[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 198 (Thursday, October 12, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60611-60612]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-26106]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation and Farm Service Agency


Hurricane Damage Assistance for 1999 Crop

AGENCIES: Commodity Credit Corporation and Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of relief available to reduce the amount of loan 
indebtedness on certain 1999-crop loans.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the intent of the Secretary of 
Agriculture,

[[Page 60612]]

pursuant to new legislation, to release up to $81 million of loan 
indebtedness for certain 1999 crop loans made in North Carolina by the 
Commodity Credit Corporation where the collateral was destroyed or 
damaged by Hurricanes Dennis, Floyd or Irene. To assure all are given a 
chance to be heard, this notice sets out the statute and invites all 
persons who believe that they may be entitled to relief under the terms 
of the statute as well as all other interested persons to comment or 
suggest how eligibility for relief should be determined and how such 
relief should be administered.

DATES: Comments with respect to this notice must be received by October 
27, 2000 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be filed by the date set in this notice with 
Larry W. Mitchell, Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs, STOP 0510, 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0510.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas R. Burgess, telephone (202) 
720-0156.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 2101 of Chapter 5 of the Fiscal Year 
2001 Military Construction Appropriations (Pub. L. 106-246) provides in 
connection with North Carolina hurricane loses for up to $81 million 
for relief in connection with the 1999 crop year loans made by the 
Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC).
    The entire Section reads as follows:

    Sec. 2101. With respect to any 1999 crop year loan made by the 
Commodity Credit Corporation to a cooperative marketing association 
established under the laws of North Carolina, and to any person or 
entity in North Carolina obtaining a 1999 crop upland cotton 
marketing assistance loan, the Corporation shall reduce the amount 
of such outstanding loan indebtedness in an amount up to 75 percent 
of the amount of the loan applicable to any collateral (in the case 
of cooperative marketing associations of upland cotton producers and 
upland cotton producers, not to exceed $5,000,000 for benefits to 
such associations and such producers for up to 75 percent of the 
loss incurred by such associations and such producers with respect 
to upland cotton that had been placed under loan) that was produced 
in a county in which either the Secretary of Agriculture or the 
President of the United States declared a major disaster or 
emergency due to the occurrence of Hurricane Dennis, Floyd, or Irene 
if the Corporation determines that such collateral suffered any 
quality loss as a result of said hurricane: Provided, That if a 
person or entity obtains a benefit under this section with respect 
to a quantity of a commodity, no marketing loan gain or loan 
deficiency payment shall be made available under the Federal 
Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 with respect to such 
quantity: Provided further, That no more than $81,000,000 of the 
funds of the Corporation shall be available to carry out this 
section: Provided further, That the entire amount shall be available 
only to the extent an official budget request for $81,000,000, that 
includes designation of the entire amount of the request as an 
emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget and 
Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, is transmitted by 
the President to the Congress: Provided further, That the entire 
amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement 
pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of such Act.

    This notice is intended to provide an opportunity for any person 
who believes that they are entitled to relief to provide comments on 
how the statutes eligibility provisions should be construed. Such 
comments should be addressed to Larry W. Mitchell, Deputy Administrator 
for Farm Programs, STOP 0510, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, 
DC 20250-0510.
    Following such comment, the Deputy Administrator will take such 
action as may be warranted taking into account, the comments and any 
other new information as may be relevant, including new legislation as 
may related to the use of such funds.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., on October 4, 2000.
Keith Kelly,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency and Executive Vice President, 
Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 00-26106 Filed 10-11-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P