[Federal Register: October 11, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 196)]
[Notices]
[Page 59718]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11oc06-21]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farm Service Agency
Finding of No Significant Impact
AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.
SUMMARY: The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is issuing a Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) consistent with the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 with respect to the implementation of the following
Disaster Assistance Programs: (1) Hurricane Indemnity Program, (2) Feed
Indemnity Program, (3) Livestock Indemnity Program, (4) Tree Indemnity
Program, and (5) Aquaculture Grant Program as well as (6) the 2006
Livestock Assistance Grant Program.
DATES: This action is effective November 13, 2006.
ADDRESSES: The Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment and FONSI
may be reviewed at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/cepd/epb/assessments.htm.
Written comments should be directed to Mike
Linsenbigler, USDA/FSA/CEPD/Stop 0513, 1400 Independence Ave., SW.,
Washington, DC 20250-0513. Electronic comments may be submitted to
Mike.Linsenbigler@wdc.usda.gov. Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audio tape,
etc.) should contact the USDA Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice
and TDD).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FSA prepared a Final Programmatic
Environmental Assessment for disaster assistance programs supporting
production loss and damage caused by damaging weather that occurred
between 2005 and 2006. Consistent with the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.) (NEPA), the
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations for Implementing the
Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and FSA's
policy and procedures (7 CFR part 799), FSA is issuing a Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) with respect to the implementation of the
Proposed Action under consideration here. These actions involve 2005-
2006 disaster assistance programs that solely transfer funds to offset
production and disaster related losses with no site-specific or ground-
disturbing actions occurring as an immediate result of implementing
these programs. These programs include the following Disaster
Assistance Programs: (1) Hurricane Indemnity Program, (2) Feed
Indemnity Program, (3) Livestock Indemnity Program, (4) Tree Indemnity
Program, (5) Aquaculture Grant Program, and (6) the 2006 Livestock
Assistance Grant Program. Because normal agricultural related
production was hindered by the widespread and significant destruction
caused by the 2005 hurricanes and the severe droughts occurring from
March 7, 2006, to August 31, 2006, the Secretary is responding by
utilizing the equivalent of 30 percent of annual customs revenues
available under Section 32 to restore purchasing power to affected
eligible producers.
Current disaster programs operated by USDA and other Federal and
State agencies do not fully cover the types of loss and destruction
experienced by a majority of producers within the States affected by
these hurricanes and drought. Without the immediate financial
assistance provided by these programs, producers would face delays and
experience additional financial hardships in their efforts to return
their farming or livestock operations to pre-disaster or pre-drought
levels.
Under the Proposed Action Alternative, FSA would disburse up to
$300 million either through direct payments to eligible producers or
through grants administered by State agencies for the grant programs.
In making direct payments, FSA does not require that payments be used
for specific purposes. These programs solely provide payments to
eligible producers for weather-related losses. The direct-payment
programs are based on the producers documenting the type and amount of
the weather-related loss.
Determination: In consideration of the analysis documented in the
Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment and the reasons outlined in
this FONSI, the preferred alternative would not constitute a major
State or Federal action that would significantly affect the human
environment. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act
regulations at 40 CFR part 1502.4, ``Major Federal actions requiring
the preparation of Environmental Impact Statements,'' and 7 CFR Part
799, ``Environmental Quality and Related Environmental Concerns--
Compliance with NEPA implementing the regulations of the Council on
Environmental Quality,'' and 40 CFR parts 1500-1508, I find that
neither the proposed action nor any of the alternatives analyzed
constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality
of the human environment. Therefore, no environmental impact statement
will be prepared.
Signed in Washington DC on October 2, 2006.
Glen L. Keppy,
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. E6-16734 Filed 10-10-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P