80 FR 8844 - Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Program: Referendum
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 33 (February 19, 2015)
Agricultural Marketing Service
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 33 (February 19, 2015)
| Page Range | 8844-8845 | |
| FR Document | 2015-03392 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 33 (Thursday, February 19, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 8844-8845] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-03392] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Doc. No. AMS-LPS-14-0044] Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Program: Referendum AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of Opportunity to Participate in the Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Referendum. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing that a referendum will be conducted among eligible sorghum producers and importers regarding the Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order), as authorized under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 (Act). DATES: Sorghum producers and importers will vote in the referendum during a 4-week period beginning on March 23, 2015, and ending April 21, 2015. To be eligible to participate in the referendum, producers and importers must certify that they or the entity they are authorized to represent are subject to the assessment and were engaged in the production or importation of sorghum between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2014. An eligible person shall be entitled to cast only one vote in the referendum. Form LS-379, Sorghum Promotion and Research Order Referendum Ballot, may be obtained by mail, fax, or in person from the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county offices from March 23, 2015, to April 21, 2015. Form LS-379 may also be obtained via the Internet at http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsmarketingprograms during the same time period. Sorghum producers should return completed forms and supporting documentation to the appropriate county FSA office by fax or in person no later than close of business April 21, 2015; or if returned by mail, must be postmarked by midnight April 21, 2015, and received in the county FSA office by close of business on April 28, 2015. Sorghum importers should return completed forms and supporting documentation to: Craig Shackelford, Research and Promotion Division, Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, AMS, USDA, 22 Jamesport Lane, White, GA 30184; Telephone: (470) 315-4246; craig.shackelford@ams.usda.gov no later than close of business April 21, 2015; or if returned by mail, must be postmarked by midnight April 21, 2015, and received in the AMS office by close of business on April 28, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth R. Payne, Director, Research and Promotion Division, Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, AMS, USDA, Room 2608-S, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250- 0251; Telephone 202/720-5705; Fax 202/720-1125; or email to Kenneth.Payne@ams.usda.gov, or Craig Shackelford, Marketing Specialist, Research and Promotion Division, Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, AMS, USDA, 22 Jamesport Lane, White, GA 30184; Telephone: (470) 315- 4246; craig.shackelford@ams.usda.gov, or Rick Pinkston, Field Operations Staff, FSA, USDA, at Telephone (202) 720-1857, Fax (202) 720-1096, or by email at Rick.Pinkston@wdc.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Act (7 U.S.C. 7411-7425), it is hereby directed that a referendum be conducted to ascertain whether continuance of the Order (7 CFR part 1221) is favored by those persons who have been engaged in the production or importation of sorghum from January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2014. The representative period for establishing voter eligibility for the referendum shall be the period from January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2014. Persons who were subject to the assessment, and engaged in the production or importation of sorghum, who provide documentation, such as a sales receipt or remittance form, showing that they were engaged in the production or importation of sorghum from January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2014, are eligible to vote. Importers who were subject to the assessment may provide U.S. Customs and Border Protection form 7501. On March 3, 2014, the Chairman of the United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board signed a letter requesting that AMS complete the voting of the referendum by April 15, 2015. He noted that this completion date would help ensure that as many producers as possible have a chance to vote in the referendum. Eligible voters will be provided the opportunity to vote at the county FSA office where FSA maintains and processes the eligible voter's administrative farm records. For the eligible voter not participating in FSA programs, the opportunity to vote will be provided at the FSA office serving the county where the person owns or rents land. Eligible importers will be provided the opportunity to vote through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) AMS office located in Washington, DC. Participation in the referendum is not mandatory. On November 18, 2010, USDA published in the Federal Register (75 FR 70573) a final rule that sets forth procedures that will be used in conducting the referendum. The final rule includes definitions, provisions for supervising the referendum process, eligibility, procedures for obtaining and completing the form LS-379, required [[Page 8845]] documentation showing that the person was engaged in the production or importation of sorghum from January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2014, where the referendum will be conducted, counting and reporting results, and disposition of the forms and records. Since the referendum will be conducted primarily at the county FSA offices, FSA employees will assist AMS by determining eligibility, counting requests, and reporting results. Pursuant to the Act, USDA is conducting the required referendum from March 23, 2015 through April 21, 2015. Form LS-379 may be requested in person, by mail, or by facsimile from March 23, 2015 through April 21, 2015. Form LS-379 may also be obtained via the Internet at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsmarketingprograms during the same 4-week period. Eligible voters would vote at the FSA office where FSA maintains and processes the person's, corporation's, or other entity's administrative farm records. For the person, corporation, or other entity eligible to vote that does not participate in FSA programs, the opportunity to vote would be provided at the FSA office serving the county where the person, corporation, or other entity owns or rents land. Voters can determine the location of county FSA offices by contacting (1) the nearest FSA office, (2) the State FSA office, or (3) through an online search of FSA's Web site at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/default.asp. From the options available on this Web site select ``State Offices,'' click on your State, select ``County Offices,'' and click on the map to select a county. Form LS-379 and supporting documentation may be returned in person, by mail, or facsimile to the appropriate county FSA office. Form LS-379 and accompanying documentation returned in person or by facsimile, must be received in the appropriate FSA office prior to the close of business on April 21, 2015. Form LS-379 and accompanying documentation returned by mail must be postmarked no later than midnight of April 21, 2015, and received in the county FSA office by close of business on April 28, 2015. In accordance with Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the information collection requirements have been approved under OMB number 0581-0093. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7411-7425. Dated: February 11, 2015. Rex A. Barnes, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2015-03392 Filed 2-18-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
![8844 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 33 / Thursday, February 19, 2015 / Notices
7 CFR 457.8 and 7 CFR 1437.7(d) ACTION: Notice of Opportunity to Promotion Division, Livestock, Poultry,
mandates the collection of acreage and Participate in the Sorghum Promotion, and Seed Program, AMS, USDA, 22
production information from producers Research, and Information Referendum. Jamesport Lane, White, GA 30184;
who wish to participate in certain Telephone: (470) 315–4246;
SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing
USDA programs. The Farm Service craig.shackelford@ams.usda.gov, or
Agency (FSA) and the Risk Management Service (AMS) is announcing that a Rick Pinkston, Field Operations Staff,
Agency (RMA) are implementing the referendum will be conducted among FSA, USDA, at Telephone (202) 720–
Acreage/Crop Reporting Streamlining eligible sorghum producers and 1857, Fax (202) 720–1096, or by email
Initiative (ACRSI), a web-based single importers regarding the Sorghum at Rick.Pinkston@wdc.usda.gov.
source reporting system to establish a Promotion, Research, and Information
Order (Order), as authorized under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant
single reporting and data collection. to the Act (7 U.S.C. 7411–7425), it is
Commodity Promotion, Research, and
Need and Use of the Information: hereby directed that a referendum be
Information Act of 1996 (Act).
This initiative is being conducted in conducted to ascertain whether
DATES: Sorghum producers and
phases by geographical area and continuance of the Order (7 CFR part
additional commodities. Counties are importers will vote in the referendum
during a 4-week period beginning on 1221) is favored by those persons who
selected based on their commonality of have been engaged in the production or
historical crop reporting, high March 23, 2015, and ending April 21,
percentage of producers participating in 2015. To be eligible to participate in the importation of sorghum from January 1,
referendum, producers and importers 2011, through December 31, 2014.
both RMA and FSA programs and the The representative period for
high level of interest of the private must certify that they or the entity they
agricultural service industry (precision- are authorized to represent are subject to establishing voter eligibility for the
the assessment and were engaged in the referendum shall be the period from
ag and farm management) in the pilot January 1, 2011, through December 31,
production or importation of sorghum
phases. It will reengineer the
between January 1, 2011, and December 2014. Persons who were subject to the
procedures, processes, and standards to assessment, and engaged in the
31, 2014. An eligible person shall be
simplify commodity, acreage and production or importation of sorghum,
entitled to cast only one vote in the
production reporting by producers, who provide documentation, such as a
referendum.
eliminate or minimize duplication of Form LS–379, Sorghum Promotion sales receipt or remittance form,
information collection by multiple and Research Order Referendum Ballot, showing that they were engaged in the
agencies and reduce the burden on may be obtained by mail, fax, or in production or importation of sorghum
producers, insurance agents and AIPs. person from the Farm Service Agency from January 1, 2011, through December
Information being collected will consist (FSA) county offices from March 23, 31, 2014, are eligible to vote. Importers
of, but not be limited to: Producer name, 2015, to April 21, 2015. Form LS–379 who were subject to the assessment may
location state, commodity name, may also be obtained via the Internet at provide U.S. Customs and Border
commodity type or variety, location http://www.ams.usda.gov/ Protection form 7501.
county, date planted, land location lsmarketingprograms during the same On March 3, 2014, the Chairman of
(legal description, FSA farm number, time period. Sorghum producers should the United Sorghum Checkoff Program
FSA track number, FSA field number), return completed forms and supporting Board signed a letter requesting that
intended use, prevented planting acres, documentation to the appropriate AMS complete the voting of the
acres planted but failed, planted acres, county FSA office by fax or in person referendum by April 15, 2015. He noted
and production of commodity no later than close of business April 21, that this completion date would help
produced. Failure to collect the 2015; or if returned by mail, must be ensure that as many producers as
applicable information could result in postmarked by midnight April 21, 2015, possible have a chance to vote in the
unearned Federal benefits being issued and received in the county FSA office referendum.
or producers being denied eligibility to by close of business on April 28, 2015. Eligible voters will be provided the
program benefits. Sorghum importers should return opportunity to vote at the county FSA
Description of Respondents: completed forms and supporting office where FSA maintains and
Individuals and households. documentation to: Craig Shackelford, processes the eligible voter’s
Number of Respondents: 293,000. Research and Promotion Division, administrative farm records. For the
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, eligible voter not participating in FSA
One time. AMS, USDA, 22 Jamesport Lane, White, programs, the opportunity to vote will
Total Burden Hours: 358,925. GA 30184; Telephone: (470) 315–4246; be provided at the FSA office serving
Charlene Parker,
craig.shackelford@ams.usda.gov no later the county where the person owns or
than close of business April 21, 2015; or rents land. Eligible importers will be
Departmental Information Clearance Officer.
if returned by mail, must be postmarked provided the opportunity to vote
[FR Doc. 2015–03399 Filed 2–18–15; 8:45 am] by midnight April 21, 2015, and through the U.S. Department of
BILLING CODE 3410–08–P received in the AMS office by close of Agriculture’s (USDA) AMS office
business on April 28, 2015. located in Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Participation in the referendum is not
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Kenneth R. Payne, Director, Research mandatory.
Agricultural Marketing Service and Promotion Division, Livestock, On November 18, 2010, USDA
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Poultry, and Seed Program, AMS, published in the Federal Register (75
USDA, Room 2608–S, 1400 FR 70573) a final rule that sets forth
[Doc. No. AMS–LPS–14–0044]
Independence Avenue SW., procedures that will be used in
Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Washington, DC 20250–0251; conducting the referendum. The final
Information Program: Referendum Telephone 202/720–5705; Fax 202/720– rule includes definitions, provisions for
1125; or email to Kenneth.Payne@ supervising the referendum process,
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, ams.usda.gov, or Craig Shackelford, eligibility, procedures for obtaining and
USDA. Marketing Specialist, Research and completing the form LS–379, required
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 33 / Thursday, February 19, 2015 / Notices 8845
documentation showing that the person Dated: February 11, 2015. Columbine District Ranger, P.O. Box
was engaged in the production or Rex A. Barnes, 439, Bayfield, CO 81122. Comments
importation of sorghum from January 1, Associate Administrator, Agricultural may also be sent via email to comments-
2011, through December 31, 2014, Marketing Service. rocky-mountain-san-juan-columbine@
where the referendum will be [FR Doc. 2015–03392 Filed 2–18–15; 8:45 am] fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 970–884–
conducted, counting and reporting BILLING CODE 3410–02–P 2428.
results, and disposition of the forms and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
records. Since the referendum will be Jared Whitmer, Interdisciplinary Team
conducted primarily at the county FSA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Leader at 970–884–1416.
offices, FSA employees will assist AMS Individuals who use
Forest Service telecommunication devices for the deaf
by determining eligibility, counting
requests, and reporting results. (TDD) may call the Federal Information
San Juan National Forest; Colorado;
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
Pursuant to the Act, USDA is Weminuche Landscape Grazing
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern
conducting the required referendum Analysis
Time, Monday through Friday.
from March 23, 2015 through April 21, AGENCY:Forest Service, USDA. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
2015. Form LS–379 may be requested in ACTION:Notice of intent to prepare an
person, by mail, or by facsimile from Preceding EA Process
Environmental Impact Statement.
March 23, 2015 through April 21, 2015. A previous National Environmental
Form LS–379 may also be obtained SUMMARY: The Forest Service intends to Policy Act process, including public
via the Internet at: http:// prepare an Environmental Impact input and impacts analysis, has been
www.ams.usda.gov/ Statement to analyze the impacts of the conducted for this project under an
lsmarketingprograms during the same 4- proposal to continue to authorize term Environmental Assessment. Due to
livestock grazing permit(s) on all or scientific uncertainty regarding disease
week period. Eligible voters would vote
portions of the Weminuche Landscape transmission between livestock and
at the FSA office where FSA maintains
in a manner that moves resource wildlife, and due to uncertainty of
and processes the person’s, conditions toward desired on-the- degree of impacts to wildlife population
corporation’s, or other entity’s ground conditions and is consistent viability, a Finding of No Significant
administrative farm records. For the with Forest Plan standards and Impact could not be reached for the
person, corporation, or other entity guidelines. The Environmental Impact Environmental Assessment. This
eligible to vote that does not participate Statement will be prepared pursuant to resulted in the initiation of this
in FSA programs, the opportunity to the National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Impact Statement.
vote would be provided at the FSA and agency policy. The analysis area
office serving the county where the Purpose and Need for Action
encompasses approximately 167,000
person, corporation, or other entity acres on six active allotments and seven The purpose of this action is
owns or rents land. vacant allotments. The project area is administer term livestock grazing
Voters can determine the location of located northeast of Durango, Colorado; permits on all or portions of the
from northern Missionary Ridge east Weminuche Landscape in a manner that
county FSA offices by contacting (1) the
through the Weminuche Wilderness to moves resource conditions toward
nearest FSA office, (2) the State FSA
the Pine River; in Townships 36–40 desired on-the-ground conditions and is
office, or (3) through an online search of
North, Ranges 4–9 West, N.M.P.M., and consistent with Forest Plan standards
FSA’s Web site at: http:// and guidelines.
www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/default.asp. is within the Columbine Ranger District,
San Juan National Forest, Colorado. Proposed Action and Alternatives
From the options available on this Web
The proposed action is designed to
site select ‘‘State Offices,’’ click on your increase the flexibility of livestock Alternatives to be included in the
State, select ‘‘County Offices,’’ and click grazing systems through adaptive Environmental Impact Statement are: 1.
on the map to select a county. management, which will allow quicker No Grazing, 2. Current Management, 3.
Form LS–379 and supporting and more effective response to problem Adaptive Management with Forage
documentation may be returned in areas when they are revealed. Problems Reserves, and 4. Proposed Action,
person, by mail, or facsimile to the will be revealed through the use of short Adaptive Management with Vacant
appropriate county FSA office. Form and long term monitoring. Application Allotment Closures.
LS–379 and accompanying of adaptive management practices Responsible Official
documentation returned in person or by should result in improved soil,
Columbine District Ranger.
facsimile, must be received in the watershed, and vegetative conditions,
appropriate FSA office prior to the close and healthier wildlife populations. Nature of Decision To Be Made
of business on April 21, 2015. Form LS– DATES: If you have supplementary The Responsible Official will decide
379 and accompanying documentation comments which meet the description whether or not to authorize term grazing
returned by mail must be postmarked no in Scoping Process, below, they must be permit(s) on all or portions of the
later than midnight of April 21, 2015, received by March 23, 2015. The draft Weminuche Landscape, and if grazing is
and received in the county FSA office Environmental Impact Statement is authorized, what design criteria and
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
by close of business on April 28, 2015. expected about April 2015, and the final monitoring will be required. The
Environmental Impact Statement is Responsible Official will also document
In accordance with Paperwork expected about July 2015. A decision is the decision and reasons for the
Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), expected about November 2015. decision in a Record of Decision. This
the information collection requirements ADDRESSES: If you have supplementary decision will be subject to Forest
have been approved under OMB comments which meet the description Service predecisional objection
number 0581–0093. in Scoping Process, below, send them in procedures (36 CFR part 218, Subparts
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7411–7425. written form to Matt Janowiak, A and B).
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Document Created: 2018-02-16 11:12:28
Document Modified: 2018-02-16 11:12:28
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of Opportunity to Participate in the Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Referendum. | |
| Dates | Sorghum producers and importers will vote in the referendum during a 4-week period beginning on March 23, 2015, and ending April 21, 2015. To be eligible to participate in the referendum, producers and importers must certify that they or the entity they are authorized to represent are subject to the assessment and were engaged in the production or importation of sorghum between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2014. An eligible person shall be entitled to cast only one vote in the referendum. | |
| Contact | Kenneth R. Payne, Director, Research and Promotion Division, Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, AMS, USDA, Room 2608-S, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250- 0251; Telephone 202/720-5705; Fax 202/720-1125; or email to [email protected], or Craig Shackelford, Marketing Specialist, Research and Promotion Division, Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, AMS, USDA, 22 Jamesport Lane, White, GA 30184; Telephone: (470) 315- 4246; [email protected], or Rick Pinkston, Field Operations Staff, FSA, USDA, at Telephone (202) 720-1857, Fax (202) 720-1096, or by email at [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 8844 |
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