Notice2024-02120
Notice of Availability of the Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the AMS Organic Market Development Grant Program
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
February 2, 2024
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentAgricultural Marketing Service
Abstract
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces the availability of the Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the AMS Organic Market Development Grant Program.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 23 (Friday, February 2, 2024)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 23 (Friday, February 2, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 7353]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-02120]
========================================================================
Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 23 / Friday, February 2, 2024 /
Notices
[[Page 7353]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Doc. No. AMS-TM-23-0076]
Notice of Availability of the Final Programmatic Environmental
Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the AMS Organic
Market Development Grant Program
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces the
availability of the Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA)
and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the AMS Organic Market
Development Grant Program.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Betsy Rakola, Associate Deputy
Administrator, Transportation and Marketing Program; Telephone: (202)
690-1300; Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7837353c3f380d0b1c19561f170e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d897959c9f98adabbcb9f6bfb7ae">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Final PEA and FONSI analyze and disclose the potential
environmental impacts associated with the establishment of the Organic
Market Development Grant Program (OMDG). AMS has proposed to fund
grants to support the development of new and expanded organic markets
by providing additional resources for businesses transitioning to
organic or initiating new organic production and processing capacity.
These grants will create new and improved markets for domestically
produced organic products through investments in expanded certified
organic processing capacity; activities that develop, maintain, or
expand commercial organic markets; and organic product developments
which create new uses for producers that currently lack markets.
Selected applicants for the OMDG program may invest in certified
organic infrastructure and expand processing capacities, in addition to
adding manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or
distribution infrastructure. Funded activities will include developing
new markets to increase demand for domestically produced organic
agricultural products and providing additional market networks.
The OMDG Program is authorized by authorized by section 5(e) of the
Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act, (15 U.S.C. 714(e)).
Section 5(e), as amended, authorizes USDA (through the CCC) to
``increase the domestic consumption of agricultural commodities (other
than tobacco) by expanding or aiding in the expansion of domestic
markets or by developing or aiding in the development of new and
additional markets, marketing facilities, and uses for such
commodities.'' Recipients of funding from this proposed program would
be allowed 36 months to complete work funded by the grant awards.
The environmental impacts of funding projects to enhance existing
organic processing facilities have been considered in a manner
consistent with the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) of 1969, Public Law 91-190, 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347, as amended.
A Final PEA and FONSI have been prepared, and based on this
analysis, AMS has determined there will not be a significant impact to
the human environment. As a result, an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) has not been initiated (40 CFR 1501.6). AMS intends for this PEA
to create efficiencies by establishing a framework that can be used for
``tiering,'' where appropriate, to project-specific actions that
require additional analysis. As decisions on specific applications are
made, to the extent additional NEPA analysis is required, environmental
review will be conducted to supplement the analysis set forth in this
PEA.
The Final PEA and FONSI are available for review online at the
program website: <a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/omdg">https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/omdg</a>.
Comments
AMS published a Draft PEA for public comment on November 20, 2023.
The public comment period ended on December 20, 2023. No comments were
received during the designated timeframe, and as such, no substantial
changes were made to the document.
Melissa Bailey,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-02120 Filed 2-1-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 2, 2024.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.