[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 19, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79337-79339]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32298]
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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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Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 244 / Tuesday, December 19, 2000 /
Notices
[[Page 79337]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
December 14, 2000.
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), Washington, DC 20503 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) 720-6746.
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.
OMB Control Number: 0551-0014.
Summary of Collection: Section 5 (a)(i) of the Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture
to establish a raw-cane sugar tariff-rate quota (TRQ). Section 5(b)(i)
authorized 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 who certifies that
the sugar that will be exported to the United States was produced in
the foreign country that has the TRQ allocation. The Foreign
Agricultural Service (FAS) will collect information using form FSA-961.
Need and Use of the Information: FAS will collect the quantity,
name of shipper, name of vessel, and port of loading. The information
will help FAS 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.
Foreign Agricultural Service
Title: CCC's Supplier Credit Guarantee Program (SCGP).
OMB Control Number: 0551-0037.
Summary of Collection: The Supplier Credit Guarantee Program (SCGP)
offers credit guarantees to exporters in order to maintain and increase
overseas importer's ability to purchase U.S. agricultural goods. The
SCGP is designed to assist exporters of U.S. agricultural commodities
who wish to provide relatively short-term (up to 180 days) credit to
their importers evidenced by promissory notes executed by such
importers. Under 7 CFR Part 1493, exporters are required to submit the
following: (1) Information about the exporter for program
participation; (2) export sales information in connection with applying
for a payment guarantee; (3) information regarding the actual export of
the commodity (evidence of export report); (4) notice of default and
claims for loss; and (5) other documents, if applicable, including
notice assignment of the right to receive proceeds under the export
credit guarantee. The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) will collect
information using the guarantee application, export report and
assignment notice from the participants by mail, fax, e-mail, and
telephone.
Need and Use of the Information: FAS will collect information to
manage, plan, evaluate and account for government resources. The
reports and records are required to ensure the proper and judicious use
of public funds.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 288.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 1,166.
Farm Service Agency
Title: Insured Farm Ownership Loan Policies, Procedures, and
Authorizations.
OMB Control Number: 0560-0157.
Summary of Collection: The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (CONACT) provides authorization to the Secretary of Agriculture to
make and insure loans to farmers and ranchers. In addition, the
Secretary is authorized to make such rules and regulations, prescribe
the terms and conditions for making and insuring loans, security
instruments and agreements. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator
has been delegated the authority to administer the farm ownership loan
program in accordance with the requirements in 7 CFR part 1943 subpart
A.
Need and Use of the Information: The agency uses the information to
evaluate loan making or loan servicing proposals. The information is
needed by the agency to evaluate an applicant's eligibility, and to
determine if the operation is economically feasible and the security
offered in support of the loan is adequate. If this information were
not collected, the agency and applicant would be unable to adequately
bind a real estate sales contract and meet the congressionally mandated
mission of loan programs.
Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Farms.
Number of Respondents: 210.
[[Page 79338]]
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 54.
Agricultural Marketing Service
Title: National Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information
Programs.
OMB Control Number: 0581-0093.
Summary of Collection: The U.S. Department of Agriculture has the
responsibility for implementing and overseeing programs for a variety
of commodities including cotton, dairy, eggs, beef, pork, soybeans,
honey, potatoes, watermelons, mushrooms, kiwifruit, popcorn, and olive
oil. Various Acts authorize these programs to carry out projects
relating to research, consumer information, advertising, sales
promotion, producer information, market development and product
research to assist, improve, or promote the marketing, distribution,
and utilization of their respective commodities.
Need and Use of the Information: The Secretary of Agriculture
appoints board members and approves the boards' budgets, plans, and
projects. This responsibility has been delegated to the Agricultural
Marketing Service (AMS). AMS' objective in carrying out this
responsibility is to ensure the following: (1) Funds are collected and
properly accounted for; (2) expenditures of all funds are for the
purposes authorized by enabling legislation; and (3) that each board's
administration of the programs conforms to USDA policy. The applicable
commodity program areas within AMS have direct oversight over the
respective programs. The boards administer the various programs
utilizing a variety of forms to carry out their responsibilities. Only
authorized employees of the various boards and USDA employees will use
the information collected. If this data were collected less frequently,
(1) it would hinder data needed to collect and refund assessments in a
timely manner and result in delayed or even lost revenue; (2) the
boards would be unable to carry out the responsibilities of their
respective Acts; and (3) additional record keeping requirements would
be imposed.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit; Farms;
Federal Government.
Number of Respondents: 321,510.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion;
Weekly; Monthly; Semi-annually; Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 354,066.
Agricultural Marketing Service
Title: Pricing Pilot program.
OMB Control Number: 0581-0190.
Summary of Collection: The Pricing Pilot Program was included in
the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2000 (Section 3 of H.R. 3428 of
the 106th Congress, as enacted by Section 1001(a)(8) of Public Law 106-
113 (113 Stat. 1536) and signed into law on November 29, 1999). Dairy
farmers must sign a disclosure statement before participating in the
pilot program. The effect of the amendment is to permit a handler to
pay producers or cooperative associations a negotiated price, rather
than the minimum Federal order price, for milk that is under forward
contract, provided that such milk does not exceed the handler's non-
fluid use of milk for the month. The pilot project enables the
Agricultural Marketing Services (AMS) to conduct a study of forward
contracting to determine the impact on milk prices paid to producers in
the U.S. This is a voluntary program and only applies to federally
regulated milk that is not packaged for fluid use.
Need and Use of the Information: AMS will collect information to
review the contract to ensure it has been signed before exempting a
handler from paying a contracting producer the minimum order price for
that portion of his or her milk that is covered by the contract. AMS
will also determine the impact on milk prices paid to producers in the
United States. Dairy farmers will have to sign a disclosure statement,
before entering into a forward contract. The disclosure statement,
contains guidelines to help the dairy farmers understand the forward
contract process. It will be completed by dairy farmers who choose to
participate in the pilot program. If the information is not collected
the forward pricing pilot program that was mandated by Congress will
not be able to be conducted and forward pricing contracts would not be
recognized under the Federal Order program.
Description of Respondents: Farms.
Number of Respondents: 8000.
Frequency of Response: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 2000.
Agricultural Marketing Service
Title: Marketing Order Committee/Board Interview.
OMB Control Number: 0581-0195.
Summary of Collection: Under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement
Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), industries enter into order
and agreement programs. Order and agreement regulations help ensure
adequate supplies of high quality products for consumers and adequate
returns to producers. Order and agreement programs provide an
opportunity for producers of fresh fruit, vegetables, and specialty
crops in specified production areas to work together to solve marketing
problems that cannot be solved individually. Currently, there are 37
orders and agreements in effect.
Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is used
to conduct interviews of managers and committees and board members for
order and agreement programs. Interviews will enable the agency to
better understand the factors that encourage or discourage committee/
board participation. The Department of Agriculture will use the
information to develop a training program and to encouraging eligible
women, minorities, and people with disabilities to participate on
USDA's order and agreement committee and boards. Authorized
representatives of USDA, including Agricultural Marketing Service
(AMS), Fruit and Vegetable Programs' regional and headquarters' staff
will use the information collected. Collecting the information less
frequently would eliminate data needed to keep the respective marketing
order industries and the Secretary abreast of changes or improvements
in committee/board operations at the local level.
Description of Respondents: Farms.
Number of Respondents: 8000.
Frequency of Response: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 2000.
Forest Service
Title: Operating Plan.
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 purchases 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
[[Page 79339]]
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.
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Title: Milk and Milk Products.
OMB Control Number: 0535-0020.
Summary of Collection: U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2204, specifies
that ``the Secretary of Agriculture shall procure and preserve all
information concerning agriculture which he can obtain * * * by the
collection of statistics * * * and shall distribute them among
agriculturists.'' The National Agricultural Statistics Services (NASS)
primary function is to prepare and issue current official state and
national estimates of crop and livestock production. Estimates of milk
production and manufactured dairy products are an integral part of this
program. Milk and dairy statistics are used by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) to help administer price support programs and by the
dairy industry in planning, pricing, and projecting supplies of milk
and milk products.
Need and Use of the Information: NASS will collect information to
develop and implement a biweekly cream/milkfat price survey to benefit
all segments of the dairy industry. This data will be collected as a
pilot project for a minimum of two months. The date will be analyzed
for accuracy, response/cooperation from manufacturers, and other
related factors. Continuation of this survey will depend on the results
of the analysis. Major users of cream/milkfat, including manufacturers
of processed cheese, butter, cream cheese, and ice cream mix, will base
biweekly milkfat prices on purchases. The selected firms account for
about 85 percent of the U.S. total milkfat used in these products. Only
U.S. level data will be published to avoid disclose problems that
regional data would present.
Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 44,689.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Quarterly; Weekly; Monthly;
Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 21,571.
Food and Nutrition Service
Title: Quality Control Review Schedule.
OMB Control Number: 0584-0299.
Summary of Collection: State agencies are required to perform
Quality Control (QC) reviews for the Food Stamp Program (FSP). The
legislative basis for the operation of the QC system is provided by
Section 16 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977. The FNS-380-1, Quality
Control Review Schedule, is for State use to collect both QC data and
case characteristics for the Food Stamp Program and to serve as the
comprehensive data entry form for FSP QC reviews.
Need and Use of the Information: The Food and Nutrition Service
(FNS) will collect information to monitor and reduce errors, develop
policy strategies, and analyze household characteristic data. In
addition, FNS will use the data to determine sanctions and incentive
based on error rate performance, and to estimate the impact of some
program changes to FSP participation and costs by analyzing the
available household characteristic data.
Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government;
Federal Government; Farms; Individuals or households.
Number of Respondents: 53.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Weekly; Monthly.
Total Burden Hours: 58,686.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR Part 1794).
OMB Control Number: 0572-0117.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) published
its revised Environmental Policies and Procedures in December, 1998.
The rule promulgated environmental regulations that cover all RUS
Federal actions taken by RUS' electric, telecommunications, water and
environmental programs. The regulation was necessary to ensure
continued RUS compliance with the Council on Environmental Quality
(CEQ) Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), and
certain related Federal environmental laws, statutes, regulations, and
Executive Orders. RUS electric, telecommunications, water and
environmental program borrowers provide environmental documentation to
assure that policy contained in NEPA is followed.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to
evaluate the cost and feasibility of the proposed project and the
environmental impact.
Description of Respondents: Non-for-profit institutions; Business
or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 600.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 450,200.
Nancy B. Sternberg,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-32298 Filed 12-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M