[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 80 (Thursday, April 27, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19319-19320]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-08529]



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 Rules and Regulations
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents 
 having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed 
 to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 80 / Thursday, April 27, 2017 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 19319]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Rural Utilities Service

Farm Service Agency

7 CFR Parts 1944, 1955 and 1962

RIN 0575-AC56


Environmental Policies and Procedures; Corrections

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, 
Rural Utilities Service, Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Correcting amendments.

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

SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, 
Rural Utilities Service, and Farm Service Agency published a document 
in the Federal Register on March 2, 2016 (81 FR 11000), entitled 
``Environmental Policies and Procedures.'' The rule replaced two 
existing rules relating to the Agencies' procedures for implementing 
NEPA. These corrections will replace references in several paragraphs 
to one of the former rules, 7 CFR part 1940, subpart G, which is now 
obsolete.

DATES: This rule is effective April 27, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kellie M. Kubena, Director, 
Engineering and Environmental Staff, Rural Utilities Service, Stop 
1571, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-1571; email: 
[email protected]; telephone: (202) 720-1649.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service, 
Rural Housing Service, Rural Utilities Service, and Farm Service Agency 
published a document in the Federal Register on March 2, 2016 (81 FR 
11000), entitled ``Environmental Policies and Procedures.'' This 
document describes the Agencies' procedures for implementing the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and supplanted two former 
regulations. These corrections will replace references in other 
regulations to one of the former rules, 7 CFR part 1940, subpart G, 
which is now obsolete. The following sections will be corrected: 
Sec. Sec.  1944.672(g), 1955.10, 1955.63(b), 1955.66, 
1955.107(a)(3)(iv), 1955.136(a), 1955.137(a)(3)(i), 1955.139(a)(3)(v), 
1955.140(a), 1962.30, and 1962.34(a).

List of Subjects

7 CFR Part 1944

    Administrative practice and procedure, Grant programs--Housing and 
community development, Home improvement, Loan programs--Housing and 
community development, Migrant labor, Nonprofit organizations, 
Reporting requirements, Rural housing.

7 CFR Part 1955

    Government acquired property, Government property management, Sale 
of government acquired property, Surplus government property.

7 CFR Part 1962

    Agriculture, bankruptcy, drug traffic control, Government property, 
Loan programs--agriculture, Loan programs--housing and community 
development, Rural areas.

    Accordingly, 7 CFR chapter XVIII is amended by making the following 
correcting amendments:

PART 1944--HOUSING

0
1. The authority citation for part 1944 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 42 U.S.C. 1480.

Subpart N--Housing Preservation Grants

0
2. Revise Sec.  1944.672(g) to read as follows:


Sec.  1944.672  Environmental review requirements.

* * * * *
    (g) Grantees must contact Rural Development prior to actual usage 
of funds by the grantees under Sec.  1944.664 (c)(11) of this subpart. 
Rural Development must complete the appropriate level of environmental 
review in accordance with part 1970 of this chapter.

PART 1955--PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

0
3. The authority citation for part 1955 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 7 U.S.C. 1989; 42 U.S.C. 1480.

Subpart A--Liquidation of Loans Secured by Real Estate and 
Acquisition of Real and Chattel Property

0
4. Revise the eleventh sentence of Sec.  1955.10 to read as follows:


Sec.  1955.10  Voluntary conveyance of real property by the borrower to 
the Government.

    * * * In addition, prior to acceptance of a voluntary conveyance of 
farm real property that collateralizes an FP loan, the County 
Supervisor will remind the borrower-owner of possible deed restrictions 
and easement that may be placed on the property in the event the 
property contains wetlands, floodplains, historical sites and/or other 
federally protected environmental resources as set forth in part 1970 
of this chapter and Sec.  1955.137 of this part . * * *
* * * * *

Subpart B--Management of Property

0
5. Revise the last sentence of paragraph (b) of Sec.  1955.63 to read 
as follows:


Sec.  1955.63  Suitability determination.

* * * * *
    (b) * * * The environmental effects of such actions will be 
considered pursuant to part 1970 of this chapter.
* * * * *

0
6. Amend Sec.  1955.66 by:
0
a. Revising the last sentence of the introductory text; and
0
b. Removing paragraph (a)(2)(iii) and redesignating paragraph 
(a)(2)(iv) as new paragraph (a)(2)(iii).


Sec.  1955.66  Lease of real property.

    * * * The requirements of part 1970 of this chapter will be met for 
all leases.
* * * * *

[[Page 19320]]

Subpart C--Disposal of Inventory Property

0
7. Revise the first sentence of Sec.  1955.107(a)(3)(iv) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  1955.107  Sale of FSA Property (CONACT).

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (iv) Property sold on credit sale may not be used for any purpose 
that will contribute to excessive erosion of highly erodible land or to 
the conversion of wetlands to produce an agricultural commodity. * * *
* * * * *

0
8. Revise Sec.  1955.136(a) introductory text to read as follows:


Sec.  1955.136  Environmental review requirements.

    (a) Prior to a final decision on some disposal actions, the action 
must comply with the environmental review requirements in accordance 
with the agency's environmental policies and procedures found in 7 CFR 
part 1970.
* * * * *

0
9. Revise Sec.  1955.137(a)(3)(i) to read as follows:


Sec.  1955.137  Real property located in special areas or having 
special characteristics.

    (a) * * *
    (3) * * * (i) Financial assistance is limited to property located 
in areas where flood insurance is available. Flood insurance must be 
provided at closing of loans on program-eligible and non-program (NP)-
ineligible terms. Appraisals of property in flood or mudslide hazard 
areas will reflect this condition and any restrictions on use. 
Financial assistance for substantial improvement or repair of property 
located in a flood or mudslide hazard area is subject to the 
limitations outlined in 7 CFR part 1970 for Rural Development programs.
* * * * *

0
10. Revise the second sentence of Sec.  1955.139(a)(3)(v) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  1955.139  Disposition of real property rights and title to real 
property.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (v) * * * Examples of instances where an affirmative responsibility 
exists to place an easement on a farm property include wetland and 
floodplain conservation easements required by Sec.  1955.137 of this 
subpart or easements designed as environmental mitigation measures for 
the purpose of protecting federally designated important environmental 
resources. * * *

0
11. Revise Sec.  1955.140(a) to read as follows:


Sec.  1955.140  Sale in parcels.

    (a) Individual property subdivided. An individual property, other 
than Farm Loan Programs property, may be offered for sale as a whole or 
subdivided into parcels as determined by the State Director. For MFH 
property, guidance will be requested from the National Office for all 
properties other than RHS projects. When farm inventory property is 
larger than a family-size farm, the county official will subdivide the 
property into one or more tracts to be sold in accordance with Sec.  
1955.107. Division of the land or separate sales of portions of the 
property, such as timber, growing crops, inventory for small business 
enterprises, buildings, facilities, and similar items may be permitted 
if a better total price for the property can be obtained in this 
manner. Environmental review requirements must comply with 7 CFR part 
1970. Any applicable State laws will be set forth in a State supplement 
and will be complied with in connection with the division of land. 
Subdivision of acquired property will be reported on Form RD 1955-3C, 
``Acquired Property--Subdivision,'' in accordance with the FMI.
* * * * *

PART 1962--PERSONAL PROPERTY

0
12. The authority citation for part 1962 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 7 U.S.C. 1989; 42 U.S.C. 1480.

Subpart A--Servicing and Liquidation of Chattel Security


Sec.  1962.30  [Amended]

0
13. Amend Sec.  1962.30 to remove paragraph (b)(5) and redesignate 
paragraphs (b)(6) and (7) as new paragraphs (b)(5) and (6) 
respectively.


Sec.  1962.34  [Amended]

0
14. Amend Sec.  1962.34 to remove paragraph (a)(4) and redesignate 
paragraphs (a)(5) and (6) as new paragraphs (a)(4) and (5) 
respectively.

    Dated: March 29, 2017.
Roger Glendenning,
Acting Under Secretary, Rural Development.
    Dated: February 23, 2017.

Jason Hafemeister,
Acting Deputy Under Secretary, Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services.
[FR Doc. 2017-08529 Filed 4-26-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P