Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA); Market Facilitation Program (MFP) Payments to Producers, 48410-48411 [2018-20773]

Download as PDF 48410 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 186 / Tuesday, September 25, 2018 / Notices 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: 501,012. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: One time. Total Burden Hours: 187,880. Ruth Brown, Departmental Information Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2018–20825 Filed 9–24–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–08–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Commodity Credit Corporation Farm Service Agency Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA); Market Facilitation Program (MFP) Payments to Producers Commodity Credit Corporation and Farm Service Agency, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: MFP provides payments to producers with commodities that have been significantly impacted by actions of foreign governments resulting in the loss of traditional exports. This NOFA announces the availability of MFP funds for eligible producers of shelled almonds and fresh sweet cherries and makes a correction to a previously issued NOFA published on August 30, 2018, with respect to MFP funds availability for hogs. On behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), the Farm Service Agency (FSA) administers MFP. MFP participants will receive an MFP payment, calculated daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:40 Sep 24, 2018 Jkt 244001 based on the eligible production multiplied by the participant’s share multiplied by the MFP payment rate. Application period: September 24, 2018, through January 15, 2019. DATES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bradley Karmen, telephone: (202) 720– 3175. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background CCC published the MFP regulation, 7 CFR part 1409, on August 30, 2018 (83 FR 44173–44178), specifying the eligibility requirements, payment calculations, and application procedures for MFP. CCC also published a NOFA on August 30, 2018 (83 FR 44257–44258) that announced funds available for hogs and other commodities. MFP provides assistance to producers with commodities that have been significantly impacted by actions of foreign governments resulting in the loss of traditional exports. This NOFA announces the availability of initial MFP payments for 2018 for shelled almonds and fresh sweet cherries. Correction The NOFA announcing funds availability for hogs specifies that the date for which the owner reports the number of head of live hogs is August 1, 2018. It has come to our attention that the inventory on August 1 may not be representative of the operation’s inventory. For example, a producer may have sold a barnful of hogs a few days before August 1, resulting in reduced inventory and then purchased feeder pigs a few days later. To provide an option for those owners to participate in MFP, this NOFA is revising the requirement. Producers may select any day from July 15 through August 15, 2018, as the date for which the ownership is reported. Application Process Each eligible producer applies for MFP on an application form. A producer applies for MFP once. MFP payments will not be issued until a producer certifies production, as described below. Payment Rates The MFP payment rates will be as determined by CCC. The MFP payment rates and units of measure that will be in effect beginning at the start of the application period, are listed in the following table. PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Commodity Unit Shelled Almonds ....... Fresh Sweet Cherries pound .... pound .... Rate ($/unit) $0.03 0.16 The initial payment rate will apply to the first 50 percent of the producer’s total production of the selected commodity. On or about December 3, 2018, CCC may announce a second payment rate, if applicable, that will apply to the remaining 50 percent of the producer’s production for the selected commodity. MFP payment at either the initial payment rate or at a second payment rate will be made after a producer harvests 100 percent of the crop and certifies the amount of production. The actual production used to calculate an MFP payment under this NOFA is 2018 production in which the applicant had an ownership share. Specifically, required production information is as follows: • Harvested production for the 2018 crop year; • An ownership share for a crop will be as reported to FSA on the acreage report, form FSA–578, ‘‘Report of Acreage.’’ Production Evidence On the application, the producer will certify the amount of production and note the source of production evidence. If requested, the producer must provide supporting documentation to CCC to determine the producer’s ownership share and the amount of production. If supporting documentation is required for the amount of actual production and for ownership share, it needs to be records that substantiate the reported amounts. The participant’s production for the commodity is based on production records. Examples of supporting documentation include evidence provided by the participant that is used to substantiate the amount of production reported, including copies of receipts, ledgers of income, income statements of deposit slips, register tapes, invoices for custom harvesting, and records to verify production costs, contemporaneous measurements, truck scale tickets, or contemporaneous diaries that are determined acceptable by the FSA county committee. Payment Limitation For MFP payments, there will be a single combined $125,000 per person or legal entity payment limitation for shelled almonds and fresh sweet cherries. E:\FR\FM\25SEN1.SGM 25SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 186 / Tuesday, September 25, 2018 / Notices Eligible Crops COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS To be eligible to receive an MFP payment for a crop, the acreage of the crop must have been reported on FSA– 578 and amount of production of shelled almonds or fresh sweet cherries must have been harvested and entered on the application. Sweet cherries intended for process market or juice are not eligible for MFP. The quantity of production for sweet cherries is on a ‘‘pack-out’’ basis. The quantity of production for shelled almonds will be based on the total eligible kernels or such similar term as edible meat weight. Notice of Public Meeting of the Indiana Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements This NOFA does not require changes to the information collection request currently approved by OMB control number 0560–0292. However, FSA has requested public comments through October 29, 2018, on the information collection requirements as specified in the NOFA published on August 30, 2018 (83 FR 44257–44258). Environmental Review The environmental impacts for MFP have been considered in a manner consistent with the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321–4347), the regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), and the FSA regulation for compliance with NEPA (7 CFR part 799). As stated in the MFP final rule, the implementation of MFP and the participation in MFP do not constitute major Federal actions that would significantly affect the quality of the human environment, individually or cumulatively. The final rule served as documentation of the programmatic environmental compliance decision for this federal program; therefore, CCC will not prepare additional environmental compliance documentation for this NOFA. Federal Assistance Programs The title and number of the Federal assistance programs, as found in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, to which this NOFA applies is: daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES 10.123 Market Facilitation Program. Steven Peterson, Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency. Robert Stephenson, Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation. [FR Doc. 2018–20773 Filed 9–21–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–05–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:40 Sep 24, 2018 Jkt 244001 U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. ACTION: Announcement of meeting. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act that the Indiana Advisory Committee (Committee) will hold a meeting on Thursday September 27, 2018, from 3– 4 p.m. EDT for the purpose of discussing a draft op-ed regarding voting rights in the state. DATES: The meeting will be held on Thursday September 27, 2018, from 3– 4 p.m. EDT. ADDRESSES: Public call information: Dial: 855–719–5012; Conference ID: 8260781. SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Wojnaroski, DFO, at mwojnaroski@usccr.gov or 312–353– 8311. This meeting is free and open to the public. Members of the public may join through the above listed toll free call in number. Members of the public will be invited to make a statement as time allows. The conference call operator will ask callers to identify themselves, the organization they are affiliated with (if any), and an email address prior to placing callers into the conference room. Callers can expect to incur regular charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, according to their wireless plan. The Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Callers will incur no charge for calls they initiate over landline connections to the toll-free telephone number. Persons with hearing impairments may also follow the proceedings by first calling the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877–8339 and providing the Service with the conference call number and conference ID number. Members of the public are also entitled to submit written comments; the comments must be received in the regional office within 30 days following the meeting. Written comments may be mailed to the Regional Programs Unit Office, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 230 S Dearborn, Suite 2120, Chicago IL 60604. They may also be faxed to the Commission at (312) 353–8324, or emailed to Carolyn Allen at callen@ usccr.gov. Persons who desire SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 48411 additional information may contact the Regional Programs Unit Office at (312) 353–8311. Records generated from this meeting may be inspected and reproduced at the Regional Programs Unit Office, as they become available, both before and after the meeting. Records of the meeting will be available via www.facadatabase.gov under the Commission on Civil Rights, Indiana Advisory Committee link (https://www.facadatabase.gov/ committee/meetings.aspx?cid=247). Persons interested in the work of this Committee are directed to the Commission’s website, https:// www.usccr.gov, or may contact the Regional Programs Unit Office at the above email or street address. Agenda: Welcome and Introductions Draft op-ed review: Voting Rights in Indiana Public Comment Adjournment Exceptional Circumstance: Pursuant to 41 CFR 102–3.150, the notice for this meeting is given less than 15 calendar days prior to the meeting because of the exceptional circumstance of this Committee discussing publication of an op-ed regarding voting rights, to be released prior to the voter registration deadline in the state. Dated: September 20, 2018. David Mussatt, Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit. [FR Doc. 2018–20900 Filed 9–24–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). Agency: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Department of Commerce. Title: Quarterly Survey of Foreign Airline Operators’ Revenues and Expenses in the United States. OMB Control Number: 0608–0068. Form Number: BE–9. Type of Request: Regular submission. Number of Responses: 180 annually (45 filed each quarter; 44 reporting mandatory data, and one that would file an exemption claim). Average Hours per Response: 6 hours is the average for those reporting data, E:\FR\FM\25SEN1.SGM 25SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 25, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48410-48411]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20773]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation

Farm Service Agency


Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA); Market Facilitation Program 
(MFP) Payments to Producers

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation and Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: MFP provides payments to producers with commodities that have 
been significantly impacted by actions of foreign governments resulting 
in the loss of traditional exports. This NOFA announces the 
availability of MFP funds for eligible producers of shelled almonds and 
fresh sweet cherries and makes a correction to a previously issued NOFA 
published on August 30, 2018, with respect to MFP funds availability 
for hogs. On behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), the Farm 
Service Agency (FSA) administers MFP. MFP participants will receive an 
MFP payment, calculated based on the eligible production multiplied by 
the participant's share multiplied by the MFP payment rate.

DATES: Application period: September 24, 2018, through January 15, 
2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bradley Karmen, telephone: (202) 720-
3175.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    CCC published the MFP regulation, 7 CFR part 1409, on August 30, 
2018 (83 FR 44173-44178), specifying the eligibility requirements, 
payment calculations, and application procedures for MFP. CCC also 
published a NOFA on August 30, 2018 (83 FR 44257-44258) that announced 
funds available for hogs and other commodities. MFP provides assistance 
to producers with commodities that have been significantly impacted by 
actions of foreign governments resulting in the loss of traditional 
exports. This NOFA announces the availability of initial MFP payments 
for 2018 for shelled almonds and fresh sweet cherries.

Correction

    The NOFA announcing funds availability for hogs specifies that the 
date for which the owner reports the number of head of live hogs is 
August 1, 2018. It has come to our attention that the inventory on 
August 1 may not be representative of the operation's inventory. For 
example, a producer may have sold a barnful of hogs a few days before 
August 1, resulting in reduced inventory and then purchased feeder pigs 
a few days later. To provide an option for those owners to participate 
in MFP, this NOFA is revising the requirement. Producers may select any 
day from July 15 through August 15, 2018, as the date for which the 
ownership is reported.

Application Process

    Each eligible producer applies for MFP on an application form. A 
producer applies for MFP once. MFP payments will not be issued until a 
producer certifies production, as described below.

Payment Rates

    The MFP payment rates will be as determined by CCC.
    The MFP payment rates and units of measure that will be in effect 
beginning at the start of the application period, are listed in the 
following table.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Rate ($/
               Commodity                         Unit            unit)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shelled Almonds.......................  pound................      $0.03
Fresh Sweet Cherries..................  pound................       0.16
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The initial payment rate will apply to the first 50 percent of the 
producer's total production of the selected commodity. On or about 
December 3, 2018, CCC may announce a second payment rate, if 
applicable, that will apply to the remaining 50 percent of the 
producer's production for the selected commodity.
    MFP payment at either the initial payment rate or at a second 
payment rate will be made after a producer harvests 100 percent of the 
crop and certifies the amount of production.
    The actual production used to calculate an MFP payment under this 
NOFA is 2018 production in which the applicant had an ownership share. 
Specifically, required production information is as follows:
     Harvested production for the 2018 crop year;
     An ownership share for a crop will be as reported to FSA 
on the acreage report, form FSA-578, ``Report of Acreage.''

Production Evidence

    On the application, the producer will certify the amount of 
production and note the source of production evidence. If requested, 
the producer must provide supporting documentation to CCC to determine 
the producer's ownership share and the amount of production.
    If supporting documentation is required for the amount of actual 
production and for ownership share, it needs to be records that 
substantiate the reported amounts. The participant's production for the 
commodity is based on production records. Examples of supporting 
documentation include evidence provided by the participant that is used 
to substantiate the amount of production reported, including copies of 
receipts, ledgers of income, income statements of deposit slips, 
register tapes, invoices for custom harvesting, and records to verify 
production costs, contemporaneous measurements, truck scale tickets, or 
contemporaneous diaries that are determined acceptable by the FSA 
county committee.

Payment Limitation

    For MFP payments, there will be a single combined $125,000 per 
person or legal entity payment limitation for shelled almonds and fresh 
sweet cherries.

[[Page 48411]]

Eligible Crops

    To be eligible to receive an MFP payment for a crop, the acreage of 
the crop must have been reported on FSA-578 and amount of production of 
shelled almonds or fresh sweet cherries must have been harvested and 
entered on the application. Sweet cherries intended for process market 
or juice are not eligible for MFP. The quantity of production for sweet 
cherries is on a ``pack-out'' basis. The quantity of production for 
shelled almonds will be based on the total eligible kernels or such 
similar term as edible meat weight.

Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements

    This NOFA does not require changes to the information collection 
request currently approved by OMB control number 0560-0292. However, 
FSA has requested public comments through October 29, 2018, on the 
information collection requirements as specified in the NOFA published 
on August 30, 2018 (83 FR 44257-44258).

Environmental Review

    The environmental impacts for MFP have been considered in a manner 
consistent with the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347), the regulations of the Council on 
Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and the FSA regulation 
for compliance with NEPA (7 CFR part 799).
    As stated in the MFP final rule, the implementation of MFP and the 
participation in MFP do not constitute major Federal actions that would 
significantly affect the quality of the human environment, individually 
or cumulatively. The final rule served as documentation of the 
programmatic environmental compliance decision for this federal 
program; therefore, CCC will not prepare additional environmental 
compliance documentation for this NOFA.

Federal Assistance Programs

    The title and number of the Federal assistance programs, as found 
in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, to which this NOFA 
applies is:

10.123 Market Facilitation Program.

Steven Peterson,
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
Robert Stephenson,
Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2018-20773 Filed 9-21-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-05-P
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