[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 73 (Wednesday, April 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 18577]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-9860]


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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. 73 / Wednesday, April 16, 1997 / 
Notices  

[[Page 18577]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service


Notice of Intent To Extend a Currently Approved Information 
Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 
L. 109-13) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 
CFR Part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the 
Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) intention to request an extension 
for a currently approved information collection in support of USDA's 
Biological Control Documentation Program dealing with documenting the 
importation and release of foreign biological control agents.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 20, 1997, to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Jack R. Coulson, Director, 
ARS Biological Control Documentation Center, Insect Biocontrol 
Laboratory, Plant Sciences Institute, ARS, USDA, National Agricultural 
Library, 4th Floor, 10301 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705-2330, 
(301) 504-6350.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: USDA Biological Shipment Record--Record of Shipment of 
Exotic Microorganisms for Biological Control (AD-944); Release of 
Exotic Microorganisms for Biological Control (AD-944A).
    OMB Number: 0518-0017.
    Expiration Date of Current Approval: October 31, 1997.
    Type of Request: Intent to extend the currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The purpose of the Biological Control Documentation 
Program is to record the importation (AD-944) and field release (AD-
944A) of foreign/introduced beneficial microorganisms (biological 
control). The information collected is entered into the USDA ``Releases 
of Beneficial Organisms in the United States and Territories'' (ROBO) 
database, established in 1984. It is a cooperative program among USDA 
and other federal agencies, state governmental agencies, and U.S. 
universities. The use of the forms and the information provided is 
voluntary. The program is for the benefit of biological control 
research and action agency personnel, taxonomists, federal and state 
regulatory agencies, agricultural administrators, and the general 
public. Efforts are underway to replace the paper forms with 
computerized information collection, and when completed, the forms 
would be used only by those units for which computerized input is not 
possible. This information collection is due to expire on October 31, 
1997. ARS intends to request an extension of three years.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average \1/12\ hour per response.
    Non-Federal Respondents: Non-profit institutions, universities, and 
state and local governments.
    Estimated Number of Non-Federal Respondents: 20.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: An average of 3 
(range 1-10).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 5 hours.
    Copies of the 2 forms used in this information collection can be 
obtained from Jack R. Coulson, ARS Biological Control Documentation 
Center, at (301) 504-6350.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 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 the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Jack R. Coulson, 
Director, ARS Biological Control Documentation Center, Insect 
Biocontrol Laboratory, Plant Sciences Institute, ARS, USDA, National 
Agricultural Library, 4th Floor, 10301 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD 
20705-2350.
    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 Beltsville, MD, March 25, 1997.
A. Rick Bennett,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of International Research 
Programs, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 97-9860 Filed 4-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-M