[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 93 (Thursday, May 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 26767]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12797]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 93 / Thursday, May 14, 1998 / 
Notices  

[[Page 26767]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Appeals Division


Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection

AGENCY: National Appeals Division, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection.

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SUMMARY: Notice. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the intention of the 
National Appeals Division (NAD) to request approval of an information 
collection for the purpose of setting customer service standards.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by July 13, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Day, Jr., USDA/NAD Suite 1020, 
3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302, (703-305-2538).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: National Appeals Division Customer 
Service Survey
    OMB Number. Not yet designated.
    Type of Request: Approval of new information collection.
    Abstract: Executive Order 12862 requires Federal agencies to 
identify the customers who are, or should be served by the Agency and 
survey those customers to determine the kind and quality of services 
they want and their level of satisfaction with existing services. 
Agencies will then use the results of the survey to establish customer 
service standards.
    The National Appeals Division (NAD) of the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture was established by the Secretary of Agriculture on October 
20, 1994, by Secretary's Memorandum 1010-1, pursuant to the Federal 
Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act 
of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-354, section 271 et seq. (October 13, 1994). The 
Act consolidated the appellate functions and staffs of several USDA 
agencies to provide for independent hearings and reviews of adverse 
agency decisions. NAD is responsible for all administrative appeals 
arising from program activities of assigned Agencies, as well as such 
other administrative appeals arising from decisions of agencies and 
offices of USDA as may be assigned by the Secretary. NAD appeals 
involve program decisions of the Farm Service Agency, Risk Management 
Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Rural Business-
Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, and Rural Utilities 
Service.
    Need for the Information: The information collection in this 
request is essential for NAD to comply with the requirement of 
Executive Order 12862 to set customer service standards. The 
information collected is used only by authorized representatives of the 
USDA.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.25 hours per response.
    Respondents: The primary respondents will be individuals and/or 
households who are participants in Farm Service Agency and Rural 
Housing Service programs. A small percentage of respondents may be 
businesses, institutions or state and local governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 210.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.00.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 52.5.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Robert 
J. Day, Jr., National Appeals Division at (703) 305-2538.
    Send comments regarding, but not limited to the following: (a) 
whether the collection of the information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of NAD, including whether the information 
will have a practical utility; (b) the accuracy of NAD's estimate of 
the 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; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who are to respond, including the 
use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques, or other forms of information 
technology. Comments should be addressed to Robert J. Day, Jr., Deputy 
Director for Planning, Training and Quality Control, USDA/NAD, Suite 
1020, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302. 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: May 7, 1998.
Norman G. Cooper,
Director, National Appeals Division.
[FR Doc. 98-12797 Filed 5-13-98; 8:45 am]
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