[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 137 (Thursday, July 17, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38251-38252]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18822]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. FV97-985-2 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 the handling of spearmint 
oil produced in the Far West, Marketing Order No. 985.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by September 15, 1997 
to be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Caroline C. Thorpe, 
Marketing Order Administration Branch, F & V, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 
96456, Room 2523-S, Washington, D.C., 20090-6456, telephone: (202) 720-
8139 or FAX: (202) 720-5698.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Spearmint Oil Produced in the Far West, Marketing Order 985.
    OMB Number: 0581-0065.
    Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 1998.
    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 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 
program, which has operated since 1980.
    The Far West spearmint oil marketing order regulates the handling 
of spearmint oil produced in the Far West (Washington, Idaho, Oregon, 
and designated parts of Nevada and Utah), hereinafter referred to as 
the ``order.'' The order authorizes the issuance of allotment 
provisions for producers and regulates the quantities of spearmint oil 
handled. The order also has research and development authority.
    The order, and rules and regulations issued thereunder, authorize 
the Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee), the agency 
responsible for local administration of the order, to require handlers 
and producers 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 spearmint oil 
supplies, shipments, dispositions, and other information needed to 
effectively carry out the purpose of the AMAA and order. The marketing 
year for the order is June 1 through May 31, with production occurring 
in the months of June through September. Forms are utilized throughout 
the year. A USDA form is used to allow producers to vote on amendments 
to or continuance of the marketing order. In addition, the Committee is 
composed of spearmint oil producers, nominated by their peers, and 
public members nominated by the Committee. Since both groups serve on 
the Committee, they must file nomination forms with the Secretary.
    Formal rulemaking amendments to the order must be approved in 
referenda conducted by the Secretary. Also, the Secretary may conduct a 
continuance referendum to determine industry support for continuation 
of the order. Handlers are asked to sign an agreement to indicate their 
willingness to abide by the provisions of the order whenever the order 
is amended. These forms are included in this request.
    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 
AMAA as expressed in the order, and the rules and regulations issued 
under 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

[[Page 38252]]

information and AMS is the secondary user.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.120 hours per response.
    Respondents: Far West spearmint oil producers and handlers in the 
designated production area in the States of Idaho, Oregon, Washington, 
and parts of Nevada and Utah.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 264.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 6.136.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 195.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed 
collection of the information is necessary for the proper performance 
of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (2) 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; (3) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (4) 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.
    Comments should reference OMB No. 0581-0065 and the Far West 
Spearmint Oil Marketing Order No. 985, and be mailed to Docket Clerk, 
Fruit and Vegetable Division, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, Room 2525-S, 
Washington, D.C., 20090-6456. 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 inspection 
in the Office of the Docket Clerk during regular USDA business hours at 
14th and Independence Ave. S.W., Washington, D.C., room 2525 South 
Building.
    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: July 11, 1997.
Robert C. Keeney,
Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division.
[FR Doc. 97-18822 Filed 7-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P