The Federal Register

Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Thu, Nov 30 2006 11:00:00 GMT

November 21, 2006.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 10413. Comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), <

Fishtrap EIS, Lolo National Forest, Sanders County, Montana

Thu, Nov 30 2006 11:00:00 GMT

The Forest Service will prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Fishtrap project. The original Fishtrap Record of Decision, signed on November 22, 2005, was litigated in May 2006. The primary issue of the lawsuit was related to treatments intended to maintain and/or enhance old growth stands. As a result of a Courtordered settlement agreement with Plaintiffs, the Lolo National Forest Supervisor agreed to: (a) Withdraw the project decision; (b) monitor past maintenance/restorative treatments within old growth stands and evaluate the effects of these activities; and (c) prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS), incorporating this new information, before proceeding with the project. Over the last several months, Lolo National Forest personnel have been monitoring the effects of past maintenance/restorative treatments in old growth stands and are currently evaluating the information they collected. The Fishtrap SEIS will incorporate the results of thi

Determination of the 2006 Fiscal Year Interest Rate on Rural Telephone Bank Loans

Thu, Nov 30 2006 11:00:00 GMT

In accordance with 7 CFR 1610.10, the Rural Telephone Bank (Bank) cost of money rate has been established as 5.49% for all advances made during fiscal year 2006 (the period beginning October 1, 2005 and ending September 30, 2006). All advances made during fiscal year 2006 were under Bank loans approved on or after October 1, 1992. These loans are sometimes referred to as financing account loans.

The calculation of the Bank's cost of money rate for fiscal year 2006 is provided in Table 1. Since the calculated rate is greater than or equal to the minimum rate (5.00%) allowed under 7 U.S.C. 948(b)(3)(A), the cost of money rate is set at 5.49%. The methodology required to calculate the cost of money rates is established in 7 CFR 1610.10(c).