[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 2, 1997)] [Notices] [Page 15649] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-8412] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Farm Service Agency Notice of 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 that the Farm Service Agency (FSA) intends to request an extension for currently approved collection of information pertaining to foreign investment in United States (U.S.) agricultural land as authorized by the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (AFIDA). DATE: Comments on this notice must be received on or before June 2, 1997 to be assured consideration. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Patricia A. Blevins, Agricultural Foreign Investment Specialist, Foreign Investment Disclosure Branch, Operations Analysis Staff, USDA, FSA, STOP 0531, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-0531, (202) 720- 0604. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act Report. OMB Number: 0560-0097. Expiration Date: June 30, 1997. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: AFIDA requires foreign persons who hold, acquire, or dispose of any interest in U.S. agricultural land to report the transactions to the FSA on an AFIDA report. The information collected from the AFIDA reports is used in the preparation of an annual report to Congress and the President by the Economic Research Service concerning the effect of foreign investment upon family farms and rural communities. Congress reviews the annual report and decides if further regulatory action is required. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average .4818 hours per response. Respondents: Foreign investors, corporate employees, farm managers or attorneys. Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,375. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,108 hours. Proposed topics for comment 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 collected; or (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of the 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 should 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 Patricia A. Blevins, Agricultural Foreign Investment Specialist, Foreign Investment Disclosure Branch, Operations Analysis Staff, USDA, FSA, STOP 0531, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-0531, (202) 720-0604. Signed at Washington, DC, on March 26, 1997. Bruce R. Weber, Acting Administrator Farm Service Agency. [FR Doc. 97-8412 Filed 4-1-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-05 P