[Federal Register: December 22, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 246)]
[Notices]               
[Page 76960-76961]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22de06-28]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

 
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

December 19, 2006.
    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), 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) 720-8958.
    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.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Education and Administrative Reporting System (EARS).
    OMB Control Number: 0584-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has 
developed a new reporting system for the nutrition

[[Page 76961]]

education component of the Food Stamp Program, which is provided for in 
section 11(f) of the Food Stamp Act, 7 U.S.C. 2020(f). The new 
Education and Administrative Reporting System (EARS) will provide 
uniform data and information about the nutrition education activities 
of all participating States across the country. The data and 
information collected through EARS will inform management decisions, 
support policy initiatives, provide documentation for legislative, 
budget and other requests, and support planning within the agency. Data 
will be submitted electronically by all state FSP agencies annually.
    Need and Use of the Information: EARS will allow for the collection 
of uniform data on program activities, making it possible to describe 
who is reached, what they are taught and how resources are used in Food 
Stamp Nutrition Education (FSNE). Data collected under this new system 
include demographic characteristics of participants receiving nutrition 
education benefits, topics covered by the educational intervention, 
education delivery sites, education strategies, and resource 
allocation. Without this data, FNS would not be able to respond timely 
and effectively to legislative and budget information requests or 
monitor trends in program activities.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 52.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 2,808.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer
 [FR Doc. E6-21968 Filed 12-21-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-30-P