[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 138 (Thursday, July 18, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42928-42929]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17245]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 138 / Thursday, July 18, 2013 / 
Notices  

[[Page 42928]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service


Draft Environmental Assessment for the Cotton Quality Research 
Station Land Transfer

AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of the Draft Environmental Assessment for the Cotton 
Quality Research Station Land Transfer.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management 
Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the United States Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) 
for the proposed transfer of approximately 10 acres of land and 
facilities at the Cotton Quality Research Station (CQRS) from the USDA 
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Clemson, South Carolina, to 
Clemson University Research Farm Services. This notice is announcing 
the opening of a 30-day public comment period.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 17, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the proposed CQRS Land 
Transfer by any of the following methods: Email: 
[email protected], Fax: 309-681-6683. Mail: USDA-ARS-SHEMB, 
NCAUR, 1815 North University Avenue, Room 2016, Peoria, Ilinois 61604. 
Copies of the Draft EA for the proposed CQRS Land Transfer are 
available for public inspection at the following Web site and 
addresses:
     www.clemson.edu/usda-property.
     Former CQRS, 133 Old Cherry Road, Clemson, South Carolina 
29631.
     Clemson University Library, 116 Sigma Drive, Clemson, 
South Carolina, 29634.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cal Mather, Environmental Protection 
Specialist, USDA-ARS-SHEMB, NCAUR, 1815 North University Street, Room 
2016, Peoria, Illinois 61604; 309-681-6608.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The USDA is proposing to transfer 
approximately 10 acres of land and facilities at CQRS, 133 Old Cherry 
Road in Clemson, South Carolina, to Clemson University. As a condition 
of the transfer, Clemson University is committed to using the property 
for agricultural research for a period of 25 years, supporting the 
strategic goals of USDA and establishing a Beginning Farmers and 
Ranchers Program in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding, 
effective March 27, 2013. Clemson University would assume 
responsibility and maintenance of the constructed facilities and land 
to be conveyed from USDA. The property was developed to function as a 
cotton gin and was converted by USDA for use in their Agricultural 
Research Service (ARS) program. USDA/ARS and Clemson University have 
both utilized the property for agricultural research and development 
programs since the 1970s. The facility was closed under Public Law 
(Pub. L.) 112-55, Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations 
Act, 2012. In August 2012, a 5-year revocable permit was issued between 
USDA and Clemson University that allows Clemson University to utilize 
the Property for a Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Program and conduct a 
wide range of research, teaching, extension, and demonstration 
activities. Since August 2012 it has been operated by Clemson 
University under this permit. A Memorandum of Understanding was 
executed on March 27, 2013, that would allow the formal transfer of the 
Property from USDA to Clemson University. Under the terms of the Public 
Law, the Secretary of Agriculture will decide whether to formally 
transfer the Property from USDA to Clemson University or have USDA 
retain the possession of the Property. If the decision is made to 
transfer the Property, it will be done with no monetary cost to the 
University and a Quit Claim Deed will be prepared by the USDA to convey 
the title/property rights to Clemson University. The Quit Claim Deed 
would incorporate any use restrictions identified by the NEPA process, 
as well as the 25-year use restriction for agricultural and natural 
resources research as required by Section 732 of the Public Law. Two 
alternatives are analyzed in the Draft EA, the No Action Alternative 
and the Proposed Action. The draft EA addresses potential impacts of 
these alternatives on the natural and human environment.
     Alternative 1--No Action. The USDA would retain possession 
of the 10 acres of land and facilities at the 133 Old Cherry Road 
Property. USDA would no longer operate and/or maintain the property and 
current research operations at the property would cease. USDA does not 
have adequate resources to operate and/or maintain the property, which 
would likely fall into disrepair.
     Alternative 2--Proposed Action. The USDA would formerly 
transfer 10 acres of land at the 133 Old Cherry Road Property to 
Clemson University. As a condition of the transfer, Clemson University 
would commit to using the Property for agricultural and natural 
resources research for a period of 25 years, supporting the strategic 
goals of USDA and establishing a Beginning Farmers and Ranchers 
Program. Clemson University would assume responsibility and maintenance 
of the constructed facilities and land to be conveyed from USDA.
    In addition, one alternative was considered in the Draft EA but 
eliminated from detailed study. In this alternative, USDA would retain 
possession of the land and it would be transferred to the General 
Services Administration for disposal. Since it cannot reasonably be 
determined who would ultimately take possession of the property and how 
it would be utilized, it was not analyzed in detail in the EA. The USDA 
will use and coordinate the NEPA commenting process to satisfy the 
public involvement process for Section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470(f) as provided for in 36 CFR 
800.2(d)(3)). Following the public comment period, comments will be 
used to prepare the Final EA. The USDA will respond to each substantive 
comment by making appropriate revisions to the document or by 
explaining why a comment did not warrant a change. A Notice of 
Availability of the Final EA will be published in the Federal Register. 
All comments, including any personal

[[Page 42929]]

identifying information included in the comment will become a matter of 
public record. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

    Dated: July 10, 2013.
Edward B. Knipling,
Administrator, Agricultural Research Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-17245 Filed 7-17-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P