Notice of Availability of Proposed Changes to Section I of the Louisiana Field Office Technical Guide for Public Review and Comment, 32525-32526 [2015-14063]

Download as PDF tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 110 / Tuesday, June 9, 2015 / Notices Type of Request: Intent to Seek Approval to Revise and Extend an Information Collection for 3 years. Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural Statistics Service is to prepare and issue State and national estimates of crop and livestock production, stocks, disposition, and prices The Stocks Report surveys provide estimates of stocks of grains, hops, oilseeds, peanuts, potatoes, and rice that are stored off-farm. These off-farm stocks are combined with on-farm stocks to estimate stocks in all positions. The grain Stocks Reports are a principle economic indicator as defined by OMB. Stocks statistics are used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help administer programs; by State agencies to develop, research, and promote the marketing of products; and by producers and buyers to find their best market opportunity(s). The Stocks Reports are instrumental in providing timely, accurate data to help grain market participants. Since the previous approval, NASS has made several changes that have resulted in a significant reduction in number of respondents contacted and the overall respondent burden. The potato stocks survey was changed from a monthly survey to a quarterly survey. The potato price survey has been dropped from this renewal. The sample size for the offfarm grain and oilseed operations has been decreased by approximately 500 operations (quarterly), due to mergers of some operations and improved sampling of operations by NASS. The current expiration date for this docket is January 31, 2016. NASS intends to request that the survey be approved for another 3 years. Authority: These data will be collected under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 2204(a). Individually identifiable data collected under this authority are governed by Section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985 as amended, 7 U.S.C. 2276, which requires USDA to afford strict confidentiality to nonaggregated data provided by respondents. This Notice is submitted in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104– 13 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.), and Office of Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320. NASS also complies with OMB Implementation Guidance, ‘‘Implementation Guidance for Title V of the E-Government Act, Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (CIPSEA),’’ Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 115, June 15, 2007, p. 33362. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:12 Jun 08, 2015 Jkt 235001 Estimate of Burden: This information collection comprises 11 individual surveys that are conducted either 1, 4, 5, or 12 times a year for an estimated total of 23,000 responses. Average reporting burden for this collection of information ranges from 10 to 25 minutes per response. Respondents: Farms and businesses. Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,700. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 6,500 hours. Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) 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; (b) 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; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, technological, or other forms of information technology collection methods. All responses to this notice will become a matter of public record and be summarized in the request for OMB approval. Signed at Washington, DC, May 26, 2015. R. Renee Picanso, Associate Administrator. [FR Doc. 2015–14047 Filed 6–8–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–20–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Natural Resources Conservation Service [Docket No. NRCS–2015–0007] Notice of Availability of Proposed Changes to Section I of the Louisiana Field Office Technical Guide for Public Review and Comment Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: NRCS is proposing to revise Section I of the Louisiana Field Office Technical Guide to include ‘‘Guidance for Louisiana Food Security Act Wetland Determinations including Offsite Methods’’ which will replace the existing ‘‘Louisiana Conventions and Procedures for Performing Wetland Delineations’’ (commonly referred as State Wetland Mapping Conventions). SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 32525 Effective Date: This notice is effective June 9, 2015. Guidance for Louisiana Food Security Act Wetland Determinations including Offsite Methods is in final draft, subject to revision and will be utilized immediately in order to better service requests for wetland determinations for compliance with the Food Security Act of 1985 (as amended) in a timely manner. Comment Date: Submit comments on or before July 9, 2015. ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted, identified by Docket Number NRCS–2015–0007, using any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Mail or hand-delivery: Submit state specific comments to the Louisiana NRCS State Office, located at 3737 Government Street, Alexandria, LA 71302. • NRCS will post all comments on https://www.regulations.gov. In general, personal information provided with comments will be posted. If your comment includes your address, phone number, email, or other personal identifying information, your comments, including personal information, may be available to the public. You may ask in your comment that your personal identifying information be withheld from public view, but this cannot be guaranteed. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin D.Norton, State Conservationist. Phone: 318–473–7751 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Guidance for Louisiana Food Security Act Wetland Determinations including Offsite Methods will be used as part of the technical documents and procedures to conduct wetland determinations on agricultural land as required by 16 U.S.C. 3822. NRCS is required by 16 U.S.C. 3862 to make available for public review and comment all proposed revisions to standards and procedures used to carry out highly erodible land and wetland provisions of the law. All comments will be considered. If no comments are received, Guidance for Louisiana Food Security Act Wetland Determinations including Offsite Methods will be considered final. Electronic copies of the proposed Guidance for Louisiana Food Security Act Wetland Determinations including Offsite Methods are available through https://www.regulations.gov by accessing Docket No. NRCS–2015–0007. Alternatively, copies can be downloaded or printed from the Louisiana NRCS Web site located at DATES: E:\FR\FM\09JNN1.SGM 09JNN1 32526 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 110 / Tuesday, June 9, 2015 / Notices https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/ nrcs/site/la/home/. Requests for paper versions or inquiries may be directed to the Louisiana State Conservationist at the contact point shown above. Signed this 5th day of May, 2015, in Alexandria, LA. Kevin D. Norton, State Conservationist. [FR Doc. 2015–14063 Filed 6–8–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–16–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Housing Service Notice of Intent to Accept Applications To Be an Intermediary Under the Certified Loan Application Packaging Process Within the Section 502 Direct Single Family Housing Program Rural Housing Service, USDA. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: The Rural Housing Service (RHS or Agency) published a final rule on April 29, 2015, in the Federal Register that amended its regulations for the section 502 direct single family housing loan program to create a certified loan application packaging process. The section 502 direct single family housing loan program is authorized in Title V of the Housing Act of 1949. Under the certified loan application packaging process, a certified loan application packager and its qualified employer will submit applications to the Agency via an intermediary (unless the applicable Rural Development State Director approves the certified packager to opt not to go through an intermediary). The intermediary will perform quality assurance reviews on the packaged loan applications as well as provide supplemental training, technical assistance, and support to certified packagers and qualified employers to promote quality standards and accountability. Through this notice, the Agency will accept applications to be an intermediary under the certified loan application packaging process outlined in 7 CFR 3550.75 and other applicable regulations. Approval will be subject to fully meeting the conditions outlined within this notice and regulations, a recommendation by a review panel consisting of Agency staff at the state and national levels, and approval by the RHS Administrator. Intermediaries operating under the loan application packaging pilot program, which expires on September 30, 2015, are not guaranteed an tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:12 Jun 08, 2015 Jkt 235001 intermediary role beyond their participation in the pilot program and must apply under this application process should they wish to serve as an intermediary under the regulation. DATES: Eligible parties interested in serving as an intermediary under the regulatory certified loan application packaging process must submit the requested items to the RHS Single Family Housing Direct Loan Division by July 9, 2015. ADDRESSES: Submissions may be sent electronically to SFHDIRECTPROGRAM@wdc.usda.gov or by mail to Brooke Baumann, Branch Chief, Single Family Housing Direct Loan Division, USDA Rural Development, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 2211, Washington, DC 20250–0783. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brooke Baumann, Branch Chief, Single Family Housing Direct Loan Division, USDA Rural Development, Stop 0783, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250–0783, Telephone: 202–690–4250. Email: brooke.baumann@wdc.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To apply to be an Agency-approved intermediary under the certified loan application packaging process, an interested party must furnish sufficient documentation to demonstrate to the Agency’s satisfaction that they meet each of the conditions specified below. (1)(a) Be a Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization as evidenced by the organization’s Internal Revenue Service (IRS) nonprofit determination letter for 501 (c) (3) status. (1)(b) Be in good standing in the State(s) of its operation as evidenced by a Certificate of Good Standing or equivalent documentation from the applicable Secretary of State(s) or recent State filings. (1)(c) Have the capacity to serve multiple qualified employers and their Agency-certified loan application packagers throughout an entire State or entire States and have the capacity to perform quality assurance reviews on a large volume of packaged loan applications within three to five business days of receipt. (1)(d) Identify what State or States the interested party proposes to serve and provide details on their capacity to serve the identified State(s). Applicants with the capacity to serve multiple States will be given extra scoring points from the review panel. (2) Be engaged in affordable housing in accordance with their regulations, articles of incorporation, or bylaws. PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (3) Be financially viable and demonstrate positive operating performance as evidenced by an independent audit paid for by the applicant seeking to be an intermediary. (4) Have at least five years of verifiable experience with the Agency’s direct single family housing programs (specifically the section 502 direct single family housing loan program, the section 504 single family housing repair programs, and/or the section 523 mutual self-help housing technical assistance program). Verifiable experiences would include, but are not exclusive to, routinely leveraging resources for individual transactions (e.g. providing affordable housing products to Agency borrowers), packaging loan applications, serving as an intermediary under the loan application packaging pilot program, and/or being a self-help grantee or technical and management assistance contractor. To the greatest extent possible, the submission should detail collaborations and dollars leveraged. (5) Demonstrate that its quality assurance staff has experience with packaging, originating, or underwriting affordable housing loans. Provide a resume for each quality assurance staff member. The breadth and depth of their combined skills and qualifications will be considered during the Agency’s application review process. (6) Provide a quality control plan that is customized to the applicant’s organization. The quality control plan must show there are controls in place to process application packages that will likely result in an eligibility determination by the Agency. At a minimum, but not limited to, the plan should include: procedures for obtaining and evaluating loan application documents (e.g. credit checks and income verification); measures the applicant will take to prevent the submission of incomplete or ineligible application packages to the Agency; the standard operating procedures for employees who will be involved with or affected by the quality control process; and, procedures for ensuring accurate information is submitted to the Agency. (7) Ensure that their quality assurance staff completes an Agency-approved loan application packaging course and successfully pass any corresponding test within a reasonable amount of time if selected. Until other methods can be considered and vetted, the sole delivery method for the loan application packaging course will be the three-day classroom training co-presented by a designated Agency staff member and sponsored by the NeighborWorks E:\FR\FM\09JNN1.SGM 09JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 110 (Tuesday, June 9, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32525-32526]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-14063]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service

[Docket No. NRCS-2015-0007]


Notice of Availability of Proposed Changes to Section I of the 
Louisiana Field Office Technical Guide for Public Review and Comment

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: NRCS is proposing to revise Section I of the Louisiana Field 
Office Technical Guide to include ``Guidance for Louisiana Food 
Security Act Wetland Determinations including Offsite Methods'' which 
will replace the existing ``Louisiana Conventions and Procedures for 
Performing Wetland Delineations'' (commonly referred as State Wetland 
Mapping Conventions).

DATES: Effective Date: This notice is effective June 9, 2015. Guidance 
for Louisiana Food Security Act Wetland Determinations including 
Offsite Methods is in final draft, subject to revision and will be 
utilized immediately in order to better service requests for wetland 
determinations for compliance with the Food Security Act of 1985 (as 
amended) in a timely manner.
    Comment Date: Submit comments on or before July 9, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted, identified by Docket Number 
NRCS-2015-0007, using any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail or hand-delivery: Submit state specific comments to 
the Louisiana NRCS State Office, located at 3737 Government Street, 
Alexandria, LA 71302.
     NRCS will post all comments on https://www.regulations.gov. 
In general, personal information provided with comments will be posted. 
If your comment includes your address, phone number, email, or other 
personal identifying information, your comments, including personal 
information, may be available to the public. You may ask in your 
comment that your personal identifying information be withheld from 
public view, but this cannot be guaranteed.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin D.Norton, State Conservationist. 
Phone: 318-473-7751

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Guidance for Louisiana Food Security Act 
Wetland Determinations including Offsite Methods will be used as part 
of the technical documents and procedures to conduct wetland 
determinations on agricultural land as required by 16 U.S.C. 3822. NRCS 
is required by 16 U.S.C. 3862 to make available for public review and 
comment all proposed revisions to standards and procedures used to 
carry out highly erodible land and wetland provisions of the law.
    All comments will be considered. If no comments are received, 
Guidance for Louisiana Food Security Act Wetland Determinations 
including Offsite Methods will be considered final.
    Electronic copies of the proposed Guidance for Louisiana Food 
Security Act Wetland Determinations including Offsite Methods are 
available through https://www.regulations.gov by accessing Docket No. 
NRCS-2015-0007. Alternatively, copies can be downloaded or printed from 
the Louisiana NRCS Web site located at

[[Page 32526]]

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/la/home/. Requests for 
paper versions or inquiries may be directed to the Louisiana State 
Conservationist at the contact point shown above.

    Signed this 5th day of May, 2015, in Alexandria, LA.
Kevin D. Norton,
State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 2015-14063 Filed 6-8-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-16-P
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