[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 7 (Monday, January 12, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 1871]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-614]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[NV-960-1060-02-24 1A]


Notice of Request To Extend Approval of Information Collection, 
OMB Number 1004-0042

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is announcing its intention to request 
renewal of an existing approval to collect certain information from 
those individuals requesting to adopt a wild horse or burro. BLM needs 
this information to determine whether or not individuals are qualified 
to provide humane care and proper treatment, including proper 
transportation, feeding and handling, to an adopted wild horse or 
burro.

DATES: Comments on the proposed collection must be received by March 
13, 1998 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to: Regulatory Affairs Group (WO-
630), Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C St., NW., Mail Stop 401 LS, 
Washington, DC 20240. Comments may be sent by Internet to: 
WoC[email protected]. Please submit comments as an ASCII file to avoid 
using special characters and any form of encryption. Please also 
include ``Attn: 1004-0042'' and your name and address in your internet 
message. If you do not receive a confirmation from the system that we 
have received your message, contact us directly at (202) 452-5030. You 
may hand deliver comments to BLM at 1620 L St., NW., Room 401, 
Washington, DC.
    Comments will be available for review at the L Street address 
during regular business hours, 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carole Smith, (202) 452-0367.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320.12(a), BLM is 
required to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning 
a collection of information contained in a published current rule on 
(a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for 
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, including 
the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to 
enhance the clarity, quality and utility 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 the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology. BLM 
will receive and analyze any comments sent in response to this notice 
and include them with its request for approval from the Office of 
Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
    Section 3(b)(2)(B) of the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act 
requires that BLM provide healthy excess animals for adoption by 
individuals that the Secretary determines are qualified to provide 
humane care and proper treatment. The implementing regulations are 
found at 43 CFR Subpart 4750--Private Maintenance. Individuals must 
inform BLM of their interest and willingness to adopt. The adoption 
application requirement provides individuals with a mechanism to inform 
BLM of their interest and to submit their credentials for determining 
their qualifications.
    The Application for Adoption of Wild Horse(s) and Burros(s), Form 
4710-10, is required by the Wild Horse and Burro Regulations at 43 CFR 
4750.3. BLM uses the form to determine an individual's qualifications 
for providing humane treatment and care for wild horses and burros. The 
application form requires that the applicant furnish the following 
information: (1) Applicant's name, address and telephone number; (2) 
applicant's social security number; (3) applicant's birth date; (4) an 
indication of the number and species of animals that the applicant 
wishes to adopt; (5) a map to whether the adopted wild horse and/or 
burro will be located; (6) questions about whether the applicant 
understands the restrictions related to adopting an animal; (7) 
information requested about the physical characteristics of the site 
where the animal(s) will be kept; (8) information about whether more 
than four untitled animals will be kept at that location; (9) 
information about whether someone will select, transport, or care for 
the animals; and (10) whether the applicant has ever been convicted of 
abuse or inhumane treatment of animals, violation of the Act or the 
regulations.
    BLM uses the information to determine whether individuals are 
qualified to provide humane care and proper treatment to one or more 
adopted wild horses or burros. When BLM approves the application and 
the individual completes a Private Maintenance and Care Agreement, the 
individual may adopt up to four wild horses or burros at one time. The 
information, which is required by law, is a voluntary, non-recurring 
submission necessary to receive a benefit. There is no other source for 
the required information, and failure to furnish the required 
information will result in the applicant's not being able to adopt a 
wild horse or burro.
    The collection of information is short, simple and not inconvenient 
to the applicant. Valuable dialogue normally occurs during the approval 
process when BLM conducts an interview with the applicant to ensure 
that the applicant understands the obligations and prohibited acts and 
that the adopter is knowledgeable about horses and burros or has access 
to assistance from a knowledgeable individual. Based on BLM's 
experience in administering the activities described above, the public 
reporting burden is estimated 10 minutes per response. The estimated 
number of respondents is 30,000 per year, for a total estimated burden 
of 5,000 hours to read the instructions, gather and supply the 
information and send the applications to BLM.
    Any interested member of the public may request and obtain, without 
charge, a copy of Form 4710-10, the Adoption Form, by contacting the 
person identified under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public 
record.

    Dated: January 6, 1998.
Carole Smith,
Bureau of Land Management, Information Collection Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-614 Filed 1-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-M