[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6023]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 16, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farmers Home Administration
7 CFR Parts 1942 and 1980
RIN 0575-AB53
Rural Business Enterprise Grants and Television Demonstration
Grants; Technical Assistance and Training Grants; Nonprofit National
Corporations Loan and Grant Program
AGENCY: Farmers Home Administration, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) proposes to amend the
FmHA policies and procedures governing the administration of programs
which authorize technical assistance as an eligible grant purpose. This
action is necessary to implement legislation that prohibits duplication
of technical assistance grant funding provided by the Forest Service
(FS). The intended effect of this action is to require that grant funds
may not be used to pay for technical assistance which duplicates
assistance provided under an action plan funded by the FS under the
National Forest-Department Rural Communities Economic Diversification
Act during 5 continuous years from the date of grant approval by the
FS.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before April 15, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments in duplicate to the Office of the
Chief, Regulations Analysis and Control Branch, Farmers Home
Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, room 6348, South
Agriculture Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20250-0700. All written comments made pursuant to this
notice will be available for public inspection during regular working
hours at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jennifer Barton, Loan Specialist, Community Facilities Division, Rural
Development Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, room 6314,
South Agriculture Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20250-0700, telephone (202) 720-1504.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Classification
We are issuing this proposed rule in conformance with Executive
Order 12866, and we have determined that it is not a ``significant
regulatory action.'' Based on information compiled by the Department,
we have determined that this proposed rule: (1) Would have an effect on
the economy of less than $100 million; (2) would not adversely affect
in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity,
competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State,
local, or tribal governments or communities; (3) would not create a
serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or
planned by another agency; (4) would not alter the budgetary impact of
entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or rights and
obligations of recipients thereof; and (5) would not raise novel legal
or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's
priorities, or principles set forth in Executive Order 12866.
Environmental Impact
This document has been reviewed in accordance with 7 CFR part 1940,
Subpart G, ``Environmental Program.'' FmHA has determined that this
action does not constitute a major Federal action significantly
affecting the quality of the human environment, and in accordance with
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, Public Law 91-190, an
Environmental Impact Statement is not required.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
In compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the
Administrator has determined that this action will not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities
because the action will not affect a significant number of small
entities as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601).
Executive Order 12778
The proposed regulation has been reviewed in light of Executive
Order 12778 and meets the applicable standards provided in sections
2(a) and 2(b)(2) of that Order. Provisions within this part which are
inconsistent with State law are controlling. All administrative
remedies pursuant to 7 CFR part 1900, Subpart B, must be exhausted
prior to filing suit.
Paperwork Reduction Act
The collection of information requirements contained in this
regulation have been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget
for review under section 3504(h) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1980. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is
estimated to vary from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours per response, with an
average of 1 hour per response including time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including
suggestions for reducing this burden, to Department of Agriculture,
Clearance Officer, OIRM, room 404-W, Washington, DC 20250; and to the
Office of Management and Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for the
Farmers Home Administration, Washington, DC 20503.
Background
FmHA proposes this action to implement section 2375(e) of Public
Law 101-624, which requires the Secretary of Agriculture to ensure that
no substantially similar geographical or defined local area in a State
receives a grant for technical assistance to an economically
disadvantaged community from the FS and a grant for technical
assistance under a designated rural development program as defined in
section 365(b)(2) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act,
during any continuous 5-year period.
Programs Affected
The programs/activities are listed in the Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance under Numbers 10.424, Rural Development Grants;
10.434, Nonprofit National Corporations Loans and Grant Program; and
10.436, Technical Assistance and Training Grants. The 10.424 and 10.434
programs are subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372 which
requires intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials.
The 10.436 program is exempt from the provisions of Executive Order
12372. FmHA conducts intergovernmental consultation in the manner
delineated in FmHA Instruction 1940-J.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Parts 1942 and 1980
Business and industry; Community development; Community facilities;
Economics development, Grant programs--housing and community
development, Grant programs--nonprofit corporations, Industrial park,
Loan programs--nonprofit corporations, Rural areas.
Therefore, chapter XVIII, title 7, Code of Federal Regulations is
proposed to be amended as follows:
PART 1942--ASSOCIATIONS
1. The authority citation for part 1942 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1989; 5 U.S.C. 301; 7 CFR 2.23; 7 CFR 2.70.
Subpart G--Rural Business Enterprise Grants and Television
Demonstration Grants
2. Section 1942.307 is amended by adding a new paragraph (a)(6) as
follows:
Sec. 1942.307 Limitations on use of grant funds.
(a) * * *
(6) To pay for technical assistance as defined in this subpart
which duplicates assistance provided to implement an action plan funded
by the Forest Service (FS) under the National Forest-Dependent Rural
Communities Economic Diversification Act for 5 continuous years from
the date of grant approval by the FS. To avoid duplicate assistance,
the grantee shall coordinate with FS and FmHA to ascertain if a grant
has been made in a substantially similar geographical or defined local
area in a State for technical assistance under the above program. The
grantee will provide documentations to FS and FmHA regarding the
contact with each agency. Under its program, the FS assists rural
communities dependent upon national forest resources by establishing
rural forestry and economic diversification action teams which prepare
action plans. Action plans are intended to provide opportunities to
promote economic diversification and enhance local economies dependent
upon national forest resources.
* * * * *
Subpart J--Technical Assistance and Training Grants
3. Section 1942.460 is amended by adding paragraph (g) to read as
follows:
Sec. 1942.460 Limitations.
* * * * *
(g) Pay for technical assistance as defined in this subpart which
duplicates assistance provided to implement an action plan funded by
the Forest Service (FS) under the National Forest-Dependent Rural
Communities Economic Diversification Act for 5 continuous years from
the date of grant approval by the FS. To avoid duplicate assistance,
the grantee shall coordinate with the FS and FmHA to ascertain if a
grant has been made in a substantially similar geographical or defined
local area in a State for technical assistance under the above
programs. The grantee will provide documentation to FS and FmHA
regarding the contact with each agency. Under its program, the FS
assists rural communities dependent upon national forest resources by
establishing rural forestry and economic diversification action teams
which prepare action plans. Action plans are intended to provide
opportunities to promote economic diversification and enhance local
economies dependent upon national forest resources.
PART 1980--GENERAL
4. The authority citation for part 1980 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1989, 42 U.S.C. 1480; 5 U.S.C. 301; 7 CFR
2.23; 7 CFR 2.70.
Subpart G--Nonprofit National Corporations Loan and Grant Program
5. Section 1980.613 is amended by redesignating the existing
paragraph as paragraph (a) and adding subparagraph (b) to read as
follows:
Sec. 1980.613 Technical assistance.
* * * * *
(b) Grant funds for technical assistance which duplicates
assistance provided under an action plan funded by the Forest Service
(FS) under the National Forest-Dependent Rural Economic Diversification
Act provided for 5 continuous years from the date of grant approval by
the FS. To avoid duplicate assistance, the NNC shall coordinate with
the FS and FmHA to ascertain if a grant has been made in a
substantially similar geographical or defined local area in a State for
technical assistance under the above program. The NNC will provide
documentation to FS and FmHA regarding the contact with each agency.
Under its program, the FS assists rural communities dependent upon
national forest resources by establishing rural forestry and economic
diversification action teams which prepare action plans. Action plans
are intended to provide opportunities to promote economic
diversification and enhance local economies dependent upon national
forest resources.
Dated: March 1, 1994.
Bob J. Nash,
Under Secretary, Small Community and Rural Development.
[FR Doc. 94-6023 Filed 3-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-07-M
