Notice of Solicitation of Nominations for Members of the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, 18877-18878 [2014-07574]

Download as PDF 18877 Notices Federal Register Vol. 79, No. 65 Friday, April 4, 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 Office of the Secretary Notice of Solicitation of Nominations for Members of the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research Research, Education, Economics, USDA. AGENCY: Solicitation of nominations for membership. ACTION: In accordance with Sec. 7601 of Pub. L. 113–79, the United States Department of Agriculture announces solicitation for nominations to fill 15 vacancies on the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research. Seven (7) representatives are to be selected from lists of candidates provided by industry, and eight (8) representatives are to be selected from a list of candidates provided by the National Academy of Sciences. The National Academy of Sciences will be soliciting nominations through a separate process. The Agricultural Act of 2014 can be found at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS113hr2642enr/pdf/BILLS113hr2642enr.pdf. SUMMARY: Deadline for Foundation board member nominations is April 28, 2014 by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. DATES: Congressional Affairs, Research, Education, and Economics, Room 214–W, Whitten Building, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250–0321, fax number 202–260– 8786, email FFAR@usda.gov. ADDRESSES: mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ven Neralla; Director of Congressional Affairs; Research, Education, and Economics; United States. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW.; Room 214–W, Whitten Building; Washington, DC 20250; Telephone: 202–260–8208, email: ven.neralla@ usda.gov. VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:26 Apr 03, 2014 Jkt 232001 Section 7601 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113–79) created a new Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research: (1) To advance the research mission of the Department by supporting agricultural research activities focused on addressing key problems of national and international significance including—(A) plant health, production, and plant products; (B) animal health, production, and products; (C) food safety, nutrition, and health; (D) renewable energy, natural resources, and the environment; (E) agricultural and food security; (F) agriculture systems and technology; and (G) agriculture economics and rural communities; and (2) to foster collaboration with agricultural researchers from the Federal Government, State (as defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) governments, institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C, 1001)), industry, and nonprofit organizations. In general, the Foundation shall: (A) Award grants to, or enter into contracts, memoranda of understanding, or cooperative agreements with, scientists and entities, which may include agricultural research agencies in the Department, university consortia, public-private partnerships, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and industry, to efficiently and effectively advance the goals and priorities of the Foundation; (B) in consultation with the Secretary— (i) identify existing and proposed Federal intramural and extramural research and development programs relating to the purposes of the Foundation described in subsection (c); and (ii) coordinate Foundation activities with those programs so as to minimize duplication of existing efforts and to avoid conflicts; (C) identify unmet and emerging agricultural research needs after reviewing the roadmap for agricultural research, education, and extension authorized by section 7504 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 7614a); (D) facilitate technology transfer and release of information and data gathered from the activities of the Foundation to the agricultural research community; (E) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 promote and encourage the development of the next generation of agricultural research scientists; and (F) carry out such other activities as the Board determines to be consistent with the purposes of the Foundation. Nominations are being solicited from organizations, associations, societies, councils, federations, groups, and companies that represent a wide variety of food and agricultural interests throughout the country, and that can fulfill the requirement of industry provided lists of candidates. The nominees are not required to be in industry, but must be nominated by someone in industry. Criteria for Board Membership The Board of Directors will be composed of the following: • 8 representatives selected from a list of candidates provided by the National Academy of Sciences. • 7 representatives selected from lists of candidates provided by industry. The Foundation’s Board will be responsible for governing the organization and ensuring it succeeds in its mission. To that end the Board members will oversee the mission and operation of the Foundation, including: Approving programs and monitoring their effectiveness, coordinating Foundation activities with federal research programs, awarding grants, and ensuring financial solvency and raising resources. The initial Board is to be appointed by the ex-officio board members designated in the statute. 3 The exofficio members are: The Secretary of Agriculture, the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics, the Administrator of the Agricultural Research Service, the Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and the Director of the National Science Foundation. Process and Criteria for Nominations The nominator should submit a name and contact information for each nominee. All nominees will be vetted before selection. Nominations are open to all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical handicap, marital status, or sexual orientation. E:\FR\FM\04APN1.SGM 04APN1 18878 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 65 / Friday, April 4, 2014 / Notices Done at Washington, DC, this 31st day of March 2014. Catherine E. Woteki, Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics. Mojdeh Bahar, Assistant Administrator. [FR Doc. 2014–07574 Filed 4–3–14; 8:45 am] [FR Doc. 2014–07553 Filed 4–3–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–22–P BILLING CODE 3410–03–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Research Service Forest Service Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive License Idaho Panhandle National Forests and Lolo National Forest; Shoshone County, ID and Mineral County, MT; Lookout Pass Ski Area Expansion Third-Party Environmental Impact Statement Agricultural Research Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of intent. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, intends to grant to Eureka Genomics Corporation of Hercules, California, an exclusive license to the Federal Government’s rights in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/824,348, ‘‘SCALABLE CHARACTERIZATION OF NUCLEIC ACIDS BY PARALLEL SEQUENCING’’, filed on March 15, 2013. SUMMARY: Comments must be received on or before May 5, 2014. ADDRESSES: Send comments to: USDA, ARS, Office of Technology Transfer, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Rm. 4–1174, Beltsville, Maryland 20705–5131. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: June Blalock of the Office of Technology Transfer at the Beltsville address given above; telephone: 301–504–5989. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The patent rights in this invention are co-owned by the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, and Eureka Genomics Corporation of Hercules, California. The prospective exclusive license will grant to the co-owner, Eureka Genomics Corporation, an exclusive license to the Federal Government’s patent rights. It is in the public interest to so license this invention as Eureka Genomics Corporation of Hercules, California has submitted a complete and sufficient application for a license. The prospective exclusive license will be royalty-bearing and will comply with the terms and conditions of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR 404.7. The prospective exclusive license may be granted unless, within thirty (30) days from the date of this published Notice, the Agricultural Research Service receives written evidence and argument which establishes that the grant of the license would not be consistent with the mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES DATES: VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:26 Apr 03, 2014 Jkt 232001 requirements of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR 404.7. Forest Service, USDA. Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. AGENCY: ACTION: The Idaho Panhandle National Forests (IPNFs) and Lolo National Forest (LNF) are preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) to consider and disclose the anticipated environmental effects of a proposal from Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area (Lookout Pass) to expand its special use permit to upgrade and develop new lifts, ski terrain, parking, access roads, and guest service facilities. The proposed project is located approximately 12 miles east of Wallace, Idaho, on National Forest System (NFS) lands within Shoshone County, Idaho, and Mineral County, Montana. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by May 5, 2014. The Draft EIS is expected to be available for public review in winter 2015 and the Final EIS is expected in summer 2016. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to SWCA Environmental Consultants, 1220 SW Morrison St., Suite 700, Portland, OR 97205. Comments may also be sent via email to comments-northernidpanhandle-coeur-dalene@fs.fed.us, via facsimile to (503) 224–1851, online through the project Web site at https:// www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usdapop.php?project=43757, or in-person at the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District, Fernan or Smelterville offices, or the Superior Ranger District. Include ‘‘Lookout Pass Ski Area Expansion Third-Party EIS’’ in the subject line. Comments submitted electronically must be searchable or readable with optical character recognition software. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information related to the proposed project can be obtained from the project Web site, https:// www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usdaSUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 pop.php?project=43757, by contacting the Lookout Pass Ski Area Expansion Third-Party EIS NEPA Contractor, Sue Wilmot, at (503) 224–0333 ext. 6324, or by emailing: swilmot@swca.com. Further information will also be made available at three public open houses: • April 22, 2014, 5–7 p.m. at the Black Diamond Ranch (120 Borgia Haugan Frontage Rd., De Borgia, MT). • April 23, 2014, 5–7 p.m. at the Wallace Inn (100 Front Street, Wallace, Idaho). • April 24, 2014, 5–7 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Forest Supervisors Office (3815 Schreiber Way, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho). Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Purpose and Need for Action: The purpose of the proposed Lookout Ski Area Expansion is to provide a highquality downhill skiing recreational opportunity on the IPNFs and LNF. Lookout Pass ski terrain is insufficient to meet market demands, resulting in diminished recreational experiences and reduced economic viability for the ski area. In the Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area Master Development Plan, Lookout Pass specifically identified three social, economic, or physical factors that necessitate the development of additional terrain in order to ensure continued, publicly acceptable ski operations. These factors are (1) diminished skier experiences associated with overcrowding, increased skier congestion, decreased safe operating conditions, and inefficient skier transport during high-visitation days as well as inefficient skier transport and trail use on low-visitation days; (2) current ski terrain distribution that does not match market demand; and (3) concerns over the economic viability of Lookout Pass and its ongoing contribution to the local economy. Expansion of Lookout Pass would address these needs by providing more skiable terrain and more efficient lift systems to enable the ski area to remain economically viable while ensuring a high-quality recreation experience for a wider range and number of skiers. This action would move the ski area toward a desired condition outlined in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests Land Management Plan and the Lolo National Forest Plan and respond to the Forest Plans’ goals and objectives. Proposed Action: The IPNFs and LNF propose to expand the existing Lookout E:\FR\FM\04APN1.SGM 04APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 65 (Friday, April 4, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18877-18878]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-07574]


========================================================================
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. 65 / Friday, April 4, 2014 / 
Notices

[[Page 18877]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary


Notice of Solicitation of Nominations for Members of the 
Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research

AGENCY: Research, Education, Economics, USDA.

ACTION: Solicitation of nominations for membership.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with Sec. 7601 of Pub. L. 113-79, the United 
States Department of Agriculture announces solicitation for nominations 
to fill 15 vacancies on the Foundation for Food and Agricultural 
Research. Seven (7) representatives are to be selected from lists of 
candidates provided by industry, and eight (8) representatives are to 
be selected from a list of candidates provided by the National Academy 
of Sciences. The National Academy of Sciences will be soliciting 
nominations through a separate process. The Agricultural Act of 2014 
can be found at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113hr2642enr/pdf/BILLS-113hr2642enr.pdf.

DATES: Deadline for Foundation board member nominations is April 28, 
2014 by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

ADDRESSES: Congressional Affairs, Research, Education, and Economics, 
Room 214-W, Whitten Building, United States Department of Agriculture, 
1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-0321, fax number 202-
260-8786, email FFAR@usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ven Neralla; Director of Congressional 
Affairs; Research, Education, and Economics; United States. Department 
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW.; Room 214-W, Whitten 
Building; Washington, DC 20250; Telephone: 202-260-8208, email: 
ven.neralla@usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 7601 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 
(Pub. L. 113-79) created a new Foundation for Food and Agriculture 
Research:
    (1) To advance the research mission of the Department by supporting 
agricultural research activities focused on addressing key problems of 
national and international significance including--(A) plant health, 
production, and plant products; (B) animal health, production, and 
products; (C) food safety, nutrition, and health; (D) renewable energy, 
natural resources, and the environment; (E) agricultural and food 
security; (F) agriculture systems and technology; and (G) agriculture 
economics and rural communities; and (2) to foster collaboration with 
agricultural researchers from the Federal Government, State (as defined 
in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) governments, institutions 
of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C, 1001)), industry, and nonprofit organizations. 
In general, the Foundation shall: (A) Award grants to, or enter into 
contracts, memoranda of understanding, or cooperative agreements with, 
scientists and entities, which may include agricultural research 
agencies in the Department, university consortia, public-private 
partnerships, institutions of higher education, nonprofit 
organizations, and industry, to efficiently and effectively advance the 
goals and priorities of the Foundation; (B) in consultation with the 
Secretary--(i) identify existing and proposed Federal intramural and 
extramural research and development programs relating to the purposes 
of the Foundation described in subsection (c); and (ii) coordinate 
Foundation activities with those programs so as to minimize duplication 
of existing efforts and to avoid conflicts; (C) identify unmet and 
emerging agricultural research needs after reviewing the roadmap for 
agricultural research, education, and extension authorized by section 
7504 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
7614a); (D) facilitate technology transfer and release of information 
and data gathered from the activities of the Foundation to the 
agricultural research community; (E) promote and encourage the 
development of the next generation of agricultural research scientists; 
and (F) carry out such other activities as the Board determines to be 
consistent with the purposes of the Foundation.
    Nominations are being solicited from organizations, associations, 
societies, councils, federations, groups, and companies that represent 
a wide variety of food and agricultural interests throughout the 
country, and that can fulfill the requirement of industry provided 
lists of candidates. The nominees are not required to be in industry, 
but must be nominated by someone in industry.

Criteria for Board Membership

    The Board of Directors will be composed of the following:
     8 representatives selected from a list of candidates 
provided by the National Academy of Sciences.
     7 representatives selected from lists of candidates 
provided by industry.
    The Foundation's Board will be responsible for governing the 
organization and ensuring it succeeds in its mission. To that end the 
Board members will oversee the mission and operation of the Foundation, 
including: Approving programs and monitoring their effectiveness, 
coordinating Foundation activities with federal research programs, 
awarding grants, and ensuring financial solvency and raising resources.
    The initial Board is to be appointed by the ex-officio board 
members designated in the statute. 3 The ex-officio members are: The 
Secretary of Agriculture, the Under Secretary of Agriculture for 
Research, Education, and Economics, the Administrator of the 
Agricultural Research Service, the Director of the National Institute 
of Food and Agriculture, and the Director of the National Science 
Foundation.

Process and Criteria for Nominations

    The nominator should submit a name and contact information for each 
nominee. All nominees will be vetted before selection. Nominations are 
open to all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, 
national origin, age, mental or physical handicap, marital status, or 
sexual orientation.


[[Page 18878]]


    Done at Washington, DC, this 31st day of March 2014.
Catherine E. Woteki,
Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics.
[FR Doc. 2014-07574 Filed 4-3-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-22-P
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