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Notice of Availability of the Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the 2005 Hurricane Tree Assistance Program

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

 
[Federal Register: April 13, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 71)]
[Notices]
[Page 18622-18623]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13ap07-29]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farm Service Agency

Notice of Availability of the Draft Programmatic Environmental
Assessment for the 2005 Hurricane Tree Assistance Program

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of the Draft
Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for the implementation of
the 2005 Hurricane Tree Assistance Program (TAP), authorized by the
Emergency Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act. The draft PEA assesses
the potential environmental impacts of alternatives to be considered in
the administration of this hurricane 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 of
Availability informs the public of the availability of the applicable
draft PEA and solicits public comment.

DATES: FSA invites comments on the draft PEA. Comments should be
submitted by close of business on April 30, 2007, to ensure
consideration. Comments submitted after this date will be considered to
the extent possible.

ADDRESSES: Comments on and requests for copies of the draft PEA should
be submitted to Matthew T. Ponish, National Environmental Compliance

[[Page 18623]]

Manager, United States Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency,
1400 Independence Ave., SW., Mail Stop 0513, Washington DC 20250-0513,
or by e-mail at Matthew.Ponish@wdc.usda.gov. The Draft PEA can be
reviewed online at 
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=ecrc&topic=nep-cd.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Ponish, USDA/FSA/CEPD/Stop
0513, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-0513, (202)
720-6853, or e-mail at: Matthew.Ponish@wdc.usda.gov. 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: The Farm Service Agency announces the
availability of the draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA)
for the 2005 Hurricane TAP, authorized by the Emergency Agricultural
Disaster Assistance Act (Pub. L. 109-234, section 3021), the goal of
which is to reimburse eligible producers of eligible tree crops for
certain costs associated with reestablishing crops lost because of the
hurricanes of 2005. TAP will be implemented in counties declared
disasters as a result of the 2005 hurricanes in the following states:
Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, Mississippi,
South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. In consideration of the analysis
documented in the PEA, the program would not constitute a major State
or Federal action that would significantly affect the human environment.
Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement will not be prepared.
    The regulations promulgating the 2005 Hurricane TAP were published
in the Federal Register on February 12, 2007 (72 FR 6435), along with
the provision that no benefit shall be paid under the program until FSA
has completed the PEA and issued a decision document. The draft PEA
assesses the potential environmental impacts of alternatives to be
considered in the administration of the 2005 TAP. 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 of
Availability informs the public of the availability of the draft PEA
and solicits public comment.

    Signed in Washington DC on April 4, 2007.
Thomas B. Hofeller,
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. E7-6993 Filed 4-12-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P

 
 

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