a Beginning
Farmers and Ranchers Program at the Property. TAMUS would assume
responsibility and maintenance of the constructed facilities and land
to be conveyed from USDA.
In addition, one alternative was considered in the Draft EA but
eliminated from detailed study. In this alternative, USDA would retain
possession of the land and it would be transferred to the General
Services Administration for disposal. Since it cannot reasonably be
determined who would ultimately take possession of the property and how
it would be utilized, it was not analyzed in detail in the EA.
The USDA used and coordinated the NEPA commenting process to
satisfy the public involvement process for Section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470(f) as provided for in 36 CFR
800.2(d)(3)). No comments were received during the public comment
period. Based on its analysis of the Final EA for the poperty transfer,
ARS has found that transferring the land and buildings to TAMUS would
have no significant impact on the quality of the human environment.
Therefore, ARS will not prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
this proposed action.
Dated: October 22, 2013.
Caid E. Rexroad, Jr.,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Research Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-26015 Filed 10-31-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P
