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35367

Rules and Regulations Federal Register


Vol. 70, No. 117

Monday, June 20, 2005

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER Staff, Farm Service Agency, United this program in fiscal years 2003 and
contains regulatory documents having general States Department of Agriculture, 1400 2004. Further, growing conditions in
applicability and legal effect, most of which Independence Avenue, SW., AG STOP 2004 likely contributed to a short
are keyed to and codified in the Code of 0515, Washington, DC 20250–0515. supply of high-quality ELS cotton, as
Federal Regulations, which is published under • Hand Delivery or Courier: Deliver excess moisture led to color
50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510. comments to: Steve Neff, Economic and deterioration and consequent Grade 3
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by Policy Analysis Staff, Farm Service classification. These circumstances
the Superintendent of Documents. Prices of Agency, United States Department of exposed a program weakness which
new books are listed in the first FEDERAL Agriculture, 1400 Independence allows high prices and high payment
REGISTER issue of each week. Avenue, SW., Room 3741-S, rates to influence each other with no
Washington, DC 20250–0515. market-like, self-correcting mechanism.
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to AMS collects transaction data from
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the market participants whose payments
online instructions for submitting depend on the reported prices. If a sale
Commodity Credit Corporation comments. is made at a relatively low price, the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: merchant has no incentive to report that
7 CFR Part 1427 transaction. With a high payment rate in
Steve Neff at the above address or by
RIN 0560–AH36 telephone at (202) 720–7954. effect for a week, the merchant can bid
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: more for existing supplies and report
Extra Long Staple Cotton Prices higher transaction prices to AMS, which
Background lead to a higher payment rate in the
AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation,
USDA. The Commodity Credit Corporation following week. With the higher
ACTION: Interim final rule. (CCC) has decided to change the payment rate, the merchant can source
regulations governing how payment from the United States and remain
SUMMARY: This rule amends and rates are calculated under its Extra Long competitive in international markets.
requests comment on the Extra Long Staple (ELS) Cotton Competitiveness This rule is expected to reduce future
Staple (ELS) Cotton Competitiveness Payment Program to provide that the payment rates by comparing foreign
Payment Program of the Commodity price currently used, ‘‘U.S. spot quotes,’’ quotes to quotes from Cotton Outlook
Credit Corporation (CCC). This rule will be replaced by the ‘‘American Pima for American Pima c.i.f. Northern
changes the ELS cotton price used to c.i.f. Northern Europe quote.’’ The Europe to determine the payment rate.
calculate the payment rate from the current ELS payment rate is determined American Pima c.i.f. Northern Europe
‘‘average domestic spot price quotation by the difference between U.S. spot was determined to be the most valid
for base quality U.S. Pima cotton’’ to the prices, as reported by the Department of price measure for this program because
‘‘American Pima c.i.f. Northern Europe’’ Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural it is a comparison of foreign and U.S.
price. The change is intended to reduce Marketing Service (AMS), and the quotes from the same source within the
the cost to the Federal Government of lowest foreign quote, c.i.f. Northern same geographical area. This measure is
operating the program by incorporating Europe, as published by Cotton Outlook, a net of the payment rate and based on
a reference price more indicative of adjusted to U.S. location and quality. the export market. FSA believes that
actual ELS cotton world market prices. Recent payments to ELS producers have this measure is appropriate because 90
DATES: This interim rule is effective increased budget outlays under this percent of U.S.-produced ELS cotton is
August 5, 2005. The first announcement program sharply. For example, the exported. According to our analysis, the
of a payment rate under the new price payment rate, which averaged a record payment rate calculated in this manner
mechanism will be on Thursday, August high of 16.46 cents per pound last year, would have resulted in a payment of
4, 2005. Written comments via letter, averaged 80.48 cents per pound for 7 20.69 cents per pound for the first week
facsimile, or Internet are invited from weeks in February and March, 2005. of April, about a quarter of the rate CCC
interested individuals and organizations Consequently, fiscal year 2005 outlays actually paid.
and must be received on or before July through March, 2005, normally This rule makes additional non-
20, 2005 in order to be assured budgeted for $50–55 million per year, substantive changes to the subpart
consideration. exceeded $150 million. governing this program for clarity,
ADDRESSES: FSA invites interested The increase in the payment rate is structure, and readability.
persons to submit comments on this attributed principally to increases in
U.S. spot market quotes. The market for Notice and Comment
interim final rule. Comments may be
submitted by any of the following ELS is susceptible to price swings Section 1601(c) of the Farm Security
methods: because it is a thin market. ELS and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (2002
• E-Mail: Send comments to production of 736,000 bales in 2004 is Act) provides that the regulations
Steve.Neff@usda.gov. [Include ‘‘ELS only 4 percent of total U.S. cotton needed to implement Title I of the 2002
Cotton Interim Rule,’’ in the subject line production and 90 percent of ELS is Act, which includes this rule, shall be
of the message]. produced in the San Joaquin Valley of promulgated without regard to the
• Fax: Send comments by facsimile California. The ELS market also has notice and comment provisions of 5
transmission to (202) 690–2186. relatively few participants. For example, U.S.C. 553 or the Statement of Policy of
• Mail: Send comments to: Steve two trading companies have received the Secretary of Agriculture effective
Neff, Economic and Policy Analysis nearly 60 percent of the payments under July 24, 1971 relating to notices of

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35368 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 117 / Monday, June 20, 2005 / Rules and Regulations

proposed rulemaking and public for State, local, and tribal governments PART 1427—COTTON
participation in rulemaking. Therefore, or the private sector. Thus, this rule is
this rule is issued as an interim final not subject to the requirements of ■ 1. The authority citation continues to
rule and effective immediately. sections 202 and 205 of the UMRA. read as follows:
Nonetheless, the Agency will accept Paperwork Reduction Act Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7231–7237 and 7931 et
public comments for 60 days after seq.; 15 U.S.C. 714b, 714c.
publication of this rule. Section 1601(c) of the 2002 Act
provides that the promulgation of Subpart G—Extra Long Staple (ELS)
Executive Order 12866 regulations and the administration of Cotton Competitiveness Payment
This rule is issued in conformance Title I of the 2002 Act shall be made Program
with Executive Order 12866, was without regard to chapter 35 of title 44
determined to be not significant and has of the United States Code (the ■ 2. Revise subpart G to read as follows:
not been reviewed by the Office of Paperwork Reduction Act). Accordingly,
these regulations and the forms and Subpart G—Extra Long Staple (ELS)
Management Budget.
other information collection activities Cotton Competitiveness Payment
Regulatory Flexibility Act needed to administer the program Program
It has been determined that the authorized by these regulations are not Sec.
Regulatory Flexibility Act is not subject to review by OMB under the 1427.1200 Applicability.
applicable to this rule because CCC is Paperwork Reduction Act. 1427.1201 [Reserved]
not required by 5 U.S.C. 533 or any Executive Order 12612
1427.1202 Definitions.
other law to publish a notice of 1427.1203 Eligible ELS cotton.
proposed rulemaking for the subject This rule does not have sufficient 1427.1204 Eligible domestic users and
matter of this rule. federalism implications to warrant the exporters.
preparation of a Federalism Assessment. 1427.1205 ELS Cotton Domestic User/
Environmental Assessment The provisions contained in this rule Exporter Agreeement.
will not have substantial direct effect on 1427.1206 Form of payment.
The environmental impacts of this 1427.1207 Payment rate.
rule have been considered in States or their political subdivisions or 1427.1208 Payment.
accordance with the provisions of the on the distribution of power and
National Environmental Policy Act of responsibilities among the various Subpart G—Extra Long Staple (ELS)
1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., the levels of government. Cotton Competitiveness Payment
regulations of the Council on Government Paperwork Elimination Program
Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts Act
1500–1508), and the FSA regulations for § 1427.1200 Applicability.
compliance with NEPA, 7 CFR part 799. CCC and FSA are committed to (a) These regulations set forth the
FSA concluded that the rule requires no compliance with the Government terms and conditions under which CCC
further environmental review because it Paperwork Elimination Act (GPEA) and shall make payments to eligible
is categorically excluded. No the Freedom to E-File Act, which domestic users and exporters of extra
extraordinary circumstances or other require Government agencies in general long staple cotton who have entered
unforeseeable factors exist which would and FSA in particular to provide the into an ELS Cotton domestic User/
require preparation of an environmental public the option of submitting Exporter Agreement with CCC.
assessment or environmental impact information or transacting business (b) CCC will issue payments to
statement. electronically to the maximum extent domestic users and exporters in any
possible. The forms and other week following a consecutive 4-week
Executive Order 12988 information collection activities period in which:
This rule has been reviewed in required for participation in the (1) The LFQ is less than the APNE;
accordance with Executive Order 12988. program are available electronically and
This rule preempts State laws that are through the USDA eForms Web site at (2) Adjusted LFQ is less than 134
inconsistent with it. Before any legal http://www.sc.egov.usda.gov for percent of the current crop year loan
action may be brought regarding a downloading. Applications may be level for the base quality U.S. Pima
determination under this rule, the submitted at the FSA county offices, by cotton.
administrative appeal provisions set mail or by FAX. At this time, electronic (c) CCC shall prescribe the forms and
forth at 7 CFR parts 11 and 780 must be submission is not available. Full information collections necessary in
exhausted. development of electronic submission is administering the ELS cotton
underway. competitiveness payment program.
Executive Order 12372
Federal Assistance Programs Additional terms and conditions for the
This program is not subject to the program are set forth in the ELS Cotton
provisions of Executive Order 12372, The title and number of the Federal
assistance program found in the Catalog Domestic User/Exporter Agreement.
which require intergovernmental
consultation with State and local of Federal Domestic Assistance to which § 1427.1201 [Reserved]
officials. See the notice related to 7 CFR this final rule applies are Commodity
Loans and Loan Deficiency Payments, § 1427.1202 Definitions.
part 3014, subpart V, published at 48 FR
29115 (June 24, 1983). 10.051. The following definitions apply as
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1427 used in this subpart:
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of APNE means the Friday through
1995 Agricultural commodities, Cotton, Thursday weekly average of the price
The rule contains no Federal Price support programs, Reporting and quotation for base quality U.S. Pima
mandates under the regulatory recordkeeping requirements. cotton, as determined by CCC for
provisions of Title II of the Unfunded ■ For the reasons set out in the preamble, purposes of administering this subpart,
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) 7 CFR part 1427 is amended as follows: c.i.f. Northern Europe.

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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 117 / Monday, June 20, 2005 / Rules and Regulations 35369

(1) APNEc means the preceding § 1427.1207 is in effect, and that meets § 1427.1206 Form of payment.
Friday through Thursday average of the the requirements of paragraphs (b) and Payments under this subpart shall be
current shipment prices for U.S. Pima (c) of this section; made available in the form of
cotton, c.i.f. northern Europe. (b) Eligible ELS cotton must be either: commodity certificates issued under
(2) APNEf means the preceding Friday (1) Baled lint, including baled lint part 1401 of this chapter, or in cash, at
through Thursday average of the classified by USDA’s Agricultural the option of the participant, as CCC
forward shipment prices for U.S. Pima Marketing Service as Below Grade; or determines and announces.
cotton, c.i.f. northern Europe. (2) Loose.
Consumption means the use of § 1427.1207 Payment rate.
eligible ELS cotton by a domestic user (c) Eligible ELS cotton must not be:
(a) The payment rate for payments
in the manufacture in the United States (1) ELS for which a payment, under made under this subpart shall be
of cotton products. the provisions of this subpart, has been determined as follows:
Cotton product means any product made available;
(1) Beginning the Friday on or
containing cotton fibers that result from (2) Imported ELS cotton; following August 1 and ending the week
the use of an eligible bale of ELS cotton (3) Raw, unprocessed motes; in which the LFQc, the LFQf, the
in manufacturing. (4) Textile mill wastes; or APNEc, and the APNEf prices first
Current shipment price means, during (5) Semi-processed or re-ginned, become available, the payment rate shall
the period in which two daily price processed motes. be the difference between the APNE and
quotations are available for the LFQ for the LFQ in the fourth week of a
the foreign growth, quoted c.i.f. § 1427.1204 Eligible domestic users and consecutive 4-week period in which the
northern Europe, the price quotation for exporters.
APNE exceeded the LFQ each week, and
cotton for shipment no later than (a) For the purposes of this subpart, the adjusted LFQ was less than 134
August/September of the current the following persons shall be percent of the current crop year loan
calendar year. considered eligible domestic users and level for U.S. base quality Pima cotton
ELS means Extra Long Staple. exporters of ELS cotton: in all weeks of the 4-week period; and
Forward shipment price means, (1) A person regularly engaged in the (2) Beginning the Friday-through-
during the period in which two daily business of opening bales of eligible ELS Thursday week after the week in which
price quotations are available for the cotton to manufacturing such cotton the LFQc, the LFQf, the APNEc, and the
LFQ for foreign growths, quoted c.i.f. into cotton products in the United APNEf prices first become available and
northern Europe, the price quotation for States (a domestic user), who has ending the Thursday following July 31,
cotton for shipment no earlier than entered into an agreement with CCC to the payment rate shall be the difference
October/November of the current participate in the ELS Cotton between the APNEc and the LFQc in the
calendar year. Competitiveness Payment Program; or fourth week of a consecutive 4-week
LFQ means, during the period in
(2) A person, including a producer or period in which the APNEc exceeded
which only one daily price quotation is
a cooperative marketing association the LFQc each week, and the adjusted
available for the growth, the lowest
approved under part 1425 of this LFQc was less than 134 percent of the
average for the preceding Friday
chapter, regularly engaged in selling current crop year loan level for base
through Thursday week of the price
eligible ELS cotton for exportation from quality U.S. Pima in all weeks of the 4-
quotations for foreign growths of ELS
the United States (an exporter), who has week period. If either or both the APNEc
cotton, quoted cost, insurance, and
entered into an agreement with CCC to and the LFQc are not available, the
freight c.i.f. northern Europe, after each
participate in the ELS Cotton payment rate may be the difference
respective average is adjusted for quality
Competitiveness Payment Program. between the APNEf and the LFQf.
differences between the respective
foreign growth and U.S. Pima, of the (b) Payment applications must (b) Whenever a 4-week period under
base quality. contain the documentation required by paragraph (a) of this section contains a
(1) Adjusted LFQ means the LFQ this subpart, an ELS Cotton Domestic combination of LFQ, LFQc, and LFQf
adjusted to reflect the estimated cost of User/Exporter Agreement and for only one to three weeks, such as may
transportation between an average U.S. additional information that may be occur in the spring when the LFQ is
location and Northern Europe. requested by CCC. succeeded by the LFQc and the LFQf
(2) LFQc means the preceding Friday (spring transition), and at the start of a
§ 1427.1205 ELS Cotton Domestic User/ new marketing year when the LFQc and
through Thursday average of the current Exporter Agreement.
shipment prices for the lowest adjusted the LFQf are succeeded by the LFQ
(a) Payments under this subpart shall (marketing year transition), under
foreign growth, c.i.f. northern Europe.
(3) LFQf means the preceding Friday be made available to eligible domestic paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this
through Thursday average of the users and exporters who have entered section, during both the spring
forward shipment prices for the lowest into an ELS Cotton Domestic User/ transition and the marketing year
adjusted foreign growth, quoted c.i.f. Exporter Agreement with CCC and who transition periods, the LFQc and
northern Europe. have complied with the terms and APNEc, in combination with the LFQ
conditions in this subpart, the ELS and APNE, shall, to the extent
§ 1427.1203 Eligible ELS cotton. Cotton Domestic User/Exporter practicable, be considered during such
(a) For the purposes of this subpart, Agreement and CCC-issued instructions. 4-week periods to determine whether a
eligible ELS cotton is domestically (b) ELS Cotton Domestic User/ payment is to be issued. During both the
produced baled ELS cotton that is: Exporter Agreements may be obtained spring transition and the marketing year
(1) Opened by an eligible domestic from CCC. To participate in the program transition periods, if either or both
user on or after October 1, 1999, or authorized by this subpart, domestic APNEc price and the LFQc are not
(2) Exported by an eligible exporter on users and exporters must execute the available, the APNEf and the LFQf in
or after October 1, 1999, during a Friday ELS Cotton Domestic User/Exporter combination with the APNE price and
through Thursday period in which a Agreement and forward the original and LFQ shall be taken into consideration
payment rate determined under one copy to CCC. during such 4-week periods to

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35370 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 117 / Monday, June 20, 2005 / Rules and Regulations

determine whether a payment is to be (1) Consumed by the domestic user on incorporation by reference of certain
issued. the date the bale is opened for publications listed in the regulation.
(c) For purposes of this subpart, consumption; and We must receive any comments on
regarding the determination of the (2) Exported by the exporter on the this AD by August 10, 2005.
APNE, APNEc, APNEf, the LFQ, the date that CCC determines is the date on ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to
LFQc, and the LFQf: which the cotton is shipped for export. submit comments on this AD:
(1) If daily quotations are not (d) Payments under this subpart shall • DOT Docket Web site: Go to
available for one or more days of the 5- be made available upon application for http://dms.dot.gov and follow the
day period, the available quotations payment and submission of supporting instructions for sending your comments
during the period will be used; documentation, as required by this electronically.
(2) If none of the APNE, APNEc, or subpart, CCC instructions, and the ELS • Government-wide rulemaking Web
APNEf prices is available, or if none of Cotton Domestic User/Exporter site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
the LFQ, LFQc, or LFQf is available, the Agreement. and follow the instructions for sending
payment rate shall be zero and shall your comments electronically.
Signed in Washington, DC, on June 2,
remain zero unless and until sufficient 2005. • Mail: Docket Management Facility;
APNE prices or the LFQ again becomes U.S. Department of Transportation, 400
James R. Little,
available, the APNE, APNEc, or APNEf Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building,
Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit
price exceeds the LFQ, the LFQc, or the Room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590–
Corporation.
LFQf, as the case may be, and the LFQ, 001.
[FR Doc. 05–12034 Filed 6–17–05; 8:45 am]
the LFQc, or the LFQf, as the case may • Fax: 1–202–493–2251.
be, adjusted for transportation, is less BILLING CODE 3410–05–P
• Hand Delivery: Room PL–401 on
than 134 percent of the current crop the plaza level of the Nassif Building,
year loan rate for base quality U.S. Pima 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington,
for 4 consecutive weeks. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
(d) Payment rates for loose, re-ginned through Friday, except Federal holidays.
motes and semi-processed motes that Federal Aviation Administration To get the service information
are of a suitable quality, without further identified in this AD, contact The
processing, for spinning, papermaking 14 CFR Part 39 Lancair Company, 22550 Nelson Road,
or bleaching, shall be based on a [Docket No. FAA–2005–21357; Directorate Bend Oregon 97701; telephone: (541)
percentage of the basic rate for baled Identifier 2005–CE–29–AD; Amendment 39– 330–4191; e-mail: product_
lint, as specified in the ELS Cotton 14136; AD 2005–12–20] support@lancair.com.
Domestic User/Exporter Agreement. To view the comments to this AD, go
RIN 2120–AA64 to http://dms.dot.gov. The docket
§ 1427.1208 Payment.
Airworthiness Directives; The Lancair number is FAA–2005–21357.
(a) Payments under this subpart shall
Company Model LC41–550FG FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
be determined by multiplying:
Airplanes Jeffrey Morfitt, Program Manager, FAA,
(1) The payment rate, determined
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office
under § 1427.127, by AGENCY: Federal Aviation (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
(2) The net weight (gross weight Administration (FAA), DOT. Washington 98055–4065; telephone:
minus the weight of bagging and ties)
ACTION: Final rule; request for (425) 917–6405; facsimile: (425) 917–
determined under paragraph (b) of this
comments. 6590.
section, of eligible ELS cotton bales that
an eligible domestic user opens or an SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new
eligible exporter exports during the What events have caused this AD?
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Friday through Thursday period Maintenance personnel found a large
The Lancair Company (Lancair) Model
following a week in which a payment crack in the weld area on the elevator
LC41–550FG airplanes. This AD
rate is established. torque tube assembly during an elevator
requires both visual and dye penetrant
(b) For the purposes of this subpart, disassembly of a Lancair Model LC41–
inspections of the elevator torque tube
the net weight shall be based upon: 550FG airplane. The airplane had only
assembly for cracks. If a crack is found,
(1) For domestic users, the weight on 54 hours total time-in-service.
this AD requires replacement with a
which settlement for payment of the This incident prompted an inspection
modified assembly that incorporates a
ELS cotton was based (landed mill of the elevator torque tube assemblies
steel doubler. This AD also requires
weight); held in inventory at Lancair. The
replacement of the modified elevator
(2) For re-ginned motes processed by inspection revealed 70 percent of the
torque tube assembly every 300 hours
an end user who converted such motes, factory inventory had cracks.
time-in-service or 18 months (whichever
without re-baling, to an end use in a A combination of design aspects and
occurs first). This AD results from
continuous manufacturing process, the manufacturing flaws caused the cracks.
cracks found in the weld area of the
net weight of the re-ginned motes after These flaws lead to rapid fatigue failure
elevator torque tube assembly. We are
final cleaning; of the elevator torque tube assembly.
issuing this AD to detect and correct What is the potential impact if FAA
(3) For exporters, the shipping
cracks in the elevator torque tube took no action? Cracks in the elevator
warehouse weight or the gin weight if
assembly, which could result in failure torque tube assembly could cause the
the ELS cotton was not placed in a
of the elevator torque tube assembly and elevator torque tube assembly to fail.
warehouse, of the eligible cotton unless
subsequent loss of control of the This failure could result in loss of
the exporter obtains and pays the cost
airplane. control of the airplane.
of having all the bales in the shipment
re-weighed by a licensed weigher and DATES: This AD becomes effective on Is there service information that
furnishes a copy of the certified weights. June 21, 2005. applies to this subject? Lancair has
(c) For the purposes of this subpart, As of June 21, 2005, the Director of issued Mandatory Service Bulletin No.
eligible ELS cotton will be considered: the Federal Register approved the SB–05–005A, dated May 20, 2005.

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