[Federal Register: February 24, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 36)]
[Notices]
[Page 8369-8376]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24fe04-33]
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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.
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[[Page 8369]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
February 19, 2004.
The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments
regarding (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 the
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality,
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Pamela-- Beverly-- OIRA--
Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or fax (202) 395--5806 and to Departmental
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-
7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured
of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this
notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling
(202) 7208681.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays
a currently valid OMB control number.
Foreign Agricultural Service
Title: ``Certificate for Quota Eligibility'' (CQE) to Enter Sugar
into the United States.
OMB Control Number: 0551-0014.
Summary of Collection: 5(a)(i) of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of
the United States authorizes the Secretary to establish a raw-can sugar
tariff-rate quota (TRQ). 5(b)(i) authorizes the U.S. Trade
Representative to allocate the raw-cane sugar tariff-rate quota among
supplying countries. Certificates of Quota Eligibility (CQE) are issued
to the 40 countries that receive TRQ allocations to export sugar to the
United States. The CQE is completed by the certifying authority in the
foreign country that certifies that the sugar being exported to the
United States was produced in the foreign country that has the TRQ
allocation. The Foreign Agriculture (FAS) will collection information
using form FSA-961.
Need and Use of the Information: FAS will collect the following
information: (1) Country of origin or area of the eligible raw can
sugar; (2) quota period; (3) quality of raw can sugar to be exported;
(4) details of the shipment (shipper, vessel, port of loading); and (5)
additional details if available at the time of shipment (consignee,
address of consignee, expected date of departure, expected date of
arrival in the U.S., expected port of arrival). The information will
help determine if the quantity to be imported is eligible to be entered
under the TRQ.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit;
Individuals or households.
Number of Respondents: 40.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 200.
Farm Service Agency
Title: Certified Mediation Program.
OMB Control Number: 0560-0165.
Summary of Collection: The Farm Service Agency (FSA) has amended
its agricultural loan mediation regulations to implement the
requirements of the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (the 1994 Act) and the United
States Grain Standards Act of 2000 ( the Grain Standards Act). The
regulations provide a mechanism to states to apply for and obtain
matching funds grants from USDA. The grant funds help states supplement
administrative operating funds needed to administer their agricultural
mediation programs. FSA will collection information by mail, phone,
fax, and in person.
Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information to
determine whether the State meets the eligibility criteria to be
recipients of grant funds, and secondly, to determine if the grant is
being administered as provided by the Act.
Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 29.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 928.
Farm Service Agency
Title: Facsimile Signature Authorization and Verification.
OMB Control Number: 0560-0203.
Summary of Collection: Individuals wishing to conduct business and
provide certain signed documents to the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) Service Center agencies via facsimile machines must complete
form FSA-237, Facsimile Signature Authorization and Verification. The
form serves as evidence that the individual is willing to conduct
business and provide signed documents through facsimile machines. Each
of the USDA service center agencies (Farm Service Agency, Natural
Resources Conservation Service, and Rural Development Agencies) will
share the signature on the FSA-237 forms to eliminate redundant
collection of the same data.
Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect the name,
signature and identification number from service center customers. The
information collected will be used to verify the authenticity of
signatures on documents provided to USDA service centers via
telefacsimile. Failure to collect and maintain the original signature
will limit USDA's ability to offer the telefacsimile alternative to its
service center customers.
Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households.
Number of Respondents: 51,965.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (once).
Total Burden Hours: 1,039.
[[Page 8370]]
Farm Service Agency
Title: Rate Quotation for Transportation Services.
OMB Control Number: 0560-NEW.
Summary of Collection: The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC)
through the Kansas City Commodity Office (KCCO), solicits bids from
approved Motor Carriers and Intermodal Marketing Companies for the
purpose of providing transportation of agricultural commodities. 49
U.S.C. 13712 authorizes USDA to receive freight rate quotes from
approved Motor Carriers and Intermodal Marketing Companies that are
compliant with USDA requirements to haul agricultural products for
USDA. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) will collect information using form
KC-5, Rate Quotation for Transportation Services.
Need and Use of the Information: The information collected will be
used by KCCO to: (1) Establish the lowest cost of movement via Motor
Carriers or Intermodal Marketing Companies, (2) determine whether the
transportation needs of USDA, FSA, and KCCO are being met, and (3)
ensure that Motor Carriers and Intermodal Marketing Companies,
providing transportation services have both the willingness and the
capability to meet these needs.
Description of Respondents: Business or other-for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions; State, Local and Tribal Government; Federal
Government.
Number of Respondents: 132.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Other (as needed).
Total Burden Hours: 1,353.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Title: National Agricultural Pest Information System.
OMB Control Number: 0579-0010.
Summary of Collection: The United States Department of Agriculture
is responsible for preventing plant diseases or insect pests from
entering the United States, preventing the spread of pests not widely
distributed in the United States, and eradicating those imported pests
when eradication is feasible. The Plant Quarantine Act and the Federal
Plant Pest Act authorizes the Department to carry out this mission. The
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has joined forces
with the States to create a program called the Cooperative Agricultural
Pest Survey. The program allows the States and the Plant Protection and
Quarantine (PPQ) to conduct surveys to detect and measure the presence
of imported plant pests and to input survey data into a national
computer-based system (called the National Agricultural Plant
Information System). APHIS will collect information using PPQ Form 391
and the information from the survey.
Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information to
predict potential pest situations and to promptly detect and respond to
the occurrence of new pests and to record the location of those pest
incursions that could directly hinder the export of U.S. farm
commodities. If the information were not collected, it would seriously
affect APHIS ability to timely assist farmers, State personnel, and
others involved in agriculture to plan pest control measures, detect
new outbreaks, and to determine the threat posed by migratory pests.
Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 155.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting; On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 3,969.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Title: Importation of Fruits and Vegetables.
OMB Control Number: 0579-0158.
Summary of Collection: Under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C.
7701-7772), the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to regulate the
importation of plants, plant products, and other articles to prevent
the introduction of injurious plant pests. Regulations contained in
Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 319 (subpart--Fruits
and Vegetables), sections 319.56 through 319.56-8 implement the intent
of this Act by prohibiting or restricting the importation of certain
fruits and vegetables into the United States from certain parts of the
world to prevent the introduction and dissemination of fruit flies and
other injurious plant pests that are new to or not widely distributed
within the United States. Allowing these fruits and vegetables to be
imported necessitates the use of certain information collection
activities, including the completion of import permits, phytosanitary
inspection certificates, and fruit fly monitoring records.
Need and Use of the Information: The Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) will collect the name and address of the
importer, the type of fruit or vegetables being imported, from which
country these products are being imported, and other information
regarding the shipment that will enable APHIS to determine whether the
fruit or vegetables are eligible for import and if so, what (if any)
risk mitigation measures will be necessary to ensure these items pose
minimal risk of introducing plant pests into the United States. Without
the information, APHIS would need to inspect each and every shipment
very thoroughly to ensure that no pests were accompanying the shipment.
This would require considerable more inspection time, thus drastically
slowing the clearance of international shipments.
Description of Respondents: Farm; Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 150.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 3,200.
Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service
Title: Commercial Transportation of Equines to Slaughter.
OMB Control Number: 0579-0160.
Summary of Collection: Sections 901-905 of the Federal Agriculture
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 authorize the Secretary of
Agriculture to issue guidelines for regulating the commercial
transportation of horses to slaughter by persons regularly engaged in
that activity within the United States. To fulfill this responsibility,
the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) established
regulations in title 9, part 98 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The
minimum standards cover, among other things, the food, water, and rest
provided to these horses while they are in transit; and to review other
related issues that may be appropriate to ensuring that these animals
are treated humanely. Implementing these regulations entails the use of
two information collection activities in the form of an owner-shipper
certificate, as well as the collection of employment information on any
person found to be transporting horses to a slaughtering facility.
Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect the following
information: (1) Shipper's name and address and the owner's name and
address; (2) description of the transporting vehicle, including the
license plate number; (3) a description of the horse's physical
characteristics, including its sex, coloring, distinguishing marks,
permanent brands, electronic means of identification, or other
characteristics that can be used to accurately identify the horse; (4)
the number of the USDA back tag that has been applied to the horse for
identification purposes; (5) a statement of the animal's fitness to
travel, which must indicate that the horse is able to bear weight on
all four limbs, is able to walk unassisted, is not blind in both eyes,
is older than 6
[[Page 8371]]
months of age, and is not likely to give birth during the trip; (6) a
description of anything unusual with regard to the physical condition
of the horse, such as a wound or blindness in one eye, and any special
handling needs; (7) the date, time, and place the horse was loaded on
the conveyance; and (8) a statement that the horse was provided access
to food, water, and rest prior to transport.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit;
Individuals or households; Farms.
Number of Respondents: 200.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 4,203.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Title: District of Columbia Plant Health Certificate.
OMB Control Number: 0579-0166.
Summary of Collection: The United States Department of Agriculture
is responsible for preventing plant pests and noxious weeds for
entering the United States, preventing the spread of pests and weeds
not widely distributed in the United States and eradicating those
imported pests and weeds when eradication is feasible. The Federal
Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701-7772) authorized the Department to
carry out this mission. The Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) of
the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) provides
certification services for plant material moving interstate to ensure
other states that the plants and plant products they are receiving from
the District of Columbia are free of prohibited or otherwise regulated
plant pests. APHIS will collect information using form PPQ 571 District
of Columbia Plant Health Certificate.
Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information
using forms PPQ 571, to certify that the domestic plant or other plant
material described by the shipper has been inspected according to
appropriate procedures and that it is considered free from certain
plant diseases, insects, or other pests, and is considered to conform
with the requirements of the importing State. If the information is not
collected, it would likely result in the interstate spread of damaging
agricultural pests. Further entities in the District of Columbia would
be unable to ship their products to other States, as other States
require this certification.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 4.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 40.
Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service
Title: Veterinary Services User Fees; Fees for Permit Applications.
OMB Control Number: 0579-0167.
Summary of Collection: The Food, Agricultural, Conservation and
Trade Act of 1990, as amended, authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture
to prescribe and collect fees to reimburse Agencies for the cost of
carrying out the provisions of the Federal Animal Quarantine Laws that
relate to the importation, entry, and exportation of animals, articles,
or means of conveyance. The Veterinary Services Division of USDA's
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is the unit
responsible for processing import permit applications and for charging
a user fee to provide this service. VS 16-3, Application for Permit to
Import Controlled Material; Import or Transport Organisms or Vectors
will be used to collect information.
Need and Use of the Information: The information collected from the
import permit application process enables USDA to carefully evaluate
the risks associated with commodities prior to their entry into the
United States and to determine the appropriate user fee to charge.
Failure to collect user fees could create a significant funding
shortage that might cripple APHIS ability to process import permit
applications in a timely manner.
Description of Respondents: Federal Government; Business or other
for-profit; Individuals or households.
Number of Respondents: 2,350.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting; On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 47.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Title: Citrus Canker; Payment for Recovery of Lost Production
Income.
OMB Control Number: 0579-0168.
Summary of Collection: Under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C.
7701-7772), the Secretary of Agriculture, either independently or in
cooperation with the States, is authorized to carry out operations or
measures to detect, eradicate, suppress, control, prevent, or retard
the spread of plant pests (such as citrus canker) new to or widely
distributed throughout the United States. The Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Services (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine, has
regulations in place to prevent the interstate spread of citrus canker.
These regulations restrict the interstate movement of regulated
articles from and through areas quarantined because of citrus canker.
APHIS established a program under which eligible owners of commercial
citrus groves in Florida could receive payments to recover production
income lost as a result of the removal of their commercial citrus trees
to control citrus canker. The payment of these funds is intended to
reduce the economic effect of citrus canker quarantine on affected
commercial citrus growers in Florida. Implementing this payment program
necessitates the use of information collection activities in the form
of an Application for Funds.
Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect from the
application the owner's name and address, a description of the owner's
property, and a certification statement that the trees removed from the
owner's property were commercial citrus trees. Along with the
application form, the owner must also send a copy of the public order
or destruction order that describes the acreage the number and the
types of trees removed. The information collected will be used to: (1)
Obtain the correct address to which funds are to be sent, and (2)
verify the location and acreage for which the owner is requesting
recovery funds. Without the information APHIS would be unable to
reimburse eligible grove owners for the loss of production income.
Description of Respondents: Farm; Business or other for-profit;
Individuals or households.
Number of Respondents: 20.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 3.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Title: CSF--Importation of Pork and Pork Products and Live Swine
from 4 Mexican States.
OMB Control Number: 0579-0230.
Summary of Collection: Disease prevention is the most effective
method for maintaining a healthy animal population and enhancing the
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) ability to compete
in the world market of animal and animal product trade. Veterinary
Services, a division with APHIS is responsible for carrying out this
disease prevention mission. The agency regulates the importation of
animals and animal products into the United States to guard against the
introduction of exotic animal diseases such as classical swine fever.
The regulations under which APHIS conducts these disease prevention
activities are contained in Title 9, Chapter 1, Subchapter D, Parts 91
through 99 of the Code of Federal
[[Page 8372]]
Regulations. These regulations place certain restrictions on the
importation of swine, pork, and pork products in order to prevent an
incursion of classical swine fever or other exotic swine diseases into
the United States.
Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information
using a certificate issued by a salaried veterinary officer of the
Government of Mexico. The certificate must identify both the exporting
region and the region of origin as a region designated as free of
classical swine fever at the time the swine, pork and pork products
were in the region. If the information were not collected it would
significantly cripple APHIS' ability to ensure that swine, pork, and
pork products from certain States within Mexico pose a minimal risk of
introducing classical swine fever and other exotic animal diseases into
the United States.
Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households.
Number of Respondents: 5.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 50.
Forest Service
Title: Operating Plans.
OMB Control Number: 0596-0086.
Summary of Collection: The National Forest Management Act, 16
U.S.C. 472a(14)(C) (Act) requires timber sale operating plans on timber
sales that exceed 2 years in length. The regulations at 36 CFR 223.32
have a similar requirement. The operating plans are collected within 60
days of award of timber sale contracts and annually thereafter until
harvest is complete. There is no prescribed format for the collection
of the information. Timber sale purchasers may submit the required
information in the form of a chart or letter using surface mail,
electronic mail, or via facsimile. The information is based on the
timber sale purchaser's business plan.
Need and Use of the Information: Forest Service (FS) will collect
information to determine eligibility for additional contract time. In
addition, the information is used to plan the agency timber sale
contract administration workload and to meet other contract
obligations. The information collected includes planned periods and
methods of anticipated major activities, including, road construction,
timber harvesting, and completion of other contract requirements.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit;
Individuals or households.
Number of Respondents: 2,500.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 1,875.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: RUS Form 444, ``Wholesale Power Contracts''.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0089.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (RE
Act) as amended (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), authorizes the Rural Utilities
Service (RUS) to make and guarantee loads that will enable rural
consumers to obtain electric power. Rural consumers formed non-profit
electric distribution cooperatives, groups of these distribution
cooperatives banded together to form Generation and Transmission
cooperatives (G&T's) that generate or purchase power and transmit the
power to the distribution systems. All RUS and G&T borrowers will enter
into a Wholesale Power Contract with their distribution members by
using RUS form 444.
Need and Use of the Information: To fulfill the purposes of the RE
Act RUS will collect information to improve the credit quality and
credit worthiness of loans and loan guarantees to G&T borrowers. RUS
works closely with lending institutions that provide supplemental loan
funds to borrowers.
Description of Respondents: Not-for profit institutions; Business
or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 110.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Quarterly.
Total Burden Hours: 660.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR 1775, Technical Assistance Program.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0112.
Summary of Collection: Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (CONACT), 7 U.S.C. 1926, authorizes Rural
Utilities Service (RUS) to make loans and grants to public agencies,
American Indian tribes, and nonprofit corporations. The loans and
grants fund the development of drinking water, wastewater, and solid
waste disposal facilities in rural areas with populations of up to
10,000 residents. Non-profit organizations receive Technical Assistance
and Training (TAT) and Solid Waste Management (SWM) grants to help
small rural communities or areas identify and solve problems relating
to community drinking water, wastewater, or solid waste disposal
systems. The technical assistance is intended to improve the management
and operation of the systems and reduce or eliminate pollution of water
resources. TAT and SWM are competitive grant programs administered by
RUS.
Need and Use of the Information: Non-profit organizations applying
for TAT and SWM grants must submit a pre-application, which includes an
application form, narrative proposal, various other forms,
certifications and supplemental information. RUS will collect
information to determine applicant eligibility, project feasibility,
and the applicant's ability to meet the grant and regulatory
requirements. RUS will review the information, evaluate it, and, if the
applicant and project are eligible for further competition, invite the
applicant to submit a formal application. Failure to collect proper
information could result in improper determinations of eligibility,
improper use of funds, or hindrances in making grants authorized by the
TAT and SWM program.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 95.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Quarterly.
Total Burden Hours: 5,555.
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Title: Supplemental Qualifications Statement.
OMB Control Number: 0535-0209.
Summary of Collection: The Department of Agriculture has an
Interagency Agreement with the Office of Personnel, which provides the
National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) with the authority to
examine, rate, and certify applications for agricultural statistician
positions. In addition to resumes, curriculum vitae, and the standard
Optional Application for Federal Employment, NASS has created a
Supplemental Qualifications Statement (SQS) for agricultural
statistician and mathematical statistician positions. The SQS allows
applicants the opportunity to describe their achievements or
accomplishments as they relate to the required knowledge, skills, and
abilities.
Need and Use of the Information: THe SQS provides applicants with
information related to how they will be measured for a position and
what kinds of information will be used to evaluate those abilities.
NASS personnel specialist will use the information on the SQS to
evaluate and rate the applicant's accomplishments or achievements.
Ultimately, the information is used by the selecting official as one of
the criteria in the selection process.
Description of Respondents: Individuals or households.
Number of Respondents: 50.
[[Page 8373]]
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 150.
National Agriculture Statistics Service
Title: Agricultural Surveys Program.
OMB Control Number: 0535-0213.
Summary of Collection: National Agriculture Statistics Service
(NASS) primary functions are to prepare and issue state and national
estimates of crop and livestock production and collect information on
related environmental and economic factors. The Agricultural Surveys
Program is a series of surveys that contains basic agricultural data
from farmers and ranchers throughout the Nation the preparing
agricultural estimates and forecasts. The surveys results provide the
foundation for setting livestock and poultry inventory numbers.
Estimates derived from the surveys supply information needed by farmers
to make decisions for both short and long-term planning. The General
authority for these data collection is granted under U.S. Code Title 7,
Section 2206.
Need and Use of the Information: The surveys provide the basis for
estimates of the current season's crop and livestock production and
supplies of grain in storage. Crop and livestock statistics help
develop a stable economic atmosphere and reduce risk for production,
marketing, and distribution operations. These commodities affect the
well being of the nation's farmers, commodities markets, and national
and global agricultural policy.
Users of agricultural statistics are farm organizations,
agribusiness, state and national farm policy makers, and foreign buyers
of agricultural products but the primary user of the statistical
information is the producer. Agricultural statistics are also used to
plan and administer other related federal and state programs in such
areas as school lunch program, conservation, foreign trade, education,
and recreation. Collecting the information less frequent would
eliminate needed data to keep the government and agricultural industry
abreast of changes at the state and national levels.
Description of Respondents: Farms.
Number of Respondents: 578,650.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Quarterly; Semi-annually;
Monthly; Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 134,129.
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Title: Nursery Production survey and Nursery and Floriculture
Chemical Use Survey.
OMB Control Number: 0535-0244.
Summary of Collection: The National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS) is charged with the responsibility of providing reliable, up-to-
date information concerning the Nation's farms and ranches to farm
groups, the public, Congress, the Executive Branch and the Secretary of
Agriculture. Congress appropriated funds for the collection of
pesticide use data on nursery and floriculture operations. This data
will expand the existing NASS pesticide database that contains
comprehensive annual pesticide use reports. The authority for these
data collection activities is granted under U.S. Code Title 7, Section
2204.
Need and Use of the Information: NASS will collect information to
assess the environmental and economic impact of various programs,
policies and procedures on nursery and floriculture operators and their
workers. This data will enhance the national chemical use database
maintained by NASS which is an integral source of data necessary for
on-going risk assessments related to dietary exposure to chemicals,
worker safety, water quality and ecological resources.
Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 12,145.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Biennially.
Total Burden Hours: 7,052,
Farm Service Agency
Title: Request for Electronic Loan Deficiency Payment Services.
OMB Control Number: 0560-0220.
Summary of Collection: The USDA County Base Agency's (CBA) have
developed a management and technical process that addresses user
authentication and authorization prerequisites for providing services
electronically. The process provides an electronic alternative to
traditional ink signatures. The process is based on a one-time
registration requirement for each CBA customer desiring access to any
on-line services that require user authentication. The information
collected on form AD-2016, USDA Registration Form to Request Electronic
Access Code, is necessary to enable the authentication of users and
grant them access to only those resources for which they are
authorized.
Need and Use of the Information: The voluntary registration process
applies to CBA customers and partners (non-CBA employees) who request
Farm Service Agency, Rural Development, and Natural Resources
Conservation Service provided services. Registration can be requested
by the customer in person, by mail, or by fax. The information
collected on form AD-2016 will be used to verify and validate the
identity of registrants and to enable the electronic authentication of
users. The user will then have access to these authorized resources
without needing to reauthenticate within the context of a single
Internet session.
Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or Households;
Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 5,000.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 1,600.
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Title: Research on Rural Cooperative Opportunities and Problems.
OMB Control Number: 0570-0028.
Summary of Collection: Public Law 103-350, the Department of
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994, established The Rural Business-
Cooperative Service (RBS). The mission of RBS is to improve the quality
of life in rural America by financing community facilities and
businesses, providing technical assistance and creating effective
strategies for rural development. The primary objective of this funding
is to encourage research through cooperative agreements on critical
issues vital to the development and sustainability of cooperatives as a
means of improving the quality of life in America's rural communities.
RBS will collect information through research proposals prepared by
applicants, who may be public or private colleges or universities,
research foundations maintained, by a college or university, or private
nonprofit organizations.
Need and Use of the Information: RBS will collect information from
applicants to determine (1) Eligibility; (2) the specific purpose for
which the funds will be utilized; (3) time frames or dates by which
activities surrounding the use of funds will be accomplished; (4)
feasibility of the project; (5) applicants' experience in managing
similar activities; and (6) the effectiveness and innovation used to
address critical issues vital to the development and sustainability of
cooperatives as a means of improving the quality of life in America's
rural communities. Without the collection of information, there would
be no basis on which to award funds or monitor project progress.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 50.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion;
Quarterly.
Total Burden Hours: 1,339.
[[Page 8374]]
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Title: National Sheep Industry Improvement Center.
OMB Control Number: 0570-0048.
Summary of Collection: The National Sheep Industry Improvement
Center (NSIIC) is authorized by 7 U.S.C. 2008j to assist the U.S. sheep
and goat industries by strengthening and enhancing the production and
marketing of sheep, goats, and their products in the United States. The
management of NSIIC is vested in a Board of Directors consisting of 7
voting members chosen from the sheep and goat industries.
Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is used
to confirm that an applicant meet the eligibility requirements; the
specific purpose for which the funds will be utilized; timeframes or
dates by which activities surrounding the use of funds will be
accomplished; feasibility of the project; applicants' experience in
managing similar activities; and the effectiveness and innovation used
to address critical issues vital to the development and sustainability
of businesses, job creation, loans packaged, business information
system network, and infrastructure development as a means of improving
the American Sheep or Goat Industries. Without this information, there
would be no basis on which to award funds.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions; Farms; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal
Government.
Number of Respondents: 45.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Recordkeeping.
Total Burden Hours: 383.
Rural Utility Service
Title: Water and Waste Disposal Programs Guaranteed Loans.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0122.
Summary of Collection: Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is authorized
by the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to make loans to
public agencies, nonprofit corporations, and Indian tribes for the
development of water and waste disposal facilities primarily servicing
rural residents. The Waste and Water Disposal Programs (WW) of RUS
provide insured loan and grant funds through the WW program to finance
many types of projects varying in size and complexity. The Waste and
Water Disposal Guaranteed Program is codified under 7 CFR 1779. The
guaranteed loan program encourages lender participation and provides
specific guidance in the processing and servicing of guaranteed loans.
Need and Use of the Information: Rural Development's field offices
will collect information from applicants/borrowers, lenders, and
consultants to determine eligibility, project feasibility and to ensure
borrowers operate on a sound basis and use loan funds for authorized
purposes. There are agency forms required as well as other requirements
that involve certifications from the borrower, lenders, and other
parties. Failure to collect proper information could result in improper
determinations of eligibility, use of funds and or unsound loans.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 15.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 858.
Agricultural Marketing Service
Title: Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Spearmint Oil
Produced in the Far West, M.O. 985.
OMB Control Number: 0581-0065.
Summary of Collection: The marketing order programs provide an
opportunity for producers of fresh fruits, vegetables and specialty
crops, in a specified production area to work together to solve
marketing problems that cannot be solved individually. Far West
spearmint marketing order regulates the handling of spearmint oil
produced in the Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and designated parts of
Nevada and Utah. The order authorizes the issuance of allotment
provisions for producers and regulates the quantities of spearmint oil
handled and has the authority for research and development. Under the
Agriculture Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-
674), industries enter into marketing order programs. Agricultural
Marketing Service (AMS) may act as the Secretary's agent to oversee the
order operations and issue regulations recommended by a committee of
representatives from each commodity industry.
Need and Use of the Information: The Committee has the
authorization to require producers, handlers, and processors submit
certain information as provided by the Order, rules and regulations.
Various forms relating to spearmint supplies, shipments, and
dispositions, are used and required to effectively carry out the
purpose of the Act and order. The committee periodically reviews
reports and forms to ensure that they are understandable, easy to fill
out, and only the minimum of information necessary is reported. The
information collected is used by authorized representatives of USDA,
including AMS, Fruit and Vegetable Programs' regional and headquarters
staff, and employees of the Committee. Timing and frequency of the
various reports has evolved to meet the needs of the industry and
minimize the burden on the reporting public. Collecting data less
frequently would eliminate data needed to keep the spearmint oil
industry and the Secretary abreast of changes at the state and local
level.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Farms,
Federal government, State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 194.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping, Reporting: On occasion,
Annual, Biennially.
Total Burden Hours: 230.
Agricultural Marketing Service
Title: Regulation governing inspection, certification, and
standards for fresh fruits, vegetables and other products--7 CFR 51.
OMB Control Number: 0581-0125.
Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 gives
authorization to USDA to inspect, certify and identify the class,
quantity, quality and condition of agricultural produces when shipped
or received in interstate commerce and to enter into cooperative
agreements with cooperating Federal-State inspection Agencies that
provide for this inspection work. The Fresh Products Branch provides a
nationwide inspection and grading service for fresh fruits, vegetables,
and other products to shippers, importers, processors, sellers, buyers
and other financially interested parties on a ``user-fee'' basis. The
program is voluntary and services are made available only upon request
or when specified by some special program or contact.
Need and Use of the Information: Various forms are used to collect
information. Such information includes: The name and location of the
person or company requesting the inspection, the type and location of
the product to be inspected, the type of inspection being requested and
any information that will identify the product. The information
collected is needed to carry out the inspection and grading services.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 56,980.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 8,942.
Agricultural Marketing Service
Title: Seed Service Testing Program.
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OMB Control Number: 0581-0140.
Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA) of
1946, as amended by 7 U.S.C. 1621 authorizes the Secretary to inspect
and certify the quality of agricultural products and collect such fees
as reasonable to cover the cost of service rendered. The purpose of the
voluntary program is to promote efficient, orderly marketing of seeds
submitted to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) are tested for
factors such as purity and germination at the request of the applicant
for the service. The Testing Section of the Seed Regulatory and Testing
Branch of AMS, which tests the seed and issues the certificates is the
only Federal seed testing facility which can issue the Federal Seed
Analysis Certificate.
Need and Use of the Information: Applicants generally are seed
firms who use the seed analysis certificates to represent the quality
of seed lots to foreign customers according to the terms specified in
contracts of trade. The only information collected is information
needed to provide the service requested by the applicant. Applicants
must provide information such as the kind and quantity of seed, tests
to be performed, and seed treatment if present, along with a sample of
seed in order for AMS to provide the service. Only authorized AMS
employees used the information collected to track, test, and report
test results to the applicant. If the information were not collected,
AMS would not know which test to conduct or would not be able to relate
the test results with a specific lot of seed. The information must be
provided for each sample the applicant submits for test. Without the
AMS program, applicants would have to obtain tests from state or
commercial laboratories.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Farms;
State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 82.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 499.
Agricultural Marketing Service--Farm Service Agency
Title: National Organic Program.
OMB Control Number: 0581-0191.
Summary of Collection: The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) of
1990, Title XXI of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of
1990 (Farm bill), USC Title 7, Section 6503(a) mandates that the
Secretary of Agriculture develop a national organic program. The
purposes of the regulation mandated by OFPA are: (1) To establish
national standards governing the marketing of certain agricultural
products as organically produced products; (2) to assure consumers that
organically produced products meet a consistent standard; and (3) to
facilitate interstate commerce in fresh and processed food that is
organically produced. The National Organic Program (NOP) regulation
fulfills the requirements of the OFPA. It includes comprehensive
production and handling standards, labeling provisions, requirements
for the certification of producers and handlers, accreditation of
certifying agents by USDA and an administrative subpart for fees, State
Programs, National List, appeals, compliance and pesticide residue
testing. Agricultural Marketing Service will approve programs for State
governments wishing to establish State Organic Programs.
Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is used
to evaluate compliance with OFPA and NOP for administering the program,
for management decisions and planning, for establishing the cost of the
program and to support administrative and regulatory actions in
response to non-compliance with OFPA. Certifying agents will have to
submit an application to USDA to become accredited to certify organic
production and handling operations. Auditors will review the
application, perform site evaluation and submit reports to USDA, who
will make a decision to grant or deny accreditation. Producers,
handlers and certifying agents whose operations are not approved have
the right to mediation and appeal the decision. Reporting and
recordkeeping are essential to the integrity of the organic
certification system.
Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households;
Business or other for-profit; State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 19,766.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually; Recordkeeping.
Total Burden Hours: 593,523.
Farm Service Agency
Title: Eminent Domain Acquisitions: Reallocating Allotments and
Quotas; Requesting Disaster Credit.
OMB Control Number: 0560-0033.
Summary of Collection: A Federal, State or other government agency
has the power to take a farm by eminent domain acquisition and thus
displace a landowner. A farm may be taken by eminent domain through
court proceedings to condemn the land or through negotiation between
the taking agency and the owner of the land. When an owner is displaced
from a farm by eminent domain, in order to avoid forfeiture of the
tobacco allotment or quota which is assigned to the farm, she/he may
contact the Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committee at the FSA
County office, where the farm is located and arrange to place the
tobacco in an `eminent domain' pool. The allotment or quota thus placed
in a pool is held for the displaced owner for subsequent transfer to
other farms she/he may own or may purchase. An owner must request
transfer of the tobacco from the pool within 3 years from the date of
displacement from the farm to which the tobacco originally belonged.
Further a farmer whose tobacco crop could not be planted, or which
failed, because of a natural disaster such as adverse weather
conditions, disease, virus, and insects, can request disaster credit to
help protect the quota/allotment from forfeiture. FSA will collect
information using forms FSA-177, Record of Pooled Farm Allotment or
Quota, FSA-178, Application for Transfer of Allotment or Quota From
Pool, and FSA-182, Request for Tobacco Disaster Credit.
Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information from
the three forms to ensure the following: (1) The displaced owner
request that tobacco be placed in an `eminent domain,' (2) the
displaced owner to request transfer of the pooled tobacco to another
farm that she/he owns, and (3) to request disaster credit to help
protect the quota/allotment from forfeiture.
Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Farms;
Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 312.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (as needed).
Total Burden Hours: 482.
Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service
Title: Interstate Movement of Swine Within a Production System.
OMB Control Number: 0579-0161.
Summary of Collection: Disease prevention is the most effective
method for maintaining a healthy animal population, and for enhancing
the Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) ability to
compete in the world market of animal and animal product trade. The
Veterinary Services Division of APHIS is responsible for carrying out
this disease prevention mission. The regulations under which APHIS
conducts these disease prevention activities are contained in Title 9,
Subchapter C of Chapter I, which governs the interstate movement of
animals to prevent the dissemination
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of livestock and poultry diseases within the United States. Regulations
in Part 71 contain requirements for moving swine interstate within a
swine production system. (A production system consists of separate
farms that each specialize in a different phase of swine production--
sow herds, nursery herds, and finishing herds). Moving swine interstate
within a swine production system involves the use of two information
collection activities in the form of a Swine Production Health Plan and
an Interstate Swine Movement Report.
Need and Use of the Information: The Swine Production Health Plan
is a document developed by participating swine producers, stating that
all farms within the given swine production system will maintain the
health of their swine and remain vigilant for any signs of communicable
disease. The Interstate Swine Movement Report is a document initiated
by swine producers to notify their accredited veterinarians, APHIS, and
State regulatory officials in the States of origin and destination that
a group of animals is being moved across State lines in a swine
production system. Without the information, the movement of swine
interstate within a swine production system would become less efficient
and more time-consuming, consequently placing more financial and
logistical burden on producers who regularly engage in this activity.
Description of Respondents; Farms; Federal Government.
Number of Respondents: 1,000.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 1,000.
Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-3954 Filed 2-23-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M