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contains documents other than rules or

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Notices Federal Register

9380 

Vol. 75, No. 40 

Tuesday, March 2, 2010 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Commodity Credit Corporation 

Cooperative Conservation Partners 

Initiative; Wetlands Reserve 

Enhancement Program 

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation 

and Natural Resources Conservation 

Service, Department of Agriculture. 

ACTION: Notice of request for proposals 

through the Mississippi River Basin 

Healthy Watersheds Initiative. 

SUMMARY: The Chief of the Natural 

Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), 

who is Vice President of the Commodity 

Credit Corporation (CCC), announces 

the availability of financial assistance 

funds in fiscal year (FY) 2010 for up to 

$50 million in the Cooperative 

Conservation Partnership Initiative 

(CCPI) and $25 million in the Wetlands 

Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP) 

through the Mississippi River Basin 

Healthy Watersheds Initiative (MRBI) to 

eligible participants in 12-digit 

Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) 

subwatershed(s) within the 41 

designated focus areas (8-digit HUCs) in 

the following States: Arkansas, Illinois, 

Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, 

Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, 

Tennessee, and Wisconsin. The purpose 

of this notice is to solicit proposals from 

potential partners to enter into 

partnership agreements with NRCS, and 

to inform agricultural producers and 

landowners of the future availability of 

program funds through approved 

partnership projects. 

DATES: Effective Date: The Notice of 

Request is effective March 2, 2010. 

Eligible partners may submit 

proposals by mail or via courier. 

• By mail, proposals must be 

postmarked by May 3, 2010. 

• By courier, proposals must be 

delivered by May 3, 2010. 

ADDRESSES: Written proposals should be 

submitted to the addresses identified 

below, with copies to the appropriate 

NRCS State Conservationist, whose 

names and addresses are identified as 

an attachment to this notice. If a project 

is multi-State in scope, all State 

Conservationists in the proposed project 

area must be sent the proposal for 

review. 

• By mail: Gregory K. Johnson, 

Director, Financial Assistance Programs 

Division, Department of Agriculture, 

Natural Resources Conservation Service, 

1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 

5241 South Building, Washington, DC 

20250. (Note: Registered or Certified 

Mail to a Post Office may not be used.) 

• By courier: Gregory K. Johnson, 

Director, Financial Assistance Programs 

Division, Department of Agriculture, 

Natural Resources Conservation Service, 

1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 

5241 South Building, Washington, DC 

20250, Telephone: (202) 720–1845. All 

proposals will be accepted between 9 

a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 

Friday, except Federal Holidays. Please 

ask the guard at the entrance to the 

South Building to call (202) 720–1845. 

State Conservationists will review and 

comment on eligible proposals and will 

share them with their State Technical 

Committee for input and feedback. 

Proposals submitted via fax, email, or 

after the deadline date or times listed in 

this notice will not be considered. 

Proposals submitted via the grants.gov 

Web site will not be considered. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

• CCPI projects: Gregory K. Johnson, 

Director, Financial Assistance Programs 

Division, Department of Agriculture, 

Natural Resources Conservation Service, 

1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 

5241 South Building, Washington, DC 

20250; Telephone: (202) 720–1845; Fax: 

(202) 720–4264; or e-mail: MRBI– 

CCPI@wdc.usda.gov. Additional 

information regarding CCPI is available 

at the following NRCS Web page: http://

www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/CCPI/ 

• WREP projects: Andree DuVarney, 

Acting Director, Easement Programs 

Division, Department of Agriculture, 

Natural Resources Conservation Service, 

1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 

6819 South Building, Washington, DC 

20250; Telephone: (202) 720–1854; Fax: 

(202) 720–9689; or e-mail: MRBI– 

WREP@wdc.usda.gov. Additional 

information regarding WREP is available 

at the following NRCS Web page: http://

www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/WRP 

• Monitoring and Evaluation: Mike 

Hubbs, Director, Ecological Sciences 

Division, Department of Agriculture, 

Natural Resources Conservation Service, 

1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 

6158 South Building, Washington, DC 

20250; Telephone: (202) 720–5992; Fax: 

(202) 720–2646; or email: 

Mike.Hubbs@wdc.usda.gov 

• MRBI Information: Information 

concerning MRBI can be found at the 

following Web page: http:// 

www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/mrbi/ 

mrbi.html 

• 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: 

Paperwork Reduction Act 

Section 2904 of the Food, 

Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 

(2008 Act) requires that the 

implementation of this provision be 

carried out without regard to the 

Paperwork Reduction Act, Chapter 35 of 

title 44, U.S.C. Therefore, the 

Department of Agriculture (USDA) is 

not reporting recordkeeping or 

estimated paperwork burden associated 

with this amendment. 

Background 

The Mississippi River Basin is a 

critical ecosystem within the United 

States. Its entire land mass, totaling 41 

percent of the contiguous United States 

and 15 percent of North America, drains 

into the Mississippi River and the Gulf 

of Mexico. Stretching 2,350 miles from 

its headwaters at Lake Itasca, 

Minnesota, to the mouth of the Gulf of 

Mexico, the Mississippi River carries an 

average of 436,000 tons of sediment 

each day. Nutrients, like nitrogen and 

phosphorus, contribute to both local 

water quality problems and the hypoxic 

zone in the Gulf of Mexico. 

To help solve these water quality 

problems, NRCS has developed the 

MRBI. Through this new initiative, 

NRCS and its partners will help 

landowners and operators in selected 

watersheds in the Mississippi River 

Basin voluntarily implement 

conservation systems that avoid, 

control, and trap nutrient runoff; 

protect, restore, and enhance wetlands; 

maintain agricultural productivity; 

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improve wildlife habitat; and achieve 

other MRBI objectives. 

Within the designated focus areas in 

the Mississippi River Basin, NRCS 

announces the availability of financial 

assistance funds in FY 2010 for up $50 

million in the CCPI and $25 million in 

the WREP to eligible participants 

through approved partnership projects 

in the following States: Arkansas, 

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, 

Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, 

Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and 

Wisconsin. 

Forty-one focus areas (watersheds) 

have been selected by NRCS State 

Conservationists, with input from the 

State Technical Committees and State 

water quality agencies, to help improve 

water quality by reducing nitrogen and 

phosphorous levels in the Mississippi 

River Basin. The selected watersheds 

are listed below. Using CCPI and WREP, 

NRCS will leverage partner 

contributions and accelerate 

conservation assistance to improve 

water quality; protect, restore, and 

enhance wetlands; enhance wildlife 

habitat; and achieve other MRBI 

objectives. Entities interested in 

partnering with NRCS in the MRBI must 

submit separate proposals for CCPI and 

WREP to the addresses identified in this 

notice. NRCS will not accept joint CCPI 

and WREP proposals in FY 2010. 

Accordingly, an entity is encouraged to 

submit a proposal for each program. 

Proposals that integrate CCPI and WREP 

within a project area will receive higher 

priority. Entities should note in their 

applications that proposals have been 

submitted for both CCPI and WREP, 

when applicable. 

Focus Areas 

Eligible partners should submit 

complete proposals addressing the 

conservation objectives to be achieved 

in one or more 12-digit HUC 

subwatersheds within the designated 8- 

digit focus area or areas. The designated 

focus areas listed by 8-digit HUC are 

below. A complete list of the smallerscale, 12-digit HUC subwatersheds 

within the designated 8-digit focus areas 

can be found at: http:// 

www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/mrbi/ 

unit_code_lists.html. 

DESIGNATED FOCUS AREAS FOR THE MRBI FY 2010 (8-DIGIT HUCS) 

State(s) Watershed Hydrologic unit 

code 

Arkansas/Missouri ....................................................................... Cache ......................................................................................... 08020302 

Arkansas ..................................................................................... Lake Conway-Point Remove ..................................................... 11110203 

Arkansas ..................................................................................... L’Anguille .................................................................................... 08020205 

Arkansas/Missouri ....................................................................... Lower St. Francis ....................................................................... 08020203 

Illinois .......................................................................................... Lower Illinois-Senachwine Lake ................................................ 07130001 

Illinois .......................................................................................... Upper Illinois .............................................................................. 07130005 

Illinois .......................................................................................... Vermillion (Upper Mississippi River sub-basin) ......................... 07130002 

Illinois/Indiana ............................................................................. Vermillion (Upper Ohio River sub-basin) ................................... 05120109 

Indiana ........................................................................................ Eel .............................................................................................. 05120104 

Indiana ........................................................................................ Upper East Fork White .............................................................. 05120206 

Indiana ........................................................................................ Wildcat ....................................................................................... 05120107 

Indiana/Ohio ................................................................................ Upper Wabash ........................................................................... 05120101 

Iowa ............................................................................................. Boone ......................................................................................... 07100005 

Iowa ............................................................................................. Maquoketa ................................................................................. 07060006 

Iowa ............................................................................................. North Raccoon ........................................................................... 07100006 

Iowa/Minnesota ........................................................................... Upper Cedar .............................................................................. 07080201 

Kentucky/Tennessee ................................................................... Bayou De Chien-Mayfield .......................................................... 08010201 

Kentucky ..................................................................................... Licking ........................................................................................ 05100101 

Kentucky ..................................................................................... Lower Green .............................................................................. 05110005 

Louisiana ..................................................................................... Mermentau ................................................................................. 08080202 

Louisiana/Arkansas ..................................................................... Bayou Macon ............................................................................. 08050002 

Louisiana/Arkansas ..................................................................... Boeuf River ................................................................................ 08050001 

Minnesota .................................................................................... Middle Minnesota ....................................................................... 07020007 

Minnesota .................................................................................... Root ............................................................................................ 07040008 

Minnesota .................................................................................... Sauk ........................................................................................... 07010202 

Mississippi ................................................................................... Big Sunflower ............................................................................. 08030207 

Mississippi/Louisiana/Arkansas .................................................. Deer-Steele ................................................................................ 08030209 

Mississippi ................................................................................... Upper Yazoo .............................................................................. 08030206 

Missouri/Iowa .............................................................................. Lower Grand .............................................................................. 10280103 

Missouri ....................................................................................... North Fork Salt ........................................................................... 07110005 

Missouri ....................................................................................... South Fork Salt .......................................................................... 07110006 

Missouri/Arkansas ....................................................................... Little River Ditches ..................................................................... 08020204 

Ohio/Indiana ................................................................................ Upper Great Miami .................................................................... 05080001 

Ohio ............................................................................................. Upper Scioto .............................................................................. 05060001 

Tennessee .................................................................................. Forked Deer ............................................................................... 08010206 

Tennessee/Kentucky ................................................................... Obion .......................................................................................... 08010202 

Tennessee .................................................................................. South Fork Obion ....................................................................... 08010203 

Tennessee/Kentucky ................................................................... Red River ................................................................................... 05130206 

Wisconsin/Illinois ......................................................................... Sugar .......................................................................................... 07090004 

Wisconsin/Illinois ......................................................................... Upper Rock ................................................................................ 07090001 

Wisconsin/Illinois ......................................................................... Pecatonica ................................................................................. 07090003 

Submitting Proposals 

Potential partners must submit a 

complete proposal to Gregory K. 

Johnson, Director, Financial Assistance 

Programs Division, addressing all 

questions and items listed in the 

appropriate subpart of this notice. 

Potential partners should recognize that 

the proposal is the only document 

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NRCS will use in the evaluation 

process. The proposal must include 

sufficient detail to allow NRCS to 

understand the partner’s priority 

resource concerns, objectives, and 

expected outcomes. Incomplete 

proposals and those that do not meet the 

requirements set forth in this notice will 

not be considered, and notification of 

elimination will be mailed to the 

applicant. Proposal evaluation will be 

based upon a competitive process and 

the criteria established under the 

appropriate CCPI or WREP proposal 

requirements. Proposals for CCPI and 

WREP must be submitted separately. 

To further explain how each of these 

watershed-based initiatives work and 

specify how to submit proposals for 

CCPI and WREP, NRCS identifies the 

policies and processes below. 

Part A: MRBI–CCPI 

Section 2707 of the 2008 Act 

established the CCPI by amending 

section 1243 of the Food Security Act of 

1985 (16 U.S.C. 3843). The Request for 

Proposals contains a number of new 

terms and words which would normally 

be included in a definitions section. 

However, in order to reduce content and 

improve readability of this notice, 

definitions may be obtained by 

contacting the persons referenced in the 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

section and online at: http:// 

www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/mrbi/ 

mrbi.html or http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ 

programs/ccpi. 

CCPI is a voluntary initiative that uses 

the funds, policies, and processes of 

conservation programs under Subtitle D 

of Title XII of the Food Security Act, 

specifically the Environmental Quality 

Incentives Program (EQIP) (7 CFR part 

1466), Wildlife Habitat Incentives 

Program (WHIP) (7 CFR part 636), and 

Conservation Stewardship Program 

(CSP) (7 CFR part 1470) to deliver 

assistance to owners and operators of 

agricultural and nonindustrial private 

forest land. CCPI differs from CSP, 

EQIP, and WHIP in that the initiative is 

designed specifically to foster 

coordination with other partners, and to 

encourage additional non-Federal 

investment in natural resource 

conservation through the use of in-kind 

services or matching funds in a 

geographic area, such as a watershed. 

Fund Availability 

Effective on the date of this notice, 

NRCS announces the availability of 

financial assistance funds in the 

following programs through the MRBI– 

CCPI in FY 2010: 

• $40 million in EQIP 

• $5 million in WHIP 

• 278,000 acres in CSP 

(approximately equivalent to $5 million) 

Under CCPI, partners coordinate with 

NRCS to provide financial and technical 

assistance to eligible landowners and 

agricultural producers to reduce 

nutrient loading to achieve water 

quality objectives and to improve 

wildlife habitat. Partners are not 

required to provide financial or 

technical assistance above that provided 

through NRCS programs, although 

partners that provide additional 

resources will be given higher priority 

consideration in the competitive 

selection process. 

All Federal funds made available will 

be paid directly to program participants 

through CSP and EQIP contracts and 

WHIP cost-share agreements. No 

technical assistance funds will be 

provided to partners through an MRBI– 

CCPI agreement. However, NRCS State 

Conservationists may consider the 

development of a separate funding 

agreement with qualifying partners for 

the delivery of technical services. 

CCPI Program Objectives 

Under CCPI, NRCS enters into multiyear agreements with eligible partner 

organizations to address conservation 

priorities related to agriculture and 

nonindustrial private forest land. 

Individual landowners and agricultural 

producers are not eligible entities and 

may not submit CCPI proposals, nor 

may they apply for program benefits 

through this proposal submission 

process. In order to receive CCPI 

assistance, landowners and agricultural 

producers must participate within a 

project area defined in an approved 

CCPI agreement and enroll in EQIP, 

WHIP, or CSP. Landowners and 

agricultural producers interested in 

applying must meet the eligibility 

requirements of the program(s) for 

which they are applying. Individual 

landowner and agriculture producer 

applications will be evaluated and 

ranked by NRCS to ensure that 

applications selected for funding are 

most likely to achieve project objectives. 

As part of the partnership agreements, 

partners may help facilitate the 

submission of landowner and 

agricultural producers’ program 

applications, provide additional 

technical or financial assistance to 

participating landowners and 

agricultural producers, including 

nonindustrial private forest landowners, 

or provide other resources as defined in 

the agreement. MRBI–CCPI partnership 

agreements are to: (1) Address 

conservation priorities involving 

agriculture and nonindustrial private 

forest land within the designated 8-digit 

HUC focus areas that establish treatment 

needs and metrics at the 12-digit HUC 

scale; (2) encourage landowners and 

agricultural producers to cooperate in 

meeting applicable Federal, State, and 

local regulatory requirements related to 

production; (3) encourage landowners 

and agricultural producers to cooperate 

in the installation, monitoring, and 

maintenance of conservation practices; 

and (4) promote the development and 

demonstration of innovative 

conservation practices, delivery 

methods, and monitoring/evaluation of 

the practices. State Conservationists 

may provide guidance to potential 

partners related to resource concerns, 

priorities established by local working 

groups and State Technical Committees, 

and approved EQIP and WHIP 

conservation practices and activities for 

the focus areas, found at: http:// 

nrcs.usda.gov/programs/mrbi/ 

mrbi.html. State Conservationists may 

tailor this practice list based on the 

resource needs in the focus area; 

however, CSP will not have a modified 

enhancement list for MRBI–CCPI. 

For each of a potential partner’s 

proposed project areas (a single 12-digit 

watershed or multiple 12-digit 

watersheds within the designated focus 

area), NRCS strongly encourages the use 

of a ‘‘systems approach’’ to achieve 

conservation goals. The systems 

approach addresses nutrient runoff from 

multiple perspectives: ‘‘Avoid’’ the 

excess application of nutrients onto the 

field; ‘‘Control’’ the amount nutrient 

runoff from the fields into the 

watershed; and ‘‘Trap’’ nutrients before 

leaving the field. Once a project is 

funded, producer applications that 

achieve conservation goals through a 

‘‘systems approach’’ will be given higher 

consideration in the ranking process. 

Under CCPI, where flexibility is 

needed to meet project objectives, the 

partner may request that program 

adjustments be allowed provided such 

policy, procedural, or technical 

adjustments are within the scope of the 

applicable programs’ statutory and 

regulatory program authorities. An 

example of a program adjustment may 

include expediting the applicable 

program ranking process in a situation 

where a partner has identified the 

landowners and agricultural producers 

approved to participate in the project. 

Other examples of adjustments may 

include applying flexibility in payment 

rate determinations, or using a single 

area-wide plan of operations rather 

individual plans of operations. 

Eligible Partners 

Eligible partners for CCPI include 

federally-recognized Indian tribes, State 

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and local units of government, farmer 

cooperatives, producer associations, 

institutions of higher education, and 

other non-governmental organizations 

with a history of working cooperatively 

with landowners and agricultural 

producers to effectively address 

conservation priorities related to 

agriculture and nonindustrial private 

forest land. 

CCPI Applications 

For MRBI–CCPI, NRCS will enter into 

EQIP and CSP contracts or WHIP costshare agreements directly with eligible 

landowners and agricultural producers, 

including nonindustrial private forest 

landowners, who are participating in 

the project areas (12-digit 

subwatershed(s) within the designated 

8-digit focus areas). Landowners and 

agricultural producers interested in 

participating in an approved MRBI– 

CCPI project may apply for approved 

MRBI–CCPI funds at their local USDA 

Service Center after the Chief announces 

project selection. The designated 

conservationist will help the landowner 

or agricultural producer determine 

which applicable programs (CSP, EQIP, 

or WHIP) are appropriate to apply for 

depending on the conservation systems 

or activities the producer seeks to install 

or perform to meet the approved 

partner’s project objectives. For 

enrollment in the MRBI–CCPI, eligible 

land is defined for each program in the 

following regulations: 

• EQIP: 7 CFR 1466.8(c) 

• CSP: 7 CFR 1470.6(b) 

• WHIP: 7 CFR 636.4(b) 

Individual applications will be 

evaluated and ranked by NRCS to 

ensure that producer applications 

selected for funding are most likely to 

achieve objectives for the single 12-digit 

HUC subwatershed or multiple 12-digit 

HUC subwatersheds within the 

designated 8-digit focus area. 

Participants may have multiple 

contracts through MRBI–CCPI if more 

than one covered program is needed to 

accomplish the project objectives. 

Proposal Requirements 

For consideration of a proposal 

submitted through MRBI–CCPI in 

response to this notice, a potential 

partner must submit five copies (8.5′′ × 

11′′ white paper) of the written proposal 

and one electronic copy on CD–ROM in 

MS WORD or PDF. If submitting more 

than one project proposal (proposals for 

multiple 8-digit focus areas), a potential 

partner must submit a separate complete 

document for each project. The entire 

project proposal should not exceed 15 

pages in length including maps, 

reference materials, or related reports. 

The basic format for the MRBI–CCPI 

proposal is a narrative written response 

to the questions and information 

requested in this notice. There are no 

forms required or associated with this 

proposal process. 

(1) Proposal Cover and Summary: The 

first few pages of the proposal must 

include: 

(a) Project title. 

(b) Project Director/Manager name, 

telephone, and email address. 

(c) Name of lead partner entity 

submitting proposal and other 

collaborating partners. 

(d) Mailing address and telephone 

numbers for lead partner. 

(e) Designated 8-digit focus area and 

12-digit HUC subwatershed(s), wherein 

the project lies, including; State(s); 

County(s); and Congressional District(s). 

Include a general location map. 

(f) Brief description/summary of the 

project and description of resource 

issues to be addressed as they relate to 

MRBI priorities and objectives. Identify 

the specific natural resource concerns to 

be addressed. 

(g) Description of planning already 

completed at the field and watershed 

scales that identifies conservation 

practices/systems needed to address 

nutrient concerns. 

(h) A list of the approved NRCS FOTG 

conservation practices, conservation 

enhancements, and conservation 

activity plans which will be used to 

address those resource concerns. 

(i) Proposed project start and end 

dates (not to exceed a period of 5 years). 

(j) Total budget for the project 

including the amount of MRBI–CCPI 

financial assistance being requested for 

the project by program by fiscal year. 

(2) Project Natural Resource 

Objectives and Actions: The proposal 

must include the project objectives and 

the natural resource concerns that will 

be addressed. 

(a) Identify and provide detail about 

the natural resource concern(s) to be 

addressed and how the proposal 

objectives will address those concerns. 

Objectives should be specific, 

measurable, achievable, resultsoriented, and include a time for 

completion. 

(b) For each objective, identify the 

actions to be completed to achieve the 

objective and to address the identified 

natural resource concern. Specify which 

actions are to be addressed through the 

project using MRBI–CCPI assistance and 

those being addressed through alternate 

non-Federal funding sources or other 

resources provided. 

(3) Detailed Proposal Criteria: 

Information provided in the proposal 

must include: 

(a) A description of the partner(s) 

history of working with agricultural 

producers to address resource issues 

and the conservation objectives to be 

achieved. 

(b) A detailed description of the 

watershed area including emphasis on 

treatment and metrics at the 12-digit 

HUC subwatershed(s) within the 

designated 8-digit HUC focus area 

covered by the proposal, conservation 

priorities in the area, conservation 

objectives to be achieved, and the 

expected level of participation by 

producers. Proposals should state 

whether a MRBI–CCPI proposal is 

integrated with a MRBI–WREP or Farm 

Service Agency Conservation Reserve 

Program (CRP), Continuous Sign-Up 

CRP (CCRP), Conservation Reserve 

Enhancement Program (CREP), or 

Farmable Wetlands Program (FWP) 

proposed or existing project, and 

include the name of any MRBI–WREP, 

CRP, CCRP, CREP, or FWP proposed 

project. Higher ranking may be given to 

integrated proposals. 

(c) A description of the partner(s) and 

the roles, responsibilities, and 

capabilities of the partner(s). Proposals 

that include resources from partners 

other than the lead partner must include 

a letter or other documentation 

confirming the commitment of 

resources. 

(d) A description of the project 

duration, plan of action, and project 

implementation schedule that details 

when the potential partner anticipates 

finishing the project and submitting a 

final report. Project proposals cannot 

exceed 5 years from start to completion. 

(e) A description of the resources 

(financial and technical assistance) 

requested from each of the available 

NRCS programs (EQIP, WHIP, CSP) and 

the non-Federal resources provided by 

the partner(s) that will be leveraged by 

the Federal contribution. As determined 

by the State Conservationist, a 

maximum of 10 percent of total 

financial assistance funds in a proposal 

may be designated for edge-of-field 

monitoring to address critically unmet 

monitoring needs in the context of an 

overall monitoring and evaluation plan 

submitted by the partner. The partner is 

not required to provide any specific 

matching of financial or technical 

resources toward the project; however, 

proposals that include or offer nonFederal resources will be given higher 

priority through the evaluation process. 

Partners need to state clearly how they 

intend to leverage Federal funds along 

with partner resources. The funding and 

time contribution by agricultural 

producers and non-industrial forest 

owners to implement agreed-to 

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conservation systems in program 

contracts may not be considered any 

part of a match from the potential 

partner for purposes of MRBI–CCPI. 

(f) A description of the plan for 

monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on 

progress made toward achieving the 

objectives of the agreement. The MRBI 

is adopting a three-tiered monitoring 

and evaluation approach designed to 

assess environmental outcomes at the 

field, 12-digit, and 8-digit watershed 

scales. Higher priority will be given to 

projects that adopt this three-tiered 

approach where the partner can provide 

resources or services. Higher priority 

will also be given to projects that utilize 

environmental indicators to monitor 

water quality and evaluate effects of 

conservation practices and activities 

implemented through the project on a 

field or edge-of-field scale as well as at 

selected downstream monitoring points. 

A framework for watershed and edge-offield monitoring, including 

environmental indicators, can be found 

at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ 

mrbi/mrbi.html. 

(g) Potential criteria to be used by 

NRCS to prioritize and rank MRBI–CCPI 

producer applications in the project 

area. Additional information regarding 

the process NRCS uses to evaluate and 

rank individual producer applications is 

found in each of the authorized program 

regulations. The potential partner 

should include specific producer 

application ranking criteria in the 

proposal, so that NRCS can evaluate 

producer applications based upon the 

environmental objectives of the MRBI– 

CCPI project. Additional guidance and 

examples of acceptable ranking criteria 

may be obtained from the State 

Conservationist where the project will 

be located. 

(h) An estimate of the percentage of 

producers, including nonindustrial 

private forest landowners, in the project 

area that are expected to participate in 

the project along with an estimate of the 

total number of producers located in the 

project area. Producer participation is a 

requirement for delivery of MRBI–CCPI 

program benefits. A statement on how 

the partner will encourage participation 

to increase the likelihood of project 

success. 

(i) A statement describing 

participation by beginning farmers or 

ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers 

or ranchers, limited resource farmers or 

ranchers, and Indian tribes. 

(j) A listing and description of the 

conservation practices, conservation 

activity plans, conservation 

enhancements, and partner activities to 

be implemented during the project 

timeframe and the general sequence of 

project implementation. Other activities 

to address are those technical assistance 

efforts undertaken by the partner and 

those that the partner requests NRCS to 

implement using eligible approved 

MRBI–CCPI conservation practices, 

conservation enhancements, and project 

financial assistance funding. In this 

section, list all the approved MRBI– 

CCPI conservation practices and 

enhancements the partner wishes NRCS 

to offer to producers through the MRBI– 

CCPI project. A national list of the 

approved MRBI–CCPI core and 

supporting practices can be accessed 

from http://nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ 

mrbi/mrbi.html; each State may have a 

slightly modified list. Information about 

these approved practices can be found 

in the Field Office Technical Guide at: 

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/ 

efotg/ or http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ 

technical/standards/. For each 

conservation practice, estimate the 

practice extent (feet, acres, number, etc.) 

the partner expects producers to 

implement each fiscal year during the 

life of the project and the amount of 

financial assistance requested to support 

implementation of each practice 

through producer contracts. Information 

on eligible conservation enhancements 

can be found at the CSP Web site at: 

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ 

new_csp/csp.html. Indicate whether the 

project will address regulatory 

compliance and any other outcomes that 

the partner expects to complete during 

the project period. Describe any 

activities that are innovative or include 

outcome-based performance measures 

implemented by the partner. 

(k) A description of the amount of 

funds needed annually for producer 

contracts or agreements by eligible 

program (EQIP, WHIP, and CSP). This 

section of the proposal should include 

the total amount of financial assistance 

funds requested for each fiscal year of 

the project (for MRBI–CCPI multi-State 

projects provide the funds/acres by 

State) to be made available for producer 

contracts. 

(l) A description of any requested 

policy, procedure, and technical 

adjustments, by program, with 

explanation of why the adjustment is 

needed in order to achieve the 

objectives of the project. 

Ranking Considerations 

NRCS will evaluate proposals using a 

competitive process and will give a 

higher priority to proposals that: 

• Demonstrate the partner’s history of 

working cooperatively with landowners; 

• Provide for outreach to, and 

participation of, beginning farmers or 

ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers 

or ranchers, limited resource farmers or 

ranchers, and Indian tribes within the 

area covered by the agreement; 

• Facilitate the submission of 

landowner applications; 

• Integrate both WREP and CCPI 

within a project area; 

• Significantly leverage non-Federal 

financial and technical resources; 

• Coordinate with other local, State, 

or Federal efforts, including with Farm 

Service Agency program efforts (e.g., 

CRP, CCRP, CREP, FWP) and the 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

funded watershed efforts (e.g. 319 

projects); 

• Provide for matching financial or 

technical assistance funds to assist 

participants with the implementation of 

their EQIP and CSP contracts and WHIP 

cost-share agreements; 

• Assist the participants in meeting 

local, State, and Federal regulatory 

requirements; 

• Demonstrate the partner’s financial 

commitment to provide for water 

quality monitoring and evaluation of 

conservation practices, enhancements, 

and activities; 

• Have a high potential to achieve 

water quality objectives through 

phosphorous (P) or nitrogen (N) nutrient 

reduction; 

• Have a high potential to improve 

wildlife habitat; 

• For WHIP and EQIP applications, 

include multiple core and supporting 

practices from each practice category 

(avoiding, controlling, and trapping) 

from the State-approved MRBI–CCPI 

practice list; 

• Provide innovation in approved 

conservation practices, conservation 

methods, and delivery including 

outcome-based performance measures 

and methods; 

• Have a high potential to maintain 

agricultural productivity; 

• Provide evidence of a watershed 

planning process that: 

Æ Identifies nutrients (N or P) causing 

water quality problems and identifies 

their sources enabling implementation 

to be prioritized, 

Æ Identifies quantifiable project goals 

for field-scale nutrient management and 

watershed-scale nutrient load reduction, 

Æ Identifies conservation practices 

and systems to be utilized to accomplish 

project goals/objectives, 

Æ Identifies technical assistance and 

financial assistance needed, 

Æ Includes an information and 

education component, 

Æ Lists measurable interim milestones 

that relate to project goals, and 

Æ Presents criteria for evaluation and 

adaptive management; 

• Convert land from cropping systems 

to permanent vegetative practices when 

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supported by landowners and 

agricultural producers as part of overall 

agricultural operation; 

• Adopt a three-tiered monitoring 

approach whereby the partner provides 

resources or services to conduct water 

quality monitoring activities and to 

evaluate the effects of conservation 

practices and activities implemented 

through the project on a field or edgeof-field scale, as well as at selected 

downstream monitoring points; 

• Complete the application of the 

conservation practices, systems, or 

activities on all of the covered program 

contracts or cost-share agreements in 

less than 5 years; 

• Have a high percentage of 

producers involved and working 

agricultural or nonindustrial private 

forest land included in the area covered 

by the agreement; and 

• Deliver high percentages of applied 

conservation to address water quality, 

water conservation, or State, regional, or 

national conservation initiatives. 

Part B: MRBI–WREP 

Section 2206 of the 2008 Act 

establishes the WREP by amending 

section 1237A(h) of the Food Security 

Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3837a(h)). Under 

WREP, NRCS enters into agreements 

with eligible partners to help enhance 

conservation outcomes on wetlands and 

adjacent lands. The purpose of WREP as 

part of MRBI is to target and leverage 

resources to protect, restore, and 

enhance wetlands; improve wildlife 

habitat; and reduce nutrient loading to 

achieve water quality objectives through 

agreements with eligible partners. 

Eligible partners include States 

(including a political subdivision or 

agency of a State), nongovernment 

organizations, and Indian tribes. 

Fund Availability 

Effective on the date of this notice, the 

CCC announces the availability of $25 

million in financial assistance funds for 

WREP through the MRBI in FY 2010 to 

eligible landowners in the designated 

focus areas (8-digit HUCs). 

WREP is administered under the 

Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) and is 

a voluntary program designed to foster 

coordination with partners and to 

encourage non-Federal investment in 

natural resource conservation through 

the use of matching funds and in-kind 

services. WREP partners are required to 

contribute a financial match of at least 

5 percent of the acquisition or 

restoration costs toward the project. 

Proposals which include resources 

provided by additional partners will be 

given higher priority consideration in 

the selection process. Contributions 

provided by the partners can be in the 

form of technical and financial 

assistance for the protection, restoration, 

and enhancement of the wetland. 

Partner contributions can also be used 

for management and monitoring 

activities. Additional contributions 

beyond the required financial match can 

be in-kind services or cash. 

Eligible Partners 

Under WREP, NRCS enters into multiyear agreements with eligible partners. 

Eligible partners for WREP include State 

and local units of government, Indian 

tribes, or nongovernmental 

organizations. 

Eligible partners should submit 

complete proposals addressing the 

conservation objectives to be achieved 

within 12-digit HUC subwatershed(s) 

within designated 8-digit HUC focus 

areas. Proposals that integrate wetland 

protection, restoration, and 

enhancement activities within a 

proposed MRBI–CCPI project area will 

be given higher priority consideration in 

the selection process. Wetland 

restoration and enhancement actions 

will be designed to maximize wildlife 

habitat values and water quality 

according to the WRP regulation, 7 CFR 

part 1467, and NRCS FOTG standards 

and specifications. Proposals must 

conform to the WRP guidelines for 

restoration and management of lands 

subject to a WRP easement or contract. 

Landowner Applications 

For WREP, once a project area has 

been approved and announced, eligible 

landowners may apply for WRP through 

their local NRCS office. The land 

eligibility criteria for WREP are the 

same as for WRP and are listed in 7 CFR 

part 1467.4. NRCS and the partner will 

assist landowners in determining 

whether the application is appropriate 

for WREP depending on the wetland 

protection, restoration, and 

enhancement activities that the 

applicant seeks to install or perform. In 

FY 2010, NRCS will make WREP funds 

available to eligible landowners to 

enroll land under a permanent 

easement; a 30-year easement; or on 

acreage owned by Indian tribes, a 30- 

year contract. 

WREP financial and technical 

assistance is delivered to eligible 

landowners in approved project areas 

through easement acquisition, 

conservation program contracts, 

cooperative agreements, contribution 

agreements, or Federal contracts. 

Restoration may be achieved through 

payments to other parties. 

Proposal Requirements 

For consideration of a proposal 

submitted through MRBI–WREP, a 

potential partner must submit five 

copies (8.5′′ x 11′′ white paper) of the 

written proposal and one electronic 

copy on CD–ROM in MS WORD or PDF. 

If submitting more than one project 

proposal (proposals for multiple 8-digit 

focus areas), a potential partner must 

submit a separate complete document 

for each project. The entire project 

proposal should not exceed 15 pages in 

length including maps, reference 

materials, or related reports. 

The basic format for the WREP 

proposal is a narrative written response 

to the questions and information 

requested in this notice. There are no 

forms required or associated with the 

WREP proposal process. 

(1) Proposal Cover and Summary: The 

first few pages of the proposal must 

include: 

(a) Project title. 

(b) Project Director/Manager name, 

telephone, and e-mail address. 

(c) Name of lead partner submitting 

proposal and other collaborating 

partners. 

(d) Mailing address and telephone 

numbers for lead partner. 

(e) Designated 8-digit focus area and 

12-digit HUC subwatershed(s), wherein 

the project lies, including; State(s); 

County(s); and Congressional District(s). 

Include a general location map. 

(f) Short general description/summary 

of project. 

(g) Potential acres to be enrolled in 

the project area. 

(h) Proposed project start and end 

dates (not to exceed a period of 5 years). 

(i) Total budget for the project 

including the amount of WREP financial 

assistance being requested for the 

project. 

(2) Project Natural Resource 

Objectives and Actions: The proposal 

must address wetland restoration, 

including water quality concerns, in 12- 

digit subwatershed(s), located within 

the 8-digit focus areas, and the 

objectives of the project to address those 

concerns. 

(a) Identify and provide detail about 

the natural resource concern(s) to be 

addressed and how the proposal’s 

objectives will address those concerns. 

Objectives should be specific, 

measurable, achievable, resultsoriented, and include a timeframe for 

completion. 

(b) For each objective, identify the 

actions to be completed to achieve that 

objective and address the identified 

natural resource concern. Specify which 

actions are to be addressed through this 

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project using WREP assistance, and 

which are being addressed through 

alternate non-Federal funding sources or 

other resources provided. 

(c) Identify the total acres that require 

wetland protection, restoration, and 

enhancement. 

(3) Detailed Proposal Criteria: 

Information provided in the proposal 

must include: 

(a) A description of the partner(s) 

history of working with landowners to 

address natural resource issues. 

(b) A detailed description of the 12- 

digit subwatershed(s) within the 

designated 8-digit focus area covered by 

the proposal, including a specific 

watershed map which indicates the 

project location. Proposals should state 

whether an MRBI–WREP proposal is 

integrated with an MRBI–CCPI proposed 

project, and include the name of the 

MRBI–CCPI proposed project. 

(c) A description of the partner(s) and 

the roles, responsibilities, and 

capabilities of the partner(s). Proposals 

which include resources from partners 

other than the lead partner must include 

a letter or other documentation 

confirming the commitment of 

resources. 

(d) A description of the project 

duration, plan of action, and project 

implementation schedule. Project 

proposals cannot exceed 5 years. 

(e) A description of the financial 

assistance resources that are requested 

through the MRBI–WREP, and the nonFederal resources provided by the 

partner(s) that will be leveraged by the 

Federal contribution. The partner is 

required to contribute a financial match 

of at least 5 percent of the acquisition 

or restoration costs toward the project. 

Proposals that include additional nonFederal resources will be given higher 

priority consideration in the selection 

process. The partner needs to clearly 

state how they intend to leverage 

Federal funds along with partner 

resources. The funding and time 

contribution by landowners to 

implement agreed-to wetland 

restoration and enhancement practices 

may not be considered any part of a 

match from the potential partner for 

purposes of WREP. 

(f) An estimate of the percentage of 

potential landowners in the project area 

that may participate in the project along 

with an estimate of the total number of 

potential landowners located in the 

project area. A statement on how the 

partner will encourage participation to 

increase the likelihood of project 

success. 

(g) A statement describing 

participation by beginning farmers and 

ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers 

or ranchers, limited resource farmers or 

ranchers, and Indian tribes. 

(h) A description of the wetland 

protection, restoration, and 

enhancement activities to be 

implemented during the project 

timeframe, and the general sequence of 

implementation of the project. Activities 

may include those efforts undertaken by 

the partner and those that the partner 

requests NRCS to address through 

financial support. 

(i) The amount of funds needed 

annually for easement acquisition and 

wetland restoration and enhancement 

activities. 

(j) A description of how the partner 

will provide outreach, especially to 

beginning farmers or ranchers, socially 

disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, 

limited resource farmers or ranchers, 

and Indian tribes. 

Ranking Considerations 

The appropriate State Conservationist 

will evaluate proposals using a 

competitive process and forward 

recommended proposals to the Chief. 

The Chief will give a higher priority to 

proposals that: 

• Demonstrate the partner’s history of 

working cooperatively with landowners; 

• Provide for outreach to, and 

participation of, beginning farmers or 

ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers 

or ranchers, limited resource farmers or 

ranchers, and Indian tribes within the 

area to be covered by the agreement; 

• Facilitate the submission of 

landowner applications; 

• Significantly leverage non-Federal 

financial and technical resources; 

• Coordinate with other local, State, 

tribal, or Federal efforts, including with 

Farm Service Agency proposed or 

existing program efforts (e.g. CRP, 

Continuous Sign-Up CRP, CREP, FWP, 

and EPA-funded watershed efforts (e.g. 

319 projects); 

• Assist the participants in meeting 

local, State, tribal, and Federal 

regulatory requirements; 

• Provide for monitoring and 

evaluation of the effectiveness of the 

restoration activities on water quality; 

• Have a high potential to achieve 

water quality objectives through 

phosphorous (P) or nitrogen (N) nutrient 

reduction; 

• Have a high potential to maximize 

habitat for migratory birds and other 

wetland-dependent wildlife; 

• Provide innovation in wetland 

protection, restoration, and 

enhancement methods and outcomebased performance measures and 

methods; 

• Provide evidence that wetland 

restoration and enhancement activities 

will be completed within 2 years of 

closing on the easement; 

• Provide for matching financial or 

technical assistance funds to assist 

landowners with the implementation of 

the Wetlands Reserve Plan of 

Operations and associated contracts; 

and 

• Integrate wetland protection, 

restoration, and enhancement activities 

within a proposed MRBI–CCPI project 

area. 

Review of MRBI–CCPI and MRBI– 

WREP Proposals 

The State Conservationist(s) will 

review the proposals to address: 

• Potential cooperation or duplication 

of efforts with other projects or existing 

programs; 

• Adherence to, and consistency 

with, program regulation including 

requirements related to land and 

producer eligibility and use of approved 

NRCS resource concerns and 

conservation practices, conservation 

enhancements, and other program 

requirements; 

• Expected benefits for project 

implementation in their State(s); 

• Other issues or concerns the State 

Conservationist is aware of that should 

be considered by the Chief; and 

• A general recommendation for 

support or denial of project approval. 

Prior to submission of the proposal, 

potential partners are strongly 

encouraged to consult with the 

appropriate State Conservationist(s) 

during proposal development to obtain 

guidance as to appropriate resource 

concerns to address conservation 

practices, wetland restoration, 

enhancement activities needed, and 

other details of the project proposal. 

All proposals submitted become the 

property of NRCS for use in the 

administration of the program, may be 

filed or disposed of by the agency, and 

will not be returned to the potential 

partner. Once proposals have been 

submitted to the agency for review and 

ranking, there will be no further 

opportunity to change or re-submit the 

proposal document. 

Acknowledgement of Submission and 

Notifications 

Partners whose proposals have been 

selected will receive a letter of official 

notification from the Chief. The Chief 

will make the final selection for all 

projects based on the ranking criteria 

listed above. Upon notification of 

selection, the partner should contact the 

NRCS State Conservationist listed in the 

letter to develop the required 

partnership agreement and other project 

implementation requirements. Partner 

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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 40 / Tuesday, March 2, 2010 / Notices 9387 

submissions of proposals not selected 

will be notified by mail. 

Withdrawal of Proposals 

Partner proposals may be withdrawn 

by written notice to the Chief or State 

Conservationist at any time prior to 

selection. 

Partnership Agreements 

NRCS will enter a partnership 

agreement with a selected partner who 

has an approved project as the 

mechanism for participation in MRBI– 

CCPI or MRBI–WREP. At a minimum, 

the partnership agreement will address: 

• The role of the partner; 

• The role of NRCS; 

• The responsibilities of the partner 

relating to water quality monitoring and 

evaluation if included as part of the 

proposal. NRCS reserves the right to 

negotiate with the partners on 

refinements to the monitoring and 

evaluation plan to address MRBI 

objectives; 

• The format and frequency of reports 

(semi-annual, annual, and final) that are 

required as a condition of the 

agreement; 

• Plan of work and budget to identify 

other funding sources (if applicable) for 

financial or technical assistance; 

• The specified project schedule; and 

• Other requirements deemed 

necessary by NRCS to further the 

purposes of the MRBI–CCPI or MRBI– 

WREP project. 

Once a project is selected, NRCS will 

evaluate a project’s progress throughout 

the project lifecycle. NRCS will enter 

into a project agreement for the 

necessary funds agreed to for FY 2010. 

In proposed projects years beyond FY 

2010, NRCS may obligate additional 

funds without further competition based 

on an assessment of the project’s 

effectiveness in achieving MRBI 

objectives and the availability of funds. 

Waiver Authority 

To assist in the implementation of 

WREP or CCPI projects, the Chief may 

waive the applicability of the Adjusted 

Gross Income Limitation on a case-bycase basis in accordance with policy 

and processes promulgated in 7 CFR 

part 1400. Such waiver requests must be 

submitted in writing from the program 

applicant, addressed to the Chief, and 

submitted through the local NRCS 

district conservationist. 

Signed this 23rd day of February 2010, in 

Washington, DC. 

Dave White, 

Vice President, Commodity Credit 

Corporation and Chief, Natural Resources 

Conservation Service. 

Attachment 

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE STATE CONSERVATIONISTS—MRBI STATES

State Name Address Phone E-mail address 

Arkansas ............................... Michael E. Sullivan ............. Federal Building, Room 

3416, 700 West Capitol 

Avenue, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201–3228.

(501) 301–3100 michael.sullivan@ar.usda.gov. 

Illinois .................................... William J. Gradle ................ 2118 W. Park Court, Champaign, Illinois 61821.(217) 353–6601 bill.gradle@il.usda.gov. 

Indiana .................................. Jane E. Hardisty ................. 6013 Lakeside Boulevard, 

Indianapolis, Indiana 

46278–2933.

(317) 290–3200 jane.hardisty@inn.usda.gov. 

Iowa ...................................... Richard Sims ...................... 693 Federal Building, 210 

Walnut Street, Suite 693, 

Des Moines, Iowa 50309– 

2180.

(515) 284–6655 richard.sims@ia.usda.gov. 

Kentucky ............................... Tom Perrin ......................... 771 Corporate Drive, Suite 

110, Lexington, Kentucky 

40503–5479.

(859) 224–7350 tom.perrin@ky.usda.gov. 

Louisiana .............................. Kevin D. Norton .................. 3737 Government Street, Alexandria, Louisiana 71302.(318) 473–7751 kevin.norton@la.usda.gov. 

Minnesota ............................. Jennifer Heglund ................ 375 Jackson Street, Suite 

600, St. Paul, Minnesota 

55101–1854.

(651) 602–7900 jennifer.heglund@mn.usda.gov. 

Mississippi ............................ Homer Wilkes ..................... Suite 1321, Federal Building, 100 West Capitol 

Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39269–1399.

(601) 965–5205 homer.wilkes@ms.usda.gov. 

Missouri ................................ J.R. Flores .......................... Parkade Center, Suite 250, 

601 Business Loop 70 

West, Columbia, Missouri 

65203–2546.

(573) 876–0901 Jr.flores@mo.usda.gov. 

Ohio ...................................... Terry J. Cosby .................... 200 North High Street, 

Room 522, Columbus, 

Ohio 43215–2478.

(614) 255–2472 terry.cosby@oh.usda.gov. 

Tennessee ............................ Kevin Brown ....................... 675 U.S. Courthouse, 801 

Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee 37203–3878.

(615) 277–2531 kevin.brown@tn.usda.gov. 

Wisconsin ............................. Patricia Leavenworth .......... 8030 Excelsior Drive, Suite 

200, Madison, Wisconsin 

53717.

(608) 662–4422 pat.leavenworth@wi.usda.gov. 

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9388 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 40 / Tuesday, March 2, 2010 / Notices 

[FR Doc. 2010–4275 Filed 3–1–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–16–P 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Forest Service 

Prescott National Forest, Bradshaw 

Ranger District; Arizona; Bradshaw 

Vegetation Management Project 

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. 

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an 

environmental impact statement. 

SUMMARY: This project is a proposal to 

improve the health of fire adapted 

ecosystems while simultaneously 

reducing hazardous fuels on the 

Bradshaw Ranger District. The project 

area encompasses about 55,554 acres. 

Within the project area, the proposal is 

to commercially thin approximately 

16,312 acres in ponderosa pine, pineoak, and mixed conifer forest types. 

Fuels treatments include mechanized 

fuel reduction on 34,445 acres of 

chaparral, pinyon-juniper, and oak sites 

and non-mechanized fuel reduction 

treatments on 6,242 acres of chaparral, 

juniper, pinyon, oak, pine, and mixed 

conifer sites. Prescribed fire is proposed 

on 44,641 acres and fuelbreak 

construction is proposed on 791 acres. 

It is expected that this project will 

require a site specific forest plan 

amendment to the Prescott National 

Forest Land and Resource Management 

Plan (1986), as amended, in order to 

implement treatments within Mexican 

Spotted Owl habitat. 

DATES: Comments concerning the scope 

of the analysis should be received 

within 30 days after publication of this 

notice in the Federal Register. The draft 

environmental impact statement is 

expected in December, 2010 and the 

final environmental impact statement is 

expected in March, 2011. 

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to 

Jodi Stevens, Bradshaw Ranger District, 

344 South Cortez Street, Prescott, 

Arizona 86303. Comments may also be 

submitted by e-mail to: commentssouthwestern-prescott@fs.fed.us. 

Include ‘‘Bradshaw Vegetation 

Management’’ in the subject line of 

e-mail comments. Electronic comments 

must be submitted in Word (.doc), 

RichText (.rtf), or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) 

format. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jodi 

Stevens, 928–443–8041 or 

jodistevens@fs.fed.us. Individuals who 

use telecommunication devices for the 

deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 

Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 

1–800–877–8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 

p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through 

Friday. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Purpose and Need for Action: The 

purpose of the proposed action is to 

improve the health of fire adapted 

ecosystems while simultaneously 

reducing hazardous fuels. The EIS will 

describe existing conditions and desired 

conditions, analyze environmental 

consequences of shifting existing 

conditions towards desired conditions, 

and assist the decision maker in 

selecting management strategies that 

will achieve desired conditons. The 

proposed action is needed due to 

prominent changes in the structure and 

function of vegetation and fire behavior 

within the analysis area, and the 

proximity of homes and private 

property to these changed conditions. 

The changes in vegetation and fire 

behavior are a result of aggressive fire 

suppression over the past several 

decades. One of the most effective ways 

to protect communities is to create 

defensible fuel profile zones both 

adjacent to homes and private property 

and on adjacent public lands. 

Proposed Action: The Prescott 

National Forest proposes to 

commercially thin approximately 

16,312 acres in ponderosa pine, pineoak, and mixed conifer forest types. 

Proposed fuels treatments include 

mechanized fuel reduction on 34,445 

acres of chaparral, pinyon-juniper, and 

oak sites, and non-mechanized fuel 

reduction treatments on 6,242 acres of 

chaparral, juniper, pinyon, oak, pine, 

and mixed conifer sites. Prescribed fire 

is proposed on 44,641 acres and 

fuelbreak construction is proposed on 

791 acres. The project area is located to 

the southeast, south, southwest, west 

and northwest of the city of Prescott. 

Implementation of this proposed project 

could begin as early as June 1, 2011. 

Responsible Official 

The Responsible Official for this 

project is the Forest Supervisor, Prescott 

National Forest, Prescott, Arizona. 

Nature of Decision To Be Made 

The Forest Service will evaluate the 

proposed action and alternatives to the 

proposed action. After reviewing the 

proposed action, the alternatives, the 

environmental analysis, and considering 

public comment, the Forest Supervisor 

will reach a decision that is in 

accordance with the purpose and need 

for this project. The decision will 

include a description of activities that 

will be implemented. Issues identified 

as being outside the scope of this 

proposal (such as grazing cattle on the 

Forest or the need for additional 

recreation opportunities) will not be 

addressed in this planning effort. 

Scoping Process 

This notice of intent initiates the 

scoping process, which guides the 

development of the environmental 

impact statement. It is important that 

reviewers provide their comments at 

such times and in such manner that 

they are useful to the agency’s 

preparation of the environmental impact 

statement. Therefore, comments should 

be provided prior to the close of the 

comment period and should clearly 

articulate the reviewer’s concerns and 

be as specific as possible. There will be 

a public scoping meeting on Thursday, 

February 25, 2010 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

Arizona Time. This meeting will be held 

at the Mackin Building at the Prescott 

Rodeo Grounds, 840 Rodeo Drive, 

Prescott, AZ, 86305. Scoping letters will 

be mailed to individuals and entities 

who have identified themselves as 

interested publics regarding proposed 

actions on the Prescott National Forest. 

Additionally, scoping input will be 

requested through a publication in the 

Prescott Courier, the newspaper of local 

circulation in the proposed project area. 

Dated: February 18, 2010. 

Reta Laford, 

Acting Forest Supervisor, Prescott National 

Forest. 

[FR Doc. 2010–3965 Filed 3–1–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–11–M 

AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL 

DEVELOPMENT 

Board for International Food and 

Agricultural Development; One 

Hundred and Fifty-Ninth Meeting; 

Notice of Meeting 

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory 

Committee Act, notice is hereby given of 

the one hundred and fifty-ninth meeting 

of the Board for International Food and 

Agricultural Development (BIFAD). The 

meeting will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 

4 p.m. on March 3, 2010 at the National 

Press Club located at 529 14th St., NW., 

Washington, DC. ‘‘Higher Education: A 

Critical Partner in Global Agricultural 

Development’’ will be the central theme 

of BIFAD’s initiatives and the March 

meeting. 

Dr. Robert Easter, Chairman of BIFAD, 

will preside over the proceedings. Dr. 

Easter is Interim Chancellor for the 

University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign. 

The confirmation of Dr. Rajiv Shah as 

USAID’s new administrator will define 

the work of BIFAD, consistent with 

WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with NOTICES