Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Program: Referendum, 8844-8845 [2015-03392]

Download as PDF 8844 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 33 / Thursday, February 19, 2015 / Notices 7 CFR 457.8 and 7 CFR 1437.7(d) mandates the collection of acreage and production information from producers who wish to participate in certain USDA programs. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Risk Management Agency (RMA) are implementing the Acreage/Crop Reporting Streamlining Initiative (ACRSI), a web-based single source reporting system to establish a single reporting and data collection. Need and Use of the Information: This initiative is being conducted in phases by geographical area and additional commodities. Counties are selected based on their commonality of historical crop reporting, high percentage of producers participating in both RMA and FSA programs and the high level of interest of the private agricultural service industry (precisionag and farm management) in the pilot phases. It will reengineer the procedures, processes, and standards to simplify commodity, acreage and production reporting by producers, eliminate or minimize duplication of information collection by multiple agencies and reduce the burden on producers, insurance agents and AIPs. Information being collected will consist of, but not be limited to: Producer name, location state, commodity name, commodity type or variety, location county, date planted, land location (legal description, FSA farm number, FSA track number, FSA field number), intended use, prevented planting acres, acres planted but failed, planted acres, and production of commodity produced. Failure to collect the applicable information could result in unearned Federal benefits being issued or producers being denied eligibility to program benefits. Description of Respondents: Individuals and households. Number of Respondents: 293,000. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: One time. Total Burden Hours: 358,925. Charlene Parker, Departmental Information Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2015–03399 Filed 2–18–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–08–P emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Doc. No. AMS–LPS–14–0044] Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Program: Referendum AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:58 Feb 18, 2015 Jkt 235001 Promotion Division, Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, AMS, USDA, 22 Jamesport Lane, White, GA 30184; Telephone: (470) 315–4246; SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing craig.shackelford@ams.usda.gov, or Service (AMS) is announcing that a Rick Pinkston, Field Operations Staff, referendum will be conducted among FSA, USDA, at Telephone (202) 720– eligible sorghum producers and 1857, Fax (202) 720–1096, or by email importers regarding the Sorghum at Rick.Pinkston@wdc.usda.gov. Promotion, Research, and Information SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant Order (Order), as authorized under the to the Act (7 U.S.C. 7411–7425), it is Commodity Promotion, Research, and hereby directed that a referendum be Information Act of 1996 (Act). conducted to ascertain whether DATES: Sorghum producers and continuance of the Order (7 CFR part importers will vote in the referendum 1221) is favored by those persons who during a 4-week period beginning on have been engaged in the production or March 23, 2015, and ending April 21, 2015. To be eligible to participate in the importation of sorghum from January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2014. referendum, producers and importers The representative period for must certify that they or the entity they are authorized to represent are subject to establishing voter eligibility for the the assessment and were engaged in the referendum shall be the period from January 1, 2011, through December 31, production or importation of sorghum between January 1, 2011, and December 2014. Persons who were subject to the assessment, and engaged in the 31, 2014. An eligible person shall be production or importation of sorghum, entitled to cast only one vote in the who provide documentation, such as a referendum. sales receipt or remittance form, Form LS–379, Sorghum Promotion and Research Order Referendum Ballot, showing that they were engaged in the production or importation of sorghum may be obtained by mail, fax, or in from January 1, 2011, through December person from the Farm Service Agency 31, 2014, are eligible to vote. Importers (FSA) county offices from March 23, who were subject to the assessment may 2015, to April 21, 2015. Form LS–379 provide U.S. Customs and Border may also be obtained via the Internet at Protection form 7501. https://www.ams.usda.gov/ On March 3, 2014, the Chairman of lsmarketingprograms during the same time period. Sorghum producers should the United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board signed a letter requesting that return completed forms and supporting AMS complete the voting of the documentation to the appropriate referendum by April 15, 2015. He noted county FSA office by fax or in person no later than close of business April 21, that this completion date would help ensure that as many producers as 2015; or if returned by mail, must be postmarked by midnight April 21, 2015, possible have a chance to vote in the referendum. and received in the county FSA office Eligible voters will be provided the by close of business on April 28, 2015. opportunity to vote at the county FSA Sorghum importers should return office where FSA maintains and completed forms and supporting processes the eligible voter’s documentation to: Craig Shackelford, administrative farm records. For the Research and Promotion Division, eligible voter not participating in FSA Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, AMS, USDA, 22 Jamesport Lane, White, programs, the opportunity to vote will be provided at the FSA office serving GA 30184; Telephone: (470) 315–4246; craig.shackelford@ams.usda.gov no later the county where the person owns or than close of business April 21, 2015; or rents land. Eligible importers will be if returned by mail, must be postmarked provided the opportunity to vote by midnight April 21, 2015, and through the U.S. Department of received in the AMS office by close of Agriculture’s (USDA) AMS office business on April 28, 2015. located in Washington, DC. Participation in the referendum is not FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: mandatory. Kenneth R. Payne, Director, Research On November 18, 2010, USDA and Promotion Division, Livestock, published in the Federal Register (75 Poultry, and Seed Program, AMS, FR 70573) a final rule that sets forth USDA, Room 2608–S, 1400 procedures that will be used in Independence Avenue SW., conducting the referendum. The final Washington, DC 20250–0251; Telephone 202/720–5705; Fax 202/720– rule includes definitions, provisions for supervising the referendum process, 1125; or email to Kenneth.Payne@ eligibility, procedures for obtaining and ams.usda.gov, or Craig Shackelford, completing the form LS–379, required Marketing Specialist, Research and Notice of Opportunity to Participate in the Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Referendum. ACTION: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\19FEN1.SGM 19FEN1 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 33 / Thursday, February 19, 2015 / Notices documentation showing that the person was engaged in the production or importation of sorghum from January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2014, where the referendum will be conducted, counting and reporting results, and disposition of the forms and records. Since the referendum will be conducted primarily at the county FSA offices, FSA employees will assist AMS by determining eligibility, counting requests, and reporting results. Pursuant to the Act, USDA is conducting the required referendum from March 23, 2015 through April 21, 2015. Form LS–379 may be requested in person, by mail, or by facsimile from March 23, 2015 through April 21, 2015. Form LS–379 may also be obtained via the Internet at: https:// www.ams.usda.gov/ lsmarketingprograms during the same 4week period. Eligible voters would vote at the FSA office where FSA maintains and processes the person’s, corporation’s, or other entity’s administrative farm records. For the person, corporation, or other entity eligible to vote that does not participate in FSA programs, the opportunity to vote would be provided at the FSA office serving the county where the person, corporation, or other entity owns or rents land. Voters can determine the location of county FSA offices by contacting (1) the nearest FSA office, (2) the State FSA office, or (3) through an online search of FSA’s Web site at: https:// www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/default.asp. From the options available on this Web site select ‘‘State Offices,’’ click on your State, select ‘‘County Offices,’’ and click on the map to select a county. Form LS–379 and supporting documentation may be returned in person, by mail, or facsimile to the appropriate county FSA office. Form LS–379 and accompanying documentation returned in person or by facsimile, must be received in the appropriate FSA office prior to the close of business on April 21, 2015. Form LS– 379 and accompanying documentation returned by mail must be postmarked no later than midnight of April 21, 2015, and received in the county FSA office by close of business on April 28, 2015. In accordance with Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the information collection requirements have been approved under OMB number 0581–0093. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7411–7425. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:58 Feb 18, 2015 Jkt 235001 Dated: February 11, 2015. Rex A. Barnes, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2015–03392 Filed 2–18–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service San Juan National Forest; Colorado; Weminuche Landscape Grazing Analysis Forest Service, USDA. Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. AGENCY: ACTION: The Forest Service intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement to analyze the impacts of the proposal to continue to authorize term livestock grazing permit(s) on all or portions of the Weminuche Landscape in a manner that moves resource conditions toward desired on-theground conditions and is consistent with Forest Plan standards and guidelines. The Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and agency policy. The analysis area encompasses approximately 167,000 acres on six active allotments and seven vacant allotments. The project area is located northeast of Durango, Colorado; from northern Missionary Ridge east through the Weminuche Wilderness to the Pine River; in Townships 36–40 North, Ranges 4–9 West, N.M.P.M., and is within the Columbine Ranger District, San Juan National Forest, Colorado. The proposed action is designed to increase the flexibility of livestock grazing systems through adaptive management, which will allow quicker and more effective response to problem areas when they are revealed. Problems will be revealed through the use of short and long term monitoring. Application of adaptive management practices should result in improved soil, watershed, and vegetative conditions, and healthier wildlife populations. DATES: If you have supplementary comments which meet the description in Scoping Process, below, they must be received by March 23, 2015. The draft Environmental Impact Statement is expected about April 2015, and the final Environmental Impact Statement is expected about July 2015. A decision is expected about November 2015. ADDRESSES: If you have supplementary comments which meet the description in Scoping Process, below, send them in written form to Matt Janowiak, SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 8845 Columbine District Ranger, P.O. Box 439, Bayfield, CO 81122. Comments may also be sent via email to commentsrocky-mountain-san-juan-columbine@ fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 970–884– 2428. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jared Whitmer, Interdisciplinary Team Leader at 970–884–1416. 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: Preceding EA Process A previous National Environmental Policy Act process, including public input and impacts analysis, has been conducted for this project under an Environmental Assessment. Due to scientific uncertainty regarding disease transmission between livestock and wildlife, and due to uncertainty of degree of impacts to wildlife population viability, a Finding of No Significant Impact could not be reached for the Environmental Assessment. This resulted in the initiation of this Environmental Impact Statement. Purpose and Need for Action The purpose of this action is administer term livestock grazing permits on all or portions of the Weminuche Landscape in a manner that moves resource conditions toward desired on-the-ground conditions and is consistent with Forest Plan standards and guidelines. Proposed Action and Alternatives Alternatives to be included in the Environmental Impact Statement are: 1. No Grazing, 2. Current Management, 3. Adaptive Management with Forage Reserves, and 4. Proposed Action, Adaptive Management with Vacant Allotment Closures. Responsible Official Columbine District Ranger. Nature of Decision To Be Made The Responsible Official will decide whether or not to authorize term grazing permit(s) on all or portions of the Weminuche Landscape, and if grazing is authorized, what design criteria and monitoring will be required. The Responsible Official will also document the decision and reasons for the decision in a Record of Decision. This decision will be subject to Forest Service predecisional objection procedures (36 CFR part 218, Subparts A and B). E:\FR\FM\19FEN1.SGM 19FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 33 (Thursday, February 19, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8844-8845]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03392]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-LPS-14-0044]


Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Program: Referendum

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Opportunity to Participate in the Sorghum Promotion, 
Research, and Information Referendum.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing that a 
referendum will be conducted among eligible sorghum producers and 
importers regarding the Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information 
Order (Order), as authorized under the Commodity Promotion, Research, 
and Information Act of 1996 (Act).

DATES: Sorghum producers and importers will vote in the referendum 
during a 4-week period beginning on March 23, 2015, and ending April 
21, 2015. To be eligible to participate in the referendum, producers 
and importers must certify that they or the entity they are authorized 
to represent are subject to the assessment and were engaged in the 
production or importation of sorghum between January 1, 2011, and 
December 31, 2014. An eligible person shall be entitled to cast only 
one vote in the referendum.
    Form LS-379, Sorghum Promotion and Research Order Referendum 
Ballot, may be obtained by mail, fax, or in person from the Farm 
Service Agency (FSA) county offices from March 23, 2015, to April 21, 
2015. Form LS-379 may also be obtained via the Internet at https://www.ams.usda.gov/lsmarketingprograms during the same time period. 
Sorghum producers should return completed forms and supporting 
documentation to the appropriate county FSA office by fax or in person 
no later than close of business April 21, 2015; or if returned by mail, 
must be postmarked by midnight April 21, 2015, and received in the 
county FSA office by close of business on April 28, 2015. Sorghum 
importers should return completed forms and supporting documentation 
to: Craig Shackelford, Research and Promotion Division, Livestock, 
Poultry, and Seed Program, AMS, USDA, 22 Jamesport Lane, White, GA 
30184; Telephone: (470) 315-4246; craig.shackelford@ams.usda.gov no 
later than close of business April 21, 2015; or if returned by mail, 
must be postmarked by midnight April 21, 2015, and received in the AMS 
office by close of business on April 28, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth R. Payne, Director, Research 
and Promotion Division, Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, AMS, 
USDA, Room 2608-S, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-
0251; Telephone 202/720-5705; Fax 202/720-1125; or email to 
Kenneth.Payne@ams.usda.gov, or Craig Shackelford, Marketing Specialist, 
Research and Promotion Division, Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, 
AMS, USDA, 22 Jamesport Lane, White, GA 30184; Telephone: (470) 315-
4246; craig.shackelford@ams.usda.gov, or Rick Pinkston, Field 
Operations Staff, FSA, USDA, at Telephone (202) 720-1857, Fax (202) 
720-1096, or by email at Rick.Pinkston@wdc.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  Pursuant to the Act (7 U.S.C. 7411-7425), 
it is hereby directed that a referendum be conducted to ascertain 
whether continuance of the Order (7 CFR part 1221) is favored by those 
persons who have been engaged in the production or importation of 
sorghum from January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2014.
    The representative period for establishing voter eligibility for 
the referendum shall be the period from January 1, 2011, through 
December 31, 2014. Persons who were subject to the assessment, and 
engaged in the production or importation of sorghum, who provide 
documentation, such as a sales receipt or remittance form, showing that 
they were engaged in the production or importation of sorghum from 
January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2014, are eligible to vote. 
Importers who were subject to the assessment may provide U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection form 7501.
    On March 3, 2014, the Chairman of the United Sorghum Checkoff 
Program Board signed a letter requesting that AMS complete the voting 
of the referendum by April 15, 2015. He noted that this completion date 
would help ensure that as many producers as possible have a chance to 
vote in the referendum.
    Eligible voters will be provided the opportunity to vote at the 
county FSA office where FSA maintains and processes the eligible 
voter's administrative farm records. For the eligible voter not 
participating in FSA programs, the opportunity to vote will be provided 
at the FSA office serving the county where the person owns or rents 
land. Eligible importers will be provided the opportunity to vote 
through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) AMS office located 
in Washington, DC. Participation in the referendum is not mandatory.
    On November 18, 2010, USDA published in the Federal Register (75 FR 
70573) a final rule that sets forth procedures that will be used in 
conducting the referendum. The final rule includes definitions, 
provisions for supervising the referendum process, eligibility, 
procedures for obtaining and completing the form LS-379, required

[[Page 8845]]

documentation showing that the person was engaged in the production or 
importation of sorghum from January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2014, 
where the referendum will be conducted, counting and reporting results, 
and disposition of the forms and records. Since the referendum will be 
conducted primarily at the county FSA offices, FSA employees will 
assist AMS by determining eligibility, counting requests, and reporting 
results.
    Pursuant to the Act, USDA is conducting the required referendum 
from March 23, 2015 through April 21, 2015. Form LS-379 may be 
requested in person, by mail, or by facsimile from March 23, 2015 
through April 21, 2015.
    Form LS-379 may also be obtained via the Internet at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/lsmarketingprograms during the same 4-week period. 
Eligible voters would vote at the FSA office where FSA maintains and 
processes the person's, corporation's, or other entity's administrative 
farm records. For the person, corporation, or other entity eligible to 
vote that does not participate in FSA programs, the opportunity to vote 
would be provided at the FSA office serving the county where the 
person, corporation, or other entity owns or rents land.
    Voters can determine the location of county FSA offices by 
contacting (1) the nearest FSA office, (2) the State FSA office, or (3) 
through an online search of FSA's Web site at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/default.asp. From the options available on this Web site select 
``State Offices,'' click on your State, select ``County Offices,'' and 
click on the map to select a county.
    Form LS-379 and supporting documentation may be returned in person, 
by mail, or facsimile to the appropriate county FSA office. Form LS-379 
and accompanying documentation returned in person or by facsimile, must 
be received in the appropriate FSA office prior to the close of 
business on April 21, 2015. Form LS-379 and accompanying documentation 
returned by mail must be postmarked no later than midnight of April 21, 
2015, and received in the county FSA office by close of business on 
April 28, 2015.
    In accordance with Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), 
the information collection requirements have been approved under OMB 
number 0581-0093.

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 7411-7425.

    Dated: February 11, 2015.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-03392 Filed 2-18-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
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