Tree Assistance Program

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency

7 CFR Part 783

Commodity Credit Corporation

7 CFR Part 1478

RIN 0560-AF17

Tree Assistance Program

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency and Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Interim rule.

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SUMMARY: This interim rule sets forth the regulations necessary for

implementing the 1997 Tree Assistance Program (TAP). The Act Making

Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Recovery from Natural

Disasters for the Fiscal Year ending September 30, 1997, (The Act)

authorized TAP assistance to small orchardists to replace or

rehabilitate trees and vineyards damaged by natural disasters. Due to

limited funds appropriated for this program, the losses for which

reimbursement is sought are limited to natural disasters that occurred

between October 1, 1996, and September 30, 1997. Cost-share assistance

may not exceed 100 percent of the eligible replacement or

rehabilitation costs and may be based on average costs or the actual

costs for the replanting practices, as determined by the Deputy

Administrator for Farm Programs.

DATES: Interim rule effective September 24, 1997. Written comments on

this rule must be received on or before October 29, 1997 to be assured

of consideration. Comments on the information collections in this rule

must be received on or before November 28, 1997 in order to be assured

of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to: David M. Nix, Compliance and

Production Adjustment Division (CPAD), Farm Service Agency (FSA), USDA,

1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., STOP 0517, Washington, DC 20012-0517,

telephone (202) 690-4091, e-mail address: [email protected].

Comments may be inspected in the Office of the Director, Compliance and

Production Adjustment Division (CPAD), Farm Service Agency (FSA), USDA,

Room 3630 South Building, Washington, D.C., between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30

p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David M. Nix at the above listed

address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866

This interim rule has been determined to be not significant and was

not reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under

Executive Order 12866.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

The Regulatory Flexibility Act is not applicable to this rule

because the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is not required by 5 U.S.C. 553

or any other provision of law to publish a notice of proposed

rulemaking with respect to the subject matter of this rule.

Environmental Evaluation

An Environmental Evaluation with respect to the Tree Assistance

Program has been completed. It has been determined that this action is

not expected to have a significant impact on the quality of the human

environment. In addition, it has been determined that this action will

not adversely affect environmental factors such as wildlife habitat,

water quality, air quality, and land use and appearance. Accordingly,

neither an Environmental Assessment nor an Environmental Impact

Statement is needed.

Executive Order 12372

This program is not subject to the provisions of Executive Order

12372, which require intergovernmental consultation with State and

local officials. See the Notice related to 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V,

published at 48 FR 29115 (June 24, 1983).

Paperwork Reduction Act

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FSA will

submit an emergency information request (ICR) to OMB for the approval

of the Tree Assistance Program reports as necessary for the proper

functioning of the program.

Title: Tree Assistance Program.

OMB Control Number: 0560-NEW.

Type of Request: Emergency.

Abstract: Persons who suffered losses according to this part are

required to provide information regarding their operation, losses that

occurred and the action that will or has been taken as a result of

those losses.

USDA has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget proposed

forms to be used for application and contract and for collection of

information relating to resource needs. Form CCC-435, Tree Assistance

Program Technical Worksheet, is used for the collection of data and

calculation of losses of eligible trees and eligible vines due to

natural disaster. Form CCC-436, TAP Eligibility Certification

Statement, is used for owner certification that the owner owns no more

than 500 acres of eligible trees or eligible vines, and had an annual

qualifying gross revenue of no more than $2.5 million for the 1996 tax

year.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this information

collection is estimated to average 20 minutes per applicant.

Respondents: Owners of eligible trees and eligible vines who

suffered losses from natural disasters.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 333 hours.

Proposed topics for comment include: (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 methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance

the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;

or (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on

those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate

[[Page 50850]]

automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection

techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments regarding this information collection requirement may be

directed to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB,

Attention: Desk Officer for USDA, Washington, D.C. 20503, and to David

M. Nix. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in

the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of

public record.

OMB is required to make a decision concerning the collection(s) of

information contained in this interim rule between 30 and 60 days after

publication of this document in the Federal Register. Therefore, a

comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect if OMB

receives it within 30 days of publication. This does not affect the

deadline for the public to comment to the Department on the interim

regulations.

Executive Order 12988

This rule has been reviewed in accordance with Executive Order

12988. The provisions of this rule preempt State law to the extent that

such laws are inconsistent with the provisions of this rule. The

provisions of this rule are retroactive to October 1, 1996. Before any

judicial action may be brought regarding the provisions of this rule,

the administrative remedies must be exhausted.

Executive Order 12612

It has been determined that this rule does not have sufficient

Federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism

Assessment. The provisions contained in this rule will not have a

substantial direct effect on States or their political subdivisions or

on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various

levels of government.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

This rule contains no Federal mandates under the regulatory

provisions of Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

(UMRA) for State, local, and tribal governments or the private sector.

Therefore, this rule is not subject to the requirements of sections 202

and 205 of the UMRA regulations.

Background

This interim rule sets forth the terms and conditions under which

owners of eligible trees and eligible vines who suffered a loss as a

result of a natural disaster may apply for benefits to compensate for

this loss. Congress has mandated the Secretary to make available up to

$9 million to replace or rehabilitate eligible trees and eligible vines

damaged by natural disasters. Owners eligible for TAP may be reimbursed

up to 100 percent of the cost incurred to replace or rehabilitate

eligible trees or eligible vines.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 783 and Part 1478

Disaster assistance, Grant programs--agriculture.

For reasons set forth in the preamble and under the authority of

Pub. L. 105-18, (111 Stat. 158), 7 CFR Chapters VII and XIV are amended

as follows:

PART 1478--[REMOVED]

1. Part 1478 is removed.

2. Part 783 is added to read as follows:

PART 783--1997 TREE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Sec.

783.1 Applicability.

783.2 Administration.

783.3 Definitions.

783.4 Program deadlines.

783.5 Ownership, income and payment limitations.

783.6 Qualifying loss.

783.7 Eligible costs.

783.8 Application process.

783.9 Obligations of an eligible owner.

783.10 Partial performance.

783.11 Liens and claims of creditors; set-offs.

783.12 Appeals.

783.13 Misrepresentation and scheme or device.

783.14 Estates, trusts, and minors.

783.15 Death, incompetency, or disappearance.

783.16 Other regulations.

783.17 Paperwork Reduction Act assigned numbers.

Authority: Pub. L. 105-18, 111 Stat. 158.

Sec. 783.1 Applicability.

The regulations in this part set forth the terms and conditions of

the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) authorized by the Act Making

Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Recovery from Natural

Disasters for the Fiscal Year ending September 30, 1997 (1997 Emergency

Appropriations Act). Within specified limits, FSA is authorized by the

1997 Emergency Appropriations Act to reimburse eligible owners for up

to 100 percent of the cost of replanting or rehabilitating eligible

trees and eligible vines damaged by natural disasters occurring from

October 1, 1996, through September 30, 1997.

Sec. 783.2 Administration.

(a) This part shall be administered by the Farm Service Agency

(FSA) under the general direction and supervision of the Deputy

Administrator for Farm Programs, FSA. The program shall be carried out

in the field by FSA State and county committees (State and county

committees).

(b) State and county committees, and representatives and employees

thereof, do not have the authority to modify or waive any of the

provisions of the regulations in this part, as amended or supplemented.

(c) The State committee shall take any action required by this part

which has not been taken by the county committee. The State committee

shall also:

(1) Correct, or require a county committee to correct, any action

taken by such county committee which is not in accordance with this

part; or

(2) Require a county committee to withhold taking any action which

is not in accordance with this part.

(d) The State committee shall allow the county committee to approve

applications only for those owners of eligible trees and eligible vines

who actually owned the eligible trees or eligible vines at time of the

eligible disaster and at the time of application.

(e) No delegation herein to a State or county committee shall

preclude the Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs, FSA, or a

designee, from determining any question arising under the program or

from reversing or modifying any determination made by a State or county

committee.

Sec. 783.3 Definitions.

(a) In determining the meaning of the provisions of this part,

unless the context indicates otherwise, singular terms include the

plural and plural terms include the singular, masculine terms include

the feminine, and terms used in the present tense include the future.

(b) The following terms contained in this part shall have the

following meanings:

Annual gross revenue means, with respect to a person as defined in

part 1400 of this title:

(1) For a person who receives more than 50 percent of such person's

gross income from farming, ranching, and forestry operations, the total

gross income received from such operations.

(2) For a person who receives 50 percent or less of such person's

gross income from farming, ranching, and forestry operations, the total

gross income from all sources.

(3) The determinations made in accordance with 7 CFR part 1400,

[[Page 50851]]

subpart B, shall include all entities in which an individual or entity

has an interest, whether or not such entities are engaged in farming.

(4) The year for which the annual gross income shall be received

for the purpose of this definition shall be the 1996 tax year.

Cutting means a vine which was planted in the ground for commercial

production of grapes, kiwi fruit, or passion fruit.

Eligible owner means an individual, partnership, corporation,

association, estate, trust, or other business enterprise or legal

entity and includes any Indian tribe under the Indian Self-

Determination and Education Assistance Act; any Indian organization or

entity chartered under the Indian Reorganization Act; any tribal

organization under the Indian Self-Determination and Assistance Act;

and, any economic enterprise under the Indian Financing Act of 1974

which meets the requirements of this part.

Eligible trees means papaya trees or orchard trees grown for

commercial production of fruit and nuts.

Eligible vines means grape, kiwi fruit, or passion fruit vines

grown for commercial production.

Individual stand means an area of eligible trees or vines which are

tended by an eligible owner as a single operation, whether or not such

trees or vines are planted in the same field or similar location, as

determined by the Deputy Administrator. Differing species of trees or

vines in the same field or similar area may be considered to be

separate individual stands if FSA determines that the species have

significantly differing levels of freeze, drought, earthquake,

hurricane, or typhoon susceptibility.

Local county office means the county FSA office or USDA Service

Center that services the farm if an FSA farm serial number has been

assigned or, if no serial number is assigned, then the office that

services the county in which the eligible trees or vines are located.

Natural disaster means drought, excessive moisture, hail, freeze,

tornado, hurricane, earthquake, or excessive wind.

Normal mortality means the percentage of plant loss on the

individual stand of eligible trees or eligible vines which normally

occurs in a 12-month period.

Orchard means eligible trees planted for commercial annual

production of fruit or nuts.

Owner means a person who has legal ownership of the eligible trees

or vines as determined by FSA. Eligible tree or vine owners need not

own the land on which the trees or vines are planted.

Seedling means an eligible tree which was planted in the ground for

commercial purposes.

Total mortality means the actual percentage of eligible tree or

eligible vine losses on a given individual stand.

(c) The definitions set forth in this section shall be applicable

for all purposes of administering the Tree Assistance Program. The

terms defined in part 718 of this chapter shall also be applicable,

except where those definitions conflict with the definitions set forth

in this section.

Sec. 783.4 Program deadlines.

(a) A request for benefits under this part to reimburse for losses

to eligible trees and eligible vines must be submitted to FSA at the

local county office by close of business on Friday, September 26, 1997.

(b) All related and supporting documentation shall be submitted at

the time the request for assistance is filed or no later than September

30, 1997.

(c) The State committee shall allow the county committee to approve

late-filed requests received after the enrollment period ends, but no

later than September 30, 1997. Late-filed requests will be accepted

only for those owners who applied late due to circumstances beyond

their control as determined by the county committee and concurred with

by the State committee.

(d) The State committee may approve an extension, not to exceed 24

months beyond the date of application, to complete TAP practices if

delays are determined to be beyond the control of the applicant.

Sec. 783.5 Ownership, income and payment limitations.

(a) An eligible owner must:

(1) Own less than 500 acres of each type of eligible tree or

eligible vine, regardless of their size or condition, which produce

annual crops for commercial purposes, or are grown for harvest for

commercial purposes; and

(2) Have owned the eligible trees or eligible vines at the time the

natural disaster occurred and continuously until the application for

TAP benefits is submitted.

(b) No person, as defined in part 1400 of this title, as

applicable, with an annual gross revenue in excess of $2.5 million for

the 1996 tax year will be eligible for TAP benefits.

(c) The amount of payments which any person, as determined in

accordance with part 1400 of this title, may receive under this part in

connection with losses of eligible trees and eligible vines, shall not

exceed $25,000.

(d) An owner who acquires eligible trees or eligible vines from a

previous owner approved for 1997 TAP shall not receive additional

program benefits due to an increase in the number of persons associated

with the new ownership. A new owner is allowed to receive TAP benefits

not paid to the previous owner if the new owner:

(1) Acquires ownership of land or trees for which TAP benefits have

been approved;

(2) Meets the income and payment limitation under this part;

(3) Agrees to complete all practices which the original owner has

not completed; and

(4) Agrees to receive any remaining payments and assumes full

responsibility for all provisions of TAP, including refund of payments

made to the previous owner, if necessary.

(e) In the event the total amount of claims submitted under this

part during the sign-up period exceeds the applicable funds available

for such period, such payments shall be reduced by a uniform national

percentage. Such payment reductions shall be applied after the

imposition of applicable payment limitation provisions.

(f) Federal, State, and local governments and agencies and

political subdivisions thereof are not eligible for benefits under this

part.

Sec. 783.6 Qualifying loss.

(a) An eligible owner may receive assistance under this part for

qualifying loss of eligible trees, eligible orchard tree seedlings,

eligible vines or cuttings as determined by the Deputy Administrator

for Farm Programs, FSA:

(1) Which were destroyed or injured as a result of a natural

disaster, as determined by the county committee in accordance with the

instructions of the Deputy Administrator; and

(2) For which the total mortality rate equals or exceeds 20

percent, after deducting the normal mortality the owner would have

incurred.

(b) Qualifying loss determinations shall be made on an individual

stand basis. A qualifying loss shall be the loss for the individual

stand of eligible trees, or eligible vines, as appropriate, after

deducting the normal mortality of such trees or vines, equal to or in

excess of 20 percent mortality.

(c) Qualifying losses of eligible trees or vines shall not include:

(1) Losses which could have been prevented through readily-

available horticultural measures; or

(2) Losses of trees or vines which would normally have been

rehabilitated

[[Page 50852]]

or replanted within the 12-month period following the loss, in the

absence of the natural disaster.

(d) When visible evidence of losses no longer exists on the site

where the eligible trees or eligible vines were planted, acceptable

evidence as determined in accordance with instructions issued by the

Deputy Administrator must be established for the county committee to

qualify the individual stand for the program.

Sec. 783.7 Eligible costs.

(a) Payments will be made only to the extent specifically provided

for in this part. An eligible owner shall be reimbursed under this

part, to the extent of the availability of funds, for an amount not to

exceed 100 percent of the eligible costs of replanting or

rehabilitating trees or vines, not in excess of the number of trees or

vines constituting the qualifying loss. Such reimbursement may be based

on average costs or the actual costs for the replanting, or

rehabilitating practices, as determined by the Deputy Administrator. If

the costs are to replace eligible trees or eligible vines, the costs

reimbursed under this part shall only be for replacement seedlings or

cuttings of a size and quality determined by Deputy Administrator to be

sufficient for that purpose. The costs for which cost-sharing shall be

permitted shall only be the costs of:

(1) The seedlings or cuttings, eligible tree or vine rehabilitation

measures;

(2) Site preparation measures and debris handling measures that are

normal cultural practices for the type of individual stand being re-

established and necessary to ensure successful plant survival;

(3) Chemicals and nutrients if needed to ensure successful plant

survival; and

(4) Labor used to physically plant or rehabilitate such seedlings

or cuttings as based on standard labor rates as determined by the

county committee.

(b) Costs eligible for reimbursement under this part specifically

exclude items such as fencing, irrigation, irrigation equipment,

measures to protect seedlings from wildlife, and general land and

eligible tree or vine stand improvements, and re-establishing

structures and windscreens.

(c) When eligible trees or eligible vines are replanted instead of

rehabilitated, the types planted may be different than those originally

planted if the new types have the same general end use as determined by

the county committee. Payments will be based on the lesser of rates

established to plant the types actually lost or the cost to establish

the trees or vines actually used. Eligible costs shall not include

costs incurred for planting species of seedlings or cuttings differing

significantly from the species of the seedlings or cuttings

constituting the qualifying loss except as approved by the Deputy

Administrator. If such substitution is approved, eligible costs shall

be the lesser of:

(1) The actual eligible costs incurred; or

(2) The estimated eligible costs which otherwise would have been

incurred to replant the species constituting the qualifying loss.

(d) Costs eligible for reimbursement under this part shall only

include expenditures approved within the limits set by this part,

including, but not limited to, those limits set forth in paragraph (a)

of this section. Eligible costs include costs incurred before an

application for payment is submitted. Eligible costs shall only include

those costs for which the eligible owner has submitted documentation

determined by the county committee to adequately document such costs.

The county committee shall limit TAP payments for eligible costs at the

minimum level to re-establish an individual stand, as determined by the

State committee.

(e) Payments shall not exceed the lesser of 100 percent of the

eligible costs actually incurred by an eligible applicant for

replanting or rehabilitating the qualifying loss, or the average cost

to replant or rehabilitate the qualifying loss, as determined by the

Deputy Administrator.

Sec. 783.8 Application process.

(a) Applications for payment shall be filed by the eligible owner

with the local county office and shall contain an estimate by the

applicant of the number of eligible trees or eligible vines which

constitute the qualifying loss and the amount of the acreage of the

individual stands with respect to which the loss was suffered. The

applicant must provide sufficient evidence of the losses so as to allow

the county committee to determine qualifying losses.

(b)(1) The county committee or a designee may conduct field reviews

to determine the actual qualifying loss and the acreage of individual

stands with respect to which the loss was suffered. The county

committee and, if designated by the county committee, the county

executive director, are authorized, subject to the provisions of this

part, to approve or disapprove all applications, subject to the

limitations and conditions of this part, provided the applicant is not

a county committee member or an FSA employee.

(2) The State committee shall approve or disapprove applications of

the county committee members and all FSA employees except applications

submitted by the State Executive Director, or by a State committee

member.

(3) The Deputy Administrator, or a designee, shall approve or

disapprove applications of State committee members and the State

Executive Director.

(4) All applications forwarded to a higher reviewing authority for

consideration shall be accompanied by committee recommendations. No

application shall be approved unless the owner meets all eligibility

requirements. Information furnished by the applicant and any other

information, including knowledge of the county and State committee

members concerning the owner's normal operations, shall be taken into

consideration in making recommendations and approvals. If information

furnished by the owner is incomplete or ambiguous and sufficient

information is not otherwise available with respect to the owner's

farming operations in order to make a determination as to the owner's

eligibility, the owner's application shall not be approved until

sufficient additional information is provided by the owner.

(c) TAP eligibility and payments are not affected by participation

in crop or tree insurance, or the receipt of any other payments.

Sec. 783.9 Obligations of an eligible owner.

(a) Eligible owners must submit a request for assistance on the

approved form and must also submit all documentation requested by the

appropriate official as necessary to make determinations specified in

this part.

(b) Eligible owners must:

(1) Comply with all terms and conditions of this part;

(2) Execute all required documents;

(3) Comply with all applicable noxious weed laws; and

(4) Complete the TAP practice within 24 months of the date the

application is approved.

(c) In the event of a determination that a person was erroneously

determined to be eligible or has become ineligible for all or part of a

payment made under this part for any reason, including a failure to

comply with the terms and conditions of this part, or other condition

for payment imposed by the county or State committee or the Deputy

Administrator, such person shall refund any payment paid under this

part together with interest. Such interest shall be charged at the rate

determined

[[Page 50853]]

for late payment charges under part 1403 of this title and computed

from the date of disbursement of the payment to the date of the refund.

(d) Eligible owners must allow representatives of FSA to visit the

site for the purposes of examining and certifying mortality and

practice completion.

Sec. 783.10 Partial performance.

(a) Participants may elect not to replant the maximum amount of

eligible trees or eligible vines because of imposition of the payment

limitation in Sec. 783.5(c) or any other reason. If owners partially

complete their practices after they apply, but do not replant or

rehabilitate all of their qualifying trees or vines, the county

committee shall calculate payment based on the extent performed.

(b) Eligible owners who have been paid but choose not to complete

the practice by the final practice expiration date shall refund their

payments with interest. Interest on these refunds shall be calculated

beginning on the date the payment was disbursed. Such refund amounts

may be reduced, at the discretion of the Deputy Administrator, when

only part of the required replanting practice is not implemented.

Sec. 783.11 Liens and claims of creditors; set-offs.

Any payment or portion thereof due any person under this part shall

be allowed without regard to questions of title under State law, and

without regard to any claim or lien in favor of any person except

agencies of the U.S. Government. The regulations governing set-offs and

withholdings found at part 792 of this chapter shall be applicable to

this part.

Sec. 783.12 Appeals.

Any person who is dissatisfied with a determination made with

respect to this part may make a request for reconsideration or appeal

of such determination in accordance with the appeal regulations set

forth at part 11 of this title and part 780 of this chapter.

Sec. 783.13 Misrepresentation and scheme or device.

(a) A person shall be ineligible to receive assistance under this

program if such person is determined by the State committee or the

county committee to have:

(1) Adopted any scheme or device which tends to defeat the purpose

of this program;

(2) Made any fraudulent representation; or

(3) Misrepresented any fact affecting a program determination.

(b) All moneys paid by CCC under this part to any such person or to

any other person as a result of such person's actions shall be refunded

to CCC with interest together with such other sums as may become due.

The party engaged in acts prohibited by this section and the party

receiving payment shall be jointly and severally liable for any refund

due under this section and for related charges. The remedies provided

to CCC in this part shall be in addition to other civil, criminal, or

administrative remedies which may apply.

Sec. 783.14 Estates, trusts, and minors.

(a) Program documents executed by persons legally authorized to

represent estates or trusts will be accepted only if such person

furnishes evidence of the authority to execute such documents.

(b) A minor who is an otherwise eligible owner shall be eligible

for assistance under this subpart only if such person meets one of the

following requirements:

(1) The minor establishes that the right of majority has been

conferred on the minor by court proceedings or by statute;

(2) A guardian has been appointed to manage the minor's property

and the applicable program documents are executed by the guardian; or

(3) A bond is furnished under which the surety guarantees any loss

incurred for which the minor would be liable had the minor been an

adult.

Sec. 783.15 Death, incompetency, or disappearance.

In the case of death, incompetency or disappearance of any owner

who is eligible to receive assistance in accordance with this part,

such person or persons specified in part 707 of this chapter may

receive such assistance.

Sec. 783.16 Other regulations.

In addition to any other regulations as may be applicable, the

following regulations shall also apply to this part:

(a) Part 11 of this title, National Appeals Division Rules of

Foreclosure;

(b) Part 12 of this title, Highly Erodible Land and Wetland

Conservation;

(c) Part 703 of this chapter, Debt Settlements, Policies and

Procedures;

(d) Part 718 of this chapter, Provisions Applicable to Multiple

Programs;

(e) Part 780 of this chapter, Appeal Regulations;

(f) Part 1400 of this title, Payment Limitation and Payment

Eligibility; and

(g) Part 1404 of this title, Assignments.

Sec. 783.17 Paperwork Reduction Act assigned numbers.

The information collection requirements of this part have been

submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for purposes of

the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Signed at Washington, D.C., on September 24, 1997.

Bruce R. Weber,

Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.

Acting Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.

[FR Doc. 97-25739 Filed 9-24-97; 3:39 pm]

BILLING CODE 3410-05-P