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.

Notices Federal Register

48363 

Vol. 73, No. 161 

Tuesday, August 19, 2008 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Submission for OMB Review; 

Comment Request 

August 14, 2008. 

The Department of Agriculture has 

submitted the following information 

collection requirement(s) to OMB for 

review and clearance under the 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 

Public Law 104–13. Comments 

regarding (a) whether the collection of 

information is necessary for the proper 

performance of the functions of the 

agency, including whether the 

information will have practical utility; 

(b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate 

of burden including the validity of the 

methodology and assumptions used; (c) 

ways to enhance the quality, utility and 

clarity of the information to be 

collected; (d) ways to minimize the 

burden of the collection of information 

on those who are to respond, including 

through the use of appropriate 

automated, electronic, mechanical, or 

other technological collection 

techniques or other forms of information 

technology should be addressed to: Desk 

Officer for Agriculture, Office of 

Information and Regulatory Affairs, 

Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB), 

OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or 

fax (202) 395–5806 and to Departmental 

Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail 

Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250– 

7602. Comments regarding these 

information collections are best assured 

of having their full effect if received 

within 30 days of this notification. 

Copies of the submission(s) may be 

obtained by calling (202) 720–8958. 

An agency may not conduct or 

sponsor a collection of information 

unless the collection of information 

displays a currently valid OMB control 

number and the agency informs 

potential persons who are to respond to 

the collection of information that such 

persons are not required to respond to 

the collection of information unless it 

displays a currently valid OMB control 

number. 

Agricultural Research Service 

Title: Renew Information Collection 

for Use of the Grounds and Facilities as 

well as Commercial Photography and 

Cinemotography. 

OMB Control Number: 0518–0024. 

Summary of Collection: The mission 

of the U.S. National Arboretum (USNA) 

is to conduct research, provide 

education, and conserve and display 

trees, shrubs, flowers, and other plans to 

enhance the environment. The USNA is 

a 446-acre public facility. The grounds 

of the USNA are available to the general 

public for purposes of education and 

passive recreation. The USNA has many 

spectacular feature and garden displays 

which are very popular to visitors and 

photographers. Section 890(b) of the 

Federal Agriculture Improvement and 

Reform Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104–107 

(‘‘FAIR ACT’’) provided statutory 

authorities regarding the USNA. These 

authorities include the ability to charge 

fees for temporary use by individuals or 

groups of USNA facilities and grounds 

for any purpose consistent with the 

mission of USNA. Also, the authority 

was provided to charge fees for the use 

of the USNA for commercial 

photography and cinematography. 

Need and Use of the Information: 

USNA officials using applications in the 

form of questionnaires will collect the 

information. The collected information 

is used by USNA to determine if the 

requestor’s needs can be met and the 

request is consistent with the mission 

and goals of the USNA uses of the 

information. If the basic information is 

not collected USNA officials will not be 

able to determine if the requestor’s 

needs can be met. 

Description of Respondents: Business 

or other for profit; Not-for-profit 

institutions; Individuals or households; 

Federal Government; State, Local or 

Tribal Government. 

Number of Respondents: 445. 

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: 

On occasion. 

Total Burden Hours: 109. 

Agricultural Research Service 

Title: Food Stamp Nutrition 

Connection Recipe Submission and 

Review Forms. 

OMB Control Number: 0518–0043. 

Summary of Collection: The National 

Agricultural Library’s Food Stamp 

Nutrition Connection (FSNC) http:// 

www.nal.usda.gov/foodstamp/ resource 

system developed an on-line recipe 

database, the Recipe Finder in Fiscal 

Year 2005. The purpose of the recipe 

database is to provide our target 

audience, Food Stamp Program 

Nutrition Educators (FSNE) providers, 

with low-cost, easy to prepare, healthy 

recipes for classes and demonstrations 

with FSNE participants. We rely on 

these same educators to submit their 

best recipes to us for review, analysis 

and posting in the database. Data 

collected using the ‘‘FSNC Recipe 

Review Form’’ will help identify the 

success or value of the nutrition 

education and budgeting tool with 

FSNE participants. 

Need and Use of the Information: 

FSNE providers have the opportunity to 

submit recipes on-line saving the 

authors time while providing a fast and 

accurate vehicle in which to 

communicate with the authors. At the 

same time, submitted recipes will be 

reviewed for the purposes of ensuring 

that only high quality information 

remains in the database. The 

information will be collected 

electronically. If this collection was not 

conducted, it would inhibit the ability 

of the target audience to participate in 

a valuable resource that will assist them 

and in turn the FSNE participants. 

Description of Respondents: 

Individual or households; Not-for-Profit 

institutions; State, Local or Tribal 

Government. 

Number of Respondents: 250. 

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: 

Annually. 

Total Burden Hours: 30. 

Ruth Brown, 

Departmental Information Collection 

Clearance Officer. 

[FR Doc. E8–19202 Filed 8–18–08; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–03–P 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Farm Service Agency 

Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) To 

Invite Applications for the American 

Indian Credit Outreach Initiative 

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA. 

ACTION: Notice. 


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48364 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 19, 2008 / Notices 

SUMMARY: The Farm Service Agency 

(FSA) is requesting applications for 

competitive cooperative agreement 

funds for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 for the 

credit outreach initiative targeted to 

American Indian farmers, ranchers, and 

youth residing primarily on Indian 

reservations within the contiguous 

United States. FSA anticipates the 

availability of $746,496 in funding and 

the award to one successful applicant 

through a Cooperative Agreement. This 

request for applications is being made 

prior to passage of an FY 2009 

appropriations bill to allow applicants 

sufficient time to submit proposals, give 

the Agency maximum time to process 

applications, and permit continuity of 

this program. FSA requests proposals 

from eligible non-profit organizations, 

land-grant institutions, and federallyrecognized Indian tribal governments 

interested in a competitively-awarded 

cooperative agreement to create and 

implement a mechanism that will 

provide credit outreach and promotion, 

pre-loan education, and one-on-one loan 

application preparation assistance to 

American Indian farmers, ranchers, and 

youth. Successful proposals may 

include other innovative services 

intended to enhance participation by 

American Indians in specific FSA’s 

Agricultural Credit Programs. 

DATES: Applications must be completed 

and submitted to the Agency no later 

than 5 p.m. eastern time September 18, 

2008. Late applications will not be 

accepted and will be returned to the 

applicant. Applicants must ensure that 

the service used to deliver the 

application can do so by the deadline. 

Due to security concerns, packages sent 

to the Agency by mail have been 

delayed several days or even weeks. 

ADDRESSES: Submit applications and 

other required materials by mail to: 

Mike Hill, Director, Outreach Staff, 

Farm Service Agency, USDA, STOP 

0511, Suite 508 Portals Building, 1400 

Independence Avenue, SW., 

Washington, DC 20250–0511. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Mike Hill, (202) 690–1098; e-mail: 

mike.hill@wdc.usda.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Purpose of Solicitation 

This solicitation is issued under 7 

U.S.C. 2204b(b)(4), which authorizes the 

Secretary of Agriculture to enter into 

cooperative agreements to improve the 

coordination and effectiveness of 

Federal programs affecting rural areas. 

The principal objective of this 

cooperative agreement is to continue a 

national outreach program that enables 

American Indian farmers, ranchers, and 

youth primarily located on Indian 

reservations in the contiguous United 

States to understand and have access to 

the various FSA Agriculture Credit 

Programs. 

Proposal Requirements 

All proposed approaches must 

include a plan for how the project will 

have the following capabilities in place 

within three months after acceptance of 

award: 

(1) A data tracking system that records 

and tracks all project credit outreach 

activities and has the ability to provide 

detailed statistical information on an ad 

hoc basis, that must also be functional 

on a real-time basis as well as being 

available online through the Internet, 

and 

(2) The demonstrated ability to 

deliver these credit outreach services 

utilizing the FSA online Farm Business 

Plan software program. 

Proposals must demonstrate 

innovative and unique ways of ensuring 

that American Indians have improved 

access to FSA Agricultural Credit 

Programs through targeted outreach 

activities including targeted 

promotional campaigns, educational 

programs, general information 

dissemination, and one-on-one 

assistance. 

Background 

Today, American Indians own and 

control approximately 66 million acres 

of agricultural lands held in trust by the 

United States Government and 

administered, for the most part, by the 

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) of the 

Department of the Interior. Land-based 

agricultural enterprises are considered 

the primary source of revenue for most 

tribes, due in large part to their 

geographical isolation from any urban 

type industrial development activities. 

Thus, protecting this resource and 

utilizing it effectively is an important 

function of the elected tribal officials 

charged with operating business 

activities that take place within 

reservations. 

The United States Department of 

Agriculture (USDA) provides farmers 

and ranchers technical, financial, and 

educational resources. American Indian 

agricultural producers on reservations 

have historically been less able to 

benefit from USDA services than other 

farmers and ranchers. Since 1987, 

Congress has enacted Federal laws, such 

as the recent Food, Conservation, and 

Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110–246, 

2008 Farm Bill), to address American 

Indians’ lack of access to USDA’s 

programs and services; this has resulted 

in beginning to close some of the gaps 

in access to these programs and 

services. As positive as these changes 

are, they have not fully addressed an 

implementation plan or the funds 

needed to carry out implementation of 

sorely needed agribusiness education 

and direct services to American Indian 

Reservation farmers and ranchers. 

American Indian agribusinesses, as 

well as individual Indians, have 

consistently reported that the primary 

need in Indian agriculture is access to 

the capital required to own and operate 

their own farms or ranches. Therefore, 

FSA has created and implemented this 

cooperative funding mechanism to 

provide credit outreach and other 

related training and assistance services 

related to FSA’s Agricultural Credit 

Programs, subject to funding, as a way 

to resolve some of the credit needs of 

Indian agriculture. 

Definitions 

The following definitions are 

applicable to this Notice. 

Agency or FSA. The United States 

Department of Agriculture Farm Service 

Agency. 

Farm land. Land used for commercial 

agriculture crops, poultry and livestock 

enterprises, or aquaculture. 

Federally-Recognized Indian Tribal 

Government. The governing body or a 

governmental agency of any Indian 

tribe, band, nation, or other organized 

group or community (including any 

Native village as defined in section 3 of 

the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 

(43 U.S.C. 1602)) certified by the 

Secretary of the Interior as eligible for 

the special programs and services 

provided through the Bureau of Indian 

Affairs. 

Land Grant Institutions. 

(1) A 1994 institution (as defined in 

section 2 of the Agricultural Research, 

Extension, and Education Reform Act of 

1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601)), or an 1890 

institution. 

(2) An Indian tribal community 

college or an Alaska Native cooperative 

college. 

(3) A Hispanic-serving institution (as 

defined in section 1404 of the National 

Agricultural Research, Extension, and 

Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 

3103)). 

Non-Profit Organization. Any 

corporation, trust, association, 

cooperative, or other organization that: 

(1) Is operated primarily for scientific, 

educational, service, charitable, or 

similar purposes in the public interest; 

(2) Is not organized primarily for 

profit; and 

(3) Is recognized by the Internal 

Revenue Service as being certified as 


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501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code 

(26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)). 

Recipient Eligibility Requirements 

Applicants must either be a non-profit 

organization, a federally recognized 

Indian tribe, or a land grant institution 

as defined above. Applications without 

sufficient information to determine 

eligibility will not be considered. 

Proposal Preparation 

A proposal must contain an original 

and two copies of the following (Contact 

Mike Hill (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

CONTACT above) if you need help getting 

the forms): 

1. Form SF–424, ‘‘Application for 

Federal Assistance.’’

2. Form SF–424A, ‘‘Budget 

Information—Non-Construction 

Programs.’’

3. Form SF–424B, ‘‘Assurances—NonConstruction Programs.’’

4. Table of Contents. For ease of 

locating information, each proposal 

must contain a detailed Table of 

Contents immediately following the 

required Federal forms. The Table of 

Contents should include page numbers 

for each component of the proposal. 

Pagination should begin immediately 

following the Table of Contents. 

5. Proposal Summary. A summary of 

the project proposal, not to exceed one 

page, that includes the title of the 

project, a description of the project 

(including goals and tasks to be 

accomplished), the names of the 

individuals responsible for conducting 

and completing the tasks, and the 

expected time frame for completing all 

tasks (which should not exceed twelve 

months). 

6. Eligibility. A detailed discussion, 

not to exceed two pages, describing how 

the applicant meets the definition of 

land grant institution, nonprofit 

organization, or Federally recognized 

Indian tribal government. In addition, 

the applicant must describe all other 

collaborative organizations that may be 

involved in the project. 

7. Proposal Narrative. The narrative 

portion of the project proposal must be 

in a font such as Times New Roman (12 

pt.) or comparable font and must 

include the following: 

(a) Project Title. The title of the 

proposed project must be brief, not to 

exceed 100 characters, yet represent the 

major thrust of the project. 

(b) Information Sheet. A separate one 

page information sheet that lists each of 

the seven evaluation criteria listed in 

this NOFA (see the ‘‘Evaluation Criteria 

and Weights’’ section below) followed 

by the page numbers of all relevant 

material and documentation contained 

in the proposal that address or support 

that criteria. 

(c) Goals and Objectives of the Project. 

A clear statement of the ultimate goals 

and objectives of the project must be 

presented. 

(d) Evaluation Criteria. Each of the 

seven evaluation criteria listed in this 

NOFA (see the ‘‘Evaluation Criteria and 

Weights’’ section below) must be 

addressed specifically and individually 

by category. These criteria should be in 

narrative form with any specific 

supporting documentation attached as 

addenda and should be placed directly 

following the proposal narrative. If other 

materials, including financial 

statements, will be used to support any 

evaluation criteria it should also be 

placed directly following the proposal 

narrative. The applicant must also 

propose and delineate significant 

agency participation in the project. 

Amount of Award 

The amount of funds expected to be 

available for FY 2009 is approximately 

$746,496 based on historical funding 

levels. If actual funding differs from this 

amount, the Agency will publish a 

separate Notice of Funds Availability. 

Expenses incurred in developing 

applications will be at the applicant’s 

risk. 

Number of Awards 

Only one cooperative agreement will 

be awarded. 

Eligible Cooperative Agreement Fund 

Uses 

Cooperative agreement funds may be 

used to cover allowable costs incurred 

by the recipient and approved by the 

Agency. Allowable costs are governed 

by 7 CFR parts 3015, 3016, and 3019, as 

applicable, and applicable Office of 

Management and Budget Circulars. 

Ineligible Fund Uses 

Cooperative agreement funds must 

not be used to: 

(1) Plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, 

or construct a building or facility 

(including a processing facility); 

(2) Purchase, rent, or install fixed 

equipment, including mobile and other 

processing equipment; 

(3) Pay for the preparation of the 

cooperative agreement application; 

(4) Pay expenses not directly related 

to the funded venture (for example, 

cooperative agreement funds cannot be 

used to support the organization’s 

general operations); 

(5) Fund political or lobbying 

activities; 

(6) Pay costs incurred prior to 

receiving this Cooperative Agreement; 

(7) Fund any activity prohibited by 7 

CFR parts 3015, 3016, and 3019, as 

applicable; and 

(8) Fund architectural or engineering 

design work for a specific physical 

facility. 

Evaluation Criteria, Proposal Review 

A National Office panel of USDA 

employees will review applications for 

eligibility, completeness, and 

responsiveness to this NOFA. 

Incomplete or non-responsive 

applications will be returned to the 

applicant and not evaluated further. If 

the submission deadline has not expired 

and time permits, ineligible applications 

may be returned to the applicants for 

possible revision. 

The proposal will be evaluated using 

the criteria specified below. Failure to 

address any one of the criteria will 

disqualify the application. All proposals 

must be in compliance with this NOFA 

and applicable statutes. 

Prior to technical examination, a 

preliminary review will be made by 

FSA Outreach Staff for responsiveness 

to this solicitation. Proposals that do not 

fall within the solicitation guidelines or 

are otherwise ineligible will be 

eliminated from competition. All 

responsive proposals will be reviewed 

by a panel of reviewers using the 

evaluation criteria stated below. The 

selected USDA employee reviewers will 

be chosen to provide maximum 

expertise and objective judgment in the 

evaluation of proposals. Evaluated 

proposals will be ranked by the FSA 

Outreach Staff based on the evaluation 

criteria and weights listed below. Final 

approval of those proposals will be 

made by the Administrator of FSA, 

subject to the availability of funding. 

Evaluation Criteria and Weights 

All responsive proposals will be 

reviewed based on the following seven 

criteria: 

(1) Applicant’s Commitment and 

Resources (15 points). The standard 

evaluates the degree to which the 

organization is committed to the project, 

and the experience, qualifications, 

competency, and availability of 

personnel and resources to direct and 

carry out the project. In addition, the 

applicant must demonstrate its ability to 

deliver credit outreach services utilizing 

the FSA online Farm Business Plan 

software program after acceptance of 

any financial award. 

(2) Feasibility and Policy Consistency 

(20 points). The standard evaluates the 

degree to which the proposal clearly 

describes its objectives and evidences a 

high level of feasibility. This criterion 

relates to the adequacy and soundness 


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of the proposed approach to the solution 

of the problem and evaluates the plan of 

operation, timetable, evaluation, and 

dissemination plans. 

(3) Detailed Description of 

Collaborative Partnerships, if any, and 

Program Recipients (20 points). This 

standard evaluates the degree to which 

the proposal reflects partnerships and 

collaborative initiatives with other 

agencies or organizations to enhance the 

quality and effectiveness of the program. 

Additionally, the areas and number of 

underserved American Indian farmers, 

ranchers, and youth who would benefit 

from the services offered will be 

evaluated. 

(4) Outreach to Socially 

Disadvantaged American Indian 

Applicants (10 points). This standard 

evaluates the degree to which the 

proposal contains detailed programs to 

reach persons identified as socially 

disadvantaged American Indian farmers, 

ranchers, and youth. The proposal will 

be evaluated for its potential for 

encouraging and assisting socially 

disadvantaged American Indian farmers, 

ranchers, and youth to utilize the 

various FSA agriculture credit 

programs. Elements considered include 

impact, continuation plans, innovation, 

and expected products and results. 

(5) Innovative Strategies (25 points). 

This standard evaluates the degree to 

which the proposal reflects innovative 

strategies for reaching the population 

targeted in the proposal and achieving 

the project objectives. This standard 

will also evaluate data tracking 

capability. For data tracking, the 

standard evaluates evidence that the 

applicant has the ability to put in place 

a data tracking system that can record 

and track all credit outreach activities 

and the ability to provide detailed 

statistical information on an ad hoc 

basis, with additional evidence 

supporting the system’s ability to 

function on a real-time basis as well its 

ability to be available online through the 

Internet. For innovative solutions, the 

standard evaluates originality, 

practicality, and creativity in proposing 

ways to develop and test innovative 

solutions to existing or anticipated 

credit issues or problems of socially 

disadvantaged American Indian farmers, 

ranchers, and youth. The proposal will 

be reviewed for its responsiveness to the 

need to provide socially disadvantaged 

American Indian farmers, ranchers, and 

youth with promotion, relevant 

information, and direct assistance in 

applying for and receiving FSA 

agriculture credit, and other essential 

information to enhance participation in 

agricultural programs and conduct a 

successful farming or ranching 

operation. 

(6) Overall Quality of the Proposal (5 

points). This standard evaluates the 

degree to which the proposal complies 

with this NOFA and is of high quality. 

Elements considered include adherence 

to instructions, accuracy and 

completeness of forms, clarity and 

organization of ideas, thoroughness and 

sufficiency of detail in the budget 

narrative, specificity of allocations 

between targeted areas if the proposal 

addresses more than one area, and 

completeness of vitae for all key 

personnel associated with the project. 

(7) Accuracy of Proposed Budget and 

Justification (5 points). This standard 

evaluates the accuracy of the proposed 

budget and the accompanying budget 

justification. The proposed budget 

should provide a detailed description of 

each budget category that includes 

categorical subtotals as well as a 

separate budget justification that clearly 

defines and explains each and every 

proposed budget line item. 

Selection Process 

When the reviewers have completed 

their individual evaluations, the panel 

reviewers, based on the individual 

reviews, will make a recommendation to 

the Administrator that one responsive 

proposal be approved for support from 

available funds. Prior to award, the 

Administrator reserves the right to 

negotiate with an applicant whose 

project is recommended for funding 

regarding project revisions (for example, 

change in scope of work or the Agency’s 

significant involvement), funding level, 

or period of support. A proposal may be 

withdrawn at any time before a final 

funding decision is made. 

Cooperative Agreement Awards 

Within the limit of funds available for 

such purpose, the Administrator will 

enter into a cooperative agreement with 

the successful applicant. The date 

specified by the Administrator as the 

effective date of the award will not be 

later than 12 months after the project is 

approved for support and funds are 

appropriated for such purpose, unless 

otherwise permitted by law. 

When To Submit an Application 

The deadline for receipt of all 

applications is 5 p.m. eastern time 

September 18, 2008 The Agency will 

not accept any application received after 

the deadline. 

Cooperator Requirements 

Cooperators will be required to do the 

following: 

• Sign required Federal grant-making 

forms including: 

Æ Form AD–1047, Certification 

Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and 

Other Responsibility Matters-Primary 

Covered Transactions; 

Æ Form AD–1048, Certification 

Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 

Ineligibility and Voluntary ExclusionLower Tier Covered Transactions; 

Æ Form AD–1049, Certification 

Regarding a Drug-Free Workplace 

Requirements (Grants); and 

Æ Form RD 400–4, Assurance 

Agreement (Civil Rights). 

• Use Standard Form 270, Request for 

Advance or Reimbursement to request 

payments. 

• Submit a Standard Form 269, 

Financial Status Report, and list 

expenditures according to agreed upon 

budget categories on a semi-annual 

basis. A semi-annual financial report is 

due within 45 days after the first 6- 

month project period and an annual 

financial report is due within 60 days 

after the second 6-month project period. 

• Submit quarterly performance 

reports that compare accomplishments 

to the objectives; if established 

objectives are not met, discuss 

problems, delays, or other problems that 

may affect completion of the project; 

establish objectives for the next 

reporting period; and discuss 

compliance with any special conditions 

on the use of awarded funds. 

• Maintain a financial management 

system that is acceptable to the Agency. 

• Submit a final project performance 

report. 

• Sign an agency approved 

cooperative agreement (an example of 

which is provided at the end of this 

notice). 

Other Federal Statutes and Regulations 

That Apply 

In addition to the requirements 

provided in this notice, other Federal 

statutes and regulations apply to 

proposals considered for review and to 

our cooperative agreement awarded. 

These include, but are not limited to: 

• 7 CFR part 15, subpart A, 

Nondiscrimination in FederallyAssisted Programs of the Department of 

Agriculture-Effectuation of Title VI of 

the Civil Rights Act of 1964; 

• 7 CFR part 3015, Uniform Federal 

Assistance Regulations; 

• 7 CFR parts 3016, Uniform 

Administrative Requirements for Grants 

and Cooperative Agreements to State 

and Local Governments; 

• 7 CFR part 3017, Governmentwide 

Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement); 

• 7 CFR part 3018, New Restrictions 

on Lobbying; 


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• 7 CFR part 3019, Uniform 

Administrative Requirements for Grants 

and Agreements with Institutions of 

Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other 

Non-profit Organizations; 

• 7 CFR part 3021, Governmentwide 

Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace 

(Financial Assistance); and 

• 7 CFR part 3052, Audits of States, 

Local Governments, and Non-Profit 

Organizations. 

Paperwork Reduction Act 

The Paperwork Reduction Act does 

not apply to this NOFA because the 

program does not receive applications 

from more than 10 persons covered by 

the 5 CFR 1320.3(c). 

Signed in Washington, DC on August 13, 

2008. 

Glen L. Keppy, 

Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency. 

United States Department of 

Agriculture 

Farm Service Agency 

Cooperative Agreement—American 

Indian Outreach Initiative 

This Cooperative Agreement 

(Agreement) datedllll, 

betweenllllllll(Cooperator), 

and the United States of America, acting 

through the Farm Service Agency of the 

Department of Agriculture (the Agency), 

for $llll in cooperative agreement 

funds under the program, delineates the 

agreement of the parties. 

Now, therefore, in consideration of 

the cooperative agreement; 

The parties agree that: 

(1) All the terms and provisions of the 

Notice entitled ‘‘Notice of Funds 

Availability (NOFA) Inviting 

Applications for the American Indian 

Credit Outreach Initiative,’’ published 

in the Federal Register on August 19, 

2008 and the application submitted by 

the Cooperator for this Agreement, 

including any attachments or 

amendments, are incorporated and 

included as part of this Agreement. Any 

changes to these documents or this 

agreement must be approved in writing 

by the Agency. 

(2) As a condition of the Agreement, 

the Cooperator certifies that it is in 

compliance with and will comply in the 

course of the Agreement with all 

applicable laws, regulations, Executive 

Orders, and other generally applicable 

requirements, including those contained 

in 7 CFR 3015.205(b), which are 

incorporated into this agreement by 

reference, and such other statutory 

provisions as are specifically contained 

herein. The Cooperator will comply 

with title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 

1964, section 504 of the Rehabilitation 

Act of 1973, and Executive Order 12250. 

(3) The provisions of 7 CFR part 3015, 

Uniform Federal Assistance 

Regulations, and 7 CFR part 3019, 

Uniform Administrative Requirements 

for Grants and Agreements with 

institutions of Higher Education, 

Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit 

Organizations, as applicable, are 

incorporated herein and made a part 

hereof by reference. 

Further, the Cooperator agrees that it 

will: 

(1) Not use cooperative agreement 

funds to plan, repair, rehabilitate, 

acquire, or construct a building or 

facility (including a processing facility); 

or to purchase, rent, or install fixed 

equipment. 

(2) Use funds only for the purpose 

and activities specified in the proposal 

approved by the Agency including the 

approved budget. Any uses not 

provided for in the approved budget 

must be approved in writing by the 

Agency in advance of obligation by the 

Agency. 

(3) Submit a Standard Form 269, 

Financial Status Report and list 

expenditures according to agreed upon 

budget categories on a semi-annual 

basis. Reports are due by April 30 and 

October 30 after the cooperative 

agreement is awarded. 

(4) Provide periodic reports as 

required by the Agency. A financial 

status report and a project performance 

report will be required on a semi-annual 

basis. The financial status report must 

show how cooperative agreement funds 

have been used to date and project the 

funds needed and their purposes for the 

next quarter. A final report may serve as 

the last semi-annual report. Cooperators 

must constantly monitor performance to 

ensure that time schedules are being 

met and projected goals by time periods 

are being accomplished. The project 

performance reports must include the 

following: 

a. A comparison of actual 

accomplishments to the objectives for 

that period. 

b. Reasons why established objectives 

were not met, if applicable. 

c. Reasons for any problems, delays, 

or adverse conditions which will affect 

attainment of overall program 

objectives, prevent meeting time 

schedules or objectives, or preclude the 

attainment of particular objectives 

during established time periods. This 

disclosure must be accomplished by a 

statement of the action taken or planned 

to resolve the situation. 

d. Objectives and timetables 

established for the next reporting 

period. 

e. The final report will also address 

the following: 

(i) What have been the most 

challenging or unexpected aspects of 

this program? 

(ii) What advice you would give to 

other organizations planning a similar 

program. These should include 

strengths and limitations of the 

program. If you had the opportunity, 

what would you have done differently? 

(iii) If an innovative approach was 

used successfully, the cooperator should 

describe their program in detail so that 

other organizations might consider 

replication in their areas. 

5. Provide Financial Management 

Systems which will include: 

a. Records that identify adequately the 

source and application of funds for 

cooperative agreement supported 

activities. Those records must contain 

information pertaining to grant and 

cooperative agreement awards and 

authorizations, obligations, un-obligated 

balances, assets, liabilities, outlays, and 

income. 

b. Effective control over and 

accountability for all funds, property, 

and other assets. Cooperator must 

adequately safeguard all such assets and 

ensure that they are used solely for 

authorized purposes. 

c. Accounting records supported by 

source documentation. 

6. Retain financial records, supporting 

documents, statistical records, and all 

other records pertinent to the 

cooperative agreement for a period of at 

least 3 years after closing, except that 

the records must be retained beyond the 

3-year period if audit findings have not 

been resolved. Microfilm or photocopies 

or similar methods may be substituted 

in lieu of original records. The Agency 

and the Comptroller General of the 

United States, or any of their duly 

authorized representatives, must have 

access to any books, documents, papers, 

and records of the Cooperator that are 

pertinent to the specific cooperative 

agreement program for the purpose of 

making audits, examinations, excerpts, 

and transcripts. 

7. Not encumber, transfer, or dispose 

of the equipment or any part thereof, 

acquired wholly or in part with Agency 

funds without the written consent of the 

Agency. 

8. Not duplicate other program 

purposes for which monies have been 

received, are committed, or are applied 

to from other sources (public or private). 

The Agency agrees to make funds 

available to the Cooperator under this 

Agreement in an amount not to exceed 

the amount indicated above. The funds 

will be reimbursed or advanced based 

on submission to the Agency by the 


ebenthall on PRODPC60 with NOTICES
48368 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 19, 2008 / Notices 

Cooperator of a complete Standard Form 

270. 

Authorized and executed this day by: 

lllllllllllllllllll

(Cooperator) 

lllllllllllllllllll

(Title) 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

FARM SERVICE AGENCY 

By: 

lllllllllllllllllll

(Name) 

lllllllllllllllllll

(Title) 

[FR Doc. E8–19156 Filed 8–18–08; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–05–P 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Natural Resources Conservation 

Service 

Notice of a Finding of No Significant 

Impact—Little Choconut Creek 

Watershed, Broome County, NY 

ACTION: Notice of a Finding of No 

Significant Impact—Little Choconut 

Creek Watershed, Broome County, New 

York. 

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) 

of the National Environmental Policy 

Act of 1969; the Council on 

Environmental Quality Regulations (40 

CFR Part 1500); and the Natural 

Resources Conservation Service 

Regulations (7 CFR Part 650); the 

Natural Resources Conservation Service, 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives 

notice that an environmental impact 

statement is not being prepared for the 

Little Choconut Creek Flood Control 

Dam Site 2 rehabilitation project, 

Broome County, New York. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Dennis DeWeese, Acting State 

Conservationist, Natural Resources 

Conservation Service, 441 S. Salina St., 

Suite 354, Syracuse, NY 13202; 

telephone: (315) 477–6504. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

environmental assessment of this 

federally assisted action indicates that 

the project will not cause significant 

local, regional, or national impacts on 

the environment. As a result of these 

findings, Dennis DeWeese, Acting State 

Conservationist, has determined that the 

preparation and review of an 

environmental impact statement is not 

needed for this project. 

The project purpose is to rehabilitate 

dam site 2 in order to extend the useful 

life of the structure and meet current 

dam safety criteria. The planned works 

of improvement include sediment 

removal from behind the dam and 

increasing the height of the auxiliary 

spillway. 

The Notice of a Finding of No 

Significant Impact (FONSI) has been 

forwarded to the Environmental 

Protection Agency and to various 

Federal, State, and local agencies and 

interested parties. A limited number of 

copies of the FONSI are available to fill 

single copy requests at the above 

address. Basic data developed during 

the environmental assessment are on 

file and may be reviewed by contacting 

Dennis DeWeese, Acting State 

Conservationist, New York. 

No administrative action on 

implementation of the proposal will be 

taken until 30 days after the date of this 

publication in the Federal Register. 

(This activity is listed in the Catalog of 

Federal Domestic Assistance under NO. 

10.904, Watershed Protection and Flood 

Prevention, and is subject to the provisions 

of Executive Order 12372, which requires 

intergovernmental consultation with State 

and local officials.) 

Dated: August 4, 2008. 

Dennis DeWeese, 

Acting State Conservationist, Natural 

Resources Conservation Service, Syracuse, 

NY. 

[FR Doc. E8–19160 Filed 8–18–08; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–16–P 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Rural Housing Service 

Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA): 

Section 515 Multi-Family Housing 

Preservation Revolving Loan Fund 

(PRLF) Demonstration Program for 

Fiscal Year 2008 

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA. 

ACTION: Notice. 

Overview Information 

SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service of 

Rural Development announces the 

availability of funds and the timeframe 

to submit applications for loans to 

private non-profit organizations, or such 

non-profit organizations’ affiliate loan 

funds and State and local housing 

finance agencies, to carry out a 

demonstration program to provide 

revolving loans for the preservation and 

revitalization of low-income MultiFamily Housing (MFH). Housing that is 

assisted by this demonstration program 

must be financed by Rural Development 

through its MFH loan program under 

Sections 515, 514 and 516 of the 

Housing Act of 1949. The goals of this 

demonstration program will be achieved 

through loans made to intermediaries. 

The intermediaries will establish their 

programs for the purpose of providing 

loans to ultimate recipients for the 

preservation and revitalization of low 

income Sections 515, 514 and 516 MFH 

as affordable housing. 

DATES: The deadline for receipt of all 

applications in response to this NOFA 

is 5 p.m., Eastern Time, October 20, 

2008. The application closing deadline 

is firm as to date and hour. Rural 

Development will not consider any 

application that is received after the 

closing deadline. Applicants intending 

to mail applications must provide 

sufficient time to permit delivery on or 

before the closing deadline. Acceptance 

by a post office or private mailer does 

not constitute delivery. Facsimile, and 

postage due applications will not be 

accepted. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Henry Searcy, Jr., Senior Loan 

Specialist, Multi-Family Housing 

Processing Division, STOP 0781 (Room 

1263–S), or Bonnie Edwards-Jackson, 

Senior Loan Specialist, Multi-Family 

Housing Processing Division, STOP 

0781 (Room 1239–S), U.S. Department 

of Agriculture, Rural Housing Service, 

1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 

Washington, DC 20250–0781 or by 

telephone at (202) 720–1753 or (202) 

690–0759, TDD (302) 857–3585 or via email at Henry.Searcy@wdc.usda.gov or 

Bonnie.Edwards@wdc.usda.gov. (Please 

note the phone numbers are not toll free 

numbers.) 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Paperwork Reduction Act 

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, 

44 U.S.C. 3501 (2005) et seq., OMB must 

approve all ‘‘collections of information’’

by Rural Development. The Act defines 

‘‘collection of information’’ as a 

requirement for ‘‘answers to * * * 

identical reporting or recordkeeping 

requirements imposed on ten or more 

persons * * *.’’ (44 U.S.C. 3502(3)(A)) 

Because this NOFA will receive less 

than 10 respondents, the Paperwork 

Reduction Act does not apply. 

Programs Affected 

This program is listed in the Catalog 

of Federal Domestic Assistance under 

Number 10.415. 

Overview 

The Agriculture, Rural Development, 

Food and Drug Administration, and 

Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 

2008 (Act) (Division A of Pub. L. 110–

161, December 26, 2007) provided 

funding for, and authorizes Rural 


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