[Federal Register: December 22, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 245)]
[Notices]
[Page 76019-76020]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22de05-26]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Food Stamp Program: Agency Information Collection Activities:
Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Disaster Food Stamp Program
AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment
on proposed information collections. This information collection is
based on the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act and Section 5(h) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as
amended, which provide the Secretary of Agriculture with the authority
to develop an emergency food stamp program to address the needs of
families temporarily in need of food assistance after a disaster. The
information collection under this notice is required for the
establishment and operation of emergency food stamp assistance
programs.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before February 21,
2006.
ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection
of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions
of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information 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
respond, including through the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Patrick
Waldron, Chief, Certification Policy Branch, Program Development
Division, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments may also be
faxed to the attention of Mr. Waldron at (703) 305-2486. The Internet
address is:
[[Page 76020]]
Patrick.Waldron@FNS.USDA.GOV. All written comments will be open for
public inspection at the office of the Food and Nutrition Service
during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday) at 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia, 22302, Room
812.
All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the
request for OMB approval. All comments will be a matter of public
record.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information
should be directed to Mr. Waldron at (703) 305-2495.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Disaster Food Stamp Program.
OMB Number: 0584-0336.
Expiration Date: March 31, 2006.
Type of Request: Revision of a previously approved collection.
Abstract: Pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act and Section 5(h) of the Food Stamp Act of
1977, as amended, the Secretary of Agriculture has the authority to
develop an emergency food stamp program to address the temporary food
needs of families following a disaster. The information collection
under this notice is required to be provided by State agencies in order
to receive approval from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to
operate an emergency food stamp program as the result of a disaster.
The number of disasters that occur annually and the average number
of households affected by disasters cannot be accurately predicted.
During the period from calendar year 1996 through calendar year 2004,
the number of disasters has ranged from a low of three (in calendar
years 2000 and 2001) to highs of 13 and 14 (for calendar years 2003 and
1998 respectively). The information collection under this reporting
burden is limited to burden encountered by State agencies in preparing
their requests to operate disaster food stamp programs. FNS estimates
that approximately 10 hours of State agency personnel time would be
required to prepare such requests. Burden associated with the process
of applying for food stamp benefits under disaster food stamp programs
and the processing of these applications by State and local food stamp
personnel are approved under OMB docket 0584-0064. The burden
associated with preparing requests to operate disaster food stamp
programs varies very little from disaster to disaster and is
independent of the scope of the disaster with major disasters requiring
little additional document preparation time than relatively minor
disasters.
Based on an estimate of eight State agency requests per year to
operate disaster food stamp programs and 10 hours of State agency
personnel time to prepare each application, we have calculated an
estimated burden of 80 hours per year in an average year. This
represents a small increase from our 2003 estimate based on a slight
increase in the annual average number of disasters. We note that in
most years the number of disasters (eight) necessitating the operation
of disaster food stamp programs falls below the minimum threshold for
which OMB approval of the reporting burden associated with this
information collection is required. Since an above average number of
disasters may occur in any given year we have elected to submit this
information collection to OMB for their approval, and consequently, are
requesting public comments associated with the collection.
Affected Public: State and local governments.
Estimated Number of Responses: 8.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 8.
Estimated Number of Responses per Recipient: 1.
Estimated Time per Response: 10 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 80 hours.
Dated: December 12, 2005.
Roberto Salazar,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. E5-7689 Filed 12-21-05; 8:45 am]
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