[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 210 (Tuesday, October 29, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55783-55784]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-27666]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Commodity Credit Corporation


Disaster Reserve Assistance Program

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is announcing the 
availability of assistance under the Disaster Reserve Assistance 
Program to relieve the distress of livestock producers whose production 
of livestock feed has been adversely affected by natural disasters.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leona Dittus, Director, Emergency and 
Noninsured Assistance Program Division, Farm Service Agency, United 
States Department of Agriculture, STOP 0527, P.O. Box 2415, Washington, 
DC, 20013-2415, 202-720-3168.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the authority set forth in 
section 813(c) of the Agricultural Act of 1970, as amended, it has been 
determined that:
    1. Severe and prolonged drought conditions and other natural 
disasters adversely affecting livestock producers across the country 
warrant implementing a Disaster Reserve Assistance Program to alleviate 
the distress caused by natural disaster conditions.
    2. Given the need to act expeditiously, the terms and conditions 
setting forth the suspended Emergency Livestock Assistance Program in 7 
CFR Part 1439 will be used to administer the Disaster Reserve 
Assistance Program. The following list explains how the provisions of 7 
CFR Part 1439 will apply to the Disaster Reserve Assistance Program:
    Section 1439.1. The Disaster Reserve Assistance Program shall 
provide feed assistance to livestock owners only in a county where a 
livestock feed emergency has been determined to exist.
    Section 1439.2. All provisions of this section are applicable to 
the Disaster Reserve Assistance Program.
    Section 1439.3. For the Disaster Reserve Assistance Program, feed 
available means the owner's current year feed production available 
anytime during the feeding period. Feeding period means for all 
livestock (except fish for food) the period beginning and ending on the 
date determined according to the following conditions. The period shall 
begin on: (1) the first day of the 1996 crop year in counties approved 
and contiguous for 1995 or 1996 Livestock Feed Program and in counties 
in which natural disaster conditions existed before the beginning of 
the 1996 crop year, if natural disaster conditions are continuing; or 
(2) the date the producer filed an application, for progressive natural 
disaster, such as drought, in counties where the occurrence began or 
became apparent after the beginning of the 1996 crop year; or (3) the 
date of the occurrence for sudden natural disasters, such as tornados, 
earthquakes, etc., that occurred after the beginning of the 1996 crop 
year.
    Section 1439.4 (a). For the Disaster Reserve Assistance Program, 
requests submitted by a county committee for a livestock feed emergency 
determination must be submitted to the State committee and must 
contain: (1) for counties approved or contiguous to an approved county 
for 1995 or 1996 Livestock Feed Program: (a) a report of existing feed 
production conditions, and (b) a certification by the county committee 
and a State committee representative, of continuing natural disaster 
conditions; (2) for all other counties: (a) a County Feed Loss 
Assessment Report, Form CCC-654; (b) rainfall data by month expressed 
in inches and percent of normal for the current calendar year and the 2 
previous calendar years if the request is due to the occurrence of 
drought or excess moisture; and (c) a report of an on-site visit by the 
county committee and a State committee representative stating existing 
production conditions.
    Section 1439.4 (b). For the Disaster Reserve Assistance Program, 
for county requests received in the State office by July 19, 1996, the 
State committee shall make a determination and advise the Deputy 
Administrator for Farm Programs. For county requests received in the 
State office after July 19, 1996, the State committee shall forward the 
request with a recommendation of whether the request should be approved 
to the Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs.
    Section 1439.4 (c). This provision is applicable to the Disaster 
Reserve Assistance Program.
    Section 1439.4 (d). For the Disaster Reserve Assistance Program, 
owners in any county contiguous to a county that

[[Page 55784]]

has been designated as a livestock feed emergency county under the 
Disaster Reserve Assistance Program shall not be eligible to receive 
assistance unless a livestock feed emergency has been determined to 
exist in that county.
    Section 1439.5 and 1439.6 (a) and (b). These provisions are 
applicable to the Disaster Reserve Assistance Program.
    Section 1439.6(c). For the Disaster Reserve Assistance Program, a 
Form CCC-652 application worksheet and Form CCC-651 contract must be 
filed at the county office in the approved county.
    Section 1439.6(d) (1) and (2). These provisions are applicable to 
the Disaster Reserve Assistance Program.
    Section 1439.6(d)(3). For the Disaster Reserve Assistance Program, 
owners in a county contiguous to a county where a livestock feed 
emergency has been determined to exist may not file for assistance in 
the contiguous county unless a livestock feed emergency has been 
determined to exist in that county.
    Section 1439.6(e), (f) and (g)(1). These provisions are applicable 
to the Disaster Reserve Assistance Program.
    Section 1439.6(g)(2). For the Disaster Reserve Assistance Program, 
current crop year production of feed available anytime during the 
feeding period including any grain pledged as collateral for a 
Commodity Credit Corporation price support loan.
    Section 1439.6(g) (3), (4), (5), (6), (7) and (8). These provision 
are applicable to the Disaster Reserve Assistance Program.
    Section 1439.6(g)(9). For the Disaster Reserve Assistance Program, 
any donated feed received during the current year including current and 
prior years production that is available anytime during the feeding 
period except for feed grain donated by Commodity Credit Corporation 
under the Indian Acute Distress Donation Program.
    Section 1439.6(g) (10), (11), (12) and (h) (i) and (j). These 
provisions are applicable to the Disaster Reserve Assistance Program.
    Section 1439.7, 1439.8 (a) and (b). These provisions are applicable 
to the Disaster Reserve Assistance Program.
    Section 1439.8(c)(1)(i). For the Disaster Reserve Assistance 
Program, Commodity Credit Corporation-owned feed grains are not 
available for sale under the Disaster Reserve Assistance Program.
    Section 1439.8(c)(1)(ii). This provision is applicable to the 
Disaster Reserve Assistance Program.
    Section 1439.8(c)(1) (iii). For the Disaster Reserve Assistance 
Program, Commodity Credit Corporation-owned feed grains are not 
available for donation.
    Section 1439.8(c)(2)(i). For the Disaster Reserve Assistance 
Program, Commodity Credit Corporation-owned feed grains are not 
available for sale.
    Section 1439.8(c)(2)(ii). This provision is applicable to the 
Disaster Reserve Assistance Program.
    Section 1439.8(c)(2)(iii). For the Disaster Reserve Assistance 
Program, Commodity Credit Corporation-owned feed grains are not 
available for donation other than as indicated in this notice.
    Section 1439.9(a). For the Disaster Reserve Assistance Program, the 
county office shall provide payment upon presentation to the county 
office, by the owner, of valid livestock feed purchase receipts and 
after the owner has shown that the terms and conditions of the contract 
have been met.
    Section 1439.9(b), (c) and (d). These provisions are applicable to 
the Disaster Reserve Assistance Program.
    Section 1439.9(e). For the Disaster Reserve Assistance Program, the 
owners who file applications shall execute a contract for the feeding 
period for which the owner is eligible. When the Disaster Reserve 
Assistance Program authorized period is continued, the owner must 
request, in writing, that the feeding period ending date remain as 
previously established or be changed to one of the following: (1) the 
ending date for implementation of the Disaster Reserve Assistance 
Program as established by the Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs; 
or (2) any date after the previously established date but prior to the 
ending date for implementation as established by the Deputy 
Administrator for Farm Programs.
    Section 1439.10(a). For the Disaster Reserve Assistance Program, 
owners who filed an initial application prior to the termination of the 
program will not be eligible to file subsequent applications and 
contracts. Owners may file new applications if the Disaster Reserve 
Assistance Program is continued.
    Section 1439.10(b). This provision is inapplicable.
    Section 1439.11 through 24. These provisions are applicable to the 
Disaster Reserve Assistance Program.
    Section 1439.101 through 104. These provisions are inapplicable.
    Section 1439.201 through 202. These provisions are inapplicable.
    Section 1439.301. This provision is applicable to the Disaster 
Reserve Assistance Program.
    Section 1439.302(a). For the Disaster Reserve Assistance Program, 
an owner of eligible livestock who has submitted an application for 
participation and a contract has been approved by a representative of 
Commodity Credit Corporation in accordance with 1439.1 through 1439.25 
of this part shall receive monetary assistance for not more than 30 
percent of the cost of eligible feed purchased by the owner not to 
exceed the monetary amount stated on the contract provided the owner 
presents evidence of the purchase of feed to the approving official at 
any time during the terms of the contract.
    Section 1439.401 through 403. These provisions are inapplicable.
    Section 1439.501 through 504. These provisions are inapplicable.
    3. Indian Tribal councils that determine acute economic distress 
exists because of the affects of a natural disaster on reservation 
lands may request donated grain for needy members according to 
requirements established for the Indian Acute Distress Donation Program 
under Executive Order 11336 and Memorandum of Understanding No. 5 
between the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the 
Interior.
    4. Based on the above determinations, the Disaster Reserve 
Assistance Program is authorized for 1996 crop year losses for 
livestock owners who are determined eligible. Producer applications, 
for existing natural disasters, must be received in county offices that 
have been approved for the Disaster Reserve Assistance Program by the 
date announced by CCC. Such date is on file in each county Farm Service 
Agency office. Program payments will be contingent on the availability 
of CCC funds.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on October 23, 1996.
Bruce R. Weber,
Acting Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 96-27666 Filed 10-28-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P