Agency information collection activities: Submission for OMB review; comment request,

[Federal Register: October 18, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 200)]

[Notices]

[Page 56187-56188]

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

[DOCID:fr18oc99-24]

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.

[[Page 56187]]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

October 12, 1999.

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.

Farm Service Agency

Title: 7 CFR 1951-T Disaster Set-Aside Program.

OMB Control Number: 0560-0164.

Summary of Collection: 7 CFR part 1951, Subpart T, Disaster Set- Aside Program (DSA), used in support of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Farm Loan Program (FLP), formerly Farmer Programs of the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA), and Farm Credit Programs of FSA. The Disaster Set-Aside Program is made available through the authority granted the Secretary of Agriculture under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1981a) (The Act). The set-aside program is designed to assist borrowers in financial distress who operated a farm of ranch in a political subdivision, typically a county, that was declared or designed a disaster area. DSA allows eligible borrowers who are unable to make the payments to quickly eliminate their immediate financial stress. Under this program, FSA farm loan program borrowers can receive immediate financial relief by moving one annual installment for each loan to the end of the loan term. The installment set-aside may be the one due immediately after the disaster or, if that installment is paid to the neglect of other creditors or family living and operating expenses, then the next scheduled installment may be set- aside. FSA will collect information on the borrowers asset values, expenses and income.

Need and Use of the Information: The information is required of FSA farm borrowers and collected by FSA loan servicing officials to determine that disaster victims need payment relief and to support the approval of a set-aside request.

Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 5,410.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 12,233.

Forest Service

Title: Special Use Administration.

OMB Control Number: 0596-0082.

Summary of Collection: Title 5 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA, Pub. L. 94-579), the Organic Administration Act of 1897 (30 Stat. 34), and the Secretary's Regulations at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 251, Subpart B (36 CFR 251, Subpart B) provide for authorities and requirements for the application, issuance, and administration of special uses on National Forest System Lands. There is a basic obligation of the agency to ensure that the use of Federal lands is in the public's interest; is compatible with the mission of the Forest Service (FS); and that environmental and social impacts are identified and mitigated and that a fee based on fair market value is received. The evaluation can only be accomplished with the cooperation and information furnished by the applicant or permit holder. The information is needed from those parties who seek special-use authorizations to conduct private or commercial operations on National Forest System Land, or from those who are currently utilizing National Forest System Lands for private or public use. FS will collect information using several forms.

Need and Use of the Information: FS will collect information on (1) the identity of the applicant; (2) the nature of the request and project description; (3) location of National Forest System Lands requested for use; (4) technical and financial capability of the requester; (5) alternatives considered, including use of nonfederal lands and; (6) anticipated environmental impacts and proposed mitigation of those impacts. The authorized forest officer evaluates this information and makes a decision to approve or disapprove the requested use. The information is required to evaluate the merits of the applicant's request to use National Forest System Lands that is not available elsewhere. The use of the forms helps reduce the burden on the applicant by providing a listing of the information that is required by law and tailored to the intended use proposed by the respondent. Use of the forms is of extreme benefit to applicants in that they do not have to refer to the regulations or policy manuals to determine what information is needed by the agency. Without the forms, the cost to the applicant would be increased.

Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit

[[Page 56188]]

institutions; Farms; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 56,440.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Quarterly; Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 75,875.

Foreign Agricultural Service

Title: CCC/Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102) & Intermediate Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-101).

OMB Control Number: 0551-0004.

Summary of Collection: Under 7 CFR Part 1493, the Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102) and the Intermediate Export Credit Program (GSM-103), offer credit guarantees to exporters in order to maintain and increase overseas importers' ability to purchase and finance U.S. agricultural goods. The Export Credit Guarantee Programs are designed to stimulate U.S. private sector financing of foreign purchases of U.S. agricultural commodities on credit terms. Since the Export Credit Guarantee Programs operate off commercial sales, the majority of the information required for program participation, including the guarantee application, evidence of export report, assignment notice, and filing of notices of default, is information that would already be in the possession of the participants. The Foreign Agricultural Service will collect information from the guarantee application submitted by the participants by telephone, mail, or fax.

Need and Use of the Information: FAS will collect information to determine a sale's eligibility for Export Credit Guarantee Program coverage and provide the Commodity Credit Corporation with adequate information to meet the program's goals and statutory requirements. The information will be utilized in fulfilling the Commodity Credit Corporation's obligation under the issued payment guarantee. This information collected ensures the Commodity Credit Corporation that all participants have a business office in the United States and are not debarred or suspended from participating in government programs.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 200.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; Other: when program is utilized.

Total Burden Hours: 5,440.

Food Safety and Inspection Service

Title: Exportation, Transportation, and Importation of Meat and Poultry Products.

OMB Control Number: 0583-0094.

Summary of Collection: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) requires that meat and poultry establishments exporting products to foreign countries complete an export certificate. Meat and poultry products not marked with the mark of inspection and shipped from one official establishment to another for further processing must be transported under FSIS seal to prevent such unmarked products from entering into commerce. To track products shipped under seal, FSIS requires shipping establishments to complete a form that identifies the type, amount, and weight of the product. Foreign countries exporting meat and poultry products to the U.S. must establish eligibility for importation of products into the U.S., and annually certify that their inspection systems are ``equivalent to'' the U.S. inspection system. Meat and poultry products intended for import into the U.S. must be accompanied by a health certificate, signed by an official of the foreign government, stating that the products have been produced by certified foreign establishments. FSIS will collect information using forms 9060-1, 7350-1, 9540-1, and 9510-1.

Need and Use of the Information: FSIS will collect information to identify the type, amount, weight, destination, and originating country of the meat and poultry. FSIS will use the information to verify that a meat or poultry product intended for import has been prepared in a plant certified to prepare products for export to the U.S. FSIS will also use the information from the forms in the agency's annual Report to Congress.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 19,653.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 168,711.

Food Safety and Inspection Service

Title: Ante-Mortem and Post-Mortem Inspection.

OMB Control Number: 0583-0090.

Summary of Collection: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) permits poultry establishments to operate under the Streamlined Inspection System (SIS), the New Line Speed (NELS) Inspection System, or the New Turkey Inspection (NTI) System. These systems are post- mortem inspection systems that have enabled the poultry industry to increase their daily production. To operate under SIS for boilers and Cornish game hens, establishments must request and receive approval from FSIS. Meat and poultry establishments wishing to slaughter animals treated with experimental biological products, drugs or chemicals must provide certain information and supporting data for review by FSIS before approval may be granted. FSIS will collect information using forms 6700-2, 6500-1, 2, 3 and 6300-15.

Need and Use of the Information: FSIS will collect information to ensure that meat and poultry products are not adulterated from the use of a biological product, drug or chemical. FSIS uses the information on the forms to track specimens released to laboratories for educational research. If the information was not collected, FSIS would have no means of ensuring that meat and poultry products are safe, wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 1,114.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 19,716. Nancy B. Sternberg, Departmental Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 99-27034Filed10-15-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-01-M

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT