[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 162 (Friday, August 21, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44828-44830]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22521]


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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 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 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. 162 / Friday, August 21, 1998 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

August 14, 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.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

    Title: 1998 Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey (FRIS) 
is an integral part of the 1997 Census of Agriculture and is conducted 
under the Authority of the Census of Agriculture Act of 1997 (Public 
Law 105-113). This law requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the 
National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to conduct a Census of 
Agriculture in 1998 and every fifth year following 1998. Agricultural 
irrigation is the largest single use of available U.S. water supplies, 
accounting for more than two-thirds of all ground-water withdrawals and 
more than 84 percent of all consumptive uses. Therefore, high quality 
data on agricultural water use are needed to help public and private 
sector officials understand and manage this important national 
resource. NASS collects information using the FRIS.
    Need and Use of the Information: NASS will collect information from 
the FRIS on acres irrigated by land use category, acres and yields of 
irrigated and nonirrigated crops, quantity of water applied and method 
of application to selected crops, acres irrigated and quantity of water 
used by source, acres irrigated by type of water distribution systems, 
and number of irrigation wells and pumps. The primary purpose of FRIS 
is to provide detailed data relating to on-farm irrigation activities 
for use in preparing a wide variety of water-related programs, economic 
models, legislative initiatives, market analyses, and feasibility 
studies. The absence of FRIS data would certainly affect irrigation 
policy decision.
    Description of Respondents: Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 20,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (One time).
    Total Burden Hours: 14,333.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

    Title: 1998 Census of Horticultural Specialties.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The census of horticultural specialties is 
one of a series of census special studies for the Census of Agriculture 
which provides more detailed statistics relating to a specific subject. 
The census of horticultural specialties is an integral part of the 1997 
Census of Agriculture and is conducted under the authority of the 
Census of Agriculture Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-113). The law 
requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the National Agricultural 
Statistics Service (NASS) to conduct a Census of Agriculture in 1998 
and every fifth year following 1998. Horticulture is one of the fastest 
growing segments in the agriculture sector. Horticultural crops are 
high value crops which farmers could grow to diversify their farming 
operations, but more information about them is needed. Horticultural 
operations are large consumers of pesticides and other chemicals, so 
research funding is critical to this industry to develop more effective 
horticultural chemicals or plants that are resistant to common 
diseases. NASS will collect information on horticulture using data from 
the census.
    Need and Use of the Information: NASS will collect information on 
the number and value of plants grown and sold, the value of land, 
buildings, machinery and equipment, selected production expenses, 
irrigation, marketing channels, hired labor, area used for production, 
and type of structure. The primary objective of the horticultural 
specialties census is to obtain a comprehensive and detailed picture of 
the horticultural sector of the economy. Without the census of 
horticultural specialties, government policy makers and planners would 
lack valuable information needed to accomplish their missions.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 47,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (One time).
    Total Burden Hours: 48,371.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

    Title: Childhood Agricultural Injury.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The National Agricultural Statistics 
Service's (NASS) primary function is to prepare and issue State and 
National estimates of crop and livestock production. NASS has been 
asked by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 
(NIOSH) to conduct a childhood agricultural injury study. Injuries to 
children living, working, or visiting farms are the focus of a special 
NIOSH

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initiative directed by Congress. A major problem in planning injury 
prevention programs for these children is the lack of surveillance 
data, especially for those injuries that are nonfatal. For the study, 
an injury is defined as any condition that results in one-half day or 
more of restricted activity (child missed school, could not perform 
normal activities, missed work). A childhood agricultural injury is 
defined as any injury meeting this definition that occurred on the farm 
property (including homestead), or occurred while performing work, 
either on the farm or off the farm, associated with the farm business. 
NASS will collect information using a survey.
    Need and Use of the Information: NASS will collect information on 
the estimates of annual childhood agricultural injury incidence rates, 
annual injury frequencies, and descriptive injury information for 
children living on, working on, or visiting on farming operations in 
the United States. Data from the survey will provide a source of 
consistent information which NIOSH can effectively target funds 
appropriated by Congress for the prevention of childhood agricultural 
injuries.
    Description of Respondents: Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 42,500.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (One time).
    Total Burden Hours: 2,125.

Food Safety and Inspection Service

    Title: Pathogen Reduction/Hazard Analysis and Critical Control 
Point (HACCP) System.
    OMB Control Number: 0583-0103.
    Summary of Collection: The Food Safety and Inspection Service 
(FSIS) has been delegated the authority to exercise the functions of 
the Secretary as provided in the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) (21 
U.S.C. 601) and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 
451). These statutes mandate that FSIS protect the public by ensuring 
the meat and poultry products are safe, wholesome, unadulterated, and 
properly labeled and packaged. FSIS has begun to build the principle of 
prevention into its inspection program and requires regulated 
establishments to prepare operating plans and continuously report 
performance against the plans.
    Need and Use of the Information: Information will be collected from 
establishments as proof that standard operating plans have been 
developed. Additionally, information must be reported and pertinent 
records maintained on the occurrence and numbers of pathogenic 
microorganisms on meat and poultry products. FSIS will use this 
information during the inspection process and to determine whether an 
establishment should change its operating procedures so that the 
public's health is protected.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 7,374.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; 
Other (daily).
    Total Burden Hours: 30,686.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: 7 CFR 319.76 Exotic Bee Diseases and Parasites, 7 CFR 322 
Honeybees and Honeybee Semen.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0072.
    Summary of Collection: The Honeybee Act of 1922 (Title 7, Chapter 
11) was created to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases and 
parasites harmful to honeybees, and the introduction of genetically 
undesirable plasm of honeybees. The introduction and establishment of 
new honeybee diseases, parasites, and undesirable honeybee strains in 
the United States could cause multimillion dollar losses to American 
agriculture. Diseases and parasites can weaken or kill honeybees, 
thereby causing substantial reductions in the production of honey and 
other honeybee products, as well as a reduction in pollination 
activity. Section 281c of the Honeybee Act provides that honeybees and 
honeybee semen can only be imported into the United States under rules 
and regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Agriculture and the 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Anyone who seeks to 
import honeybees, honeybee semen, or articles that could harbor 
diseases or parasites of honeybees must apply to APHIS for an import 
permit. APHIS will collect various pieces of information concerning the 
nature and point of origin of the items to be imported using a number 
of forms and documents.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS collects information from 
importers such as name, address, telephone number; the quantity and 
kinds of articles intended for import; the amount of semen to be 
imported; the species or subspecies of honeybee from which the semen 
was collected; the country or locality or origin; the intended port of 
entry in the United States; the means of transportation; and the 
expected date of arrival. The information is needed to determine if the 
honeybee semen or restricted articles are eligible for importation into 
the United States, and under what conditions (i.e., necessary 
treatment, appropriate shipping containers, proper port of entry, 
etc.).
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; 
Individuals or households; Farms; Federal Government; State, Local or 
Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 91.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 31.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Requisition for Food Coupon Books.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0022.
    Summary of Collection: The Food Stamp Act of 1977 requires the 
Secretary and the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to prescribe 
appropriate procedures for the delivery of food coupon books to coupon 
issuers and for the subsequent controls to be placed over such coupons 
by coupon issuers in order to ensure adequate accountability. The 
regulations at 7 CFR 274.7 and 274.8 require State agencies to 
establish coupon inventory management systems which include proper 
control and security procedures, procedures for ordering coupon books 
and shipping books within the State. These procedures also provide an 
orderly mechanism for States to order new supplies of food coupon 
books. FNS will collect information using Form FNS-260, Requisition of 
Food Coupon Books, to determine what State needs additional coupon 
books and the details of their order.
    Need and Use of the Information: FNS collects information to 
determine how many coupon books to order, what denominations and when 
to order more coupon books in order to provide State agencies with 
inventories that will be adequate to issue program benefits to 
households on a monthly basis.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 1,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 3,000.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Determining Eligibility for Free and Reduced Price Meals and 
Free Milk.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0026.
    Summary of Collection: The Personal Responsibility and Work 
Opportunity Act of 1996, Public Law 104-193, was enacted on August 22, 
1996. This statute amended the National School Lunch Act to remove all 
references to the automatic free meal eligibility of children from 
assistance units receiving benefits under Aid to Families with 
Dependent Children (AFDC). In its

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place, Congress established automatic eligibility for children 
receiving benefits under the State program funded under part A of title 
IV of the Social Security Act (generally known as Temporary Assistance 
for Needy Families (TANF)), provided that the eligibility criteria for 
the state's TANF program are comparable to or more restrictive than the 
standards for the AFDC program it replaced. Because States have 
latitude in the way they administer TANF, the Secretary is requesting 
State agencies, in cooperation with the agency administering TANF, to 
make comparison and inform the Secretary of their determination.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Food and Nutrition Service 
(FNS) is requiring each State agency to notify the appropriate FNS 
regional office, in writing, whether the TANF program in their State is 
comparable to or more restrictive than their AFDC program, and indicate 
the information used to make the comparison. This information is 
required in order to facilitate the delivery of Federal benefits to 
eligible beneficiaries.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Not-for-
profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 4,260,648.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Biennially; 
Annually; Other (Triennially).
    Total Burden Hours: 1,028,149.

Risk Management Agency

    Title: Multiple Peril Crop Insurance.
    OMB Control Number: 0563-0053.
    Summary of Collection: The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation 
(FCIC) provides for a nationwide crop insurance program. The Federal 
Crop Insurance Act, as amended in 1994 and 1996, established the crop 
insurance program to be the principal tool for risk management by 
producers of farm products. The current regulations and insurance 
provisions require the collection of a wide range of information 
through various forms that are categorized as either sales documents or 
notices of damage and claim. The information collected is used in part 
to establish insurance coverage, premiums, payments, indemnities and 
allow for other program and administrative operations. The Risk 
Management Agency (RMA) on behalf of FCIC is proposing to modify 
regulations implementing the Grape Crop Insurance Provisions. The 
proposed changes will (1) allow grape producers in Idaho, Oregon, and 
Washington to select one price election and one coverage level for each 
varietal group specified in the Special Provisions; and (2) provide 
year-round coverage in California, Idaho, Mississippi, Oregon, Texas 
and Washington for insureds with no break in coverage from the prior 
crop year. No changes are proposed to the existing forms and no 
additional burden is anticipated due to these proposed changes.
    Need and Use of the Information: The current regulations and 
insurance provisions require the collection of a wide range of 
information that is used to in part to establish insurance coverage, 
premiums, payments, indemnities and allow for other program and 
administrative operations. This information is also used to create an 
information data base to support continued development and improvements 
in crop insurance products available to producers and to strengthen the 
insurance program overall.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 4,514.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,092,849.

Risk Management Agency

    Title: Multiple Peril Crop Insurance.
    OMB Control Number: 0563-0053.
    Summary of Collection: The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation 
(FCIC) provides for a nationwide crop insurance program. The Federal 
Crop Insurance Act, as amended in 1994 and 1996, established the crop 
insurance program to be the principal tool for risk management by 
producers of farm products. The current regulations and insurance 
provisions require the collection of a wide range of information 
through various forms that are categorized as either sales documents or 
notices of damage and claim. The information collected is used in part 
to establish insurance coverage, premiums, payments, indemnities and 
allow for other program and administrative operations. The Risk 
Management Agency (RMA) on behalf of FCIC is proposing to modify 
regulations implementing the Cotton and ELS Cotton Crop Insurance 
Provisions. The proposed changes will (1) provide a replant payment; 
(2) revise the provision used to determine the amount of production to 
count for cotton and ELS cotton that is eligible for quality 
adjustments; and (3) provide a prevented planting coverage level of 50 
percent for cotton and ELS cotton for the 1999 and subsequent crop 
years. The burden associated with this collection will decrease due to 
fewer insured and respondents.
    Need and Use of the Information: The current regulations and 
insurance provisions require the collection of a wide range of 
information that is used to in part to establish insurance coverage, 
premiums, payments, indemnities and allow for other program and 
administrative operations. This information is also used to create an 
information data base to support continued development and improvements 
in crop insurance products available to producers and to strengthen the 
insurance program overall.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 1,599,244.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeping; reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,126,103.
Nancy Sternberg,
Departmental Information Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-22521 Filed 8-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M