[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 195 (Monday, October 7, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52664-52670]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25749]



[[Page 52663]]


_______________________________________________________________________

Part VIII





Department of Agriculture





_______________________________________________________________________



Natural Resources Conservation Service Farm Service Agency



_______________________________________________________________________



7 CFR Chapters VI and VII



Implementation of the Conservation Provisions of the Federal 
Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996; Proposed Rule and 
Interim Rule





  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 195 / Monday, October 7, 1996 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 52664]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Natural Resources Conservation Service

7 CFR Chapter VI

Farm Service Agency

7 CFR Chapter VII

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency, 
USDA.

ACTION: Announcement of forums on proposed rules.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture's, Natural 
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) 
will conduct 54 public forums where interested individuals can provide 
comments and ideas on the implementation of the conservation provisions 
of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (the 1996 
Act), which includes: Highly Erodible Land Compliance, Wetlands 
Conservation, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), and the Environmental 
Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

DATES: Written or faxed comments are due on or before October 22, 1996.
    See the Supplementary Information section for the dates of the 
forums.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to:

For comments pertaining to Highly Erodible Land Compliance, Wetland 
Conservation, and EQIP: Lloyd Wright, Director, Conservation and 
Ecosystem Assistance Division, USDA/NRCS, P. O. Box 2890, Washington, 
DC. 20250, FAX: 202-720-4265
For comments pertaining to CRP: Cheryl Zavodny, Conservation and 
Environmental Protection Division, USDA/FSA, P. O. Box 2415, 
Washington, D. C. 20250, FAX: 202-690-3433.

    See the Supplementary Information Section for the location of the 
forums.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lloyd Wright, USDA/NRCS, Phone: 202-720-1845
Cheryl Zavodny, USDA/FSA, Phone: 202-720-7333.

    See the Supplementary Information section for forum contacts for 
each State.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The public is invited to attend the meetings 
to provide brief oral comments. All are encouraged to provide detailed 
written comments concerning the implementation of the Act of 1996. 
Those who wish to speak at a meeting may make arrangements in advance 
by calling the state contact listed for the meeting. In addition, 
individuals wishing to provide oral presentations may sign-up at the 
forum, as time permits.
    The forums will be held October 11-21 at the following locations on 
the dates listed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Location                               Date         
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama Department of Agriculture and            October 17.            
 Industries, Richard Beard Building                                     
 (Auditorium),1445 Federal Drive, Montgomery,                           
 AL.                                                                    
Cooperative Extension, 1514 South Cushman        October 18.            
 Avenue, Room 303, Fairbanks, AK.                                       
Mesa Pavilion Hilton, 1011 W. Holmes Avenue,     October 15.            
 Mesa, AZ (Superstition Freeway and Alma School                         
 Road).                                                                 
Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service           October 11.            
 Auditorium, 2301 South University Avenue,                              
 Little Rock, AR.                                                       
Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza, 300 J Street,         October 15.            
 Sacramento, CA.                                                        
Elks Lodge in Longmont, CO, Coffman Street,      October 16.            
 Longmont, CO.                                                          
Windsor Public Library, 323 Broad Street,        October 16.            
 Basement Level, Windsor, CT.                                           
Delaware Department of Agriculture Conference    October 15.            
 Room, 2320 S. duPont Highway, Dover, DE.                               
Holiday Inn West (Bay Room), 7417 W. Newberry    October 16.            
 Road, Gainesville, FL.                                                 
Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition, West            October 17.            
 Exhibitors Lounge, Highway 133, Gate 3, Spence                         
 Field, Moultrie, GA.                                                   
USDA/NRCS Conference Room, FHB Building, Suite   October 18 (via Peace  
 301, 400 Rt 8, Maite, GU.                        Satellite)            
Pacific Beach Hotel, 2490 Kalakaua Avenue,       October 15.            
 Honolulu, HI.                                                          
Nampa Civic Center, 311 3rd Street South (North  October 16.            
 Banquet Room), Nampa, ID.                                              
Illinois Department of Agricultural Auditorium,  October 15.            
 State Fairgrounds, 801 East Sangamon Avenue,                           
 Springfield, IL.                                                       
Indiana Farm Bureau Building, Meeting Room       October 18             
 Assembly Hall D, 225 South East Street,                                
 Indianapolis, IN.                                                      
Holiday Inn Downtown, 1050 6th Avenue, Des       October 18.            
 Moines, IA.                                                            
The Holidome, 1616 W. Crawford Street, Salina,   October 16.            
 KS.                                                                    
NRCS State Office Conference Room, 771           October 17.            
 Corporate Drive, Suite 110, Lexington, KY.                             
Ramada Inn Convention Centre, 2211 MacArthur     October 16.            
 Drive, Alexandria, LA.                                                 
Black Bear Inn, 4 Godfrey Drive, Orono, ME.....  October 17.            
Chesapeake College, Kent Humanities Building,    October 15.            
 Room H117, US Route 50 and State Route 213, PO                         
 Box 8, Wye Mills, MD.                                                  
USDA/NRCS Conference Room, 451 West Street,      October 15.            
 Amherst, MA.                                                           
Ottawa Building, 611 West Ottawa Street,         October 15.            
 Conference Room 3, Upper Parking Level,                                
 Lansing, MI.                                                           
St. Cloud Civic Center, Stockinger Suite, 10     October 15.            
 4th Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN.                                       
Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum,     October 15.            
 Ethnic Heritage Center, 1150 Lakeland Drive,                           
 Jackson, MS.                                                           
Holiday Inn Select, 2200 I-70 Drive S.W.,        October 15.            
 Columbia, MO.                                                          
Eagles Lobby Conference Room, 24 North 8th,      October 17.            
 Miles City, MT.                                                        
Salvation Army Building Auditorium, 1000 17th    October 18.            
 Avenue South, Great Falls, MT.                                         
I-80 Holiday Inn (Intersection of Highway 281    October 15.            
 and I-80), Grand Island, NE.                                           
Farm Service Agency State Office, 1755 E. Plumb  October 17.            
 Lane, Room 202, Reno, NV.                                              
New Hampshire Department of Agriculture,         October 15.            
 Markets and Food, State House Annex Building,                          
 2nd Floor, Room 201, Concord, NH.                                      
Burlington County Board of Agriculture, 122      October 17.            
 High Street, Mt. Holly, NJ.                                            
USDA Conference Room, 6200 Jefferson NE,         October 15.            
 Albuquerque, NM.                                                       
Art & Home Center, New York State Fairgrounds,   October 15.            
 Syracuse, NY.                                                          
USDA/NRCS, 4405 Bland Road, Room 175, Raleigh,   October 18.            
 NC.                                                                    
Hospitality Inn, 532 15th Street W, PO Box       October 15             
 1778, Dickinson, ND.                                                   
Dakota Inn, Junction 281 S & 194, PO Box 1865,   October 16             
 Jamestown, ND, (701) 252-3611.                                         
Holiday Inn (Formerly Sheraton Inn Riverside),   October 18.            
 2200 Burdick Expressway East, PO Box 2228,                             
 Minot, ND.                                                             
Fairfield County Office, 831 College Avenue,     October 15.            
 Lancaster, OH.                                                         
Oklahoma City Hilton Northwest, 2945 Northwest   October 15.            
 Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK.                                         
Red Lion North, 1415 NE Third Street, Bend, OR.  October 18.            
PA Game Commission Auditorium, 2001 Elmerton     October 17.            
 Avenue, Harrisburg, PA.                                                

[[Page 52665]]

                                                                        
USDA Conference Room, 60 Quaker Lane, Warwick,   October 17.            
 RI.                                                                    
Hampton Inn Harbison, 1-26 and Harbison          October 17.            
 Boulevard, Columbia, SC.                                               
Crossroads Hotel and Convention Center, 100 4th  October 17.            
 Street SW, Huron, SD.                                                  
Milan Ag Museum Meeting Room, 3 Ledbetter Gate   October 16.            
 Road, Milan, TN.                                                       
Frank W. Mayborn Civic & Convention Center,      October 17.            
 3303 North 3rd Street, Temple, TX.                                     
Utah Department of Agriculture, 350 North        October 15.            
 Redwood Road, Salt Lake City, UT.                                      
U.S. Forest Service, Northeastern Forest         October 16.            
 Experiment Station, 705 Spear Street,                                  
 Burlington, VT.                                                        
Randolph Farm Pavilion, River Road, PO Box       October 15.            
 9081, Virginia State University, Petersburg,                           
 VA.                                                                    
Joint Center for Higher Education, 665 N.        October 21.            
 Riverpoint Boulevard, Spokane, WA.                                     
Days Inn, 2000 Sutton Lane, Sutton, WV           October 16.            
 (Flatwoods Exit off I-79).                                             
USDA Conference Room, 6515 Watts Road, Room      October 18.            
 209, Madison, WI.                                                      
Agricultural Learning Resource Center (Mills/    October 18.            
 Evansville Rooms), 2011 Fairgrounds Road,                              
 Casper, WY.                                                            
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To obtain additional information about a specific forum, contact 
the following individual:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Location                Contact  person            Phone                       Address             
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Montgomery, AL...................  Ronnie D. Murphy...          334-887-4535  USDA NRCS, 665 Opelika Road, P O  
                                                                               Box 311, Auburn, AL 36830-0311.  
                                   Robert Springer....          334-279-3550  USDA FSA, Sterling Center, Suite  
                                                                               600, 4121 Carmichael Road,       
                                                                               Montgomery, AL 36106.            
Fairbanks, AK....................  Charles W. Bell....          907-271-2424  USDA NRCS, 949 East 36th Avenue,  
                                                                               Suite 400, Anchorage, AK 99508-  
                                                                               4362.                            
                                   Karen O. Lee.......          907-745-7982  USDA FSA, 800 West Evergreen,     
                                                                               Suite 216, Palmer, AK 99645-6389.
Mesa, AZ.........................  Mike Somerville....          602-280-8808  USDA NRCS, Suite 800, 3003 North  
                                                                               Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85012- 
                                                                               2945.                            
                                   Robert A. Picano...          602-640-5200  USDA FSA, 77 East Thomas Rd.,     
                                                                               Suite 240, Phoenix, AZ 85012-    
                                                                               3318.                            
Little Rock, AR..................  Thomas H. Wehri....          501-324-5445  USDA NRCS, Federal Office         
                                                                               Building, Rm. 5404, 700 West     
                                                                               Capitol Ave., Little Rock, AR    
                                                                               72201-3228.                      
                                   Wayne Perryman.....          501-324-5220  USDA FSA, New Federal Bldg., Suite
                                                                               5102, Little Rock, AK 72201-3225.
Sacramento, CA...................  Hershel R. Read....          916-757-8215  USDA NRCS, 2121-C 2nd Street,     
                                                                               Suite 102, Davis, CA 95616-5475. 
                                   John G. Smythe.....          916-498-5311  USDA FSA, 1303 J Street, Suite    
                                                                               300, Sacramento, CA 95814-2916.  
Longmont, CO.....................  Duane L. Johnson...          303-236-2886  USDA NRCS, 655 Parfet Street, Room
                                                                               E200C, Lakewood, CO 80215-5517.  
                                   Robert L. Eisenach.          303-236-2866  USDA FSA, 655 Parfet St., Suite   
                                                                               E301, Lakewood, CO 80215.        
Windsor, CT......................  Margo L. Wallace...          203-487-4013  USDA NRCS, 16 Professional Park   
                                                                               Road, Storrs, CT 06268-1299.     
                                   Vincent Majchier...          860-285-8483  USDA FSA, 88 Day Hill Road,       
                                                                               Windsor, CT 06095-1778.          
Dover, DE........................  Elesa K. Cottrell..          302-678-4160  USDA NRCS, 1203 College Park      
                                                                               Drive, Suite 101, Dover, DE 19904-
                                                                               8713.                            
                                   William D. Clifton.          302-678-2547  USDA FSA, 1201 College Park Drive,
                                                                               Suite A, Dover, DE 19904-8713.   
Gainesville, FL..................  T. Niles Glasgow...          352-338-9500  USDA NRCS, 2614 NW 43rd Street,   
                                                                               Gainesville, FL 32606-6611.      
                                   Tim Manning........          352-379-4500  USDA FSA, 4440 N.W. 25th Pl.,     
                                                                               Suite 1, Gainesville, FL 32606.  
Moultrie, GA.....................  Earl Cosby.........          706-546-2272  USDA NRCS, Federal Bldg. Box 13,  
                                                                               355 East Hancock Ave, Athens, GA 
                                                                               30601-2769.                      
                                   Grady Johnson......          706-546-2266  USDA FSA, Federal Bldg., Room 102,
                                                                               355 East Hancock Ave., Athens, GA
                                                                               30601-2775.                      
Maite, GU........................  Joan Perry             9-011-671-472-7490  USDA NRCS, Suite 602 FHB Bldg.,   
                                    (Director).                                400 Route 8, Maite, GU 96927.    
                                   Jo-Anna Nakata.....          808-541-2644  USDA FSA.                         
Honolulu, HI.....................  Kennneth M.                  808-541-2601  USDA NRCS, 300 Ala Moana Blvd.,   
                                    Kaneshiro.                                 Rm. 4316, P.O. Box 50004,        
                                                                               Honolulu, HI 96850-0002.         
                                   Jo-Anna Nakata.....          808-541-2644  USDA FSA, 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Rm.
                                                                               5106, P.O. Box 50008, Honolulu,  
                                                                               HI 96850.                        
Nampa, ID........................  Luana E. Kiger.....          208-334-1601  USDA NRCS, 3244 Elder Street, Rm. 
                                                                               124, Boise, ID 83705-4711.       
                                   Richard R. Rush....          208-378-5650  USDA FSA, 3220 Elder Street,      
                                                                               Boise, ID 83705-4771.            
Springfield, IL..................  Thomas W.                    217-398-5267  USDA NRCS, 1902 Fox Drive,        
                                    Christensen.                               Champaign, IL 61820-7335.        
                                   Stephen Scates.....          217-492-4180  USDA FSA, P.O. Box 19273,         
                                                                               Springfield, IL 62794-9723.      
Indianapolis, IN.................  Robert L. Eddleman.          317-290-3200  USDA NRCS, 6013 Lakeside Blvd.,   
                                                                               Indianapolis, IN 46278-2933.     
                                   Robert Peacock.....          317-290-3030  USDA FSA, 5891 Lakeside Blvd.,    
                                                                               Indianapolis, IN 46278.          
Des Moines, IA...................  Leroy Brown Jr.....          515-284-6655  USDA NRCS, 693 Federal Bldg., 210 
                                                                               Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA    
                                                                               50309.                           
                                   Tom Grau...........          515-254-1540  USDA FSA, 10500 Buena Vista Court,
                                                                               Des Moines, IA 50322.            
Salina, KS.......................  James Habiger......          913-823-4565  USDA NRCS, 760 South Broadway,    
                                                                               Salina, KS 67401.                
                                   Adrian Polansky....          913-539-3531  USDA FSA, 3600 Anderson Avenue,   
                                                                               Manhatten, KS 66503-2511.        
Lexington, KY....................  Billy W. Milliken..          606-224-7350  USDA NRCS, 771 Corporate Drive,   
                                                                               Suite 110, Lexington, KY 40503-  
                                                                               5479.                            
                                   Hampton Henton.....          606-224-7601  USDA FSA, 771 Corporate Drive,    
                                                                               Suite 100, Lexington, KY 40503-  
                                                                               5478.                            

[[Page 52666]]

                                                                                                                
Alexandria, LA...................  Donald W. Gohmert..          318-473-7751  USDA NRCS, 3737 Government Street,
                                                                               Alexandria, LA 71302-3727.       
                                   Willie Cooper......          318-473-7721  USDA FSA, 3737 Government Street, 
                                                                               Alexandria, LA 71302-3395.       
Orono, ME........................  M. Darrel Dominick.          207-866-7241  USDA NRCS, 5 Godfrey Drive, Orono,
                                                                               ME 04473.                        
                                   G. Arnold Roach....          207-990-9140  USDA FSA, 444 Stillwater Avenue,  
                                                                               P.O. Box 406, Bangor, ME 04402-  
                                                                               0406.                            
Wye Mills, MD....................  Jeri Berc..........          410-757-0861  USDA NRCS, John Hanson Business   
                                                                               Center, 339 Bush's Frontage Rd,  
                                                                               Suite 301, Annapolis, MD 21401-  
                                                                               5534.                            
                                   James Voss.........          410-381-4550  USDA FSA, 8335 E. Guilford Road,  
                                                                               Suite E, Columbia, MD 21406.     
Amherst, MA......................  Cecil Currin.......          413-253-4351  USDA NRCS, 451 West Street,       
                                                                               Amherst, MA 01002-2995.          
                                   Charles Costa......          413-256-0232  USDA FSA, 445 West Street,        
                                                                               Amherst, MA 01002-2957.          
Lansing, MI......................  James R. Spacey....          517-337-6701  USDA NRCS, Room 101, 1405 S.      
                                                                               Harrison Road, East Lansing, MI  
                                                                               48823-5243.                      
                                   Chris White........          517-337-6701  USDA FSA, 3001 Collidge Road,     
                                                                               Suite 100, East Lansing, MI 48823-
                                                                               6321.                            
St. Cloud, MN....................  William Hunt.......          612-290-3675  USDA NRCS, 600 Farm Credit        
                                                                               Services Bldg., 375 Jackson      
                                                                               Street, St. Paul, MN 55101-1854. 
                                   Wally Sparby.......          612-290-3675  USDA FSA, 400 Farm Credit Services
                                                                               Bldg., 375 Jackson Street, St.   
                                                                               Paul, MN 55101-1854.             
Jackson, MS......................  Homer L. Wilkes....          601-965-5205  USDA NRCS, Suite 1321, Federal    
                                                                               Bldg., 100 West Capitol Street,  
                                                                               Jackson, MS 39629-1399.          
                                   Norris Faust.......          601-965-4300  USDA FSA, 6310 I-55 North,        
                                                                               Jackson, MS 39236-4995.          
Columbia, MO.....................  Roger Hansen.......          314-876-0901  USDA NRCS, Parkade Center Suite   
                                                                               250, 601 Business Loop 70W,      
                                                                               Columbia, MO 65203-2546.         
                                   Brad Epperson......          573-876-0925  USDA FSA, 601 Business 70 W, Suite
                                                                               225, Columbia, MO 65203.         
Miles,City, MT Great Falls, MT...  Richard J. Gooby...          406-587-6813  USDA NRCS, Federal Building, Rm.  
                                                                               443, 10 East Babcock St.,        
                                                                               Bozeman, MT 59715-4704.          
                                   Bruce E. Nelson....          406-587-6872  USDA FSA, 10 East Babcock St., Rm 
                                                                               557, Bozeman, MT 59715.          
Grand Island, NE.................  Steven K. Chick....          402-437-5302  USDA NRCS, Federal Bldg., Rm. 152,
                                                                               100 Centennial Mall N., Lincoln, 
                                                                               NE 68508-3866.                   
                                   Dan Steinkruger....          402-437-5581  USDA FSA, 7131 A Street, Lincoln, 
                                                                               NE 68510.                        
Reno, NV.........................  William Goddard....          702-784-5863  USDA NRCS, 301 Longley Lane,      
                                                                               Building F, Suite 201, Reno, NV  
                                                                               89511.                           
                                   Wendell Newman.....          702-784-5411  USDA FSA, 1755 E. Plumb Lane,     
                                                                               Suite 202, Reno, NV 89502.       
Concord, NH......................  Dawn W. Genes......          603-868-7581  USDA NRCS, Federal Building,      
                                                                               Durham, NH 03824-1499.           
                                   James McConaha.....          603-224-7941  USDA FSA, 22 Bridge St., 4th      
                                                                               Floor, Concord, NH 03301-4987.   
Mt. Holly, NJ....................  Wayne Maresch......          908-246-1205  USDA NRCS, 1370 Hamilton Street,  
                                                                               Somerset, NJ 08873-3157.         
                                   Debra Borie-Holtz..          609-298-3446  USDA FSA, 163 Route 130,          
                                                                               Bordentown, NJ 08505.            
Albuquerque, NM..................  Rosendo Trevino III          505-761-4400  USDA NRCS, 6200 Jefferson NE,     
                                                                               Suite 305, Albuquerque, NM 27609-
                                                                               6293.                            
                                   Larry K. Burnett...          505-761-4900  USDA FSA, 6200 Jefferson St., NE, 
                                                                               Albuquerque, NM 27609-6296.      
Raleigh, NC......................  Richard A. Gallo...          919-873-2101  USDA NRCS, 4405 Bland Road, Suite 
                                                                               205, Raleigh, NC 27609.          
                                   Sam Coley..........          919-790-2958  USDA FSA, 4407 Bland Road, Suite  
                                                                               175, Raleigh, NC 27609.          
Dickinson, ND Jamestown, ND        Scott Hoag.........          701-250-4421  USDA NRCS, Federal Building Room  
 Minot, ND.                                                                    278, 220E Rosser Avenue, P O Box 
                                                                               1458, Bismarck, ND 58502.        
                                   Scott B. Stofferahn          701-239-5205  USDA FSA, 1025 28th St., SW,      
                                                                               Fargo, ND 58103.                 
Syracuse, NY.....................  Richard Swenson....          315-477-6504  USDA NRCS, 441 South Salina       
                                                                               Street, Suite 354, Syracuse, NY  
                                                                               13202-2450.                      
                                   Marc A. Smith......          315-477-6303  USDA FSA, 441 South Salina Street,
                                                                               Suite 356, Syracuse, NY 13202.   
Lancaster, OH....................  Daniel L. Conrad...          614-469-6962  USDA NRCS, 200 North High Street, 
                                                                               Room 522, Columbus, OH 43215.    
                                   Steve Maurer.......          614-469-6735  USDA FSA, Rm 540 Federal Bldg.,   
                                                                               299 North High St., Columbus, OH 
                                                                               43215.                           
Oklahoma City, OK................  Ronnie C. Clark....          405-742-1200  USDA NRCS, USDA Agriculture Bldg.,
                                                                               Suite 203, Stillwater, OK 74074- 
                                                                               2624.                            
                                   Terry L. Peach.....          405-742-1130  USDA FSA, 100 USDA, Suite 102,    
                                                                               Stillwater, OK 74074-2653.       
Bend, OR.........................  Robert J. Graham...          503-414-3201  USDA NRCS, 101 SW Main, Suite     
                                                                               1300, Portland, OR 97204-3221.   
                                   Jack L. Sainsbury..          503-692-6830  USDA FSA, 7620 SW Mohawk, Tulatin,
                                                                               OR 97062-8121.                   
Harrisburg, PA...................  Janet L. Oertly....          717-782-2202  USDA NRCS, One Credit Union Place,
                                                                               Suite 340, Harrisburg, PA 17110- 
                                                                               2993.                            
                                   William Baumgartner          717-782-4547  USDA FSA, One Credit Union Place, 
                                                                               Suite 320, Harrisburg, PA 17110- 
                                                                               2994.                            
Warwick, RI......................  Denis G. Nickel....          401-828-1300  USDA NRCS, 60 Quaker Lane, Suite  
                                                                               46, Warwick, RI 02886-0111.      
                                   Paul Brule.........          401-828-8232  USDA FSA, 60 Quaker Lane, Suite   
                                                                               40, Warwick, RI 02886-0111.      
Columbia, SC.....................  Mark W. Berkland...          803-765-5681  USDA NRCS, 1835 Assembly Street,  
                                                                               Strom Thurmond Federal Bldg.,    
                                                                               Columbia, SC 29201-2489.         
                                   Laurie C. Lawson...          803-806-3830  USDA FSA, 1927 Thurmod Mall, Suite
                                                                               100, Columbia, SC 29201-2375.    
Huron, SD........................  Dean F. Fisher.....          605-352-1200  USDA NRCS, Federal Building, 200  
                                                                               4th Street SW, Huron, SD 57350-  
                                                                               2475.                            
                                   Michael W. O'Connor          605-352-1160  USDA FSA, 200 4th St., SW, Room   
                                                                               308, Huron, SD 57350-2478.       
Milan, TN........................  Jerry S. Lee.......          615-736-5471  USDA NRCS, 675 US Courthouse, 801 
                                                                               Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203-   
                                                                               3878.                            

[[Page 52667]]

                                                                                                                
                                   Dave McDole........          615-736-5555  USDA FSA, 579 Federal Bldg., 801  
                                                                               Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203.   
Temple, TX.......................  Harry W. Oneth.....          817-774-1231  USDA NRCS, WR Poage Federal, Bldg.
                                                                               101 S. Main Street, Temple, TX   
                                                                               76501-7682.                      
                                   Harold Bob Bennett.          409-260-9207  USDA FSA, P O Box 2900, College   
                                                                               Station, TX 77841.               
Salt Lake City, UT...............  Phillip J. Nelson..          801-524-5050  USDA NRCS, Wallace F Bennett      
                                                                               Federal Bldg., Rm. 4402, 125 S.  
                                                                               State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 
                                                                               84138.                           
                                   James I. Humlicek..          801-524-5013  USDA FSA, 125 S. State St., Room  
                                                                               4239, Salt Lake City, UT 84138-  
                                                                               1189.                            
Burlington, VT...................  John C. Titchner...          802-951-6796  USDA NRCS, 69 Union Street,       
                                                                               Winooski, VT 05404-1999.         
                                   James W. Monahan...          802-658-2803  USDA FSA 346 Shelburne St.,       
                                                                               Executive Square Office Bldg.,   
                                                                               Burlington, VT 05401-4995.       
Petersburg, VA...................  Margaret Doetzer...          804-287-1691  USDA NRCS, Culpeper Bldg., Suite  
                                                                               209, 1606 Sanata Rosa Road,      
                                                                               Richmond, VA 23229-5014.         
                                   Donald Davis.......          804-287/1500  USDA FSA Culpeper Bldg., Suite    
                                                                               138, 1606 Santa Rosa Road,       
                                                                               Richmond, VA23229.               
Spokane, WA......................  Lynn A. Brown......          509-353-2337  USDA FSA, West 316 Boone Avenue,  
                                                                               Suite 450, Spokane, WA 99201-    
                                                                               2348.                            
                                   Larry R. Albin.....          509-353-2307  USDA FSA, 316 West Boone Ave.,    
                                                                               Spokane, WA 99201-2350.          
Sutton, WV.......................  Roger L. Bensey Jr.          304-291-4153  USDA NRCS, 75 High Street, Room   
                                                                               301, Morgantown, WV 26505.       
                                   Billy Burke........          304-291-4351  USDA FSA, 75 High St., P O Box    
                                                                               1049, Morgantown, WV 26507-1049. 
Madison, WI......................  Patricia S.                  608-264-5577  USDA NRCS, 6515 Watts Road, Suite 
                                    Leavenworth.                               200, Madison, WI 53719-2726.     
                                   Doug Caruso........          608-276-8732  USDA FSA, 6515 Watts Road, Suite  
                                                                               100, Madison, WI 53719-2726.     
Casper, WY.......................  Lincoln E. Burton..          307-261-6453  USDA NRCS, Federal Office Bldg.,  
                                                                               100 East ``B'' Street, Rm. 3124, 
                                                                               Casper, WY 82601-1911.           
                                   Carl E. Jensen.....          307-261-5231  USDA NRCS, 951 Werner Court, Suite
                                                                               130, Casper, WY 82601-1307.      
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The United States Department of Agriculture (the Department), 
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency 
(FSA) will conduct 54 public forums whereby interested individuals can 
provide comments and ideas on the proposed rules that have been 
published in the Federal Register to implement the conservation 
provisions of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 
1996 (the 1996 Act). These rules include: Highly Erodible Land/Wetland 
Conservation (Federal Register, August 27, 1996. (Volume 61, No. 167) 
Rules and Regulations, pp. 43943- 43946), Conservation Reserve Program 
(CRP)(Federal Register, September 23, 1996. (Volume 61, No. 185) Rules 
and Regulations, pp. 49697-49711), and Environmental Quality Incentives 
Program (EQIP).
    The NRCS held nine public forums, located across the country, in 
July and August of 1994 to listen to the public's comments on changes 
that were needed in the 1995 Farm Bill and to better understand the 
needs of the public served by programs related to conservation of 
natural resources. The Department considered the comments and 
suggestions received in the 1994 forums when developing its 
recommendations for the 1995 Farm Bill. After lengthy debate within the 
Congress, the 1996 Farm Bill was passed by the Congress and was cited 
as the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (the 1996 
Act). The President signed into law the 1996 Act on April 4, 1996.
    Following the passage of the 1996 Act, the NRCS conducted public 
forums in these same nine locations to gather ideas on ways to 
implement the conservation provisions of the 1996 Act. Now that the 
program rules have been published in the Federal Register for public 
comment, the Department wants to support the public comment process by 
conducting additional listening forums.

Summary of the 1996 Act and the Rules which will be Discussed at the 
Public Forums

Conservation Reserve Program

    The Conservation Reserve Program(CRP) encourages farmers to plant 
permanent areas of grass and trees on land that is subject to erosion, 
to improve soil, water and wildlife resources.
The 1996 Act:
     Allows up to 36.4 million acres to be enrolled at any one 
time. New enrollments can replace expired or terminated contracts.
     Allows owners or operators who entered into a contract 
before 1995 to terminate contracts on certain acres after giving 
written notice. Contracts must have been in effect for at least five 
years. Lands with high environmental values are not eligible for early 
release.
The CRP Proposed Rule
     Allows owners or operators who entered into a contract 
before January 1, 1995, to terminate their contract, if the contract 
had been in effect for at least five years. Under the statute, there is 
a 60-day waiting period before the application to terminate is 
effective. This termination will not relieve the participant of 
liability for a pre-existing contract violation.
     Limits the amount of acreage enrolled with an Erodibility 
Index of less than 8 to the following which may be eligible:
     Acreage devoted to special practices under the continuous 
sign-up.
     Acreage designated as cropped wetlands.
     Certain acreage enrolled in the Water Bank Program (WBP) 
during the last year of the WBP contract.
     Acreage located in a conservation priority area.
     Limits haying or grazing of acreage enrolled in the CRP to 
instances such as drought or similar emergencies.
     Outlines lands which are not eligible for early 
termination. These lands include: filter strips, grass waterways, 
riparian areas, field windbreaks, shelterbelts, shallow water areas for 
wildlife, bottom land timber, acreage with an erodibility index of more 
than 15, lands within an average distance of 100 feet of a permanent 
stream or other body of water, lands with useful life easements, and 
other

[[Page 52668]]

lands of high environmental value (including wetlands) as determined by 
the Secretary.
     Expands the list of acreage ineligible for early 
termination to also include: all wetlands, not just those enrolled 
under sign-up 8 and 9 criteria, land subject to frequent flooding, any 
wetland buffers required to protect the functions and values for 
wetland acreage, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-designated 
wellhead protection areas.
     Modifies existing criteria to include cropped wetlands and 
certain acreage enrolled in the Water Bank Program (WBP).
     Proposes to base rental rates on the relative productivity 
of soils within each county, and the average of the past three years of 
local dryland cash rent or the cash rent equivalent.
     Encourages restoration of wetlands by offering up to 25 
percent of the costs incurred. This is in addition to the 50-percent 
cost share provided to establish approved cover.
     Proposes to restrict the total area in a State that may be 
designated as a conservation priority area to no more than 10 percent 
of the cropland in the State.
     Allows producers who want to restore wetlands enrolled in 
the CRP to transfer acreage from the Conservation Reserve Program to 
the Wetlands Reserve Program, without penalty, if the acreage is found 
to be suitable.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program

    The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a new 
program which combines the functions of the Agricultural Conservation 
Program, Water Quality Incentives Program, Great Plans Conservation 
Program, and the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program.
    EQIP is funded at $130 million in fiscal year 1996 and $200 million 
annually thereafter. Livestock-related conservation practices will 
receive 50 percent of program funding.
The 1996 Act
     Establishes conservation priority areas where significant 
water, soil, and related natural resource problems exist, in 
cooperation with state and federal agencies and State Technical 
Committees.
     Gives higher priority to areas where state or local 
governments offer financial or technical assistance, or where 
agricultural improvements will help meet water quality objectives.
     Establishes 5- to 10-year contracts to provide technical 
assistance and pay up to 75 percent of the costs of conservation 
practices such as manure management systems, pest management, and 
erosion control.
     Defines land eligible for EQIP contracts as agricultural 
land that poses a serious problem to soil, water, and/or related 
resources.
     Does not allow large livestock operations (to be defined 
through a public rule-making process) to be eligible for cost-share 
assistance for animal waste management facilities. However, they do 
remain eligible for technical assistance.
     Requires activities under the contract to be carried out 
according to a conservation plan.
     Limits total cost-share and incentive payments to any 
person to $10,000 annually, and to $50,000 for the life of the 
contract.
The Proposed EQIP Rule
     Sets forth that the purposes of the program will be 
achieved by farmers and ranchers who voluntarily develop conservation 
plans and enter into contracts with the Commodity Credit Corporation 
(CCC) to carry out the needed conservation practices and land-use 
adjustments within a specified time schedule.
     Allocates fifty percent of the EQIP funding available to 
practices relating to livestock production.
     Offers the program in priority areas throughout the 
Nation, using the services of the NRCS, county and state committees of 
the Farm Service Agency (FSA), and the Cooperative State Research, 
Education, and Extension Service (CSREES).
     Sets forth the requirements for participant eligibility 
and eligible land.
     Develops guidance for designation of priority areas.
     Outlines the process for selecting priority areas and 
conducting a needs assessment.
     Allows for program assistance to target other significant 
natural resource concerns outside of approved and funded priority 
areas.
     Allows for a continuous sign-up. CCC will rank and select 
the offers of producers during designated periods. To rank and select 
the highest priority applicants, NRCS on behalf of CCC, will evaluate 
using criteria that are based on national guidance and developed with 
the advice of a local work group to give a higher priority to projects 
that maximize environmental benefits per dollar expended.
     Outlines the producer's responsibilities in regards to a 
conservation plan and contract.
     Delegates the responsibility of determining what 
constitutes a large confined livestock operation to the State Technical 
Committee who will advise the State Conservationist. (CCC particularly 
solicits public comment on the definition of what constitutes a large 
confined livestock operation.)
     Describes eligible practices.
     Describes upcoming program outreach and educational 
efforts.
     Allows a producer to seek technical assistance from NRCS 
or other qualified sources which may include agricultural producers, 
certified crop advisors, agricultural cooperatives, and other technical 
consultants.
     Sets forth payment limitation criteria.
     Addresses the requirements for EQIP contracts.
     Addresses the participant's responsibility for 
conservation practice and operation maintenance.
     Addresses rates for cost-share and incentive payments.
     Addresses the procedures to be followed for contract 
violations and termination.

Highly Erodible Land (HEL) Conservation Compliance

The 1996 Act
     Directs USDA employees who are providing on-site technical 
assistance to work with landowners to correct an observed potential 
compliance problem. Landowners will have up to one year to take 
corrective action before a violation is reported.
     Encourages farmers to maintain records of residue 
measurement, including those provided by a third party. Where 
appropriate, NRCS will use these measurements when conducting annual 
status reviews to determine erosion levels.
     Authorizes county committees to provide relief in cases of 
undue economic hardship.
     Revises ``good faith'' to ensure penalties are 
commensurate with violations.
     Provides for expedited variances related to weather, pest, 
and disease problems and establishes a time period to render a decision 
on whether to grant those variances.
     Requires a measurement of soil erosion on a highly 
erodible field prior to the implementation of a conservation system, 
based on estimated average annual soil erosion rates.
     Provides for a revision or modification of a conservation 
plan by a person if the same level of treatment is maintained.
     Requires that highly erodible land exiting the 
Conservation Reserve

[[Page 52669]]

Program not be held to a higher conservation compliance standard than 
similar cropland in the same area.
The Interim Rule
     Lists factors that NRCS will consider when a landowner 
requests a variance related to weather, pest, or disease problems.
     Specifies that when fields are combined, the part of the 
new field that was previously a highly erodible field shall continue to 
be subject to the highly erodible land requirements.
     Clarifies that the adequacy of a conservation system will 
be evaluated according to whether it conforms to the NRCS field office 
technical guide in use at the time that the plan or system is developed 
or revised.
     Outlines procedures to be used to evaluate the adequacy of 
conservation systems for achieving substantial reduction in soil 
erosion on land with and without cropping history.
     Sets forth that conservation field trials included in a 
person's conservation plan must have prior approval by NRCS and must be 
documented in the person's conservation plan specifying the limited 
time period during which the field trial is in effect.
     Outlines the factors to be considered by the FSA State 
Committee in determining whether to grant a person's request for relief 
based on undue economic hardship in implementing a conservation system.

Wetland Conservation (Swampbuster)

The 1996 Act
     Expands areas where mitigation can be used. This allows 
individuals to work with producers, conservation districts or other 
relevant entities to select the best area for mitigating wetlands.
     Provides more options for mitigation, including 
restoration, enhancement, or creation, as long as wetland functions and 
values are maintained.
     Encourages effective and timely use of ``minimal effect'' 
determinations. This change allows the NRCS, working with State 
Technical Committees, to identify practices that have a minimal effect 
on the environment and put them on a ``fast track.''
     Stipulates that wetland conversion activities, authorized 
by a permit issued under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which make 
agriculture production possible, will be accepted for farm bill 
purposes if they were adequately mitigated.
     Revises the concept of ``abandonment'' to ensure that as 
long as land is used for agriculture, a certified prior converted 
cropland designation remains in effect. When done under an approved 
plan, landowners with farmed wetlands (FW) and farmed wetland pasture 
(FWP) may allow an area to revert to wetland status, and convert it 
back to an FW or FWP for agricultural purposes without violating the 
Swampbuster provision.
     Provides that a certified wetland delineation will remain 
in effect until the person requests a new determination and 
certification.
     Ensures producers the right to request and appeal a 
certified wetland determination.
     Allows the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to waive a person's 
ineligibility for benefits if FSA believes the person acted in good 
faith and without intent to violate the wetland provisions.
     Provides the Secretary with authority to identify for 
individual producers which programs are affected by Swampbuster 
violations and how much the penalty is.
     Establishes a pilot program for wetland mitigation banking 
in order to allow USDA to assess how well mitigation banking works for 
agriculture.
     Expands the definition of agricultural land contained in 
the interagency wetlands memorandum of agreement to include not only 
cropland and pasture land, but also tree farms, rangeland, native 
pasture land, and other land used for livestock production.
     Repeals the requirements for consultation with the Fish 
and Wildlife Service (FWS).
     Provides that benefits of affiliates of a business 
enterprise who violate highly erodible land or wetland conservation 
provisions will be reduced in proportion to the interest held by the 
affiliate in the business enterprise.
The Interim Rule
     States more precisely the variety of wetland types found 
in the agricultural landscape.
     Describes how wetland types relate to particular 
exemptions from ineligibility.
     Provides that when a person requests relief on the basis 
of action that was conducted in good faith, USDA may consider whether 
the person has a record of violating the wetland provisions of these 
regulations or other Federal, State, or local wetland provisions.
     Adds that NRCS may accept the assistance of other Federal 
agencies to carry out the wetland responsibilities. For example, 
specific portions of the rule state that NRCS will consult with FWS at 
the State level to develop a process for implementation of the wetland 
conservation provisions.
     Describes the procedure for certification of wetland 
determinations and specifies that certified wetland determinations will 
meet current Federal mapping conventions.
     Amends to provide that the determination of prevalence of 
hydrophytic vegetation will be made in accordance with the current 
Federal wetland delineation methodology in use at the time of the 
determination. This change assures that the NRCS, FWS, Environmental 
Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers will utilize consistent 
and up-to-date technical standards and criteria.
     Creates a new exemption for land that was certified as 
having been converted prior to December 23, 1985 (prior converted 
croplands), but had returned to wetland characteristics after that 
date. This exemption provides that if certain requirements are met, a 
prior converted cropland will not be considered abandoned for purposes 
of implementation of these provisions.
     Allows areas that NRCS determined to be manipulated but 
were not completely converted prior to December 23, 1985 (farmed 
wetlands and farmed wetland pastures), and which may revert to wetland 
status through a voluntary restoration, enhancement or creation action, 
will not be considered abandoned for purposes of implementing these 
regulations.
     Provides that a person who received an individual permit 
under section 404 of the Clean Water Act after December 23, 1985, and 
met certain sequencing requirements, is exempt from the ineligibility 
provisions of these regulations. However, this rule, provides that a 
person whose conversion activity is encompassed by a nationwide or 
regional general permit issued pursuant to section 404 of the Clean 
Water Act may not be exempt under these regulations. USDA will evaluate 
whether any mitigation was required, and whether the wetland functions 
and values lost by the conversion activity were adequately replaced 
before USDA decides whether the conversion activity is exempt from 
ineligibility under these regulations.
     Provides that a person may remain eligible if the wetland 
functions and values are adequately mitigated in accordance with 
several requirements, including that the person implement a mitigation 
plan approved by NRCS.
     Sets forth that NRCS may accept the assistance of the 
memorandum of

[[Page 52670]]

agreement agencies in implementing these regulations.
Paul W. Johnson,
Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Grant Buntrock,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 96-25749 Filed 10-4-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P