Department of Agriculture May 5, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (Pub. L. 110-343) (the Act) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C., App. 2), the Sabine-Angelina Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) announces the solicitation of nominees to fill vacancies. The purpose of the committee is to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with Title II of the Act. The RAC covers the Angelina and Sabine National Forests.

The U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service intends to re-establish the Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board (Board). The purpose is to obtain advice and recommendations on a broad range of forest issues such as forest plan revisions or amendments, forest health including fire management and mountain pine beetle infestations, travel management, forest monitoring and evaluation, recreation fees, and site-specific projects having forest wide implications. The Forest Service is also seeking nominations for individuals to be considered as committee members. The public is invited to submit nominations for membership.

This Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) announces the acceptance of applications under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for Fiscal Year 2014 for financial assistance as follows: grants, guaranteed loans, and combined grants and guaranteed loans for the development and construction of renewable energy systems and for energy efficiency improvement projects. The Notice also announces the availability of mandatory budget authority carried over from Fiscal Year 2013 of approximately $24.7 million and $3.5 million of discretionary budget authority made available by Fiscal Year 2014 appropriations. The budget authority will support the above referenced REAP activities, for approximately $12.38 million in grant program level and approximately $57.8 million in guaranteed loan program level. The funding being announced does not include mandatory funding provided by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill). The Rural Business- Cooperative Service (Agency) intends to publish a final rule for REAP later this fiscal year. The final rule will modify the interim rule for REAP based on comments received on the interim rule, which was published in the Federal Register on April 14, 2011 (76 FR 21110), and the proposed rule, which was published on April 12, 2013 (78 FR 22044). The Agency will publish a subsequent notice announcing the mandatory funds for fiscal year 2014 provided by the 2014 Farm Bill simultaneously with the final rule. The 2014 Farm Bill repealed the authority for the feasibility study component of REAP and also removed the ability to provide assistance for flexible fuel pumps. Therefore applications for flexible fuel pumps and feasibility studies will not be determined eligible or awarded funds in Fiscal Year 2014 under REAP.