### 28884 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 97 / Tuesday, May 20, 2014 / Notices

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

Treatments in the Pine Mountain area are being proposed for several reasons: To reduce the risk to late-successional habitat loss from wildfire through vegetative treatments designed to modify and restore characteristic fire regimes and forest structure; improve forest health, vigor, and resilience to fire, insects and disease as well as enhance the diversity of plant and animal habitat found within the project area while restoring and enhancing late successional habitat; and to manage National Forest lands (including roads and trails) to meet the Aquatic Conservation Strategy Objectives and direction set forth in the Mendocino National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP). Proposed Action

The Proposed Action includes the following treatments to achieve the desired conditions:

• Fuel treatments may be applied as prescribed fire only or as a combination of prescribed fire with mechanical treatments, piling and pile burning.

• Mechanical treatments will include mastication or thinning of trees. Thinning of trees less than 10 inches in diameter at breast height (dbh) will be implemented by Forest Service personnel or through service contracts. Thinning of trees greater than 10 inches dbh will be implemented through a commercial contract. These treatments are intended to achieve ecologicalobjectives such as restoring a fireresilient stand structure, managing for open habitat (that includes shrubs and hardwoods), hastening the development of desired late successional stand characteristics in plantations as well as accelerating the development and vigor of larger trees outside plantations. Treatments would reduce competition between trees for onsite resources such as moisture, light, nutrients and growing space; and would reduce overly dense stand conditions which have led to declining stand health and uncharacteristic fire regimes.

• Prescribed fire treatments will be applied in chaparral areas, following direction provided by the LRMP, to create a mosaic of age classes which provides for the development of heterogeneous chaparral habitat and interruption of fuel continuity.

• Prescribed fire treatment will be applied in forested areas with excessive accumulations of natural fuels, following direction provided by the
LRMP.

• Shaded fuel breaks will be constructed following direction provided by LSR Assessment to provide a buffer against fires originating from the west and moving eastward with the prevailing winds. The fuel breaks will also assist in prescribed fire activities.
Other proposed activities include road management such as road maintenance, drainage improvement, road decommissioning, temporary road construction and rehabilitation, and non-system trail closures. The Interdisciplinary Team is developing design features and Best Management Practices to protect water, wildlife, aquatic, archaeological, cultural, and botanical resources.
Responsible Official

The Responsible Official for this project is Sherry Tune, Forest Supervisor, 825 N. Humboldt Avenue, Willows, CA 95988.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

The Forest Supervisor will decide whether to implement the proposed action, take an alternative action that meets the purpose and need, or take no action.
Scoping Process

This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides the development of the environmental impact statement. A public meeting will be held on May 30, 2014, to enable those with interest in the project to obtain more information, ask questions, and make comments for the development of the EIS and the alternatives. A field trip the following day may be held if enough interest is shown.

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 contentions.

Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record for this project. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered, however. Dated: May 7, 2014. Sherry A. Tune, Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2014–11609 Filed 5–19–14; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–11–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Natural Resources Conservation Service** 

**Commodity Credit Corporation**

**[Docket No. NRCS–2014–0004]**

**Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information**  **Collection**

**AGENCY :**  Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

**ACTION :**  Notice and request for
comments.

**SUMMARY :**  In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces NRCS’ intention to request an extension for, and a revision to, a currently approved information collection for Long-Term Contracting.

**DATES :**  Effective Date: This is effective May 20, 2014.

Comment Date: Submit comments on or before July 21, 2014.

**ADDRESSES :**  Comments should be submitted, identified by Docket Number NRCS–2014–0004, using any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

• Mail: Public Comments Processing, Attention: Docket No. NRCS–2014– 0004, Regulatory and Agency Policy Team, Strategic Planning and Accountability, Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Building 1–1112D, Beltsville, Maryland 20705.

NRCS will post comments on http:// www.regulations.gov. In general, personal information provided with comments will be posted. If your comment includes your address, phone number, email, or other personal identifying information, your entire comments, including personal information, may be available to the public. You may ask in your comment that your personal identifying information be withheld from public view, but this cannot be guaranteed.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Decunda Duke-Bozeman, Room 6817


### 28885 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 97 / Tuesday, May 20, 2014 / Notices

South Building, Easement Program Division, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250; telephone: (202)
260–9099.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 

Title: Long-Term Contracting. OMB Number: 0578–0013. Expiration Date of Approval: 3 years from date of approval.

Type of Request: To revise a currently approved information collection to update and clarify information in the information collection.

Abstract: The primary objective of NRCS is to work in partnership with the American people and the farming and ranching community to conserve and sustain our natural resources on privately owned land. The purpose of the Long-Term Contracting information collection is to allow for programs to provide Federal technical and financialcost-sharing assistance through longterm contracts to eligible producers, landowners, and entities. These contracts provide for making land use changes and installing conservation measures and practices to conserve, develop, and use the soil, water, and related natural resources on private lands. Under the terms of the agreement, the participant agrees to apply, or arrange to apply, the conservation treatment specified in the conservation plan. In return for this agreement, Federal financial assistance payments are made to the land user, or third party, upon successful application of the conservation treatment. Additionally,NRCS purchases easements for the longterm protection of the property and provides for the protection and management of the property for the life of the easement.

The information collected through this package is used by NRCS to ensure the proper use of program funds.

The programs in this information collection that continue to be subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act are listed in Table A. This request will clarify the programs in this information collection. Table B shows only the burden for those programs that are subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act. The two new forms added to this information collection are the Agreements for the Purchase of Conservation Easements NRCS–LTP–70 for the Healthy Forests Reserve Program and the NRCS–LTP–80 for the Emergency Watershed Program Floodplain Easement.



### TABLE 

### A—C ONSERVATION 

### P ROGRAMS 

### S UBJECT TO THE 

### R EQUIREMENTS OF THE 

### P APERWORK 

### R EDUCTION 

### A CT

Program Description

Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) (7 CFR part

701). USDA Farm Service Agency’s ECP provides emergency funding and technical assistance for farmers and ranchers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and for carrying out emergency water conservation measures in periods of severe drought. Funding for ECP is appropriated by Congress. Emergency Watershed Program (EWP) (7 CFR part 624) The EWP was initiated in 1950 and is administered by NRCS. It provides techn icaland financial assistance to local institutions for the removal of storm and flood debris from stream channels and for the restoration of stream channels and levees to reduce the threat to life and property. The program also provides for establishing permanent easements in floodplains with private landowners. Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) (7 CFR part

625). HFRP is a voluntary program established for the purpose of restoring and enhancingforest ecosystems to: 1) Promote the recovery of threatened and endangered species; 2) improve biodiversity; and 3) enhance carbon sequestration. The HFRP was signed into law as part of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 and amended by the 2008 Act. The Agricultural Act of 2014 made minor changes to HFRP land eligibility and funding. Resource Conservation and Development Program

(RC&D). The RC&D was initiated in 1962 and is administered by NRCS. Through this program, NRCS assists multi-county areas in enhancing conservation, water quality, wildlife habitat, recreation, and rural development. The program provides technical and limited financial assistance for the planning and installation of approved projects. Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program

(WRFPP) (7 CFR part 622). The WPFPP, otherwise known as P.L. 566, was initiated in 1954 and is administeredby NRCS. It assists State and local units of government in flood prevention, watershed protection, and water management. Part of this effort involves the establishment of conservation practices on private lands to reduce erosion, sedimentation, and runoff.



### TABLE 

### B—B URDEN FOR 

### R EQUIRED 

### P ROGRAMS 

### U NDER THE 

### P APERWORK 

### R EDUCTION 

### A CT

Form Purpose Program(s) * Number submitted annually

AD–1153, NRCS–CPA–1200 .......... Application .................................... EWP, WPFPP, HFRP .................. 750; Estimatedtime per participant is .69 per response. AD–1154, NRCS–CPA–1202 .......... Contract or Agreement ................. EWP, HFRP ................................. 150; Estimated time per participant is .69 per response. AD–1155, NRCS–CPA–1155 .......... Schedule of Practices/Costs and signature sheet. EWP, WPFPP, HFRP .................. 300; Estimated time per participant is .75 per response. AD–1156, NRCS–CPA–1156 .......... Schedule Modification .................. EWP, WPFPP, HFRP .................. 25; Estimated time perparticipant is .60 per response. AD–1157 ......................................... Option Agreement to Purchase ... EWP, HFRP ................................. 165; E stimated time per participant is .69 per response. AD–1157A ....................................... Option Agreement to Purchase Amendment. EWP, HFRP ................................. 120; Estimated time per participant is .69 per response. AD–1158 ......................................... Subordination Agreement and Limited Lien Waiver. EWP, HFRP ................................. 100; Estimated time per participant is .69 per response.


### 28886 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 97 / Tuesday, May 20, 2014 / Notices

TABLE 

### B—B URDEN FOR 

### R EQUIRED 

### P ROGRAMS 

### U NDER THE 

### P APERWORK 

### R EDUCTION 

### A CT

### —Continued

Form Purpose Program(s) * Number submitted annually

AD–1159 ......................................... Notice of Intent to Continue ......... Not used by any non-exempt programs AD–1160 ......................................... Compatible Use Authorization ..... EWP, HFRP ................................. 200; Estimated time per participant is .66 per response. AD–1161 ......................................... Application for Payment ............... EWP, HFRP ................................ . 200; Estimated time per participant is .58 per response. NRCS–CPA–68 ............................... Conservation Plan ........................ CTA, EWP, HFRP ........................ 2,700; Estimated time per participant is .69 per response. NRCS–LTP–13, NRCS–CPA–013 .. Status/Contract Review ................ EWP, WPFPP, HFRP .................. 250; Estimated time per part icipant is .69 per response.NRCS–LTP–20, NRCS–CPA–260 .. Warranty Easement Deed, Conservation Easement Deed. EWP, HFRP ................................. 150; Estimated time per participant is .69 per response. NRCS–LTP–70 ................................ Agreement for the Purchase of Conservation Easement. HFRP ............................................ 50; Estimated time per participant is .69 per response. NRCS–LTP–80 ................................ Agreement for the Purchase of Conservation Easement. EWP ............................................. 120; Estimated time per participant is .69 per response. NRCS–LTP–151 .............................. Contract Violation Notification ...... EWP, HFRP ................................. 20; Estimated time per participant is .69 per response. NRCS–LTP–152 .............................. Transfer Agreement ..................... EWP, HFRP ................................. 5; E stimated time per participant is 1.0 per response.NRCS–LTP–153 .............................. Agreement Covering Non-Compliance With Provisions of the Contract. EWP, HFRP ................................. 10; Estimated time per participant is .69 per response.

* The number submitted annually provides the number of forms completed by respondents and the approximate number of hours to com plete each form. The response time is taken from the forms themselves as identified in the OMB Disclosure Statement where available.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is as identified by Form in Table B and ranges from .58 hour to 1 hour per respondent.

Respondents: Program Participants. Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,315.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 3,656.65 hours.

Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Signed this May 2, 2014, in Washington, DC. Jason A. Weller, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2014–11680 Filed 5–19–14; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–16–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Rural Business-Cooperative Service**

**Notice of Funding Availability for the Intermediary Relending Program** 

**AGENCY :**  Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  This Notice announces $18.9 million in program funding available for Fiscal Year 2014 for the Intermediary Relending Program (IRP). The IRP provides direct loans to intermediaries that establish programs for the purpose of providing loans to ultimate recipients for business facilities and community developments in a rural area. The Agency will make awards each of the remaining Federal fiscal quarters. In the event all program funds are not obligated in a quarter, the remaining unobligated funds will be carried over to the subsequent quarter.

This Notice is being issued in accordance with the new requirements set forth by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Farm Bill). The 2014 Farm Bill consolidates IRP’s authority under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (Con Act). Consequently, the Agency must comply with the standard ‘rural’ and ‘rural area’ definition in the Con Act under 7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13).

**DATES :**  For Fiscal Year 2014, applications for regular IRP funding must be received by June 30, 2014, for consideration for Fiscal Year 2014 funds. Requests for set-aside funding must be received by June 19, 2014. Other than the Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) set-aside, unused set-aside funding described below will be pooled and revert to the nationalreserve on July 1, 2014. The REAP setaside will terminate after August 15, 2014. Any unused REAP set-aside will revert to the national reserve thereafter. Applications received after June 30, 2014, may be considered for funding in Fiscal Year 2014, subject to availability of funds or will be considered for award of funds available in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2015, if the Agency determines that program requirements remain substantially unchanged.

**ADDRESSES :**  See the **SUPPLEMENTARY**
**INFORMATION** for addresses concerning IRP applications for Fiscal Year 2014 funds.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  For further information on this Notice, please contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Office for your respective State, as provided in the **SUPPLEMENTARY**
**INFORMATION** section of this Notice.