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[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 46 (Monday, March 10, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10824-10825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-5748]

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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

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Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 46 / Monday, March 10, 1997 / 
Notices

[[Page 10824]]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

National Sheep Industry Improvement Center; Notice of Board 
Meetings and Public Hearings on Policy Objectives.

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of board meetings and public hearings.

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SUMMARY: The Board of Directors of the National Sheep Industry 
Improvement Center announces three public hearings seeking input on 
policy objectives to be used in the strategic plan for accomplishing 
the purposes of the Center. The Board of Directors also announces two 
Board meetings in conjunction with the hearings. (The Board meetings 
are open to the public.)

DATES: The hearing and/or meeting dates are:
    1. March 26, 1997, 7:30 p.m., Columbus, OH; Board meeting.
    2. March 27, 1997, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Columbus, OH; public 
hearing.
    3. May 6, 1997, 8:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m., San Angelo, TX; public 
hearing.
    4. May 7, 1997, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Salt Lake City, UT; public 
hearing followed by Board of Directors meeting at 2:00 p.m.
    Other deadlines are:
    1. May 5, 1997, written testimony must be received by the Board on 
or before date to receive consideration at the May 7, 1997, Board 
meeting.
    2. Written comments should be received by May 16, 1997, to receive 
consideration in developing the strategic plans.

ADDRESSES: The meeting locations are:
    1. Columbus, OH--Ohio State University Fawcett Center, 2400 
Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio
    2. San Angelo, TX--Texas A&M University, Agricultural Research and 
Extension Center, 7887 Highway 87 North, San Angelo, Texas
    3. Salt Lake City, UT--Airport Hilton, 5151 Wiley Post Way, Salt 
Lake City, UT
    Written comments:
    Submit written comments in duplicate to Thomas H. Stafford, 
Director, Cooperative Marketing Division, Cooperative Services, RBS, 
USDA, Stop 3252, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20080-3252. 
Comments may also be submitted via the Internet by addressing them to 
[email protected] and must contain ``Sheep Industries'' in the 
subject.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas H. Stafford, Director, 
Cooperative Marketing Division, Cooperative Services, RBS, USDA, Stop 
3252, Room 4204, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20080-3252, 
telephone (202) 690-0368. (This is not a toll free number.) E-mail: 
[email protected]. The Federal Information Relay service on 1-800-
877-8339 may be used by TDD users.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Sheep Industry Improvement 
Center is seeking input into policy objectives that will guide the 
Center's assistance in strengthening the Nation's sheep and goat 
industries. The board is not looking for specific proposals at this 
time.

Background

    In response to challenges facing the sheep and goat industries, the 
1996 Farm Bill established the National Sheep Industry Improvement 
Center to assist and strengthen the U.S. sheep and goat industries 
through projects and assistance financed through the Center's revolving 
fund. The Center will manage a revolving fund of up to $50 million in 
Federal funds to facilitate the production and marketing of sheep and 
goats, and their products.
    Treasury has deposited the initial $20 million into the Center's 
fund. This fund is capped at $50 million Federal funds--where 
authorization was provided for an additional $30 million in 
appropriated funds. After 10 years or upon receipt of $50 million in 
Federal funds to the revolving fund, the Center and its activities 
shall be privatized and no additional Federal funds shall be used to 
carry out the activities of the Center.
    The Center is managed by a nine member (7 voting and 2 nonvoting 
members), non-compensated board. The seven voting members were chosen 
by the Secretary of Agriculture from the sheep and goat industries and 
the two non-voting members from the USDA are the Under Secretary for 
Rural Development and the Under Secretary for Research, Education and 
Economics. The Board of Directors may use the monies in the fund to 
make grants, and intermediate and long-term loans, contracts, 
cooperative repayable agreements, or cooperative agreements in 
accordance with an annual strategic plan submitted to the Secretary of 
Agriculture. Funds may be used to participate with Federal and State 
agencies, other public and private funding sources, and in regional 
efforts. Funding activities include providing security for, or making 
principal or interest payments on, revenue or general obligation bond 
issues, accruing interest, guaranteeing or purchasing insurance for 
local obligations, and selling acquired assets or loans.

Puposes of the Center

    The purposes of the Center are to:
    (1) promote strategic development activities and collaborative 
efforts by private and State entities to maximize the impact of Federal 
assistance to strengthen and enhance production and marketing of sheep 
or goat products in the United States;
    (2) optimize the use of available human capital and resources 
within the sheep or goat industries;
    (3) provide assistance to meet the needs of the sheep or goat 
industry for infrastructure development, business development, 
production, resource development, and market and environmental 
research;
    (4) advance activities that empower and build the capacity of the 
United States sheep or goat industry to design unique responses to the 
special needs of the sheep or goat industries on both a regional and 
national basis; and
    (5) adopt flexible and innovative approaches to solving the long-
term needs of the United States sheep and goat industries.

Public Hearing Procedure

    Interested persons may present data, information, or views, orally 
or in writing, on issues pertaining to the development of a strategic 
plan for the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center. Those desiring 
to make formal

[[Page 10825]]

presentations should notify the contact person two (2) business days 
prior to the hearing, and submit a brief statement of the general 
nature of the evidence or arguments they wish to present, the names and 
addresses of proposed participants, and an indication of the 
approximate time required to make their comments. Any person attending 
the hearing who does not, in advance of the hearing, request an 
opportunity to speak will be allowed to make an oral presentation at 
the hearing's conclusion if time permits, at the chairperson's 
discretion. If more time is needed than currently scheduled, at the 
discretion of the chairperson, presentations will be limited in time 
and/or hearing time will be extended. Additional procedures, if 
necessary for the conduct of the hearing, will be announced at the 
hearing.

    Authority: 7 USC 2008j, Pub.L. 104.130.

    Dated: February 28, 1997.
Dayton J. Watkins,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 97-5748 Filed 3-7-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P
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