Federal Register: April 16, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 73)NoticesPage 18869From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr16ap98-24

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency

Notice Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Farm Service Agency's (FSA) intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection. This information collection is critical to reach minority and female farm producers, to ensure as many eligible voters as possible receive FSA county committee election ballots. This action is in response to the report issued by the Civil Rights Action Team.

DATE: Comments on this notice must be received by June 15, 1998 to be assured consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Karl V. Choice, Assistant to the Director, USDA, FSA, OAS, STOP 0540, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0540; telephone (202) 720-8782; e-mail karlchoice@wdc.usda.gov.; or facsimile (202) 690-3354.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Request for a FSA County Committee Ballot and Declaration of Eligibility to Vote.

OMB Control Number: 0560-0181.

Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 1998.

Type of Request: Extension of currently approved information collection.

Abstract: The Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act of 1938, as amended, authorizes the establishment of FSA county committees by the Secretary of Agriculture. In February 1997, the USDA Civil Rights Action Team focused upon under-representation of minorities and females on county committees. This under-representation could mean that minority and female producers hear less about programs and lack specific information on available services. In an effort to increase representation by members of groups who are under-represented, an effort is begin made to obtain the names and addresses of unregistered, eligible voters. Once an eligible voter's name and address is obtained, he/she will become a registered voter and will be sent a ballot in order to vote in applicable county committee elections.

Estimate of Respondent Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 5 minutes per response.

Respondents: Individual minority and female owners, operators, share croppers, and tenants of farms.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,000.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours on Respondents: $4,160 (416 hours times $10 per hour).

Proposed topics comments include: (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; or (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond. Comments must be sent to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, D.C. 20503; and to Karl V. Choice, Assistant to the Director, USDA-FSA-OAS, STOP 0540, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0540; telephone (202) 720-8782; e-mail karlchoice@wdc.fsa.usda.gov. Copies of the information collection may be obtained from Karl Choice at the above address.

OMB is required to make a decision concerning the collection of information contained in these proposed regulations between 30 and 60 days after publication of this document in the Federal Register. Therefore, a comment to OMB is best assured of having full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

Signed at Washington, DC, on April 9, 1998. Bruce R. Weber, Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.

FR Doc. 98-10049Filed4-15-98; 8:45 amBILLING CODE 3410-05-P