Pecan Growers

On Thrusday July 2, 2015 UDDA in the federal Rigster 7CFR part 986 notice of public hearing. http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5111857 July 20 through July 21, 2015, Las Cruces, New Mexico. If an additional hearing session is necessary at this location, the hearing will continue on July 22. : Notice of public hearing on proposed marketing agreement and order. SUMMARY : Notice is hereby given of a public hearing to consider a proposed marketing agreement and order under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 to cover pecans grown in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas. The proposal was submitted on behalf of the pecan industry by the American Pecan Board, the proponent group which is comprised of pecan growers and handlers from across the proposed production area. The proposed order would provide authority to collect industry data and to conduct research and promotion activities. In addition, the order would provide authority for the industry to recommend grade, quality and size regulation, as well as pack and container regulation, subject to approval by the Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program would be financed by assessments on pecan handlers and would be locally administered, under USDA oversight, by a council of seventeen growers and shellers (handlers) nominated by the industry and appointed by USDA. DATES : The hearing dates are: 1. July 20 through July 21, 2015, Las Cruces, New Mexico. If an additional hearing session is necessary at this location, the hearing will continue on July 22. 2. July 23 through July 24, 2015, Dallas, Texas. If an additional hearing session is necessary at this location, the hearing will continue on July 25. 3. July 27 through July 29, 2015, Tifton, Georgia. If an additional hearing session is necessary at this location, the hearing will continue on July 30, 2015. All hearing sessions are scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. and will conclude at 5:00 p.m., or any other time as determined by the presiding administrative law judge with the exception of the hearing session potentially held on July 22 and 25, which will conclude at noon. ADDRESSES : The hearing locations are: 1. New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, Rio Hondo Room and Auditorium, 4100 Dripping Springs Road, Las Cruces, New Mexico, 88011. 2. Hilton Double Tree, Azalea Room, 1981 North Central Expressway, Richardson, Texas 75080. 3. Hilton Garden Inn, Magnolia Room, 201 Boo Drive, Tifton, Georgia, 31793. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT : Melissa Schmaedick, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Rulemaking Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Program, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), USDA, Post Office Box 1035, Moab, UT 84532, telephone: (202) 557–4783, fax: (435) 259–1502; or Michelle P. Sharrow, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Rulemaking Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 0237, Washington, DC 20250–0237; telephone: (202) 720–2491, fax: (202) 720–8938. Small businesses may request information on this proceeding by contacting Jeff Smutny, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 0237, Washington, DC 20250–0237; telephone: (202) 720–2491, fax: (202) 720–8938. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION : This administrative action is instituted pursuant to the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601–674), hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Act.’’ The proposed marketing order is authorized under section 8(c) of the Act. This action is governed by the provisions of sections 556 and 557 of title 5 of the United States Code and, therefore, is excluded from the requirements of Executive Order 12866. The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. ) seeks to ensure that within the statutory authority of a program, the regulatory and informational requirements are tailored to the size and nature of small businesses. Interested persons are invited to present evidence at the hearing on the possible regulatory and informational impacts of the proposal on small businesses. The marketing agreement and order proposed herein have been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. They are not intended to have retroactive effect