Federal Register
Vol. 74, No. 3
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Vol. 74, No. 3
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
There are 6 announcements in this issue
1. WATER - ND. EPA. Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report
2. ALL - NM. EPA. Good Neighbor Environmental Board; Notification of Public Advisory Committee Teleconference
3. ALL - ND. EPA. Good Neighbor Environmental Board; Request for Nominations to the Good Neighbor Environmental Board
4. ENERGY/Efficiency - PR/NM/ND. DOE. Energy Efficiency Program for Consumer Products: Public Meeting and Availability of the Framework Document for Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers
5. WATER - FRD. USDA/Rural Utilities Service. Amending the Water and Waste Program Regulations
6. WATER - PR. USDA/Rural Utilities Service. Amending the Water and Waste Program Regulations
CODES USED: THE FOLLOWING CODES ARE USED TO IDENTIFY THE TYPE OF ANNOUNCEMENT & ISSUE AREA.
REPORTING FORMAT: ISSUE CODE - TYPE CODE. AGENCY. ANNOUNCEMENT.
ISSUE CODES: AIR - Air; ALL - Cross-Media, ecosystems, Env. Justice; CLIMATE - Climate Change, Global Warming; DRINK - Drinking Water, SDWA, Underground Injection; ENERGY - Energy; GLAKES - Great Lakes; HAZ - Hazardous Waste, RCRA, HSWA, DOT/RSPA, Some Nuclear (NRC); LAND - Land Use, Forests; P2 - Pollution Prevention, Sustainability, Recycling, Pjt. XL; REMED - Remediation, Brownfields, Superfund; TANKS - AST, UST; TOXICS = Toxics, TRI, TSCA, Pesticides, Risks, RTK; TRANSPORT - Transportation; SOLID - Solid Waste, RCRA Subtitle D; WATER - Surface Water, NPS, NPDES, Wetlands; WILDLIFE = Wildlife, Biodiversity, Endangered Species.
TYPE CODES: ANPR - Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; FR - Final Rule; FRD - Direct final rule; FRI - Interim final rule; ICR - Information Collection Request; ND - Notice of data, information, reports, etc. availability; NF - Notice of Fuding Opportunity; NM - Notice of Meeting; NS - Notice of administrative/court settlement; PR - Proposed Rule; ROD - Record of decision.
ANNOUNCEMENT 1
Subject: WATER - ND. EPA. Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report
[Federal Register: January 6, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 3)]
[Notices]
[Page 442-445]
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OW-2007-1156; FRL-8760-3]
RIN 2040-2A03
Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: EPA announces the availability of the completed Cruise Ship
Discharge Assessment Report, which assesses five cruise ship waste
streams (i.e., sewage, graywater, oily bilge water, solid waste, and
hazardous waste). EPA prepared and invited public comment on the draft
Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report as part of its response to a
petition submitted by the Bluewater Network on behalf of a number of
environmental advocacy organizations. Today's action is intended to
complete this portion of EPA's response to the petition.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura S. Johnson, Oceans and Coastal
Protection Division, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds
(4504T), U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460;
telephone number: (202) 566-1273; fax number: (202) 566-1546; e-mail
address: johnson.laura-s@epa.gov.
[Notices]
[Page 442-445]
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OW-2007-1156; FRL-8760-3]
RIN 2040-2A03
Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: EPA announces the availability of the completed Cruise Ship
Discharge Assessment Report, which assesses five cruise ship waste
streams (i.e., sewage, graywater, oily bilge water, solid waste, and
hazardous waste). EPA prepared and invited public comment on the draft
Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report as part of its response to a
petition submitted by the Bluewater Network on behalf of a number of
environmental advocacy organizations. Today's action is intended to
complete this portion of EPA's response to the petition.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura S. Johnson, Oceans and Coastal
Protection Division, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds
(4504T), U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460;
telephone number: (202) 566-1273; fax number: (202) 566-1546; e-mail
address: johnson.laura-s@epa.gov.
ACCESS THE COMPLETE PUBLISHED ANNOUNCEMENT IN HTML OR PDF FORMATS AT:
ANNOUNCEMENT 2
Subject: ALL - NM. EPA. Good Neighbor Environmental Board; Notification of Public
Advisory Committee Teleconference
[Federal Register: January 6, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 3)]
[Notices]
[Page 445]
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-8759-1]
Good Neighbor Environmental Board; Notification of Public
Advisory Committee Teleconference
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notification of Public Advisory Committee Teleconference.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-
463, notice is hereby given that the Good Neighbor Environmental Board
(GNEB) will hold a public teleconference on January 16, 2009 from 1
p.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The meeting is open to the
public. For further information regarding the teleconference and
background materials, please contact Mark Joyce at the number listed
below.
Background: GNEB is a Federal advisory committee chartered under
the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463. UNEB provides
advice and recommendations to the President and Congress on
environmental and infrastructure issues along the U.S. border with
Mexico.
Purpose of Meeting: The purpose of this teleconference is to
discuss and approve the Good Neighbor Environmental Board's Twelfth
Report: Innovative Approaches to Addressing Environmental Problems
along the US/Mexico Border.
Supplementary Information: If you wish to make oral comments or
submit written comments to the Board, please contact Mark Joyce at
least five days prior to the meeting.
General Information: Additional information concerning the GNEB can
be found on its Web site at http://www.epa.gov/ocem/gneb.
Meeting Access: For information on access or services for
individual with disabilities, please contact Mark Joyce at (202) 564-
2130 or e-mail him at joyce.mark@epa.gov. To request accommodation of a
disability, please contact Mark Joyce at least 10 days prior to the
meeting to give EPA as much time as possible to process your request.
[Notices]
[Page 445]
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-8759-1]
Good Neighbor Environmental Board; Notification of Public
Advisory Committee Teleconference
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notification of Public Advisory Committee Teleconference.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-
463, notice is hereby given that the Good Neighbor Environmental Board
(GNEB) will hold a public teleconference on January 16, 2009 from 1
p.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The meeting is open to the
public. For further information regarding the teleconference and
background materials, please contact Mark Joyce at the number listed
below.
Background: GNEB is a Federal advisory committee chartered under
the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463. UNEB provides
advice and recommendations to the President and Congress on
environmental and infrastructure issues along the U.S. border with
Mexico.
Purpose of Meeting: The purpose of this teleconference is to
discuss and approve the Good Neighbor Environmental Board's Twelfth
Report: Innovative Approaches to Addressing Environmental Problems
along the US/Mexico Border.
Supplementary Information: If you wish to make oral comments or
submit written comments to the Board, please contact Mark Joyce at
least five days prior to the meeting.
General Information: Additional information concerning the GNEB can
be found on its Web site at http://www.epa.gov/ocem/gneb.
Meeting Access: For information on access or services for
individual with disabilities, please contact Mark Joyce at (202) 564-
2130 or e-mail him at joyce.mark@epa.gov. To request accommodation of a
disability, please contact Mark Joyce at least 10 days prior to the
meeting to give EPA as much time as possible to process your request.
ANNOUNCEMENT 3
Subject: ALL - ND. EPA. Good Neighbor Environmental Board; Request for Nominations to the Good Neighbor Environmental Board
[Federal Register: January 6, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 3)]
[Notices]
[Page 445-446]
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-8759-2]
Good Neighbor Environmental Board; Request for Nominations to the
Good Neighbor Environmental Board
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of request for nominations.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting
nominations from a diverse range of qualified candidates to be
considered for appointment to fill vacancies on the Good Neighbor
Environmental Board. Vacancies are expected to be filled by late spring
2009.
Additional sources may be utilized in the solicitation of nominees.
[Notices]
[Page 445-446]
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-8759-2]
Good Neighbor Environmental Board; Request for Nominations to the
Good Neighbor Environmental Board
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of request for nominations.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting
nominations from a diverse range of qualified candidates to be
considered for appointment to fill vacancies on the Good Neighbor
Environmental Board. Vacancies are expected to be filled by late spring
2009.
Additional sources may be utilized in the solicitation of nominees.
ANNOUNCEMENT 4
Subject: ENERGY/Efficiency - PR/NM/ND. DOE. Energy Efficiency Program for Consumer Products: Public Meeting and Availability of the Framework Document for Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers
[Federal Register: January 6, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 3)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 411-413]
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Part 431
[Docket No. EERE-2008-BT-STD-0015]
RIN 1904-AB86
Energy Efficiency Program for Consumer Products: Public Meeting
and Availability of the Framework Document for Walk-In Coolers and
Walk-In Freezers
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting and availability of the framework
document.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) is initiating the rulemaking to
consider establishing energy conservation standards for walk-in coolers
and walk-in freezers. Accordingly, DOE will hold an informal public
meeting to discuss and receive comments on its planned analytical
approach and issues it will address in this rulemaking proceeding. DOE
welcomes written comments from the public on our stated approach for
this rulemaking. To inform stakeholders and to facilitate this process,
DOE has prepared a Framework Document which details the analytical
approach and identifies several issues on which DOE is particularly
interested in receiving comment. A copy of the Framework Document is
available at: http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_
standards/commercial/walkinrefrigeration_equipment.html.
DATES: The Department will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, January
28, 2009, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Washington, DC. Any person
requesting to speak at the public meeting should submit such request
along with a signed original and an electronic copy of the statement to
be given at the public meeting before 4 p.m., Wednesday, January 21,
2009. Written comments on the framework document are welcome,
especially following the public meeting, and should be submitted by
February 5, 2009.
ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of
Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 1E-245, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20585-0121. Please note that foreign nationals
participating in the public meeting are subject to advance security
screening procedures. If a foreign national wishes to participate in
the public meeting, please inform DOE of this fact as soon as possible
by contacting Brenda Edwards at (202) 586-2945 so that the necessary
procedures can be completed.
Stakeholders may submit comments, identified by docket number EERE-
2008-BT-STD-0015 and/or Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 1904-AB86,
by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
E-mail: WICF-2008-STD-0015@ee.doe.gov. Include EERE-2008-
BT-STD-0015 and/or RIN 1904-AB86 in the subject line of the message.
Mail: Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building
Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, Framework Document for Walk-In
Coolers and Walk-In Freezers, EERE-2008-BT-STD-0015 and/or RIN 1904-
AB86, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Please
submit one signed paper original.
Hand Delivery/Courier: Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of
Energy, Building Technologies Program, Sixth Floor, 950 L'Enfant Plaza,
SW., Washington, DC 20024. Please submit one signed paper original.
Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name
and docket number or RIN for this rulemaking found at the beginning of
this notice.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents, a
copy of the transcript of the public meeting, or comments received, go
to the U.S. Department of Energy, Resource Room of the Building
Technologies Program, Sixth Floor, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Washington,
DC 20024, (202) 586-2945, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. Please call Brenda Edwards first at
the above telephone number for additional information regarding
visiting the Resource Room.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Llenza, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building
Technologies, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-2192. E-mail:
Charles.Llenza@ee.doe.gov.
Michael Kido, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General
Counsel, GC-72, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-
0121. Telephone: (202) 586-9507. E-mail: Michael.Kido@hq.doe.gov.
For information on how to submit or review public comments and on
how to participate in the public meeting, contact Brenda Edwards, U.S.
Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,
Building Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone (202) 586-2945. E-mail:
Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 411-413]
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Part 431
[Docket No. EERE-2008-BT-STD-0015]
RIN 1904-AB86
Energy Efficiency Program for Consumer Products: Public Meeting
and Availability of the Framework Document for Walk-In Coolers and
Walk-In Freezers
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting and availability of the framework
document.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) is initiating the rulemaking to
consider establishing energy conservation standards for walk-in coolers
and walk-in freezers. Accordingly, DOE will hold an informal public
meeting to discuss and receive comments on its planned analytical
approach and issues it will address in this rulemaking proceeding. DOE
welcomes written comments from the public on our stated approach for
this rulemaking. To inform stakeholders and to facilitate this process,
DOE has prepared a Framework Document which details the analytical
approach and identifies several issues on which DOE is particularly
interested in receiving comment. A copy of the Framework Document is
available at: http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_
standards/commercial/walkinrefrigeration_equipment.html.
DATES: The Department will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, January
28, 2009, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Washington, DC. Any person
requesting to speak at the public meeting should submit such request
along with a signed original and an electronic copy of the statement to
be given at the public meeting before 4 p.m., Wednesday, January 21,
2009. Written comments on the framework document are welcome,
especially following the public meeting, and should be submitted by
February 5, 2009.
ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of
Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 1E-245, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20585-0121. Please note that foreign nationals
participating in the public meeting are subject to advance security
screening procedures. If a foreign national wishes to participate in
the public meeting, please inform DOE of this fact as soon as possible
by contacting Brenda Edwards at (202) 586-2945 so that the necessary
procedures can be completed.
Stakeholders may submit comments, identified by docket number EERE-
2008-BT-STD-0015 and/or Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 1904-AB86,
by any of the following methods:
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
BT-STD-0015 and/or RIN 1904-AB86 in the subject line of the message.
Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, Framework Document for Walk-In
Coolers and Walk-In Freezers, EERE-2008-BT-STD-0015 and/or RIN 1904-
AB86, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Please
submit one signed paper original.
Energy, Building Technologies Program, Sixth Floor, 950 L'Enfant Plaza,
SW., Washington, DC 20024. Please submit one signed paper original.
Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name
and docket number or RIN for this rulemaking found at the beginning of
this notice.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents, a
copy of the transcript of the public meeting, or comments received, go
to the U.S. Department of Energy, Resource Room of the Building
Technologies Program, Sixth Floor, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Washington,
DC 20024, (202) 586-2945, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. Please call Brenda Edwards first at
the above telephone number for additional information regarding
visiting the Resource Room.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Llenza, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building
Technologies, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-2192. E-mail:
Charles.Llenza@ee.doe.gov.
Michael Kido, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General
Counsel, GC-72, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-
0121. Telephone: (202) 586-9507. E-mail: Michael.Kido@hq.doe.gov.
For information on how to submit or review public comments and on
how to participate in the public meeting, contact Brenda Edwards, U.S.
Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,
Building Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone (202) 586-2945. E-mail:
Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.
ANNOUNCEMENT 5
Subject: WATER - FRD. USDA/Rural Utilities Service. Amending the Water and Waste Program Regulations
[Federal Register: January 6, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 3)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 393-395]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
7 CFR Part 1780
RIN 0572-AC11
Amending the Water and Waste Program Regulations
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Direct final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency delivering the
United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development
Utilities Programs, hereinafter referred to as Rural Development or the
Agency, is amending its regulations to administer the Water and Waste
Loan and Grant Programs. This action implements provisions of the 2008
Farm Bill for interest rates on direct loans and modifies the interest
rate structure currently being used for the direct loan program.
Interest rates on loans subject to 5 or 7 percent interest rate
limitations (poverty and intermediate rates, respectively) will adjust
with changes in the market rate. The poverty and intermediate interest
rates will be established at rates equal to a percentage of current
market yields for outstanding municipal obligations. The intended
effect of the amendment is to make part 1780 current with statutory
authority. No adverse comments are expected.
DATES: This rule will become effective February 20, 2009 without
further action unless the Agency receives written adverse comments or
written notices of intent to submit adverse comments on or before
February 5, 2009. If the Agency receives adverse comments or notices,
the Agency will publish a timely notice in the Federal Register
withdrawing the rule. Comments received will be considered under the
proposed rule published in this edition of the Federal Register in the
proposed rule section. A second public comment period will not be held.
Written comments must be received by the Agency or carry a postmark or
equivalent no later than February 5, 2009.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments to this rule by any of the following
methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://
www.regulations.gov. In the ``Search Documents'' box, enter RUS-08-
Water-0005, check the box under the Search box labeled ``Select to find
documents accepting comments or submissions'', and click on the GO>>
key. To submit a comment, choose ``Send a comment or submission'' under
the Docket Title. In order to submit your comment, the information
requested on the ``Public Comment and Submission Form'' must be
completed. (If you click on the hyperlink of the docket when the search
returns it, you will see the docket details. Click on the yellow
balloon to receive the ``Public Comment and Submission Form''.)
Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for
accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after
the close of the comment period, is available through the site's ``How
to Use this Site'' link.
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send your comment
addressed to Michele Brooks, Director, Program Development and
Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development, STOP 1522, Room 5159, 1400
Independence Avenue, Washington, DC 20250-1522.
Other Information: Additional information about Rural Development
and its programs is available at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/index.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Francis, Loan Specialist, Water
and Environmental Programs, USDA Rural Development, 1400 Independence
Avenue, STOP 1570, Room 2229 South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1570.
Telephone: (202) 720-9589; Fax: (202) 690-0649; e-mail:
cheryl.francis@wdc.usda.gov.
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 393-395]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
7 CFR Part 1780
RIN 0572-AC11
Amending the Water and Waste Program Regulations
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Direct final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency delivering the
United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development
Utilities Programs, hereinafter referred to as Rural Development or the
Agency, is amending its regulations to administer the Water and Waste
Loan and Grant Programs. This action implements provisions of the 2008
Farm Bill for interest rates on direct loans and modifies the interest
rate structure currently being used for the direct loan program.
Interest rates on loans subject to 5 or 7 percent interest rate
limitations (poverty and intermediate rates, respectively) will adjust
with changes in the market rate. The poverty and intermediate interest
rates will be established at rates equal to a percentage of current
market yields for outstanding municipal obligations. The intended
effect of the amendment is to make part 1780 current with statutory
authority. No adverse comments are expected.
DATES: This rule will become effective February 20, 2009 without
further action unless the Agency receives written adverse comments or
written notices of intent to submit adverse comments on or before
February 5, 2009. If the Agency receives adverse comments or notices,
the Agency will publish a timely notice in the Federal Register
withdrawing the rule. Comments received will be considered under the
proposed rule published in this edition of the Federal Register in the
proposed rule section. A second public comment period will not be held.
Written comments must be received by the Agency or carry a postmark or
equivalent no later than February 5, 2009.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments to this rule by any of the following
methods:
www.regulations.gov. In the ``Search Documents'' box, enter RUS-08-
Water-0005, check the box under the Search box labeled ``Select to find
documents accepting comments or submissions'', and click on the GO>>
key. To submit a comment, choose ``Send a comment or submission'' under
the Docket Title. In order to submit your comment, the information
requested on the ``Public Comment and Submission Form'' must be
completed. (If you click on the hyperlink of the docket when the search
returns it, you will see the docket details. Click on the yellow
balloon to receive the ``Public Comment and Submission Form''.)
Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for
accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after
the close of the comment period, is available through the site's ``How
to Use this Site'' link.
addressed to Michele Brooks, Director, Program Development and
Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development, STOP 1522, Room 5159, 1400
Independence Avenue, Washington, DC 20250-1522.
Other Information: Additional information about Rural Development
and its programs is available at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/index.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Francis, Loan Specialist, Water
and Environmental Programs, USDA Rural Development, 1400 Independence
Avenue, STOP 1570, Room 2229 South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1570.
Telephone: (202) 720-9589; Fax: (202) 690-0649; e-mail:
cheryl.francis@wdc.usda.gov.
ANNOUNCEMENT 6
Subject: WATER - PR. USDA/Rural Utilities Service. Amending the Water and Waste Program Regulations
[Federal Register: January 6, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 3)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 411]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
7 CFR Part 1780
RIN 0572-AC11
Amending the Water and Waste Program Regulations
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency delivering the
United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development
Utilities Programs, hereinafter referred to as Rural Development or the
Agency, is amending its regulations to administer the Water and Waste
Loan and Grant Programs. This action implements provisions of the 2008
Farm Bill for interest rates on direct loans and modifies the interest
rate structure currently being used for the direct loan program.
Interest rates on loans subject to 5 or 7 percent interest rate
limitations (poverty and intermediate rates, respectively) will adjust
with changes in the market rate. The poverty and intermediate interest
rates will be established at rates equal to a percentage of current
market yields for outstanding municipal obligations. The intended
effect is to make part 1780 current with statutory authority.
In the final rules section of the Federal Register, the Agency is
publishing this action as a direct final rule without prior proposal
because Rural Development views this as a non-controversial action and
anticipates no adverse comments. If no adverse comments are received in
response to the direct final rule, no further action will be taken on
this proposed rule, and the action will become effective at the time
specified in the direct final rule. If the Agency receives adverse
comments, a timely document will be published withdrawing the direct
final rule and all public comments received will be addressed in a
subsequent final rule based on this action.
DATES: Comments on this proposed action must be received by Rural
Development or carry a postmark or equivalent no later than February 5,
2009.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments to this rule by any of the following
methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://
www.regulations.gov. In the ``Search Documents'' box, enter RUS-08-
Water-0005, check the box under the Search box labeled ``Select to find
documents accepting comments or submissions,'' and click on the GO>>
key. To submit a comment, choose ``Send a comment or submission,''
under the Docket Title. In order to submit your comment, the
information requested on the ``Public Comment and Submission Form,''
must be completed. (If you click on the hyperlink of the docket when
the search returns it, you will see the docket details. Click on the
yellow balloon to receive the ``Public Comment and Submission Form.'')
Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for
accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after
the close of the comment period, is available through the site's ``How
to Use this Site'' link.
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send your comment
addressed to Michele Brooks, Director, Program Development and
Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development, STOP 1522, Room 5159, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. Please state that
your comment refers to Docket No. RUS 08-Water-0005.
Other Information: Additional information about Rural Development
and its programs is available at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/index.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Francis, Loan Specialist, Water
and Environmental Programs, USDA Rural Development, STOP 1570, Room
2229 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, Washington, DC 20250-
1570. Telephone: (202) 720-9589; FAX: (202) 690-0649; e-mail:
cheryl.francis@wdc.usda.gov.
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 411]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
7 CFR Part 1780
RIN 0572-AC11
Amending the Water and Waste Program Regulations
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency delivering the
United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development
Utilities Programs, hereinafter referred to as Rural Development or the
Agency, is amending its regulations to administer the Water and Waste
Loan and Grant Programs. This action implements provisions of the 2008
Farm Bill for interest rates on direct loans and modifies the interest
rate structure currently being used for the direct loan program.
Interest rates on loans subject to 5 or 7 percent interest rate
limitations (poverty and intermediate rates, respectively) will adjust
with changes in the market rate. The poverty and intermediate interest
rates will be established at rates equal to a percentage of current
market yields for outstanding municipal obligations. The intended
effect is to make part 1780 current with statutory authority.
In the final rules section of the Federal Register, the Agency is
publishing this action as a direct final rule without prior proposal
because Rural Development views this as a non-controversial action and
anticipates no adverse comments. If no adverse comments are received in
response to the direct final rule, no further action will be taken on
this proposed rule, and the action will become effective at the time
specified in the direct final rule. If the Agency receives adverse
comments, a timely document will be published withdrawing the direct
final rule and all public comments received will be addressed in a
subsequent final rule based on this action.
DATES: Comments on this proposed action must be received by Rural
Development or carry a postmark or equivalent no later than February 5,
2009.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments to this rule by any of the following
methods:
www.regulations.gov. In the ``Search Documents'' box, enter RUS-08-
Water-0005, check the box under the Search box labeled ``Select to find
documents accepting comments or submissions,'' and click on the GO>>
key. To submit a comment, choose ``Send a comment or submission,''
under the Docket Title. In order to submit your comment, the
information requested on the ``Public Comment and Submission Form,''
must be completed. (If you click on the hyperlink of the docket when
the search returns it, you will see the docket details. Click on the
yellow balloon to receive the ``Public Comment and Submission Form.'')
Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for
accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after
the close of the comment period, is available through the site's ``How
to Use this Site'' link.
addressed to Michele Brooks, Director, Program Development and
Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development, STOP 1522, Room 5159, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. Please state that
your comment refers to Docket No. RUS 08-Water-0005.
Other Information: Additional information about Rural Development
and its programs is available at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/index.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Francis, Loan Specialist, Water
and Environmental Programs, USDA Rural Development, STOP 1570, Room
2229 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, Washington, DC 20250-
1570. Telephone: (202) 720-9589; FAX: (202) 690-0649; e-mail:
cheryl.francis@wdc.usda.gov.
