[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 233 (Monday, December 6, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70427-70432]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-26738]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 233 / Monday, December 6, 2004 / 
Notices  

[[Page 70427]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation


Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, Department of Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice of request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: Section 2503 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 
2002 (Pub. L. 107-171) amended the Food Security Act of 1985 to include 
the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP), formerly known as 
the Farmland Protection Program (FPP). Congress delegated authority to 
administer FRPP to the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation 
Service (NRCS). NRCS, on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation 
(CCC) and using its authorities, requests proposals from Federally 
recognized Indian tribes, States, units of local government, and 
nongovernmental organizations to cooperate in the acquisition of 
conservation easements on farms and ranches. Eligible land includes 
farm and ranch land that has prime, unique, or other productive soil, 
or that contains historical or archaeological resources. These lands 
must also be subject to a pending offer from eligible entities for the 
purpose of protecting topsoil by limiting conversion of that land to 
nonagricultural uses. Over $78 million in FRPP funds is available to 
purchase conservation easements in fiscal year 2005.

DATES: Proposals must be received in the NRCS State Office by April 5, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Written proposals must be sent to the appropriate NRCS State 
Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. The 
telephone numbers and addresses of the NRCS State Conservationists are 
in the appendix of this notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Denise Coleman, NRCS; phone: (202) 
720-3527; fax: (202) 720-4265; or e-mail: [email protected]; 
Subject: FRPP or consult the NRCS Web site at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002/PubNotcChron.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Urban sprawl continues to threaten the Nation's farm and ranch 
land, as social and economic changes over the past three decades have 
influenced the rate at which land is converted to non-agricultural 
uses. Population growth, demographic changes, preferences for larger 
lots, expansion of transportation systems, and economic prosperity have 
contributed to increases in agricultural land conversion rates. The 
amount of farm and ranch land lost to development and the quality of 
farmland being converted are significant concerns. In most States, 
prime farmland is being converted at two to four times the rate of 
other, less-productive agricultural land.
    There continues to be an important national interest in the 
protection of farmland. Land use devoted to agriculture provides an 
important contribution to environmental quality, protection of the 
Nation's historical and archaeological resources, and scenic beauty.

Availability of Funding

    Effective on the publication date of this notice, NRCS announces 
the availability of up to $78 million for FRPP, until September 30, 
2005. The NRCS State Conservationist must receive proposals for 
participation within 120 days of the date of this notice. State, 
Tribal, and local governmental entities and nongovernmental 
organizations may apply. Selection will be based on the criteria 
established in this notice and additional criteria developed by the 
applicable State Conservationist. Pending offers by an eligible entity 
must be for acquiring an easement for perpetuity, except where State 
law prohibits a permanent easement.
    Under the FRPP, NRCS may provide up to 50 percent of the appraised 
fair market value of the conservation easement. Landowner donations up 
to 25 percent of the appraised fair market value of the conservation 
easement may be considered part of the entity's matching offer. For the 
entity, two cost-share options are available when providing its 
matching offer. One option is for the entity to provide, in cash, at 
least 25 percent of the appraised fair market value of the conservation 
easement. The second option is for the entity to provide, in cash, at 
least 50 percent of the purchase price of the conservation easement. 
The second option may be preferable to an entity in the case of a large 
bargain sale by the landowner. If the second option is selected, the 
NRCS share cannot exceed the entity's contribution.
    The following two examples illustrate how these two cost-share 
options may function. Under Option 1, where 25 percent of the appraised 
fair market value is selected by the entity, the total appraised fair 
market value of the conservation easement is $1 million. The landowner 
chooses to donate 40 percent of the appraised fair market value, 
resulting in the actual easement purchase price being $600,000. In this 
case, the cooperating entity contributes $250,000, and NRCS contributes 
$350,000. Option 2, where 50 percent of the purchase price is selected, 
would occur when a landowner makes a large charitable donation, where 
25% of the appraised fair market value exceeds 50 percent of the 
purchase price. For example, the total appraised fair market value of 
the conservation easement is $1 million. The landowner chooses to 
donate 60 percent of the appraised fair market value, resulting in the 
actual easement purchase price being $400,000. In this case, NRCS and 
the cooperating entity both contribute $200,000.

Definitions

    For the purposes of this notice, the following definitions apply:
    Chief means the Chief of NRCS, USDA.
    Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is a Government-owned and 
operated entity that was created to stabilize, support, and protect 
farm income and prices. CCC is managed by a Board of Directors, subject 
to the general supervision and direction of the Secretary of 
Agriculture, who is an ex-officio director and chairperson of the 
Board. CCC provides the funding for FRPP, and NRCS administers FRPP on 
its behalf.

[[Page 70428]]

    Conservation Easement means a voluntary, legally recorded 
restriction, in the form of a deed, on the use of property, in order to 
protect resources such as agricultural lands, historic structures, open 
space, and wildlife habitat.
    Conservation Plan is the document that--
    (1) Applies to highly erodible cropland;
    (2) Describes the conservation system applicable to the highly 
erodible cropland, and describes the decisions of the person with 
respect to location, land use, tillage systems, and conservation 
treatment measures and schedules;
    (3) Is approved by the local soil conservation district in 
consultation with the local committees established under Section 8 
(b)(5) of the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 
5909h(b)(5)) and the Secretary, or by the Secretary.
    Eligible entities means Federally recognized Indian Tribes, States, 
units of local government, and certain non-governmental organizations, 
which have a farmland protection program that purchases agricultural 
conservation easements for the purpose of protecting topsoil by 
limiting conversion to non-agricultural uses of the land. Additionally, 
to be eligible for FRPP, the entity must have pending offers, for 
acquiring conservation easements for the purpose of protecting 
agricultural land from conversion to non-agricultural uses.
    Eligible land is privately owned land on a farm or ranch that has 
prime, unique, Statewide, or locally important soil, or contains 
historical or archaeological resources, and is subject to a pending 
offer by an eligible entity. Eligible land includes cropland, 
rangeland, grassland, and pasture land, as well as forest land that is 
an incidental part of an agricultural operation. Incidental forest land 
is less than fifty percent of the entire area under easement. Other 
incidental land that would not otherwise be eligible, but when 
considered as part of a pending offer, may be considered eligible, if 
inclusion of such land would significantly augment protection of the 
associated farm or ranch land.
    Fair market value is ascertained through standard real property 
appraisal methods. Fair market value is the amount in cash, for which 
in all probability the property would have sold on the effective date 
of the appraisal, after a reasonable exposure of time on the open 
competitive market, from a willing and reasonably knowledgeable seller 
to a willing and reasonably knowledgeable buyer. Neither the seller nor 
the buyer act under any compulsion to buy or sell, giving due 
consideration to all available economic uses of the property at the 
time of the appraisal. In valuing conservation easements, the appraiser 
estimates both the fair market value of the whole property before the 
easement acquisition and the fair market value of the remainder 
property after the conservation easement has been imposed. The 
difference between these two values is deemed the value of the 
conservation easement.
    Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG) is the official document for 
NRCS guidelines, criteria, and standards for planning and applying 
conservation treatments and conservation management systems. The FOTG 
contains detailed information on the conservation of soil, water, air, 
plant, and animal resources applicable to the local area for which it 
is prepared.
    Historical and archaeological resources must be:
    (1) Listed in the National Register of Historic Places (established 
under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), 16 U.S.C. 470, et 
seq.), or
    (2) Formally determined eligible for listing in the National 
Register of Historic Places (by the State Historic Preservation Officer 
(SHPO) or Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) and the Keeper of 
the National Register in accordance with Section 106 of the NHPA), or
    (3) Formally listed in the State or Tribal Register of Historic 
Places of the SHPO (designated under Section 101 (b)(1)(B) of the NHPA) 
or the THPO (designated under Section 101(d)(1)(C) of the NHPA).
    Land Evaluation and Site Assessment System (LESA) is the land 
evaluation system approved by the NRCS State Conservationist used to 
rank land for farm and ranch land protection purposes, based on soil 
potential for agriculture, as well as social and economic factors, such 
as location, access to markets, and adjacent land use. (For additional 
information see the Farmland Protection Policy Act regulation at 7 CFR 
part 658.)
    Landowner means a person, persons, estate, corporation, or other 
business or nonprofit entity having fee title ownership of farm or 
ranch land.
    Natural Resources Conservation Service is an agency of the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture.
    Non-governmental organization is defined as any organization that:
    (1) Is organized for, and at all times since the formation of the 
organization, has been operated principally for one or more of the 
conservation purposes specified in clause (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of 
section 170(h)(4)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
    (2) Is an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of that Code 
that is exempt from taxation under 501(a) of that Code;
    (3) Is described in section 509(a)(2) of that Code; or is described 
in section 509(a)(3) of that Code; and is controlled by an organization 
described in section 509(a)(2) of that Code.
    Other productive soils are soils that are contained on farm or 
ranch land that is identified as farmland of Statewide or local 
importance and is used for the production of food, feed, fiber, forage, 
or oilseed crops. The appropriate State or local government agency 
determines Statewide or locally important farmland with concurrence 
from the State Conservationist. Generally, these farmlands produce high 
yields of crops when treated and managed according to acceptable 
farming methods. In some States and localities, farmlands of Statewide 
and local importance may include tracts of land that have been 
designated for agriculture by State law or local ordinance. 7 CFR part 
657, sets forth the process for designating soils as Statewide or 
locally important.
    Pending offer is a written bid, contract, or option extended to a 
landowner by an eligible entity to acquire a conservation easement 
before the legal title to these rights has been conveyed for the 
purpose of limiting non-agricultural uses of the land.
    Prime and unique farmland are defined separately, as follows:
    (1) Prime farmland is land that has the best combination of 
physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, fiber, 
forage, oilseed, and other agricultural crops with minimum inputs of 
fuel, fertilizer, pesticides, and labor, without intolerable soil 
erosion, as determined by the Secretary.
    (2) Unique farmland is land other than prime farmland that is used 
for the production of specific high-value food and fiber crops, as 
determined by the Secretary. It has the special combination of soil 
quality, location, growing season, and moisture supply needed to 
economically produce sustained high quality or high yields of specific 
crops when treated and managed according to acceptable farming methods. 
Examples of such crops include citrus, tree nuts, olives, cranberries, 
fruits, and vegetables. Additional information on the definition of 
prime, unique, or other productive soil can be found in 7 CFR part 657 
and 7 CFR part 658.
    State Technical Committee means a committee established by the 
Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in

[[Page 70429]]

a State pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 3861 and 7 CFR part 610, subpart C.
    State Conservationist means the NRCS employee authorized to direct 
and supervise NRCS activities in a State, the Caribbean Area (Puerto 
Rico and the Virgin Islands), or the Pacific Basin Area (Guam, American 
Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna Islands).

Overview of the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program

    The CCC, acting through NRCS, will accept proposals submitted to 
the NRCS State Offices from eligible entities, including federally 
recognized Indian tribes, States, units of local government, and 
nongovernmental organizations that have pending offers for acquiring 
conservation easements for the purposes of protecting topsoil by 
limiting nonagricultural use of the land and/or protecting historical 
and archaeological sites on farm and ranch lands.
    All proposals must be submitted to the appropriate NRCS State 
Conservationist within 120 days from the date of this notice. The NRCS 
State Conservationist may consult with the State Technical Committee 
(established pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 3861) to evaluate the merits of the 
proposals.
    The NRCS State Conservationist will review and evaluate the 
proposals based on State, tribal, or local government or 
nongovernmental organization eligibility, land eligibility, and the 
extent to which the proposal adheres to FRPP objectives. Proposals must 
include adequate proof of a pending offer for the subject land. 
Adequate proof includes a written bid, contract, commitment, or option 
extended to a landowner. Pending offers based upon appraisals completed 
and signed by State-certified or licensed appraisers will receive 
higher priority for FRPP funding. Proposals submitted directly to the 
NRCS National Office will not be accepted and will be returned to the 
submitting entity.

National and State Ranking Criteria

    Funding awards to participants will be based on National and State 
criteria. Below is a list of national criteria that will be used by the 
NRCS State Conservationist to evaluate proposals:
     Acreage of prime and important farm and ranch land 
estimated to be protected;
     Acreage of prime and important farm and ranch land 
converted to nonagricultural uses;
     Number or acreage of historic and archaeological sites 
estimated to be protected on farm or ranch lands;
     Total acres needing protection;
     FRPP cost per acre;
     Rate of land conversion;
     Percentage of funding guaranteed to be provided by 
cooperating entities;
     History of cooperating entities' commitments to 
conservation planning and implementing conservation practices;
     Participating entities' histories of acquiring, managing, 
holding, and enforcing easements (including average annual farmland 
protection easement expenditures over the past five years, 
accomplishments, and staff);
     Amount of FRPP funding requested; and
     Participating entities' estimated unfunded backlog of 
conservation easements on acres eligible for FRPP assistance.
    The NRCS State Conservationist will combine the above-mentioned 
NRCS National criteria with NRCS State ranking criteria. The following 
examples of NRCS State ranking criteria may be used to evaluate and 
rank specific parcels, including, but not limited to, proximity to 
protected clusters, viability of the agricultural operations, parcel 
size, type of land use, maximum cost expended per acre, and an entity's 
commitment to assuring farm and ranch succession and transfer to viable 
farming operations. State ranking criteria will be developed on a 
State-by-State basis and will be available to interested participating 
entities before proposal submission. Interested entities should contact 
their State Conservationist for a complete listing of applicable 
National and State ranking criteria, and program implementation 
guidelines.
    The NRCS State Conservationist will make awards to eligible 
entities based on available funds, prior to June 1, 2005. Once 
selected, eligible entities must work with the appropriate NRCS State 
Conservationist to finalize and sign cooperative agreements, 
incorporating all FRPP requirements.
    The conveyance document (i.e., conservation easement deed or 
conservation easement deed template) used by the eligible entity must 
be reviewed and approved by the USDA Office of General Counsel before 
being recorded. Since title to the easement is held by an entity other 
than the United States, the conveyance document must contain a clause 
that all rights conveyed by the landowner under the document will 
become vested in the United States should the cooperating entity 
abandon, fail to enforce, or attempt to terminate the conservation 
easement.
    As a condition of participation, all highly erodible land in the 
easement shall be included in a conservation plan for the future 
management of the land. The conservation plan will be developed using 
the standards and specifications of the NRCS Field Office Technical 
Guide and 7 CFR part 12, unless otherwise determined by the State 
Conservationist, in partnership with the eligible entity. The 
conservation plan will be implemented in a timely manner, as determined 
by the State Conservationist, prior to the easement being recorded.

Organization and Land Eligibility Selection Criteria

    To be eligible, a Federally recognized Indian tribe, State, unit of 
local government, or nongovernmental organization must have a farmland 
protection program that purchases conservation easements for the 
purpose of protecting prime, unique, or other productive soil or 
historical and archaeological resources by limiting conversion of farm 
or ranch land to nonagricultural uses. As a condition of receiving FRPP 
funds, the cooperating entity shall not use FRPP funds to place an 
easement on a property in which cooperating entity's employee, board 
member, or immediate family member of an employee or board member has a 
property interest.

Criteria for Proposal Evaluation

    Proposals must contain the information set forth below in order to 
receive consideration for assistance:
    1. Organization and programs: Eligible entities must describe their 
farmland protection program, and their record of acquiring and holding 
permanent agricultural land protection easements or other interests.
    Information provided in the proposal should:
    (a) Demonstrate a commitment to long-term conservation of 
agricultural lands through the use of voluntary easements that protect 
farmland from conversion to nonagricultural uses;
    (b) Demonstrate the capability to acquire, manage, and enforce 
easements;
    (c) Demonstrate the number and ability of staff that will be 
dedicated to monitoring easement stewardship;
    (d) Demonstrate the availability of funds for the easement(s) 
proposed to be acquired. The purchase price may not exceed the 
appraised fair market value of the conservation easement. If a 
landowner donation is included in the entity's match, the entity must 
demonstrate the availability of 25 percent of the appraised fair market 
value or 50 percent of the purchase price; and
    (e) Include pending offer(s). A pending offer is a written bid, 
contract,

[[Page 70430]]

commitment, or option extended to a landowner by an eligible entity to 
acquire a conservation easement that limits nonagricultural uses of the 
land before the legal title to these rights has been conveyed. The 
primary purpose of the pending offers must be for the purchase of 
development rights in order to protect topsoil by limiting conversion 
to nonagricultural uses. Pending offers having appraisals completed and 
signed by State-certified general appraisers will receive higher 
funding priority by the NRCS State Conservationist. Appraisals 
completed and signed by a State-certified or licensed general appraiser 
must contain a disclosure statement by the appraiser. The disclosure 
statement should include at a minimum the following: The appraiser 
accepts full responsibility for the appraisal, the enclosed statements 
are true and unbiased, the value of the land is limited by stated 
assumptions only, the appraiser has no interest in the land, and the 
appraisal conforms to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal 
Practice or the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land 
Acquisitions.
    2. Lands to be acquired: The proposal must describe the lands to be 
acquired with funding from FRPP. Specifically, the proposal must 
include the following:
    (a) A map showing the proposed protected area(s);
    (b) The amount and source of funds currently available for each 
easement to be acquired;
    (c) The criteria used to set the acquisition priorities; and
    (d) A detailed description of the land parcels, including:
    (i) The priority of the offers;
    (ii) The names of the landowners;
    (iii) The address and location maps of the parcels;
    (iv) The size of the parcels, in acres;
    (v) The acres of the prime, unique, or State-wide and locally 
important soil in the parcels;
    (vi) The number or acreage of historical or archaeological sites, 
if any, proposed to be protected, and a brief description of the sites' 
significance;
    (vii) A map showing the location of other protected parcels in 
relation to the land parcels proposed to be protected;
    (viii) Estimated cost of the easement(s): The consideration to be 
paid to any landowners for the conveyance of any lands or interests in 
lands cannot be more than the fair market value of the land or 
interests conveyed, as determined by an appraiser licensed in the 
State, in which the parcel is located.
    (ix) An example of the cooperating entity's proposed easement deed 
used to prevent agricultural land conversion;
    (x) Indication of the accessibility to markets;
    (xi) Indication of an existing agricultural infrastructure, on- and 
off-farm, and other support system(s);
    (xii) Statement regarding the level of threat from urban 
development;
    (xiii) A description of the eligible entity's farmland protection 
strategy and how the FRPP proposal submitted by the entity corresponds 
to the entity's strategic plan;
    (xiv) Other factors from an evaluation and assessment system used 
to set priorities. If the eligible entity used the LESA system or a 
similar land evaluation system as its tool, include the scores for the 
land parcels slated for acquisition;
    (xv) Other partners involved in acquisition of the easement and 
their estimated financial contribution; and
    (xvi) Other information that may be relevant as determined by the 
NRCS State Conservationist.

Ranking Considerations

    When the NRCS State Office has assessed organization eligibility 
and the merits of each proposal, the NRCS State Conservationist will 
determine whether the farm or ranch land is eligible for financial 
assistance from FRPP. NRCS will use the National and State criteria, 
which may include a LESA system or other similar system, to evaluate 
the land and rank the parcels.
    NRCS will only consider enrolling eligible land in the program that 
is of sufficient size and has boundaries that allow for efficient 
management of the area. The land must have access to markets for its 
products and an infrastructure appropriate for agricultural production. 
NRCS will not enroll land in FRPP that is owned in fee title by an 
agency of the United States, is publicly-owned land, or land that is 
already subject to an easement or deed restriction that limits non-
agricultural conversion of farm and ranch land.
    NRCS will not enroll otherwise eligible lands if NRCS determines 
that the protection provided by the FRPP would not be effective because 
of on-site or off-site conditions. For example, as it relates to on-
site conditions, a proposal may nominate a parcel that contains 
hazardous material, or it may nominate a parcel that contains or may 
allow over two percent impervious surface coverage on the land under 
easement. The presence of hazardous waste or the extensive impervious 
surface coverage will likely cause NRCS to determine that the use of 
FRPP funds is not appropriate. As it relates to off-site conditions, 
NRCS may avoid acquiring land that is surrounded by a developed area or 
slated to be zoned for development by a local government.
    NRCS will place a priority on acquiring easements that provide 
permanent protection from conversion to nonagricultural use. NRCS will 
place a higher priority on easements acquired by entities that have 
extensive experience in managing and enforcing easements. NRCS may 
place a higher priority on lands and locations that help create a large 
tract of protected area for viable agricultural production and that are 
under increasing urban development pressure. NRCS may place a higher 
priority on lands and locations that correlate with the efforts of 
Federal, State, Tribal, local, or nongovernmental organizations' 
efforts that have complementary farmland protection objectives (e.g., 
open space or watershed and wildlife habitat protection). NRCS may 
place a higher priority on lands that provide special social, economic, 
and environmental benefits to the region. A higher priority may be 
given to certain geographic regions where the enrollment of particular 
lands may help achieve National, State, and regional goals and 
objectives, or enhance existing government or private conservation 
projects.

Cooperative Agreements

    The CCC, through NRCS, enters into a cooperative agreement with a 
selected eligible entity to document participation in FRPP. The 
cooperative agreement will address, among other subjects:
    (1) The easement type, terms, and conditions;
    (2) The management and enforcement of the rights acquired;
    (3) The role and responsibilities of NRCS and the cooperating 
entity;
    (4) The responsibilities of the easement manager on lands acquired 
with FRPP assistance; and
    (5) Other requirements deemed necessary by the CCC, acting through 
NRCS, to protect the interests of the United States. The cooperative 
agreement will also include an attachment listing the pending offers 
accepted in FRPP, landowners' names, addresses, location map(s), and 
other relevant information. Interested entities should contact their 
State Conservationist for a copy of a draft cooperative agreement 
before submitting an application.

[[Page 70431]]


    Signed in Washington, DC, on November 12, 2004.
Bruce I. Knight,
Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation and Chief, Natural 
Resources Conservation Service.

NRCS State Conservationists

Alabama: Robert N. Jones, 3381 Skyway Drive, Post Office Box 311, 
Auburn, AL 36830; phone: (334) 887-4500; fax: (334) 887-4552; 
[email protected].
Alaska: Shirley Gammon, Atrium Building, Suite 100, 800 West Evergreen, 
Atrium Building, Suite 100, Palmer, AK 99645-6539; phone: (907) 761-
7760; fax: (907) 761-7790; [email protected].
Arizona: Michael Somerville, Suite 800, 3003 North Central Avenue, 
Phoenix, AZ 85012-2945; phone: (602) 280-8808; fax: (602) 280-8809 or 
8805; [email protected].
Arkansas: Kalven L. Trice, Federal Building, Room 3416, 700 West 
Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201-3228; phone: (501) 301-3100; fax: 
(501) 301-3194; [email protected].
California: Charles W. Bell, Suite 4164, 430 G Street, Davis, 
California 95616-4164; phone: (530) 792-5600; fax: (530) 792-5790; 
[email protected].
Colorado: James Allen Green, Room E200C, 655 Parfet Street, Lakewood, 
CO 80215-5521; phone: (720) 544-2810; fax: (720) 544-2965; 
[email protected].
Connecticut: Margo L. Wallace, 344 Merrow Road, Tolland, Connecticut 
06084; phone: (860) 871-4011; fax: (860) 871-4054; 
[email protected].
Delaware: Ginger Murphy, Suite 101, 1203 College Park Drive, Suite 101, 
Dover, DE 19904-8713; phone: (302) 678-4160; fax: (302) 678-0843; 
[email protected].
Florida: T. Niles Glasgow, 2614 N.W. 43rd Street, Gainesville, FL 
32606-6611, or Post Office Box 141510, Gainesville, FL 32606-6611; 
phone: (352) 338-9500; fax: (352) 338-9574; [email protected].
Georgia: Leonard Jordan, Federal Building, Stop 200, 355 East Hancock 
Avenue, Athens, GA 30601-2769; phone: (706) 546-2272; fax: (706) 546-
2120; [email protected].
Guam: Joan B. Perry, Director, Pacific Basin Area, Suite 301, FHB 
Building, 400 Route 8, Mongmong, G U 96910; phone: (671) 472-7490; fax: 
(671) 472-7288; [email protected].
Hawaii: Lawrence Yamamoto, Room 4-118, 300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Post 
Office Box 50004, Honolulu, HI 96850-0002; phone: (808) 541-2600; fax: 
(808) 541-1335; [email protected].
Idaho: Richard W. Sims, Suite C, 9173 West Barnes Drive, Boise, ID 
83709; phone: (208) 378-5700; fax: (208) 378-5735; 
[email protected].
Illinois: William J. Gradle, 2118 W. Park Court, Champaign, IL 61821; 
phone: (217) 353-6600; fax: (217) 353-6676; [email protected].
Indiana: Jane E. Hardisty, 6013 Lakeside Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 
46278-2933; phone: (317) 290-3200; fax: (317) 290-3225; 
[email protected].
Iowa: Richard VanKlaveren, 693 Federal Building, Suite 693, 210 Walnut 
Street, Des Moines, IA 50309-2180; phone: (515) 284-6655; fax: (515) 
284-4394; [email protected].
Kansas: Harold Klaege, 760 South Broadway, Salina, KS 67401-4642; 
phone: (785) 823-4565; fax: (785) 823-4540; [email protected].
Kentucky: David G. Sawyer, Suite 110, 771 Corporate Drive, Lexington, 
KY 40503-5479; phone: (859) 224-7350; fax: (859) 224-7399; 
[email protected].
Louisiana: Donald W. Gohmert, 3737 Government Street, Alexandria, LA 
71302; phone: (318) 473-7751; fax: (318) 473-7626; 
[email protected].
Maine: Joyce Swartzendruber, Suite 3, 967 Illinois Avenue, Bangor, ME 
04401; phone: (207) 990-9100, ext. 3; fax: (207) 990-9599; 
[email protected].
Maryland: David P. Doss, John Hanson Business Center, Suite 301, 339 
Busch's Frontage Road, Annapolis, MD 21401-5534; phone: (410) 757-0861; 
fax: (410) 757-0687; [email protected].
Massachusetts: Cecil B. Currin, 451 West Street, Amherst, MA 01002-
2995; phone: (413) 253-4351; fax: (413) 253-4375; 
[email protected].
Michigan: John Bricker, Suite 250, 3001 Coolidge Road, East Lansing, MI 
48823-6350; phone: (517) 324-5270; fax: (517) 324-5171; 
[email protected].
Minnesota: William Hunt, Suite 600, 375 Jackson Street, St. Paul, MN 
55101-1854; phone: (651) 602-7900; fax: (651) 602-7913 or 7914; 
[email protected].
Mississippi: Homer L. Wilkes, Suite 1321, Federal Building, 100 West 
Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 39269-1399; phone: (601) 965-5205; fax: 
(601) 965-4940; [email protected].
Missouri: Roger A. Hansen, Parkade Center, Suite 250, 601 Business Loop 
70, West Columbia, MO 65203-2546; phone: (573) 876-0901; fax: (573) 
876-9439; [email protected].
Montana: David White, Federal Building, Room 443, 10 East Babcock 
Street, Bozeman, MT 59715-4704; phone: (406) 587-6811; fax: (406) 587-
6761, [email protected].
Nebraska: Stephen K. Chick, Federal Building, Room 152, 100 Centennial 
Mall, North Lincoln, NE 68508-3866; phone: (402) 437-5300; fax: (402) 
437-5327; [email protected].
Nevada: Livia Marques, Building F, Suite 201, 5301 Longley Lane, Reno, 
NV 89511-1805; phone: (775) 784-5863; fax: (775) 784-5939; 
[email protected].
New Hampshire: Theresa Chadwick, Federal Building, 2 Madbury Road, 
Durham, NH 03824-2043; phone: (603) 868-7581; fax: (603) 868-5301; 
[email protected].
New Jersey: Anthony J. Kramer, 1370 Hamilton Street, Somerset, NJ 
08873-3157; phone: (732) 246-1171; fax: (732) 246-2358; 
[email protected].
New Mexico: Rosendo Trevino III, Suite 305, 6200 Jefferson Street, NE., 
Albuquerque, NM 87109-3734; phone: (505) 761-4400; fax: (505) 761-4481; 
[email protected].
New York: Joseph R. DelVecchio, Suite 354, 441 South Salina Street, 
Syracuse, NY 13202-2450; phone: (315) 477-6504; fax: (315) 477-6550; 
[email protected].
North Carolina: Mary K. Combs, Suite 205, 4405 Bland Road, Raleigh, NC 
27609-6293; phone: (919) 873-2101; fax: (919) 873-2156; 
[email protected].
North Dakota: J.R. Flores, Room 278, 220 E. Rosser Avenue, Post Office 
Box 1458, Bismarck, ND 58502-1458; phone: (701) 530-2000; fax: (701) 
530-2110; [email protected].
Ohio: John Wilson (Acting), Room 522, 200 North High Street, Columbus, 
OH 43215-2478; phone: (614) 255-2500; fax: (614) 255-2548; 
[email protected].
Oklahoma: M. Darrel Dominick, USDA Agri-Center Building, Suite 203, 100 
USDA, Stillwater, OK 74074-2655; phone: (405) 742-1204; fax: (405) 742-
1126; [email protected].
Oregon: Robert Graham, Suite 1300, 101 SW. Main Street, Portland, OR 
97204-3221; phone: (503) 414-3200; fax: (503) 414-3103; 
[email protected].

[[Page 70432]]

Pennsylvania: Robin E. Heard, Suite 340, 1 Credit Union Place, 
Harrisburg, PA 17110-2993; phone: (717) 237-2200; fax: (717) 237-2238; 
[email protected].
Puerto Rico: Juan A. Martinez, Director, Caribbean Area, IBM Building, 
Suite 604, 654 Munoz Rivera Avenue, Hato Rey, PR 00918-4123; phone: 
(787) 766-5206; fax: (787) 766-6563; [email protected]. Rhode 
Island: Judith Doerner, Suite 46, 60 Quaker Lane, Warwick, RI 02886-
0111; phone: (401) 828-1300; fax: (401) 828-0433; 
[email protected].
South Carolina: Walter W. Douglas, Strom Thurmond Federal Building, 
Room 950, 1835 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201-2489; phone: (803) 
253-3935; fax: (803) 253-3670; [email protected].
South Dakota: Janet L. Oertly, Federal Building, Room 203, 200 Fourth 
Street, SW., Huron, SD 57350-2475; phone: (605) 352-1200; fax: (605) 
352-1288; [email protected].
Tennessee: James W. Ford, 675 U.S. Courthouse, 801 Broadway, Nashville, 
TN 37203-3878; phone: (615) 277-2531; fax: (615) 277-2578; 
[email protected].
Texas: Lawrence Butler, W.R. Poage Building, 101 South Main Street, 
Temple, TX 76501-7682; phone: (254) 742-9800; fax: (254) 742-9819; 
[email protected].
Utah: Sylvia Gillen, W.F. Bennett Federal Building, Room 4402, 125 
South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, phone: (801) 524-4550, 
fax: (801) 524-4403, [email protected].
Vermont: Francis M. Keeler, 356 Mountain View Drive, Suite 105, 
Colchester, VT 05446; phone: (802) 951-6795; fax: (802) 951-6327; 
[email protected].
Virginia: M. Denise Doetzer, Culpeper Building, Suite 209, 1606 Santa 
Rosa Road, Richmond, VA 23229-5014; phone: (804) 287-1691; fax: (804) 
287-1737; [email protected].
Washington: Raymond L. ``Gus'' Hughbanks, Rock Pointe Tower II, Suite 
450, W. 316 Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA 99201-2348; phone: (509) 323-
2900; fax: (509) 323-2909; [email protected].
West Virginia: Lillian Woods, Room 301, 75 High Street, Morgantown, WV 
26505; phone: (304) 284-7540; fax: (304) 284-4839; 
[email protected].
Wisconsin: Patricia S. Leavenworth, 8030 Excelsior Drive, Suite 200, 
Madison, WI 53717; phone: (608) 662-4422; fax: (608) 662-4430; 
[email protected].
Wyoming: Lincoln E. Burton, Federal Building, Room 3124, 100 East B 
Street, Casper, WY 82601-1911; phone: (307) 233-6750; fax: (307) 233-
6753; [email protected].

[FR Doc. 04-26738 Filed 12-3-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P