Department of Agriculture August 23, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The White Pine-Nye Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Eureka, Nevada. The Committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (the Act) (Pub. L. 112-141) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (Pub. L. 92-463). The purpose of the RAC is to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with the Title II of the Act. The meeting is open to the public. The purpose of the meeting is: (1) Review and approve previous meeting minutes and business expenses; (2) Review and recommend funding allocations for proposed projects; and (3) Public Comments.

The Monongahela National Forest is proposing to charge $5.00 for the use of a recently installed RV wastewater dump station at Cranberry Campground on the Gauley Ranger District. The Forest recently finished a major renovation at Cranberry Campground which included all new accessible picnic tables and fire rings at each campsite, removing the toilet facilities and replacing them with accessible precast toilet buildings, a new fee station, drainage improvements, gate installation, planting vegetation to improve screening between campsites, road resurfacing, and expansion of the day-use parking area. One new facility was added during the renovation, a RV wastewater dump station. This is now the only wastewater dump station facility within an hour drive of the campground. This dump station will serve campers in Cranberry Campground, as well as numerous campers from other Forest campsites nearby. Fees for use of the wastewater dump station will be used to offset the costs of pumping the vault at the RV wastewater dump station and hauling the contents off the site.

Through this action, the Rural Housing Service (RHS) is proposing to amend its regulations for the section 502 direct single family housing loan program to create a certified loan application packaging process for eligible loan application packagers. Loan application packagers, who are separate and independent from the Agency, provide an optional service to parties seeking mortgage loans by helping them navigate the loan application process. Currently, packagers assisting parties applying for section 502 direct loans do so under an informal arrangement, which is free from Agency oversight or minimum competency standards. This proposed rule will impose experience, training, proficiency, and structure requirements on eligible service providers. This proposed rule also regulates the packaging fee that will be allowed under this process. By establishing a vast network of competent, experienced, and committed Agency-certified packagers, this action is intended to benefit low- and very low-income people who wish to achieve homeownership in rural areas by increasing their awareness of the Agency's housing program, increasing specialized support available to them to complete the application for assistance, and improving the quality of loan application packages submitted on their behalf.