[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 11, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 59718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-16734]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


 Finding of No Significant Impact

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

SUMMARY: The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is issuing a Finding of No 
Significant Impact (FONSI) consistent with the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 with respect to the implementation of the following 
Disaster Assistance Programs: (1) Hurricane Indemnity Program, (2) Feed 
Indemnity Program, (3) Livestock Indemnity Program, (4) Tree Indemnity 
Program, and (5) Aquaculture Grant Program as well as (6) the 2006 
Livestock Assistance Grant Program.

DATES: This action is effective November 13, 2006.

ADDRESSES: The Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment and FONSI 
may be reviewed at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/cepd/epb/assessments.htm. Written comments should be directed to Mike 
Linsenbigler, USDA/FSA/CEPD/Stop 0513, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-0513. Electronic comments may be submitted to 
[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: FSA prepared a Final Programmatic 
Environmental Assessment for disaster assistance programs supporting 
production loss and damage caused by damaging weather that occurred 
between 2005 and 2006. Consistent with the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.) (NEPA), the 
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations for Implementing the 
Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and FSA's 
policy and procedures (7 CFR part 799), FSA is issuing a Finding of No 
Significant Impact (FONSI) with respect to the implementation of the 
Proposed Action under consideration here. These actions involve 2005-
2006 disaster assistance programs that solely transfer funds to offset 
production and disaster related losses with no site-specific or ground-
disturbing actions occurring as an immediate result of implementing 
these programs. These programs include the following Disaster 
Assistance Programs: (1) Hurricane Indemnity Program, (2) Feed 
Indemnity Program, (3) Livestock Indemnity Program, (4) Tree Indemnity 
Program, (5) Aquaculture Grant Program, and (6) the 2006 Livestock 
Assistance Grant Program. Because normal agricultural related 
production was hindered by the widespread and significant destruction 
caused by the 2005 hurricanes and the severe droughts occurring from 
March 7, 2006, to August 31, 2006, the Secretary is responding by 
utilizing the equivalent of 30 percent of annual customs revenues 
available under Section 32 to restore purchasing power to affected 
eligible producers.
    Current disaster programs operated by USDA and other Federal and 
State agencies do not fully cover the types of loss and destruction 
experienced by a majority of producers within the States affected by 
these hurricanes and drought. Without the immediate financial 
assistance provided by these programs, producers would face delays and 
experience additional financial hardships in their efforts to return 
their farming or livestock operations to pre-disaster or pre-drought 
levels.
    Under the Proposed Action Alternative, FSA would disburse up to 
$300 million either through direct payments to eligible producers or 
through grants administered by State agencies for the grant programs. 
In making direct payments, FSA does not require that payments be used 
for specific purposes. These programs solely provide payments to 
eligible producers for weather-related losses. The direct-payment 
programs are based on the producers documenting the type and amount of 
the weather-related loss.
    Determination: In consideration of the analysis documented in the 
Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment and the reasons outlined in 
this FONSI, the preferred alternative would not constitute a major 
State or Federal action that would significantly affect the human 
environment. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
regulations at 40 CFR part 1502.4, ``Major Federal actions requiring 
the preparation of Environmental Impact Statements,'' and 7 CFR Part 
799, ``Environmental Quality and Related Environmental Concerns--
Compliance with NEPA implementing the regulations of the Council on 
Environmental Quality,'' and 40 CFR parts 1500-1508, I find that 
neither the proposed action nor any of the alternatives analyzed 
constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality 
of the human environment. Therefore, no environmental impact statement 
will be prepared.

    Signed in Washington DC on October 2, 2006.
Glen L. Keppy,
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. E6-16734 Filed 10-10-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P