Agency information collection activities: Submission for OMB review; comment request,
[Federal Register: February 26, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 38)]
[Notices]
[Page 9776-9777]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26fe98-14]
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
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
February 20, 1998.
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, D.C. 20503 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, D.C. 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.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services
Title: Mexicali Valley of Mexico-Karnal Bunt.
OMB Control Number: 0579-New.
Summary of Collection: The information collection would allow the Department of Agriculture to properly monitor imports of wheat from the Mexicali Valley of Mexico to prevent the incursion and spread of Karnal Bunt.
Need and Use of The Information: USDA would use information collected on a phytosanitary certificate to ensure that the wheat being brought into the United States was grown in the designated Karnal bunt free area of the Mexicali Valley of Mexico.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Individuals or households; Farms.
Number of Respondents: 20
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 120.
Food and Consumer Services
Title: Employment and Training (E&T) Program Report.
OMB Control Number: 0584-0339.
Summary of Collection: The Food and Consumer Service Agency (FCS) is proposing collecting from State governments quarterly Employment and Training Program reports containing monthly figures for participation in the program. The form FCS-583 would be used to report participants newly work registered; work registrants exempt by the State from participation in an E&T program; participants who volunteer for and commence participation in an approved E&T component; E&T mandatory participants who commence an appoved E&T components; work registrants sent a Notice of Adverse Action for failure to comply with E&T requirements, and the number of applications who were denied food stamp certification or recertification for failure to comply with an E&T component.
Additionally, the passage of the Balance Budget Act of 1997 resulted in additional provisions which impact the Employment and Training Program. Accordingly, FCS is proposing collecting from State governments quarterly reports on the average number of monthly waiver exemptions for able-bodied adults without dependents; the number of filled and offered workfare slots; the amount of 100 percent Federal funds spent on workfare slots. This information can be attached to the FCS-583 report until that form is redesigned.
Need and Use of The Information: The information collection will enable USDA to determine whether States have met their mandated performance standards stipulated by the Employment and Training Program and all provisions of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.
Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government; Individuals or households.
Number of Respondents: 4,870,542.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Quarterly.
Total Burden Hours: 224,587. Emergency Processing of This Submission Has Been Requested by March 1, 1998.
National Food and Agricultural Council
Title: USDA Service Center Customer Service Card.
OMB Control Number: 0575-New.
Summary of Collection: The USDA Service Center Initiative is proposing the establishment of a pilot project to test a comment and complaint system that would provide its field customers with a formal process for filing and resolving complaints. Customer Service Cards would be available in each field service center and would allow customers to voluntarily comment or complain about the service they receive.
Need and Use of The Information: The information collection will enable USDA customers to formally register their comments and complaints. This information will be used (1) to identify and resolve individual customer complaints about service or processes, (2) to facilitate a means for ongoing communication between customers, (3) as input for improving service and process, (4) motivate and encourage employees to provide excellent customer service. Additionally, information gained during the pilot project will be used to modify the Customer Service Cards before nationwide implementation would occur.
Description of Respondents: Individuals or households.
Number of Respondents: 13,500.
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Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: As needed.
Total Burden Hours: 1,125.
Emergency Processing of this Submission has been requested by March 1, 1998.
Forest Services
Title: 36 CFR Part 228, Subpart G--Smith River National Recreational Area.
OMB Control Number: 0596-0138.
Summary of Collection: The proposed information collection affects parties or individuals who desire Forest Service approval to conduct mineral operations in the Smith River National Recreation Area. Information requirements associated with this collection include a standard operating plan or plan of operation as well as identification of hazardous materials, toxic materials, and similar chemical substances to be used during the mineral operation and how they will be disposed of. Additionally, the operator will have to provide the identity if the character and composition of the mineral that will be used/generated, a proposed method/strategy for the placement, control, isolation, or removal of the wastes, and how public health and safety are to be maintained.
Need and Use of the Information: The Forest Service needs this information to assess the impact of a proposed mineral operations on the land and surrounding resources within the Smith River National Recreation Area and provide the requested approvals to proceed. By receiving and reviewing the plan of operations and other information required by this collection, Forest Service authorized officers can ensure the resources, public safety, and health are protected when mineral activities are being conducted in the Smith River National Recreation Area.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Individuals or households.
Number of Respondents: 2.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 40. Nancy Sternberg, Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-4889Filed2-25-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M
