Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 172 / Wednesday, September 5, 2018 / Notices 45091 

Electronic copies can be downloaded 

or printed from http://go.usa.gov/TXye. 

Requests for paper versions or inquiries 

may be directed to: Mr. Emil Horvath, 

National Practice Standards Review 

Coordinator, Natural Resources 

Conservation Service, Central National 

Technology Support Center, 501 West 

Felix Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76115. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

amount of the proposed changes varies 

considerably for each of the 

conservation practice standards 

addressed in this notice. To fully 

understand the proposed changes, 

individuals are encouraged to compare 

these changes with each standard’s 

current version, which can be found at 

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/ 

nrcs/detailfull/national/technical/cp/ 

ncps/?cid=nrcs143_026849. To aid in 

this comparison, following are 

highlights of some of the proposed 

revisions to each standard: 

Combustion System Improvement 

(Code 372)—Revised language of the 

general criteria and criteria applicable to 

the air quality and energy purposes to 

address some confusion encountered in 

the implementation of the practice. 

Dust Control on Unpaved Roads and 

Surfaces (Code 373)—Relatively minor 

changes have been made to the 2010 

version. Two purposes were added to 

more adequately describe the reasons 

for using this practice: ‘‘improve 

visibility by reducing emissions of 

particulate matter;’’ and ‘‘improve plant 

health and vigor by reducing emissions 

of particulate matter.’’ 

Integrated Pest Management (Code 

595)—The standard definition and 

purposes have been updated to reflect 

current agency policy and science. The 

standard has been edited to clarify 

criteria, and support farmers and 

ranchers wanting to address resource 

concerns and implement an integrated 

pest management system where landgrant-university guidelines are 

available. 

Nutrient Management (Code 590)— 

The revision has no significant 

definition technical changes. Instead, it 

has a focus on improving the usability 

of 590 at the operational level of the 

agency (i.e. the State and field). The 

formatting and writing style were 

updated to meet current agency 

requirements. Bullet point statements 

were used to specify single concepts 

and replace paragraphs containing 

multiple concepts. 

Pesticide Mitigation (Code 594)—A 

new standard to support farmers and 

ranchers wanting to address resource 

concerns created by the use of 

pesticides in areas where they do not 

have land-grant university integrated 

pest management guidelines for one or 

more of their crops or cropping systems. 

Proposed Standard 594 offers resource 

protection using site-specific techniques 

designed to mitigate the impacts of 

chemical pest suppression on natural 

resources. 

Subsurface Drain (Code 606)—The 

formatting and writing style were 

updated to meet current agency 

requirements. Sections of the standard 

were relocated and rearranged to 

improve document flow. The minimum 

velocity has been raised to 0.8 feet-persecond for areas without sedimentation 

problems. Provisions have been 

included for the use of square junction 

boxes. 

Waste Facility Closure (Code 360)— 

The formatting and writing style were 

updated to improve clarity. Criteria was 

added to dry-waste storages to render 

the site unsuitable for stacking or 

treating waste. Language was added to 

the standard to make it clear that the 

standard is not used for the 

rehabilitation or expansion of existing 

facilities. 

Wildlife Habitat Planting (Code 

420)—This is a new conservation 

practice standard developed to better 

address the technical complexities of 

establishing wildlife habitat, including 

pollinator and monarch butterfly habitat 

plantings. Wildlife Habitat Planting 

(420) will be planned and applied when 

establishing herbaceous vegetation for 

wildlife. Planting trees for wildlife will 

be planned and applied using Tree and 

Shrub Establishment (612). 

Signed this 28th day of August, 2018, in 

Washington, DC 

Leonard Jordan, 

Acting Chief, Natural Resources Conservation 

Service. 

[FR Doc. 2018–19145 Filed 9–4–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–16–P 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Rural Business-Cooperative Service 

Rural Housing Service 

Rural Utilities Service 

OneRD Guaranteed Loan Platform 

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, Rural 

Business-Cooperative Service, and Rural 

Utilities Service, USDA. 

ACTION: Request for information and 

notice of public listening sessions. 

SUMMARY: The United States Department 

of Agriculture (USDA) Rural 

Development (RD), comprised of the 

Rural Business-Cooperative Service 

(RBS), Rural Housing Service (RHS), 

and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 

announces that it is hosting listening 

sessions for public input regarding 

development of a common platform to 

deliver four guaranteed loan programs. 

The Rural Development Innovation 

Center (IC) is holding these listening 

sessions specifically to provide an 

opportunity for stakeholders and other 

interested parties to offer their 

comments and input. 

DATES: 

Written Comments: Interested parties 

must submit written comments on or 

before October 22, 2018. 

Listening Sessions: Listening sessions 

will be held on September 10, 12, 14, 

19, and 20, 2018. See the 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for 

additional guidance and information on 

the listening sessions. 

ADDRESSES: Submit comments by any of 

the following methods. 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

online instructions for submitting 

comments; 

• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: 

Please send your comment addressed to 

Michele Brooks, Team Lead, 

Regulations Management Team, Rural 

Development Innovation Center, USDA, 

1400 Independence Ave., STOP 1522, 

Room 5159, Washington, DC 20250– 

1522. 

• Orally at the listening session; 

please also provide a written copy of 

your comments online as specified 

above or in hard copy at the listening 

session. 

Listening Sessions: To ensure 

maximum stakeholder involvement, six 

listening sessions are scheduled and 

will allow for in-person comments. 

The Listening Sessions Are as Follows 

West Region: Monday, September 10, 

2018, Denver, Colorado. 9:30 a.m. to 

12:30 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time. 

Denver Federal Center, 6th Kipling, 

Building 25, Lecture Hall, Denver, 

Colorado. See https://www.gsa.gov/ 

cdnstatic/DFC_map_508_2014-0619.pdf 

for a map of the facility. To enter the 

facility, please be prepared to present a 

valid driver’s license and current 

vehicle registration at the entrance 

gates. 

To participate remotely, please log on 

to https://cc.readytalk.com/r/yjoqkcys

0pjm&eom. Participants are encouraged 

to use their computer’s audio instead of 

phone lines, however the following toll 

number can be used: 

U.S. Toll: 303.248.0285. 

Access Code: 7207501. 


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45092 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 172 / Wednesday, September 5, 2018 / Notices 

South Region: Monday, September 10, 

2018, Lexington, Kentucky. 1:00 p.m. to 

4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. 

Kentucky State Office, USDA Rural 

Development, 771 Corporate Drive, 

Suite 200, Lexington, Kentucky. 

To participate remotely, please log on 

to https://cc.readytalk.com/r/776hi2

fw0o2u&eom. Participants are 

encouraged to use their computer’s 

audio instead of phone lines, however 

the following toll number can be used: 

U.S. Toll: 303.248.0285. 

Access Code: 7207502. 

Midwest Region: Wednesday, 

September 12, 2018, Lake Ozark, 

Missouri. 1:30–4:30 p.m. Central 

Daylight Time. The Lodge of Four 

Seasons, 315 Four Seasons Drive, Lake 

Ozark, Missouri. The Sea Chase Room. 

To participate remotely, please log on 

to https://cc.readytalk.com/r/2sgmfo5

txt2a&eom. Participants are encouraged 

to use their computer’s audio instead of 

phone lines, however the following toll 

number can be used: 

U.S. Toll: 303.248.0285. 

Access Code: 7207502. 

Northeast Region: Friday, September 

14, 2018, East Stroudsburg, 

Pennsylvania. 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

Eastern Daylight Time. East Stroudsburg 

University, Innovation Center, 562 

Independence Rd., East Stroudsburg, 

Pennsylvania. Innovation Center, Room 

336. 

To participate remotely, please log on 

to https://cc.readytalk.com/r/26b0nffd

xaoi&eom. Participants are encouraged 

to use their computer’s audio instead of 

phone lines, however the following toll 

number can be used: 

U.S. Toll: 303.248.0285. 

Access Code: 7207502. 

National: Thursday, September 20, 

2018, Washington, DC. 9:30 a.m. to 

12:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. 1400 

Jefferson Drive SW, Washington, DC 

20250. The meeting will be held in 

Room 107–A of the USDA Whitten 

Building. To participate remotely, 

please log on to https://

cc.readytalk.com/r/gfyzg0zqobay&eom. 

Participants are encouraged to use their 

computer’s audio instead of phone 

lines, however the following toll 

number can be used: 

U.S. Toll: 303.248.0285. 

Access Code: 7207502. 

Tribal Listening Session: A virtual 

listening session is scheduled for 

Wednesday, September 19, 2018, from 

3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight 

Time. To participate, please log on to 

https://cc.readytalk.com/r/qm9gmf

0lse56&eom. Participants are 

encouraged to use their computer’s 

audio instead of phone lines, however 

the following toll number can be used: 

U.S. Toll: 303.248.0285. 

Access Code: 7207502. 

If a Tribe would like to request 

government-to-government consultation 

regarding this rule, requests should be 

directed to RD’s Native American 

Coordinator at aian@wdc.usda.gov or 

(720) 544–2911. 

Registration: Registration is required 

for all sessions by sending an email to 

rd.innovation@osec.usda.gov, and 

listing your name, title, email, city, 

state, organization, and session location. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Michele Brooks at (202) 690–1078 or 

Jamie Davenport at (202) 720–0002. 

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). 

Individuals needing assistance with 

ReadyTalk should follow the Technical 

Support link in the ReadyTalk Meeting 

Lobby. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

On January 30, 2017, Executive Order 

13771 (Reducing Regulation and 

Controlling Regulatory Costs) and on 

February 24, 2017, Executive Order 

13777 (Enforcing the Regulatory Reform 

Agenda) were issued for action by the 

heads of all agencies. The Secretary of 

Agriculture and the respective USDA 

agencies, are working to implement the 

provisions of the Executive Orders to 

meet the needs of our customers and 

other stakeholders. In order to 

implement the provisions expeditiously 

and to ensure transparency, it is 

important to hear from stakeholders to 

be aware of their priorities and 

concerns. 

Rural Development is considering the 

development of a common platform to 

deliver four guaranteed loan programs. 

A common platform will be developed 

to provide policies and procedures for 

guaranteed loan making and servicing, 

lender reporting, and program 

monitoring. The intent is to simplify, 

improve and enhance the delivery of the 

Community Program Guaranteed loan 

program, the Water and Waste Disposal 

Guaranteed loan program, the Business 

and Industry Guaranteed loan program, 

and the Rural Energy for America 

Program guaranteed loans. The OneRD 

Guaranteed loan platform is anticipated 

to provide the following benefits: 

(1) Improve quality customer 

experience by streamlining and 

consolidating similar guaranteed loan 

programs; 

(2) Advance economic development 

and access to capital by reducing 

complexities and redundancies; 

(3) Improve operation efficiencies and 

cross-program coordination by enabling 

staff to learn all RD guaranteed loan 

programs; 

(4) Enable RD to integrate innovation 

in the delivery of loan guarantees and 

align with industry lending practices; 

and 

(5) Create a platform that paves the 

way for modern processing and 

servicing to improve portfolio 

management. 

Request for Comment 

Stakeholder input is vital to ensure 

that the OneRD Guaranteed loan 

platform will meet expectations and 

continue to support the mission of RD 

without overly burdening the agency’s 

customers. Rural Development will hold 

the listening sessions as outlined in the 

ADDRESSES section of this notice to 

receive oral comments from 

stakeholders and the public. A written 

copy of the oral comments is requested. 

(See the ADDRESSES section above for 

information about submitting written 

comments.) In addition, those who do 

not wish to attend or speak at the 

listening session are invited to submit 

written comments. 

The following questions and 

discussion items are provided as 

examples of topics stakeholders may 

wish to provide comment on. Rural 

Development welcomes pertinent 

comments that are beyond the scope of 

these questions. Rural Development is 

requesting comment and discussion on 

the following topics: 

Automation/Application Process 

1. What should the Agency do to 

simplify the application processes and 

standardize application requirements 

for its four loan guarantee programs? 

a. Are there portions of the required 

application components, such as the 

detailed preliminary engineering report 

or parts of it, that should be 

streamlined? 

2. The Agency is considering an 

online application intake system for all 

guaranteed loans. 

a. What features would enhance your 

application submission experience? 

b. Are there any best practices or 

software solutions that have been 

successfully incorporated by your 

lending institution? 

c. In general, in the loan processing/ 

servicing solution space, are there any 

practices or software shortcomings that 

the Agency should be aware of? 

d. What software solutions have been 

the most effective to avoid data breaches 

and maintain the integrity of your 

online systems? 


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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 172 / Wednesday, September 5, 2018 / Notices 45093 

Capital Markets 

What should the Agency consider that 

would enhance lenders’ access to 

capital markets, improve market 

efficiencies and reduce risks of RD 

guaranteed loans sold on the secondary 

market? 

Credit Evaluation 

The Agency is considering 

amendments to key areas such as 

tangible balance sheet equity, format of 

financial statements, requirements for 

feasibility studies, and flexibility to 

consider project finance evaluation 

methods. Are there other credit 

evaluation enhancements which the 

Agency should consider that would 

better integrate existing lending 

practices into the OneRD Guaranteed 

loan platform? 

Lenders 

1. Should the Agency consider 

establishing a certified lender or 

preferred lender program? If so, what 

are suggested lender qualification 

requirements and program features? 

2. The Agency is considering a 

common platform of requirements for 

non-regulated lenders aimed at ensuring 

maximum participation while 

incorporating renewal provisions to 

ensure portfolio integrity. What specific 

challenges have non-regulated lenders 

faced under the existing program? 

Lender Financing Trends or Needs to be 

Considered 

1. The OneRD Guaranteed loan 

platform aims to enhance flexibility 

across all included programs to support 

financing via the New Market Tax 

Credit (NMTC), investment tax credit 

(ITC), and other tax credit structures. 

a. Are there additional flexibilities 

that the Agency should consider to 

enhance financing opportunities 

through NMTC, ITC and other tax credit 

programs? 

b. What additional financing 

structures or trends are occurring that 

the Agency should be aware of to ensure 

maximum flexibility within the OneRD 

Guaranteed loan platform? 

Miscellaneous 

1. What other issues should the 

Agency consider when implementing 

the OneRD Guaranteed loan platform? 

2. What do you find burdensome 

about our current processes? 

Listening Sessions 

Rural Development will hold the 

listening sessions on the dates listed in 

DATES section of this notices. Oral 

comments received from this listening 

session will be documented. All 

attendees of the listening sessions who 

submit oral comments are requested to 

submit a written copy to help Rural 

Development accurately capture public 

input. In addition, stakeholders and the 

public who do not wish to attend or 

speak at the listing session are invited 

to submit written comments which must 

be received by the date indicated in the 

DATES section of this notice. 

At the listening sessions, the focus is 

for Rural Development to hear from the 

public; this is not a discussion with 

Rural Development officials or a 

question and answer session. As noted 

above, the purpose is to receive public 

input that Rural Development can factor 

into decisions it needs to make in order 

to implement the OneRD Guaranteed 

Loan platform. 

Each listening session will begin with 

brief opening remarks from USDA 

leadership in Rural Development. 

Individual speakers providing oral 

comments are requested to be succinct 

(the agency reserves the right to 

announce a time limitation at the 

beginning of each session based on 

attendance) as we do not know at this 

time how many participants there will 

be. As noted above, we request that 

speakers providing oral comments also 

provide a written copy of their 

comments. (See the ADDRESSES section 

above for information about submitting 

written comments.) All stakeholders 

and interested members of the public 

are welcome to register to provide oral 

comments; however, if necessary due to 

the time constraints, a limited number 

will be selected on a first come, first 

serve basis. 

During each of the listening sessions, 

those unable to participate in-person 

will be able to do so remotely via 

ReadyTalk web conferencing. Those 

participating through the ReadyTalk 

platform will be in listen only-mode, 

but will have the opportunity to submit 

comments via the Chat function. The 

Chat function will be moderated by 

USDA Rural Development. 

Each listening session will produce an 

audio recording and transcript, both of 

which will be utilized in the rulemaking process. 

Instructions for Attending the Meetings 

Space for attendance at the meetings 

are limited. Registration is required for 

those attending in person by sending an 

email to rd.innovation@osec.usda.gov 

with the following information: 

• First Name 

• Last Name 

• Organization 

• Title 

• Email 

• City 

• State 

• Session Attending. 

Directions to get to the listening 

sessions, and how to provide comments 

is available by emailing rd.innovation@

osec.usda.gov. 

All written comments received will be 

publicly available on 

www.regulations.gov. If you require 

special accommodations, such as a sign 

language interpreter, use the contact 

information above. The listening session 

locations are accessible to persons with 

disabilities. 

Dated: August 28, 2018. 

Anne Hazlett, 

Assistant to the Secretary, USDA Rural 

Development. 

[FR Doc. 2018–19101 Filed 9–4–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

Foreign-Trade Zones Board 

[B–28–2018] 

Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 37—Orange 

County, New York; Authorization of 

Production Activity; Takasago 

International Corp. (U.S.A.), 

(Fragrances), Harriman, New York 

On April 30, 2018, Takasago 

International Corp. (U.S.A.) submitted a 

notification of proposed production 

activity to the FTZ Board for its facility 

within FTZ 37—Site 10, in Harriman, 

New York. 

The notification was processed in 

accordance with the regulations of the 

FTZ Board (15 CFR part 400), including 

notice in the Federal Register inviting 

public comment (83 FR 20033, May 7, 

2018). On August 28, 2018, the 

applicant was notified of the FTZ 

Board’s decision that no further review 

of the activity is warranted at this time. 

The production activity described in the 

notification was authorized, subject to 

the FTZ Act and the FTZ Board’s 

regulations, including Section 400.14. 

Dated: August 28, 2018. 

Andrew McGilvray, 

Executive Secretary. 

[FR Doc. 2018–19209 Filed 9–4–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P 


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