[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 34 (Thursday, February 20, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8198-8201]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4040]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Notice Inviting Applications for Recognition as a State Rural 
Development Council

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), USDA.

ACTION: Notice inviting applications.

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

SUMMARY: This Notice invites applications for recognition as a State 
Rural Development Council (SRDC) pursuant to the Farm Security and 
Rural Investment Act of 2002 (2002 Farm Bill). SRDCs are members of the 
National Rural Development Partnership (NRDP), more fully described 
elsewhere in this Notice. Applicants must meet the eligibility 
requirements in the 2002 Farm Bill and this Notice, submit an 
application for recognition, and submit evidence of ability to provide 
the requisite matching funds if federal funding is provided.
    Recognition by the Secretary does not guarantee that a State Rural 
Development Council will automatically receive funding from the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture (USDA) or any other Federal agency, but will 
enable Federal agencies to make grants, gifts, contributions, provide 
technical assistance, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements 
with the SRDC, in addition to making the SRDC automatically a part of 
the recomprised National Rural Development Partnership.

DATES: Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. Eastern Time, April 21, 
2003. Applications received after that date will be reviewed on a first 
come basis in order to receive Federal recognition. Applicants are 
encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Due to delays in the receipt 
of federal government mail through the U.S. Postal Service, 
applications should be sent by an express mail service (e.g., UPS, 
Federal Express).

ADDRESSES: Entities wishing to apply for assistance may download the 
application requirements delineated in this Notice from the NRDP Web 
site at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/nrdp/nia.html. Applicants may also 
request application packages from: Tia Trout, United States Department 
of Agriculture National Rural Development Partnership, MAIL STOP 3205, 
Room 4225, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-3205, 
telephone (202) 720-1534, e-mail [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tia Trout, USDA National Rural

[[Page 8199]]

Development Partnership, MAIL STOP 3205, Room 4225, 1400 Independence 
Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-3205, telephone (202) 690-1534, e-mail 
[email protected]. Information may also be obtained at the following 
Web site: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/nrdp.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Programs Affected

    This program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance under number 10.353. This program is subject to the 
provisions of Executive Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental 
consultation with State and local officials.

Information Collection and Recordkeeping Requirements

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
chapter 35), USDA invites comments on the information collection 
requirement in this notice. These requirements have been granted 
emergency clearance by the Office of Management and Budget under OMB 
Control Number 0570-0043.
    Comments on this notice must be received by April 21, 2003.
    Comments are invited on (a) whether the collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    Comments on these information collections should refer to the OMB 
control number. Organizations and individuals desiring to submit 
comments on the information collection requirements should direct them 
to Renita Bolden, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Support 
Services Division, Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-0742. Mail 
courier service deliveries requiring a street address delivery should 
be sent to the same attention at 300 E Street, SW., 3rd Floor, 
Washington, DC 20546.
    Title: National Rural Development Partnership.
    Type of Request: New collection.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 6.0 hours per Application.
    Respondents: Joint proposals among public bodies, non profit and 
for-profit entities, including associations, in incorporated form or 
limited liability companies, tribal governments, and cooperatives.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 50.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 50.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 300 hours.

Background

    The National Rural Development Partnership began in 1990 as a 
component of the President's Initiative on Rural America. Eight pilot 
SRDCs were formed in 1990; ten years later, 40 SRDCs were in place.
    The 2002 Farm Bill authorizes the continuation of the National 
Rural Development Partnership, with a slightly modified membership 
structure. The Farm Bill specifies that membership in the reconstituted 
National Rural Development Partnership is to consist of a National 
Rural Development Coordinating Committee (NRDCC) and the SRDCs. The 
National Rural Development Coordinating Committee will be the subject 
of a separate appointment process and notice.
    The 2002 Farm Bill statutorily recognizes the National Rural 
Development Partnership and authorizes appropriations specific to it 
and its members. The statute provides eligibility criteria for 
recognition as a State Rural Development Council. It is contemplated 
that the NRDP and its components (SRDCs and the NRDCC) will receive 
funding from a variety of sources: Federal, state, and private. USDA is 
responsible for recognizing, and entering into a recognition agreement 
with, each selected SRDC in accordance with statutory criteria.
    Each SRDC that previously participated in the National Rural 
Development Partnership, and is interested in continuing to be 
recognized as an SRDC, must apply and be recognized pursuant to this 
Notice. New applicants are also invited to apply. Potential applicants 
within a state are encouraged to work together to develop a single 
application. Only one SRDC per state will be recognized.
    A more extensive history can be found at the following Web site: 
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/nrdp/about.

Definitions

    Funding Entity refers to the responsible legal entity which is to 
receive, hold and disburse funds received from the National Rural 
Development Partnership for a SRDC.
    National Rural Development Partnership (NRDP) refers jointly to 
recognized State Rural Development Councils and the National Rural 
Development Coordinating Committee.
    National Rural Development Coordinating Committee (NRDCC) refers to 
a group to be composed of entities and representatives to be approved 
by the Secretary pursuant to a separate notice further implementing 
section 6021 of the 2002 Farm Bill.
    Rural Area means all the territory of a State that is not within 
the boundaries of any standard metropolitan statistical area, and all 
territory within any standard metropolitan statistical area within a 
census tract having a population density of less than 20 persons per 
square mile, as determined by the Secretary according to the most 
recent census of the United States as of any date.
    State includes each of the several States, the Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands of the United States, Guam, American 
Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and, to the 
extent the Secretary determines it to be feasible and appropriate, the 
Freely Associated States and the Federated States of Micronesia.
    State Rural Development Council (SRDC) refers to an entity 
recognized as such by the Secretary in an agreement with USDA that 
confirms the Council meets the eligibility criteria in the 2002 Farm 
Bill.
    2002 Farm Bill refers to Farm Security and Rural Investment Act, 
Public Law 107-171, enacted on May 13, 2002. Section 6021 of this Act 
authorizes the Secretary to continue the National Rural Development 
Partnership and authorizes appropriations for this program.

Eligibility Requirements

    As specified in the 2002 Farm Bill, a State Rural Development 
Council shall:
    1. Be composed of representatives of Federal, State, local and 
tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, regional organizations, 
the private sector, and other entities committed to rural advancement;
    2. Operate with a nonpartisan and nondiscriminatory membership that 
is broad and representative of the economic, social, and political 
diversity of the state;

[[Page 8200]]

    3. Have a structure such that the membership is responsible for the 
governance and operations of the SRDC; and
    4. Provide matching funds, or in-kind goods or services, to support 
the activities of the SRDC, as more fully described below.

Recognition Agreement

    SRDCs will enter into a Recognition Agreement with USDA. The 
Recognition Agreement will conform in all material respects to the form 
of agreement provided in Appendix A to this Notice, and will provide 
for a specific term of recognition. It will require compliance with any 
regulations as may be promulgated by USDA with respect to the NRDP that 
are not in conflict with this Notice or any enforceable Recognition 
Agreement.

Duties post-Recognition

    As specified in the 2002 Farm Bill, upon entering into a 
recognition agreement with USDA, the SRDC must:
    1. Facilitate collaboration among Federal, State, local, and tribal 
governments and the private and nonprofit sectors in the planning and 
implementation of programs and policies that have an impact on rural 
areas of the State;
    2. Monitor, report, and comment on policies and programs that 
address, or fail to address, the needs of the rural areas of the State;
    3. In conjunction with the NRDCC, facilitate the development of 
strategies to reduce or eliminate conflicting or duplicative 
administrative or regulatory requirements of Federal, State, local, and 
tribal governments;
    4. Provide to the NRDCC an annual plan with goals and performance 
measures; and
    5. Submit to the NRDCC an annual report on the progress of the SRDC 
in meeting the goals and measures established in the annual plan.
    Further, to assure continuing Farm Bill compliance, changes made to 
the SRDC's bylaws, organizational structure, rules of governance, or 
any other modifications that change the SRDC's structure or rules of 
operation must be provided to USDA immediately.
    Each federally-funded SRDC must, as required by the NRDCC, submit 
an annual report to the NRDCC on the use of the funds, including a 
description of strategic plans, goals, performance measures and 
outcomes for the SRDC.

Contents of Application Package

    A completed application must include the following:
    (1) A brief description of the State Rural Development Council, 
including the legal structure, membership categories (e.g., corporate, 
individual, government agency), and the responsible contact person.
    (2) Organizational documents for the SRDC and, if different from 
the SRDC, the proposed Funding Entity. If the SRDC has 501(c)(3) not 
for profit corporation status, for example, the organizational 
documents would consist of the corporate charter and any other document 
that addresses the legal relationship among the members. If the SRDC 
has a legal structure other than a corporate form, the organizational 
documents must reflect how the SRDC was established and the legal 
relationship among the members.
    (3) Rules of governance for the SRDC. The rules of governance must 
provide evidence that the membership is totally responsible for the 
governance and operations of the SRDC. If the SRDC has 501(c)(3) not 
for profit corporation status, for example, a copy of the bylaws must 
be provided. The RBS reserves the right to grant provisional 
recognition until June 30, 2004 to an SRDC applicant that must consult 
with other officials on limited governance matters.
    (4) A representative list of members, which must identify a minimum 
of one, and a maximum of five, member(s) of the Council from each of 
the following six or (if applicable) seven institutional categories: 
(a) Federal government, (b) state government, (c) local government, (d) 
regional organizations, (e) not for profit corporations, (f) private 
for profit corporations, and (if applicable) (g) federally recognized 
tribal government. It is acceptable that some members on this 
representative list come from institutions committed to rural 
advancement that are not included in the aforementioned categories; 
such representatives should be placed in category (h) other entities 
committed to rural advancement (this could include colleges, 
universities, foundations, etc.). Provide the following information for 
each member person listed: Name, Institutional affiliation, 
Institutional category, Contact information (mailing address, telephone 
and fax numbers, and email address).
    (5) A copy of the Council's written policy indicating that it 
operates in a nonpartisan and nondiscriminatory manner, or, in the 
alternative, a statement, signed by the Council Chair, indicating that 
the Council operates in a nonpartisan and nondiscriminatory manner.
    (6) (a) A summary description of the key economic, social, and 
political regions of the rural areas of the state and (b) a summary 
description of how the Council represents the economic, social and 
political make-up of the state's rural areas (e.g., cross-reference the 
members presented in item (4) above with the regions presented here). 
This section (6) of the application should not exceed two pages.
    (7) Evidence that the SRDC is likely to have sufficient matching 
funds or in-kind goods or services for the period July 1, 2003 through 
May 13, 2007 to provide at least 33% in-kind or monetary match for any 
federal funds that might be provided under the provisions of the 2002 
Farm Bill to cover SRDC activities during that period. Such evidence 
shall include letters of intent (or similar documents) from each 
organization that will provide matching funds or in-kind goods or 
services. For the period July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004, these 
letters shall indicate intent to provide at least $25,000 (in total, 
across all letters) in matching funds or in-kind goods or services. In 
addition, these letters shall indicate intent to provide additional 
matching funds or in-kind goods and services for the period July 1, 
2004 through May 13, 2007.

Evaluation Considerations

    The application materials will be reviewed to confirm that the 
basic eligibility criteria set forth in the 2002 Farm Bill are met. 
USDA may seek to independently verify that the representations made in 
the application are correct.

Application Selection Process

    All applicants are encouraged to apply in a timely manner. 
Applications will be reviewed beginning April 21, 2003. An application 
may be submitted after this date subject to the proviso that it will 
not be considered if an SRDC for that State has already been granted 
recognition and remains in good standing under its Recognition 
Agreement. In the event that more than one application is received for 
a state, USDA will permit the applicants to work together to develop a 
single application that may be resubmitted, such that each state is 
represented by only one SRDC. In the event multiple applicants that are 
acceptable from one state do not wish to work together to develop a 
single application, USDA will choose one of those applicants to be the 
recognized SRDC. In this case, RBS will use the following criterion to 
choose the SRDC: Which applicant has the largest number of institutions 
represented as members (as reported in Item (4) above)? If two or more 
acceptable applicants are tied on that score, the tie-breaker will be: 
Which applicant has the largest match (as reported in Item (7) above)?

[[Page 8201]]

What and Where to Submit

    A complete, original application may be electronically sent as an 
e-mail attachment to [email protected]. If applications are submitted 
electronically, a signature page must be submitted in hard copy or via 
fax. Alternatively, an original application package plus two paper 
copies may be submitted in hard copy to: Tia Trout, USDA National Rural 
Development Partnership, MAIL STOP 3205, Room 4225, 1400 Independence 
Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-3205.

    Dated: February 3, 2003.
John Rosso,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.

Appendix A

Form of Recognition Agreement

Recognition Agreement Between [SRDC] and The United States Department 
of Agriculture (USDA)

Parties

SRDC Chair or Co-Chairs------------------------------------------------
SRDC Executive Director------------------------------------------------
USDA-------------------------------------------------------------------
Administrator--Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Purpose

    The purpose of this Agreement is to confer recognition upon 
[SRDC] as the State Rural Development Council for the state of ----
--a term ending May 13, 2007 unless earlier terminated for failure 
to maintain the requirements for ongoing eligibility pursuant to the 
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (the 2002 Farm Bill).

Background

    The National Rural Development Partnership authorized by section 
6021 of the 2002 Farm Bill is composed of a National Rural 
Development Coordinating Committee (the Coordinating Committee) and 
State Rural Development Councils. The purposes of the Partnership 
are to empower and build the capacity of States and rural 
communities to design flexible and innovative responses to their own 
special rural development needs, with local determinations of 
progress and selection of projects and activities. Accordingly, the 
legislation requires that a State Rural Development Council (1) be 
composed of representatives of Federal, State, local, and tribal 
governments, nonprofit organizations, regional organizations, the 
private sector, and other entities committed to rural advancement, 
(2) have a nonpartisan and nondiscriminatory membership that is 
broad and representative of the economic, social, and political 
diversity of the State, and (3) that the membership shall be 
responsible for the governance and operations of the State Rural 
Development Council.

Agreement

    The [SRDC] hereby represents the following:
    1. The membership of the SRDC meets and will continue to meet on 
an ongoing basis the eligibility requirements for recognition as a 
member of the NRDP set forth in the 2002 Farm Bill.
    2. The entity which shall undertake fiscal responsibilities on 
behalf of the SRDC for purposes of any USDA funding is [name of 
Funding Entity/Address]. The officer who is authorized to enter into 
agreements on behalf of the Funding Entity is [Name, Title].
    3. The person who is authorized to represent the SRDC in 
meetings of the NRDP and enter into contracts and receive notices on 
behalf of the SRDC is: [Name, Title, Address]
    The [SRDC] hereby undertakes to perform the following duties:
    1. Facilitate collaboration among Federal, State, local, and 
tribal governments and the private and nonprofit sectors in the 
planning and implementation of programs and policies that have an 
impact on rural areas of the State;
    2. Monitor, report, and comment on policies and programs that 
address, or fail to address, the needs of the rural areas of the 
State; and
    3. As part of the NRDP, in conjunction with the Coordinating 
Committee, facilitate the development of strategies to identify and 
reduce or eliminate conflicting or duplicative administrative or 
regulatory requirements of Federal, State, local, and tribal 
governments.
    Furthermore, the [SRDC] agrees to:
    (a) Provide to the Coordinating Committee an annual plan with 
goals and performance measures; and
    (b) Submit to the Coordinating Committee an annual report on the 
progress of the [SRDC] in meeting the goals and measures.
    The [SRDC] hereby agrees to provide matching funds or in-kind 
goods or services, as required by statute, to support the activities 
of the undersigned, in an amount that is at least 33 percent of the 
amount of Federal funds received from a Federal agency, except where 
the Federal funds in question are (a) to support one or more 
specific programs or project activities or (b) to reimburse the SRDC 
for services provided to the funding Federal agency.
    The [SRDC] hereby agrees to provide evidence on an on-going 
basis that the SRDC is in compliance with this Agreement. For 
example, as and when the Council modifies its bylaws, organizational 
structure, rules of governance, and/or makes any other modifications 
that change the SRDC's structure or rules of operations, such 
changes must be provided to USDA immediately.
    Furthermore, the [SRDC] understands that if it applies to USDA-
RD for federal funding for its core operations, it must comply with 
all federal requirements regarding financial management, good 
standing, criminal convictions, debarment, civil rights and any 
other applicable laws.

Recognition

    The USDA hereby recognizes [name of SRDC] as a State Rural 
Development Council and member of the National Rural Development 
Partnership. All correspondence shall be directed to USDA, care of 
[David Sears, National Partnership Office, email, telephone].

Programming, Budgeting, Funding, and Reimbursement Arrangement

    This Recognition Agreement does not commit USDA or the federal 
government to provide any financial assistance.

Authority

    The USDA authority for entering into this Recognition Agreement 
is Section 6021 of Public Law 107-171 (May 13, 2002). This 
Recognition Agreement is subject to Section 6021 of the 2002 Farm 
Bill, the Notice Inviting Applications for Recognition, future SRDC 
regulations not otherwise inconsistent with this Recognition 
Agreement and all other applicable laws.

Approvals

    The signatories hereby certify that they have the authority to 
enter into this Recognition Agreement.

Revocation

    Upon written notice from USDA of a failure to perform or other 
default under this Agreement, the SRDC has 90 days from the date of 
the USDA written notice to cure the failure to perform or the 
default. USDA may terminate this agreement, thereby revoking 
recognition, upon written notice to the SRDC for failure of the SRDC 
to cure a failure to perform or otherwise cure a default under this 
Recognition Agreement.
    The SRDC may terminate this Recognition Agreement upon 90 days 
written notice to USDA.

Effective Date

    This Recognition Agreement will become effective upon the 
signature of all parties and shall remain in effect until the 
earlier of May 13, 2007 or termination by either party. Its 
provisions can be amended or supplemented in writing as may be 
agreed upon.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Administrator
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Administrator
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[Date]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[ ] Chair
SRDC
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[Date]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[ ] Executive Director
SRDC
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[Date]

[FR Doc. 03-4040 Filed 2-19-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P