Re-Establishment of the Council for Native American Farming and Ranching, 18004-18005 [2014-07009]
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18004
Notices
Federal Register
Vol. 79, No. 61
Monday, March 31, 2014
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains documents other than rules or
proposed rules that are applicable to the
public. Notices of hearings and investigations,
committee meetings, agency decisions and
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of
petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are
examples of documents appearing in this
section.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Re-Establishment of the Council for
Native American Farming and
Ranching
Office of the Secretary, USDA.
Notice and Call for
Nominations.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Department of
Agriculture is announcing the reestablishment of the Council for Native
American Farming and Ranching
(Council). The purpose of the Council is
to provide recommendations to the
Secretary on how to eliminate barriers
to Native American participation in
Farm Service Agency farm loan
programs and other farm programs. The
Council will discuss issues related to
the participation of Native American
farmers and ranchers in USDA farm
loan programs and transmit
recommendations concerning any
changes to FSA regulations or internal
guidance or other measures. The
Council is necessary and in the public
interest. The Department of Agriculture
is seeking nominations for individuals
to be considered Council members.
Candidates who wish to be considered
for membership on the Council for
Native American Farmers and Ranchers
should submit an AD–755 application
form and resume to the Secretary of
Agriculture. Cover letters should be
addressed to the Secretary of
Agriculture. The application form and
more information about advisory
Councils can be found at usda.gov/
advisory_committees.xml.
DATES: Submit nominations on or before
May 15, 2014.
ADDRESSES: All nomination materials
should be mailed in a single, complete
package and postmarked by 45 days of
this announcement. All nominations for
membership should be sent to:
Thomas Vilsack, Secretary, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, 1400
Independence Avenue SW.,
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:10 Mar 28, 2014
Jkt 232001
Washington, DC, 20250, Attn: Council
on Native American Farmers and
Ranchers. Send comments to the Office
of Tribal Relations, 500A Whitten
Building, 1400 Independence Avenue
SW., Washington, DC 20250.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Leslie Wheelock, Director, Office of
Tribal Relations. Email your questions
to John Lowery at John.Lowery@
osec.usda.gov or call 202–205–2249.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with the provisions of the
Federal Advisory Council Act (FACA)
as amended (5 U.S.C. App. 2) and with
the concurrence of the General Services
Administration, the Department of
Agriculture is announcing the reestablishment of an advisory Council for
Native American farmers and ranchers.
The Council is a discretionary advisory
Council established under the authority
of the Secretary of Agriculture, in
furtherance of the settlement agreement
in Keepseagle v. Vilsack, that was
granted final approval by the District
Court for the District of Columbia on
April 28, 2011. The Council operates
under the provisions of the FACA and
reports to the Secretary of Agriculture.
The purpose of the Council is (1) to
advise the Secretary of Agriculture on
issues related to the participation of
Native American farmers and ranchers
in USDA farm loan programs; (2) to
transmit recommendations concerning
any changes to FSA regulations or
internal guidance or other measures that
would eliminate barriers to program
participation for Native American
farmers and ranchers; (3) to examine
methods of maximizing the number of
new farming and ranching opportunities
created through the farm loan program
through enhanced extension and
financial literacy services; (4) to
examine methods of encouraging
intergovernmental cooperation to
mitigate the effects of land tenure and
probate issues on the delivery of USDA
farm loan programs; (5) to evaluate other
methods of creating new farming or
ranching opportunities for Native
American producers; and (6) to address
other related issues as deemed
appropriate.
The Council has 15 members, 11 of
whom will be Native American leaders
or persons who represent the interests of
Native American tribes or Native
American organizations. The term
‘‘Native American leaders’’ is not
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Fmt 4703
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limited to elected Tribal representatives
or members or persons with Native
American ancestry. The remaining four
members are high-ranking USDA
officials, including: (1) The Director,
Office of Tribal Relations; (2) the Farm
Service Agency Administrator; (3) the
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights; and
(4) the Deputy Administrator for Farm
Loan Programs, or their designee.
Members serve without
compensation, but may receive
reimbursement for travel expenses and
per diem in accordance with USDA
travel regulations for attendance at
Council functions. Council members
who represent the interests of Native
American farmers and ranchers may
also be paid an amount not less than
$100 per day for time spent away from
their employment or farming or
ranching operation, subject to the
availability of funds. Members may
include:
(1) Native American farmers or
ranchers who have participated in
USDA loan or payment programs;
(2) Representatives of organizations
with a history of working with Native
American farmers or ranchers;
(3) Civil rights professionals;
(4) Representatives of tribal
governments with demonstrated
experience working with Native
American farmers or ranchers; and
(5) Such other persons as the
Secretary considers appropriate.
No individual who is currently
registered as a Federal lobbyist is
eligible to serve as a member of the
Council.
The Secretary of Agriculture invites
those individuals, organizations, and
groups affiliated with the categories
listed above or who have knowledge of
issues related to the purpose of the
Council to nominate individuals for
membership on the Council. Individuals
and organizations who wish to
nominate experts for this or any other
USDA advisory Council should submit
a letter to the Secretary listing these
individuals’ names and business
address, phone, and email contact
information. The Secretary of
Agriculture seeks a diverse group of
members representing a broad spectrum
of persons interested in providing
suggestions and ideas on how USDA
can tailor its farm programs to meet the
needs of Native American farmers and
ranchers. Individuals receiving
E:\FR\FM\31MRN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 61 / Monday, March 31, 2014 / Notices
nominations will be contacted and
asked to return the AD–755 application
form and resume within 10 business
days of notification. All candidates will
be vetted and considered for
appointment by the Secretary of
Agriculture. Equal opportunity practices
will be followed in all appointments to
the Council in accordance with USDA
policies. The Council will meet at least
twice a year.
Gregory Parham,
Assistant Secretary for Administration.
[FR Doc. 2014–07009 Filed 3–28–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Doc. No. AMS–FV–14–0004; FV14–944–1]
Specified Commodities Imported into
the United States, Exempt from Import
Regulations; Request for Extension of
a Currently Approved Information
Collection
Agricultural Marketing Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Request for comments.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501), this document announces
the Agricultural Marketing Service’s
(AMS) intention to request an extension
and revision to currently approved
forms utilized by importers of
commodities that are exempt from
section 8e import regulations.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be
received by May 30, 2014 to be
considered.
Additional Information: Contact
Andrew Hatch, Supervisory Marketing
Specialist, Marketing Order and
Agreement Division, Fruit and
Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400
Independence Avenue SW., Stop 0237,
Room 1406–S, Washington, DC 20250–
0237; Tel: (202) 720–2491; Email:
andrew.hatch@ams.usda.gov.
Small businesses may request
information on this notice by contacting
Jeffrey Smutny, Marketing Order and
Agreement Division, Fruit and
Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400
Independence Avenue SW., Stop 0237,
Room 1406–S, Washington, DC 20250–
0237; Tel: (202) 690–3919; or Email:
jeffrey.smutny@ams.usda.gov.
Comments: Comments should
reference the docket number and the
date and page number of this issue of
the Federal Register, and be mailed to
the Docket Clerk, Fruit and Vegetable
Program, AMS, USDA, 1400
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:10 Mar 28, 2014
Jkt 232001
Independence Avenue SW, Room 1406–
S, Washington, DC 20250–0237; Fax:
(202) 720–8938; or submitted through
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov.
All comments to this notice will be
summarized and included in the request
for OMB approval, and will become a
matter of public record.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Specified Commodities
Imported Into the United States Exempt
from Import Requirements.
OMB Number: 0581–0167.
Expiration Date of Approval:
September 30, 2014.
Type of Request: Extension and
Revision of a currently approved
information collection.
Abstract: Section 8e of the
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act
of 1937 as amended (7 U.S.C. 601–674;
Act) requires that whenever the
Secretary of Agriculture issues grade,
size, quality, or maturity regulations
under domestic marketing orders, the
same or comparable regulations must be
issued for imported commodities.
Import regulations apply only during
those periods when domestic marketing
order regulations are in effect.
Currently, the following commodities
are subject to section 8e import
regulations: Avocados; grapefruit;
kiwifruit; olives (other than Spanishstyle); oranges; table grapes; Irish
potatoes; onions; tomatoes; dates (other
than dates for processing); walnuts;
raisins; pistachios; and hazelnuts
(filberts). Imports of these commodities
are exempt from section 8e
requirements if they are imported for
such outlets as processing, charity,
animal feed, seed, and distribution to
relief agencies when those outlets are
exempt under the applicable marketing
orders.
Safeguard procedures in the form of
importer and receiver reporting
requirements are used to ensure that the
imported commodities are, in fact,
shipped to authorized, exempt outlets.
Reports required under the safeguard
procedure are similar to the reports
currently required by most domestic
marketing orders, and are required of
importers and receivers under the
following import regulations: (1) Fruits;
import regulations (7 CFR 944.350); (2)
vegetables; import regulations (7 CFR
980.501); and (3) specialty crops; import
regulations (7 CFR 999.500).
Under these regulations, importers
wishing to import commodities for
exempt purposes must complete form
FV–6, the ‘‘Importer’s Exempt
Commodity Form,’’ prior to importation,
through the Marketing Order Online
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18005
System (MOLS). Launched in August
2008, MOLS is an internet-based
application, managed by the USDA,
which allows importers and receivers of
fruit, vegetable, and specialty crops to
review and search for FV–6 certificates
online. If an importer correctly inputs
his shipment data into MOLS, he will
receive and be able to print a certificate
that accompanies the shipment. Data are
simultaneously transmitted to the
receiver and to AMS, where they are
reviewed for compliance purposes by
Marketing Order and Agreement
Division (MOAD) staff, in the USDA’s
Fruit and Vegetable Program.
In rare instances a paper form FV–6
may be used. The hardcopy form has
four parts, which are distributed as
follows: Copy one is presented to the
U.S. Customs and Border Protection,
Department of Homeland Security; copy
two is filed with MOAD within two
days of the commodity entering the
United States; copy three accompanies
the exempt shipment to its intended
destination, where the receiver certifies
its receipt and that it will be used for
exempt purposes, and files that copy
with MOAD within two days of receipt;
and copy four is retained by the
importer.
In addition to renewing the FV–6
form, this information collection
package does the same for the FV–7
form, ‘‘Civil Penalty Stipulation
Agreement.’’ Produce importers sign the
FV–7 form, for which there is no burden
associated because only a signature is
required.
The information collected through
this package is used primarily by
authorized representatives of the USDA,
including AMS Fruit and Vegetable
Program regional and headquarters staff.
Estimate of Burden: The public
reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 5
minutes per response.
Respondents: Importers and receivers
of exempt commodities.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
144
Estimated Number of Total Annual
Responses: 213,691
Estimated Number of Responses per
Respondent: 1,484
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 17,734 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)
E:\FR\FM\31MRN1.SGM
31MRN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 61 (Monday, March 31, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18004-18005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-07009]
========================================================================
Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 61 / Monday, March 31, 2014 /
Notices
[[Page 18004]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Re-Establishment of the Council for Native American Farming and
Ranching
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and Call for Nominations.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture is announcing the re-
establishment of the Council for Native American Farming and Ranching
(Council). The purpose of the Council is to provide recommendations to
the Secretary on how to eliminate barriers to Native American
participation in Farm Service Agency farm loan programs and other farm
programs. The Council will discuss issues related to the participation
of Native American farmers and ranchers in USDA farm loan programs and
transmit recommendations concerning any changes to FSA regulations or
internal guidance or other measures. The Council is necessary and in
the public interest. The Department of Agriculture is seeking
nominations for individuals to be considered Council members.
Candidates who wish to be considered for membership on the Council for
Native American Farmers and Ranchers should submit an AD-755
application form and resume to the Secretary of Agriculture. Cover
letters should be addressed to the Secretary of Agriculture. The
application form and more information about advisory Councils can be
found at usda.gov/advisory_committees.xml.
DATES: Submit nominations on or before May 15, 2014.
ADDRESSES: All nomination materials should be mailed in a single,
complete package and postmarked by 45 days of this announcement. All
nominations for membership should be sent to:
Thomas Vilsack, Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, 20250, Attn: Council on Native
American Farmers and Ranchers. Send comments to the Office of Tribal
Relations, 500A Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20250.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leslie Wheelock, Director, Office of
Tribal Relations. Email your questions to John Lowery at
John.Lowery@osec.usda.gov or call 202-205-2249.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the provisions of the
Federal Advisory Council Act (FACA) as amended (5 U.S.C. App. 2) and
with the concurrence of the General Services Administration, the
Department of Agriculture is announcing the re-establishment of an
advisory Council for Native American farmers and ranchers. The Council
is a discretionary advisory Council established under the authority of
the Secretary of Agriculture, in furtherance of the settlement
agreement in Keepseagle v. Vilsack, that was granted final approval by
the District Court for the District of Columbia on April 28, 2011. The
Council operates under the provisions of the FACA and reports to the
Secretary of Agriculture.
The purpose of the Council is (1) to advise the Secretary of
Agriculture on issues related to the participation of Native American
farmers and ranchers in USDA farm loan programs; (2) to transmit
recommendations concerning any changes to FSA regulations or internal
guidance or other measures that would eliminate barriers to program
participation for Native American farmers and ranchers; (3) to examine
methods of maximizing the number of new farming and ranching
opportunities created through the farm loan program through enhanced
extension and financial literacy services; (4) to examine methods of
encouraging intergovernmental cooperation to mitigate the effects of
land tenure and probate issues on the delivery of USDA farm loan
programs; (5) to evaluate other methods of creating new farming or
ranching opportunities for Native American producers; and (6) to
address other related issues as deemed appropriate.
The Council has 15 members, 11 of whom will be Native American
leaders or persons who represent the interests of Native American
tribes or Native American organizations. The term ``Native American
leaders'' is not limited to elected Tribal representatives or members
or persons with Native American ancestry. The remaining four members
are high-ranking USDA officials, including: (1) The Director, Office of
Tribal Relations; (2) the Farm Service Agency Administrator; (3) the
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights; and (4) the Deputy Administrator
for Farm Loan Programs, or their designee.
Members serve without compensation, but may receive reimbursement
for travel expenses and per diem in accordance with USDA travel
regulations for attendance at Council functions. Council members who
represent the interests of Native American farmers and ranchers may
also be paid an amount not less than $100 per day for time spent away
from their employment or farming or ranching operation, subject to the
availability of funds. Members may include:
(1) Native American farmers or ranchers who have participated in
USDA loan or payment programs;
(2) Representatives of organizations with a history of working with
Native American farmers or ranchers;
(3) Civil rights professionals;
(4) Representatives of tribal governments with demonstrated
experience working with Native American farmers or ranchers; and
(5) Such other persons as the Secretary considers appropriate.
No individual who is currently registered as a Federal lobbyist is
eligible to serve as a member of the Council.
The Secretary of Agriculture invites those individuals,
organizations, and groups affiliated with the categories listed above
or who have knowledge of issues related to the purpose of the Council
to nominate individuals for membership on the Council. Individuals and
organizations who wish to nominate experts for this or any other USDA
advisory Council should submit a letter to the Secretary listing these
individuals' names and business address, phone, and email contact
information. The Secretary of Agriculture seeks a diverse group of
members representing a broad spectrum of persons interested in
providing suggestions and ideas on how USDA can tailor its farm
programs to meet the needs of Native American farmers and ranchers.
Individuals receiving
[[Page 18005]]
nominations will be contacted and asked to return the AD-755
application form and resume within 10 business days of notification.
All candidates will be vetted and considered for appointment by the
Secretary of Agriculture. Equal opportunity practices will be followed
in all appointments to the Council in accordance with USDA policies.
The Council will meet at least twice a year.
Gregory Parham,
Assistant Secretary for Administration.
[FR Doc. 2014-07009 Filed 3-28-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-P
