Department of Agriculture February 13, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice is to inform the public of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, signed December 8, 2008, to promote the conservation of migratory birds. Pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13186 (January 17, 2001), ``Responsibilities of Federal Agencies to Protect Migratory Birds,'' this MOU outlines a collaborative approach to promote the conservation of migratory bird populations. It does not authorize the ``take'' of migratory birds. Take, as defined in 50 CFR 10.12 regarding all wildlife and plants, means to pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or attempt to pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect. This MOU identifies specific activities where cooperation between the Parties will contribute substantially to the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. The complete text of the MOU is available at https://www.fs.fed.us/ biology/resources/pubs/mou_moa.html.

This document seeks public comment on a proposal to delay for 104 days the effective date of the interim rule, for Rural Development Guaranteed Loans, which was published on December 17, 2008. The interim rule establishes a unified guaranteed loan platform for the enhanced delivery of four existing Rural Development guaranteed loan programs Community Facility; Water and Waste Disposal; Business and Industry; and Rural Energy for America Program, formerly known as Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Projects. The Department seeks comments on whether or not it should delay the effective date of the interim rule until June 1, 2009, in order to provide the Agency sufficient time to implement certain administrative aspects associated with the interim rule. For that reason, the Department is seeking comments on the merits of extending the effective date of the interim rule to June 1, 2009. In order to allow sufficient time for public comment on the Agency's proposal to further extend the effective date until June 1, 2009, this document extends the current effective date from February 17, 2009, to March 9, 2009, pursuant to the ``good cause'' clause under the Administrative Procedures Act (5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B)).

Pursuant to authorities in the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463) and Public Law 110-343, enacted on October 3, 2008, reauthorizing and amending the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-393), the Black Hills National Forest Custer County Resource Advisory Committee will meet on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 in Custer, South Dakota. The meeting is open to the public.