[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 38 (Thursday, February 26, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9776-9777]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4889]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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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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 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 38 / Thursday, February 26, 1998 / 
Notices  

[[Page 9776]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

February 20, 1998.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (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; (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 should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Washington, D.C. 20503 and to 
Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, 
D.C. 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are 
best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of 
this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by 
calling (202) 720-6746.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services

    Title: Mexicali Valley of Mexico-Karnal Bunt.

    OMB Control Number: 0579-New.
    Summary of Collection: The information collection would allow the 
Department of Agriculture to properly monitor imports of wheat from the 
Mexicali Valley of Mexico to prevent the incursion and spread of Karnal 
Bunt.
    Need and Use of The Information: USDA would use information 
collected on a phytosanitary certificate to ensure that the wheat being 
brought into the United States was grown in the designated Karnal bunt 
free area of the Mexicali Valley of Mexico.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; 
Individuals or households; Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 20
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 120.

Food and Consumer Services

    Title: Employment and Training (E&T) Program Report.

    OMB Control Number: 0584-0339.
    Summary of Collection: The Food and Consumer Service Agency (FCS) 
is proposing collecting from State governments quarterly Employment and 
Training Program reports containing monthly figures for participation 
in the program. The form FCS-583 would be used to report participants 
newly work registered; work registrants exempt by the State from 
participation in an E&T program; participants who volunteer for and 
commence participation in an approved E&T component; E&T mandatory 
participants who commence an appoved E&T components; work registrants 
sent a Notice of Adverse Action for failure to comply with E&T 
requirements, and the number of applications who were denied food stamp 
certification or recertification for failure to comply with an E&T 
component.
    Additionally, the passage of the Balance Budget Act of 1997 
resulted in additional provisions which impact the Employment and 
Training Program. Accordingly, FCS is proposing collecting from State 
governments quarterly reports on the average number of monthly waiver 
exemptions for able-bodied adults without dependents; the number of 
filled and offered workfare slots; the amount of 100 percent Federal 
funds spent on workfare slots. This information can be attached to the 
FCS-583 report until that form is redesigned.
    Need and Use of The Information: The information collection will 
enable USDA to determine whether States have met their mandated 
performance standards stipulated by the Employment and Training Program 
and all provisions of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government; 
Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 4,870,542.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Quarterly.
    Total Burden Hours: 224,587.
Emergency Processing of This Submission Has Been Requested by March 1, 
1998.

National Food and Agricultural Council

    Title: USDA Service Center Customer Service Card.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-New.
    Summary of Collection: The USDA Service Center Initiative is 
proposing the establishment of a pilot project to test a comment and 
complaint system that would provide its field customers with a formal 
process for filing and resolving complaints. Customer Service Cards 
would be available in each field service center and would allow 
customers to voluntarily comment or complain about the service they 
receive.
    Need and Use of The Information: The information collection will 
enable USDA customers to formally register their comments and 
complaints. This information will be used (1) to identify and resolve 
individual customer complaints about service or processes, (2) to 
facilitate a means for ongoing communication between customers, (3) as 
input for improving service and process, (4) motivate and encourage 
employees to provide excellent customer service. Additionally, 
information gained during the pilot project will be used to modify the 
Customer Service Cards before nationwide implementation would occur.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 13,500.

[[Page 9777]]

    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: As needed.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,125.
    Emergency Processing of this Submission has been requested by March 
1, 1998.

Forest Services

    Title: 36 CFR Part 228, Subpart G--Smith River National 
Recreational Area.
    OMB Control Number: 0596-0138.
    Summary of Collection: The proposed information collection affects 
parties or individuals who desire Forest Service approval to conduct 
mineral operations in the Smith River National Recreation Area. 
Information requirements associated with this collection include a 
standard operating plan or plan of operation as well as identification 
of hazardous materials, toxic materials, and similar chemical 
substances to be used during the mineral operation and how they will be 
disposed of. Additionally, the operator will have to provide the 
identity if the character and composition of the mineral that will be 
used/generated, a proposed method/strategy for the placement, control, 
isolation, or removal of the wastes, and how public health and safety 
are to be maintained.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Forest Service needs this 
information to assess the impact of a proposed mineral operations on 
the land and surrounding resources within the Smith River National 
Recreation Area and provide the requested approvals to proceed. By 
receiving and reviewing the plan of operations and other information 
required by this collection, Forest Service authorized officers can 
ensure the resources, public safety, and health are protected when 
mineral activities are being conducted in the Smith River National 
Recreation Area.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; 
Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 2.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 40.
Nancy Sternberg,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-4889 Filed 2-25-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M