[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 87 (Friday, May 5, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26449-26450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-6816]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation


Notice of Availability of the Draft Programmatic Environmental 
Assessment for the Emergency Forestry Conservation Reserve Program

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This Notice announces the availability of the draft 
Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for the Emergency Forestry 
Conservation Reserve Program (EFCRP) of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation. EFCRP will provide assistance for owners of forest land 
and timber related to losses from hurricanes during the 2005 calendar 
year. The draft PEA assesses the environmental impacts of this program 
and provides a means for the public to voice concerns about and ideas 
for improving the program. This Notice informs the public of the 
availability of the draft PEA and solicits public comment.

DATES: CCC invites comments on the draft PEA. Comments should be 
submitted by close of business on June 5, 2006, to ensure 
consideration. Comments submitted after this date will be considered to 
the extent possible.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on and requests for copies of the draft PEA 
should be directed to James P. Fortner, USDA/FSA/CEPD/Stop 0513, 1400 
Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-0513. Electronic comments 
may be submitted to [email protected]. The draft PEA is available on 
the FSA Worldwide Web site, in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format, at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/cepd/epb/assessments.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James P. Fortner, USDA/FSA/CEPD/Stop 
0513, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-0513, (202) 
720-5533, or e-mail at: [email protected]. Persons with 
disabilities who require alternative means for communication (Braille, 
large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact the USDA Target Center at 
(202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 107 of the Department of Defense, 
Emergency Supplemental Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf 
of Mexico, and Pandemic Influenza Act, 2006, (Pub. L. 109-148, December 
30, 2005), authorized the EFCRP for owners and operators of private 
non-industrial forest land who suffered losses due to hurricanes during 
the 2005 calendar year. EFCRP will provide for annual rental payments 
or a lump sum payment equal to the present value of 10 years of annual 
payments.

[[Page 26450]]

EFCRP will also provide cost-share assistance certain owners or 
operators of non-industrial forest land and state school trust land who 
experienced a loss of 35 percent or more of merchantable timber 
directly related to hurricanes during the 2005 calendar year.
    The draft PEA assesses the potential environmental impacts of 
alternatives to be considered in the administration of this hurricane 
assistance program. The draft PEA also provides a means for the public 
to voice any concerns they may have about the program, and any ideas 
for improving it. This Notice informs the public of the availability of 
the applicable draft PEA and solicits public comment.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2006.
Teresa C. Lasseter,
Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. E6-6816 Filed 5-4-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P