### 31573 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 105 / Wednesday, June 1, 2011 / Notices

the use of new electronic benefits transfer (EBT) for Federal nutrition programs at farmers markets. To be considered within the 10 percent allotment of funds for EBT, the application narrative must clearly designate the applicant’s intent to compete for FMPP funds as a new EBT project. FMPP funds shall be provided to successful proposals that demonstrate a plan to continue to provide EBT card access at one or more farmers markets following the receipt of the grant.

When an applicant has multiple project ideas, AMS requires that similar proposals be submitted in the application package. Due to the legislative mandate, the Agency differentiates projects as EBT-related or non EBT-related submissions. As such, all non-EBT project ideas must be submitted in one application and all new or existing EBT-related projects submitted in a second, distinctly separate application. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in the rejection of the application. See the 2011 FMPP Guidelines at http:// www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP for instructions for multiple application submissions.

While there is no limit to the number of applications that may be submitted, AMS will only award an organization one grant in a funding year. Awardees from the FY 2010 grant program will not be considered for FMPP funding in FY

2011.

FMPP reserves the right to reject an application that is incomplete or does not follow the application requirements; i.e., hand-written or in excess of the required page limitation. Application packages without required information will not be considered. FMPP’s award decisions are final. Paperwork Reduction Act

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the FMPP information collection was previously approved by OMB and was assigned OMB control number 0581–0235.

AMS is committed to compliance with the Government Paperwork Elimination Act (GPEA) that requires Government agencies in general to provide the public the option of submitting information or transacting business electronically to the maximum extent possible. How To Submit Proposals and Applications

Each applicant must follow the application preparation and submission instructions provided within the 2011 FMPP Guidelines at http:// www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP. Electronic forms, proposals, letters of support, or any other application materials e-mailed directly to AMS–FMPP or USDA–AMS staff will not be accepted.

Following are the options available for submitting proposals and applications to AMS:

Paper Submissions—An original and one copy of the proposal, required forms, narrative, letters of support, and all required materials must be submitted in one package, preferably via express mail.

Electronic Submissions via Grants.gov —Applicants may apply electronically for grants through Grants.gov at http://www.Grants.gov (insert 10.168 in grant search field) and are strongly encouraged to initiate the electronic submission process at least two weeks prior to the application deadline. Grants.gov applicants who submit their FMPP proposals via this Federal grants web site are not required to submit any paper documents to FMPP.

FMPP is listed in the ‘‘Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance’’ under number 10.168. Subject agencies, including FMPP, must adhere to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars discrimination in all federally assisted programs.

Dated: May 24, 2011. Rayne Pegg,

Administrator.

[FR Doc. 2011–13483 Filed 5–31–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–02–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Agricultural Marketing Service**

**[AMS–CN–11–0036; CN–11–003]**

**Cotton Research and Promotion Program: Request for Comments To**  **Be Used in a Review of 1990 Amendments to the Cotton Research**  **and Promotion Act**

**AGENCY :**  Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  As provided for by the Cotton Research and Promotion Act Amendments of 1990, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing its intention to conduct a review to ascertain whether a referendum is needed to determine whether producers and importers favor continuation of amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Order. This notice invites all interested parties to submit written comments to the Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA will consider these comments in determining whether a referendum is warranted. USDA should announce review results sometime during the latter part of 2011.

**DATES :**  Comments must be received on or before August 1, 2011.

**ADDRESSES :**  Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the Internet at http:// www.regulations.gov or to Shethir M. Riva, Chief, Research and Promotion Staff, Cotton and Tobacco Programs, AMS, USDA, Stop 0224, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 2635–S, Washington, DC 20250–0224; fax: (202) 690–1718. All comments should reference the docket number and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register and will be made available for public inspection in the above office during regular business hours or can be viewed at http:// www.regulations.gov. All comments submitted in response to this notice will be included in the record and will be made available to the public. Please be advised that the identity of the individuals or entities submitting comments will be made public on the Internet at the address provided above.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Shethir M. Riva, Chief, Research and Promotion Staff, Cotton and Tobacco Programs, AMS, USDA, Stop 0224, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 2635–S, Washington, DC 20250–0224, telephone (540) 361–2726, facsimile (202) 690– 1718, or e-mail at Shethir.Riva@ams.usda.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  The Cotton Research and Promotion Act of 1966 (7 U.S.C. 2101–2118) authorized a national Cotton Research and Promotion Program which is industry operated and funded, with oversight by USDA. The program’s objective is to enable cotton growers and importers to establish, finance, and carry out a coordinated program of research and promotion to improve the competitive position of, and to expand markets for cotton.

The program became effective on December 31, 1966, when the Cotton Research and Promotion Order (7 CFR part 1205) was issued. Assessments began with the 1967 cotton crop. The Order was amended and a supplemental assessment initiated, not to exceed one percent of the value of each bale, effective January 26, 1977.

The program is currently financed through assessments levied on domesticand imported cotton and cottoncontaining products. Assessments under this program are used to fund promotional campaigns and to conduct


### 31574 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 105 / Wednesday, June 1, 2011 / Notices

research in the areas of U.S. marketing, international marketing, cotton production and processing, and textile research and implementation.

The program is administered by the Cotton Board, which has 41 members, 41 alternate members and one consumer advisor. The Cotton Board is composed of representatives of cotton producers and cotton importers, each of whom has an alternate selected by the Secretary of Agriculture from nominations submitted by eligible producer and importer organizations. All members and their alternates serve terms of 3 years. The Cotton Board’s responsibility is to administer the provisions of the Cotton Research and Promotion Order issued pursuant to the Act. These responsibilities include collecting, holding and safeguarding funds; making refunds when refunds are a provision of the Order; contracting with an organization for the development and implementation of programs of research and promotion; reviewing and making recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture on proposed programs and budgets; and making funds available for such programs when approved. The objective of the Cotton Research and Promotion Program is to strengthen cotton’s competitive position and to maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets and uses for cotton. The Cotton Board is prohibited from participating in any matters influencing governmental policies or action except recommendations for amendments to the Order.

Amendments to the Act were enacted under subtitle G of title XIX of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101–624, 104 stat. 3909, November 28, 1990). These amendments provided for: (1) Importer representation on the Cotton Board; (2) the assessment of imported cotton and cotton products; (3) increasing the amount the Secretary of Agriculture can be reimbursed for conduct of a referendum from $200,000 to $300,000; (4) reimbursing government agencies who assist in administering the collection of assessments on imported cotton and cotton products; and (5) terminating the right of a producer to demand a refund of assessments. The Act Amendments of 1990 were approved by a majority (60 percent) of importers and producers of cotton voting in a referendum conducted July 17–26, 1991, as required by the Act. Results of this referendum were announced in a nationally distributed press release dated August 2, 1991.

The Cotton Research and Promotion Act Amendment of 1990, Section 8(c) provides that once every 5 years after the July 1991 referendum, the Secretary of Agriculture is to conduct a review to ascertain whether a referendum is needed. In such a referendum, producers and importers would determine whether they favor continuation of the amendments to the Order provided for in the Cotton Research and Promotion Act Amendments of 1990. These amendments to the Order were promulgated in final rules published in the Federal Register on December 10, 1991 (56 FR 64470), corrected at (56 FR 66670).

The results of the most recent review report of the Cotton Research and Promotion Program were issued on March 6, 2007. USDA announced its view (72 FR 9918) not to conduct a referendum regarding the 1991 amendments to the Order. In accordance with Section 8(c)(2) of the Act, USDA provided an opportunity for all eligible persons to request a continuance referendum on the 1991 amendments by making such a request during a sign-up period. During the period of September 3–November 30, 2007, the Department conducted a sign-up period for all eligible persons to request a continuance referendum on the 1990 Act amendments. The results of the sign-up period did not meet the criteria established for a continuance referendum by the Cotton Research and Promotion Act and therefore, a referendum was not conducted.

In 2011, in accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Secretary of Agriculture will conduct its review of the Cotton Research and Promotion Program Act amendments to ascertain whether a referendum is needed to determine whether producers and importers support continuation of the amendments to the Order, as provided for by the 1990 Act amendments. The Secretary of Agriculture should make a public announcement of the results of the review on September 24, 2011 (60 days after each fifth anniversary date of the referendum). If the Secretary of Agriculture determines that a referendum is needed, the Secretary of Agriculture should conduct the referendum by September 24, 2012 (within 12 months after a public announcement of the determination to conduct the referendum).

If the Secretary determines that a referendum is not warranted, a sign-up period to request such a referendum will be made available to cotton producers and importers. A referendum will be held if requested by 10 percent or more of those voting in the most recent referendum as long as not more than 20 percent are from any one State or importers of cotton. This sign-up period would be announced in the Federal Register . A 60-day comment period is provided for interested persons to provide comments to be used by USDA in its review. All interested persons are invited to submit written

comments.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2101–2118. Dated: May 24, 2011. Rayne Pegg, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.

[FR Doc. 2011–13500 Filed 5–31–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–02–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Agricultural Marketing Service**

**[Doc. No. AMS–FV–11–0044; FV11–996–1]**

**Peanut Standards Board**

**AGENCY :**  Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice; request for nominations.

**SUMMARY :**  The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (2002 Farm Bill) requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a Peanut Standards Board (Board) for the purpose of advising the Secretary on quality and handling standards for domestically produced and imported peanuts. The initial Board was appointed by the Secretary and announced on December 5, 2002. USDA seeks nominations for individuals to be considered for selection as Board members for terms of office ending June 30, 2014. Selected nominees would replace three producer and two industry representatives who currently serve on the Board and have terms of office that end June 30, 2011. Also, one individual would fill a currently vacant industry position. The Board consists of 18 members representing producers and the industry.

**DATES :**  Written nominations must be received on or before June 13, 2011.

**ADDRESSES :**  Nominations should be sent to Dawana J. Clark, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, Unit 155, 4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD 20737: Telephone: (301) 734–5247; Fax: (301) 734–5275; E-mail: Dawana.Clark@ams.usda.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Section 1308 of the 2002 Farm Bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and consult with the Board for the purpose of advising the Secretary regarding the establishment of quality and handling standards for all domestic and imported peanuts marketed in the United States.