Commodity Credit Corporation 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) are seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on an extension of a currently approved information collection associated with the report of acreage for the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). This information collection is needed to administer the program.

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) proposes regulations with respect to general sugar inventory disposition and the establishment of a new Feedstock Flexibility Program (FFP) that requires the Secretary to purchase sugar to produce bioenergy as a means to avoid forfeitures of sugar loan collateral under the sugar loan program. These regulations are as required by the Food Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (the 2002 Farm Bill), as amended by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill).

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) published a proposed rule on July 27, 2011 (76 FR 44836-44855), revising and amending the regulations that administer the Export Credit Guarantee (GSM-102) Program. Changes in this proposed rule incorporate program operational changes and information from press releases and notices to participants that have been implemented since the publication of the current rule, and include other administrative revisions to enhance clarity and program integrity. CCC is extending the comment period for the proposed rule to give the public more time to provide input and recommendations on the proposed rule. The original comment period would have closed on September 26, 2011; CCC is extending the comment period for 30 additional days. With this extension, the public may submit comments through October 26, 2011.

This proposed rule would revise and amend the regulations that administer the Export Credit Guarantee (GSM-102) Program. Changes in this proposed rule incorporate program operational changes and information from press releases and notices to participants that have been implemented since the publication of the current rule, and include other administrative revisions to enhance clarity and program integrity. These changes should increase program availability to all participants and enhance access and encourage sales for smaller U.S. exporters. The proposed rule would eliminate provisions for the Intermediate Export Credit Guarantee (GSM-103) Program, consistent with the repeal of authority to operate this program in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Act).

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) published five notices in the Federal Register on April 15, 2011, inviting proposals for the Market Access Program (MAP), Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program (FMD), Emerging Markets Program (EMP), Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program (TASC), and Quality Samples Program (QSP). The notices stated that eligible applicants for these programs could submit proposals through May 16, 2011. CCC was unaware at that time that electrical construction issues at the U.S. Department of Agriculture would prevent the Internet-based application from operating for several days during the application period. Thus, this unforeseen situation results in less than the desired 30-day application period. Consequently by this notice, CCC is extending the application period due date for all of these programs to May 20, 2011.

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces that it is inviting proposals for the 2012 Market Access Program (MAP). The intended effect of this notice is to solicit applications from eligible applicants and to award funds in October 2011. The MAP is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces that it is inviting proposals for the 2012 Foreign Market Development Cooperator (Cooperator) program. The intended effect of this notice is to solicit applications from eligible applicants for 2012 and to award funds in October 2011. The Cooperator program is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

This notice announces the availability of a draft environmental assessment (EA) for the proposed establishment and production of giant miscanthus (Miscanthus X giganteus) as a dedicated energy crop to be grown in the Aloterra Energy and MFA Oil Biomass Company (project sponsors) proposed project areas in Arkansas, Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania as part of the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). This notice provides a means for the public to submit comments to voice concerns about the proposed BCAP project areas.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued regulatory guidance to agencies to establish requirements for Federal financial assistance applicants, recipients, and sub-recipients that are necessary for the implementation of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (the Transparency Act). OMB's regulations require agencies that make awards of Federal financial assistance subject to the Transparency Act to include the requirements identified in each regulation that has application or plan due dates after October 1, 2010. The Watershed Operations and Flood Prevention Program, Emergency Watersheds Protection Program, Healthy Forests Reserve Program, Agricultural Management Assistance Program, and the Conservation Stewardship Program have application or plan due dates after October 1, 2010, and therefore, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is incorporating the Transparency Act's recipient registration and reporting requirements into these programs' regulations. These changes, the terms of which are not subject to agency discretion, are mandatory.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on an extension of a currently approved information collection associated with form CCC-10, entitled ``Representations for Commodity Credit Corporation or Farm Service Agency Loans and Authorization To File A Financing Statement and Related document,'' which is used to support the CCC and FSA Farm Loan Programs (FLPs).

This document amends a number of regulations of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) principally to reflect the establishment of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the abolishment of the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, as mandated by section 251(f)(2) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971(f)(2)) (as added by section 7511 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA), Pub. L. 110-246). This rule also makes a number of miscellaneous amendments to the delegations of authority in 7 CFR part 2, as summarized below.