Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection; comment request,

[Federal Register: December 30, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 250)]

[Notices]

[Page 71884]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr30de98-38]

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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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation

Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Commodity Credit Corporation's (CCC) intention to request an extension for and revision to a currently approved information collection. This information collection is used in support of loan deficiency payments authorized by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (the 1996 Act), for rice, upland cotton, feed grains, wheat, and oilseeds.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before March 1, 1999 to be assured consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Margaret Wright, Agricultural Program Specialist, Price Support Division, USDA, FSA, STOP 0512, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0512; telephone (202) 720-8481; e-mail: margaret__wright@wdc.fsa.usda.gov; or facsimile (202) 690-3307.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Loan Deficiency Payments.

OMB Control Number: 0560-0129.

Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 1999.

Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: The 1996 Act provides for loan deficiency payments to eligible producers with respect to eligible commodities. Forms required for requesting these payments are used by producers requesting a loan deficiency payment in lieu of a marketing assistance loan with respect to eligible production. The information collected is needed to determine loan deficiency payment quantities and payment amounts, verify producer and commodity eligibility, and to ensure that only eligible producers receive loan deficiency payments.

Producers requesting loan deficiency payments must provide specific data relative to the loan deficiency payment request. Forms included in this information collection package require various types of information including the farm number, type of commodity, quantity of commodity, storage location, and percent share of the commodity to determine eligibility. Producers must also agree to the terms and conditions contained in the loan deficiency payment application. The completed application is used by CCC when issuing a loan deficiency payment. Without this collection of information, CCC could not carry out the statutory loan deficiency payment provisions.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average .38 hours per response.

Respondents: Producers.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 450,000.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 5.15.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,142,250 hours.

Proposed topics for 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, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments must be sent to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503 and to Margaret Wright, Agricultural Program Specialist, USDA, FSA, PSD, STOP 0512, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0512; telephone (202) 720-8481; e-mail: margaret__wright@wdc.fsa.usda.gov; or facsimile (202) 690-3307. Copies of the information collection may be obtained from Margaret Wright at the above address.

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 December 22, 1998. Keith Kelly, Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.

[FR Doc. 98-34522Filed12-29-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-05-P