[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 52 (Tuesday, March 18, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12788-12789]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-6784]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 52 / Tuesday, March 18, 1997 / 
Notices  

[[Page 12788]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. FV97-925-1 NC]


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

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing 
Service's (AMS) intention to request an extension for and revision to a 
currently approved information collection for Grapes Grown in a 
Designated Area of Southeastern California, Marketing Order No. 925.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 19, 1997 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Charles L. Rush, Marketing 
Order Administration Branch, F & V, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, room 
2523-S, Washington, D.C., 20090-6456, or FAX (202) 720-5698; or Rose M. 
Aguayo, California Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order 
Administration Branch, F&V, AMS, USDA, 2202 Monterey Street, suite 
102B, Fresno, California 93721; telephone: (209) 487-5901, Fax # (209) 
487-5906.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Grapes Grown in a Designated Area of Southeastern 
California, Marketing Order 925.
    OMB Number: 0581-0109.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 1997.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Marketing order programs provide an opportunity for 
producers of fresh fruits, vegetables and specialty crops, in a 
specified production area, to work together to solve marketing problems 
that cannot be solved individually. Order regulations help ensure 
adequate supplies of high quality product and adequate returns to 
producers. Under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 
(AMAA), as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), industries enter into marketing 
order programs. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to oversee 
the order's operations and issue regulations recommended by a committee 
of representatives from each commodity industry.
    The information collection requirements in this request are 
essential to carry out the intent of the AMAA, to provide the 
respondents the type of service they request, and to administer the 
table grape marketing order program, which has been operating since 
1984.
    The table grape marketing order authorizes the issuance of quality 
regulations and inspection requirements. Regulatory provisions apply to 
table grapes shipped within and outside of the production area, except 
those specifically exempt. The order also has authority for production 
and marketing research and development projects.
    The order, and rules and regulations issued thereunder, authorize 
the California Desert Grape Administrative Committee (Committee), the 
agency responsible for local administration of the order, to require 
handlers and growers to submit certain information. Much of this 
information is compiled in aggregate and provided to the industry to 
assist in marketing decisions.
    The Committee has developed forms as a means for persons to file 
required information with the Committee relating to table grape 
supplies, shipments, dispositions, and other information needed to 
effectively carry out the purpose of the Act and order. Table grapes 
may be shipped beginning in April and ending in August, and these forms 
are utilized accordingly. A USDA form is used to allow growers to vote 
on amendments to or continuance of the marketing order. In addition, 
table grape growers and handlers who are nominated by their peers to 
serve as representatives on the Committee must file nomination forms 
with the Secretary.
    The forms covered under this information collection require the 
minimum information necessary to effectively carry out the requirements 
of the order, and their use is necessary to fulfill the intent of the 
Act as expressed in the order.
    The information collected is used only by authorized 
representatives of the USDA, including AMS, Fruit and Vegetable 
Division regional and headquarter's staff, and authorized employees of 
the Committee. Authorized Committee employees and the industry are the 
primary users of the information and AMS is the secondary user.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.078 hours per response.
    Respondents: Table grape growers and handlers in the designated 
production area in California.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 274.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.850.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 39.58 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functioning 
of the table grape marketing order program, including whether the 
information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the 
collection burden estimate and the validity of methodology and 
assumptions used in estimating the burden of respondents; (3) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of collection of 
information on those who are to respond, including the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments should reference OMB No. 0581-0109 and Grapes Grown in a 
Designated Area of Southeastern California Marketing Order No. 925, and 
be mailed to USDA in care of Charles L. Rush at the above address. 
Comments should reference the docket number and the date and page 
number of this issue of the Federal Register. All comments received 
will be available for public

[[Page 12789]]

inspection during regular business hours at the same 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.

    Dated: March 12, 1997.
Robert C. Keeney,
Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division.
[FR Doc. 97-6784 Filed 3-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P