[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 143 (Friday, July 25, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40046-40047]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-19580]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


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

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intention of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to 
request an extension for and revision to an information collection 
currently approved in support of the Fresh Irish Potato Diversion 
Program, 1996 Crop pursuant to section 32 of the Act of August 24, 
1935, as amended (Section 32).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before September 
23, 1997 to be assured consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Contact James K. Tegeler, Agricultural Program 
Specialist, Price Support Division, FSA, USDA, STOP 0512, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-0512; telephone (202) 
720-3110.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Regulations Governing the Fresh Irish Potato Diversion 
Program, 1996 Crop.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0145.
    Expiration Date: November 30, 1997.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The information collected under Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) Control Number 0560-0145, as identified above, is needed 
to enable FSA to effectively implement the Fresh Irish Potato Diversion 
Program, 1996 Crop, under related reporting and record keeping 
requirements.
    The Secretary of Agriculture has determined that the 1996 crop of 
fresh Irish potatoes is in surplus supply, and that the domestic 
consumption of such potatoes will be encouraged by using funds 
allocated under section 32 to divert the fresh Irish potatoes. The 
program is administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service, and 
implemented by the Farm Service Agency. The application and reporting 
process is implemented by the county FSA office.
    Potato producers must complete a FSA-117, Potato Diversion Program 
Application for Participation (FSA-117), for each method of diversion 
requested. The general purpose of Form FSA-117 is to provide AMS and 
FSA a basis to determine whether or not the producer meets the 
eligibility requirements to participate in the program. The program 
will be carried out provided funding is available, and provided further 
that participant's potatoes meet grading criteria.
    The general purpose of an Invoice and Certificate of Inspection and 
Diversion (FSA-118), is: (1) To allow producers to certify and file a 
claim for payment; (2) to allow Federal or Federal-State inspectors to 
certify the quantity and quality of the potatoes; and (3) in the case 
of the livestock feed diversion method, allow the producer to provide 
additional information relative to disposition to the county FSA 
office.
    The general purpose of ``Letter of Release Potato Diversion 
Program'' (FSA-120), is to allow the producer to release potatoes that 
will not be diverted.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this information 
collection is estimated to average 14 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Individual, partnership, association, or corporation 
that grew 1996 crop potatoes for market and are in possession of the 
potatoes as of May 30, 1997.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,800.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 6.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 11,000 hours.
    Proposed topics for comments include but are not limited to the 
following: (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; or (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. Comments should be sent to the 
Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of

[[Page 40047]]

Management and Budget, Washington, D.C. 20503 and to James K. Tegeler, 
Program Specialist, Price Support Division, FSA, USDA, STOP 0512, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-0512; telephone (202) 
720-3110. Copies of the information collection may be obtained from 
James Tegeler at the above 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.
    OMB is required to make a decision concerning the collection(s) of 
information contained in these proposed regulations between 30 and 60 
days after publication of this document in the Federal Register. 
Therefore, a comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect 
if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication. This notice does not 
affect the deadline for the public to comment to the Department of 
Agriculture on any substantive regulations that may be the subject of 
other notices.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on July 13, 1997.
Bruce R. Weber,
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 97-19580 Filed 7-24-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P