[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 23 (Friday, February 2, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 7353]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-02120]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 23 / Friday, February 2, 2024 / 
Notices  

[[Page 7353]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-TM-23-0076]


Notice of Availability of the Final Programmatic Environmental 
Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the AMS Organic 
Market Development Grant Program

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces the 
availability of the Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) 
and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the AMS Organic Market 
Development Grant Program.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Betsy Rakola, Associate Deputy 
Administrator, Transportation and Marketing Program; Telephone: (202) 
690-1300; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Final PEA and FONSI analyze and disclose the potential 
environmental impacts associated with the establishment of the Organic 
Market Development Grant Program (OMDG). AMS has proposed to fund 
grants to support the development of new and expanded organic markets 
by providing additional resources for businesses transitioning to 
organic or initiating new organic production and processing capacity. 
These grants will create new and improved markets for domestically 
produced organic products through investments in expanded certified 
organic processing capacity; activities that develop, maintain, or 
expand commercial organic markets; and organic product developments 
which create new uses for producers that currently lack markets.
    Selected applicants for the OMDG program may invest in certified 
organic infrastructure and expand processing capacities, in addition to 
adding manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or 
distribution infrastructure. Funded activities will include developing 
new markets to increase demand for domestically produced organic 
agricultural products and providing additional market networks.
    The OMDG Program is authorized by authorized by section 5(e) of the 
Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act, (15 U.S.C. 714(e)). 
Section 5(e), as amended, authorizes USDA (through the CCC) to 
``increase the domestic consumption of agricultural commodities (other 
than tobacco) by expanding or aiding in the expansion of domestic 
markets or by developing or aiding in the development of new and 
additional markets, marketing facilities, and uses for such 
commodities.'' Recipients of funding from this proposed program would 
be allowed 36 months to complete work funded by the grant awards.
    The environmental impacts of funding projects to enhance existing 
organic processing facilities have been considered in a manner 
consistent with the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) of 1969, Public Law 91-190, 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347, as amended.
    A Final PEA and FONSI have been prepared, and based on this 
analysis, AMS has determined there will not be a significant impact to 
the human environment. As a result, an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) has not been initiated (40 CFR 1501.6). AMS intends for this PEA 
to create efficiencies by establishing a framework that can be used for 
``tiering,'' where appropriate, to project-specific actions that 
require additional analysis. As decisions on specific applications are 
made, to the extent additional NEPA analysis is required, environmental 
review will be conducted to supplement the analysis set forth in this 
PEA.
    The Final PEA and FONSI are available for review online at the 
program website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/omdg.

Comments

    AMS published a Draft PEA for public comment on November 20, 2023. 
The public comment period ended on December 20, 2023. No comments were 
received during the designated timeframe, and as such, no substantial 
changes were made to the document.

Melissa Bailey,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-02120 Filed 2-1-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P