[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 73 (Thursday, April 16, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 18869]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10049]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


Notice Request for Extension 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 Farm Service Agency's (FSA) intention to request 
an extension for a currently approved information collection. This 
information collection is critical to reach minority and female farm 
producers, to ensure as many eligible voters as possible receive FSA 
county committee election ballots. This action is in response to the 
report issued by the Civil Rights Action Team.

DATE: Comments on this notice must be received by June 15, 1998 to be 
assured consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Karl V. Choice, Assistant 
to the Director, USDA, FSA, OAS, STOP 0540, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
SW, Washington, DC 20250-0540; telephone (202) 720-8782; e-mail 
[email protected].; or facsimile (202) 690-3354.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Request for a FSA County Committee Ballot and Declaration of 
Eligibility to Vote.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0181.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension of currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act of 1938, 
as amended, authorizes the establishment of FSA county committees by 
the Secretary of Agriculture. In February 1997, the USDA Civil Rights 
Action Team focused upon under-representation of minorities and females 
on county committees. This under-representation could mean that 
minority and female producers hear less about programs and lack 
specific information on available services. In an effort to increase 
representation by members of groups who are under-represented, an 
effort is begin made to obtain the names and addresses of unregistered, 
eligible voters. Once an eligible voter's name and address is obtained, 
he/she will become a registered voter and will be sent a ballot in 
order to vote in applicable county committee elections.
    Estimate of Respondent Burden: Public reporting burden for this 
collection of information is estimated to average 5 minutes per 
response.
    Respondents: Individual minority and female owners, operators, 
share croppers, and tenants of farms.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours on Respondents: $4,160 (416 
hours times $10 per hour).
    Proposed topics comments include: (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. Comments must be sent to the 
Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, D.C. 20503; and 
to Karl V. Choice, Assistant to the Director, USDA-FSA-OAS, STOP 0540, 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0540; telephone 
(202) 720-8782; e-mail [email protected]. Copies of the 
information collection may be obtained from Karl Choice at the above 
address.
    OMB is required to make a decision concerning the collection 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 full effect if 
OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.
    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 Washington, DC, on April 9, 1998.
Bruce R. Weber,
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 98-10049 Filed 4-15-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P