The Federal Register

Types and Quantities of Agricultural Commodities Available for Donation Overseas Under Section 416(b) of the

Wed, Nov 19 2003 11:00:00 GMT

On November 12, 2003, the President, Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), who is the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, determined that 100,000 metric tons of nonfat dry milk in CCC inventory will be made available for donation overseas under section 416(b) of the Agricultural Act of 1949, as amended, during fiscal year 2004.

Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers

Wed, Nov 19 2003 11:00:00 GMT

The Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), certified a petition for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) that was filed on October 21, 2003, by the Georgia Shrimp Association, Darien, Georgia. Shrimpers in Georgia are now eligible to apply for program benefits.

Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers

Wed, Nov 19 2003 11:00:00 GMT

The Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), certified a petition for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) that was filed on September 30, 2003, by the South Carolina Shrimpers' Association, McClellanville, South Carolina. Shrimpers and shrimp farmers in South Carolina are now eligible to apply for program benefits.

Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers

Wed, Nov 19 2003 11:00:00 GMT

The Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), certified a petition for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) that was filed on October 21, 2003, by the Texas Shrimp Association, Arkansas, Texas. Shrimp producers in Texas are now eligible to apply for program benefits.

Information Collection; Understanding Relationships Between People and Local Land Use at the Francis Marion National

Wed, Nov 19 2003 11:00:00 GMT

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations regarding the new information collection entitled, ``Understanding Relationships Between People and Local Land Use at the Francis Marion National Forest.''

Diamond Lake Restoration Project, Umpqua National Forest, Douglas County, OR

Wed, Nov 19 2003 11:00:00 GMT

On April 25, 2003, the USDA Forest Service, published a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register (68 FR 20367) to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Diamond Lake Restoration Project. The original NOI identified the Forest Service as the sole preparer of the EIS. The Forest Service is revising the NOI to indicate that the Forest Service will serve as the Lead Agency (40 CFR 1501.5) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality will serve as Cooperating Agencies (40 CFR 1501.6) in the preparation of the EIS.

Notice of Mineral County Resource Advisory Committee Meeting

Wed, Nov 19 2003 11:00:00 GMT

Pursuant to the authorities in the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92463) and under the Secure Rural Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106393) the Lolo National Forest's Mineral County Resource Advisory Committee will meet on December 2, 2003 at 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. in Superior, Montana for a business meeting. The meeting is open to the public.

Fees for Official Inspection and Official Weighing Services

Wed, Nov 19 2003 11:00:00 GMT

The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) proposes several changes to the fee schedule for official inspection and weighing services performed under the authority of the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA), as amended. The USGSA provides the authority to charge and collect reasonable fees to cover the cost of performing official services. These fees also cover the costs associated with administrative and supervisory activities related to official services.

After a review of the financial status of GIPSA, including a comparison of the costs and revenues associated with official services, and administrative and supervisory activities; GIPSA is proposing changes to the fee schedule. These proposed changes include eliminating provisions for the 3month and 6month contracts; increasing the 1year contract hourly rate by approximately 20 percent and the noncontract hourly rate by 47 percent; increasing hourly rates for services not performed at an applicant's facilit

Emergency Watershed Protection Program

Wed, Nov 19 2003 11:00:00 GMT

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) proposes several changes to the implementation of the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program to improve the effectiveness of its response to natural disasters. These changes to the existing program regulations include the following:
[sbull] Modifying the costshare rate for program assistance; [sbull] Clarifying that EWP assistance is not available for Federal lands except in situations where safeguards are followed to avoid inappropriate augmentation of appropriations;
[sbull] Allowing a greater Federal share in areas that qualify as limited resource areas; and
[sbull] Describing the parameters under which the agency will purchase floodplain easements as a means to limit flood damages and reduce future Federal obligations.