[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 194 (Wednesday, October 7, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53864-53867]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26824]
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Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
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
appearing in this section.
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Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 194 / Wednesday, October 7, 1998 /
Notices
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
October 2, 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 1994, Pub. L. 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, DC 20503 and to
Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington,
DC 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.
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
Title: Debt Collection.
OMB Control Number: 0505-0007.
Summary of Collection: The Debt Collection Act of 1982 requires
that any monies that are payable or may become payable from the United
States under contracts and other written agreements to any person or
legal entity not an agency or subdivision of a State or local
government may be subject to administrative offset for the collection
of a delinquent debt the person or a legal entity owes to the United
States. Section 10 requires that debtors be provided due process prior
to the collection of any claims through administrative offset.
Delinquent debtors wishing to appeal must provide relevant information.
USDA agencies will collect information using a letter of intent from
the creditor agencies to delinquent debtors.
Need And Use of the Information: USDA agencies will collect
information on delinquent debtors targeted for administrative offset
who want additional information; wish to enter into repayment
agreements; or wish to request a review of agencies' determination to
offset. The data collected by the creditor agencies are used by
agencies to respond to and/or to take appropriate action. The creditor
agencies will not be able to comply with the due process provision of
the Debt Collection Act or the Debt Collection Improvement Act if
relevant information is not collected.
Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or
other for-profit; Farms.
Number of Respondents: 2,073.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 4,146.
Rural Business--Cooperative Service
Title: 7 CFR Part 1980-E Business and Industry Loan Program.
OMB Control Number: 0570-0014.
Summary of Collection: The Business and Industry (B&I) program was
legislated in 1972 under Section 310B of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act. The purpose of the program is to improve,
develop, or finance businesses, industries, and employment and improve
the economic and environmental climate in rural communities, including
pollution abatement and control. This purpose is achieved through
bolstering the existing private credit structure either through the
guaranteeing of quality loans made by lending institutions or making
direct loans, thereby providing lasting community benefits. Rural
Development (RD) will collect information to use as a basis for issuing
guaranteed and direct loans to businesses and communities.
Need And Use of the Information: RD will collect information from
the applicant to determine program eligibility, current financial
condition, and Statement of Personal History.
Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; State, Local
or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 200.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 4,545.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: Report of Compliance and Participation.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0047.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Form 268
is designed for use by RUS electric and telephone borrowers in
complying with the reporting requirements outlined in RUS Bulletin 20-
19: 320-19, ``Nondiscrimination Among Beneficiaries of RUS Programs.''
RUS is required to implement regulations of the Department of Justice
and the Department of Agriculture and to provide for the collection of
civil rights data and information from applicants for and recipients of
Federal assistance sufficient to permit effective enforcement of Title
VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (Acts). RUS will
collect information using RUS form 268.
Need And Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to
determine the extent to which the borrowers are in compliance with
requirements of the Acts, to identify potential problem compliance
areas, and to determine a borrower's eligibility for advance of loan
funds.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business
or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 1,840.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
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Total Burden Hours: 1,233.
Rural Housing Service
Title: 7 CFR 1940-G, Environmental Program.
OMB Control Number: 0575-0094.
Summary of Collection: The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
requires Federal agencies, prior to the approval of proposed actions,
to consider the potential environmental impacts of these actions.
Consequently, for the Agencies to comply with NEPA, it is necessary
that Rural Development (RD) have information on the types of
environmental resources on site or in the vicinity that might be
impacted by the proposed action, as well as information on the nature
of the project selected by the applicant (the activities to be carried
out at the site; any air liquid and solid wastes produced by these
activities, etc.). RD will collect environmental data using Form RD
1940-20.
Need and Use of the Information: RD will collect information on the
proposed project site and the activities to be conducted there. This
will enable the Agency official to determine the magnitude of the
potential environmental impacts and whether the project is
controversial for environmental reasons.
Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households;
Business or other for-profit; Non-for-profit institutions; State, Local
or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 4,720.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 40,320.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: RUS Electric Loan Application and Related Reporting Burdens.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0032.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) was
established in 1994 by the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department
of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-354, 108 Stat.
3178, 7 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.) as successor to the Rural Electrification
Administration (REA) with respect to certain programs, including the
electric loan and loan guarantee program authorized under the Rural
Electrification Act (RE Act) of 1936. The RE Act authorizes and
empowers the Administrator of RUS to make and guarantee loans to
furnish and improve electric service in rural areas. These loans are
amortized over a period of up to 35 years and secured by the borrower's
electric assets. RUS will collect information including studies and
reports to support borrower loan applications.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to
determine the eligibility of applicants for loans and loan guarantees
under the RE Act; monitor the compliance of borrowers with debt
covenants and regulatory requirements in order to protect loan
security; ensure that borrowers use loan funds for purposes consistent
with the statutory goals of the RE Act; and obtain information on the
progress of rural electrification and evaluate the success of RUS
program activities.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 754.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 16,834.
Foreign Agricultural Service
Title: CCC/Supplier Credit Guarantee Program (7 CFR 1493, Subpart
D).
OMB Control Number: 0551-0037.
Summary of Collection: The Supplier Credit Guarantee Program (SCGP)
offers credit guarantees to exporters in order to maintain and increase
overseas importer's ability to purchase U.S. agricultural goods. The
SCGP is designed to assist exporters of U.S. agricultural commodities
who wish to provide relatively short term (up to 180 days) credit to
their importers evidenced by promissory notes executed by such
importers. Under 7 CFR Part 1493, exporters are required to submit the
following: (1) Information about the exporter for program
participation, (2) export sales information in connection with applying
for a payment guarantee, (3) information regarding the actual export of
the commodity, (evidence of export report), (4) notice of default and
claims for loss, and (5) other documents, if applicable, including
notice assignment of the right to receive proceeds under the export
credit guarantee. The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) will collect
information using the guarantee application, export report and
assignment notice from the participants by mail, fax, e-mail, and
telephone.
Need and Use of the Information: FAS will collect information to
manage, plan, evaluate and account for government resources. The
reports and records are required to ensure the proper and judicious use
of public funds.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 50.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (When program is
utilized).
Total Burden Hours: 399.
Agricultural Marketing Service
Title: Reporting Requirements Under the Regulations Governing
Inspection and Certification of Processed Fruits and Vegetable and
Related Products.
OMB Control Number: 0581-0123.
Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7
U.S.C. 1622(h) requires and directs the Department of Agriculture to
promulgate rules and regulations to carry out voluntary inspection and
grading services of processed fruits and vegetables on a fee for
service basis. The Regulations Governing Inspection and Certification
of processed Fruit and Vegetables and Related Products (7 CFR 52)
authorizes the collection of information to assure that the products
sampled, inspected, graded and certified are actually the products
requested to be sampled and inspected.
Need and Use of the Information: The data collected is used by the
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) for grading and certification
purposes and for hiring licensed samplers. The following forms are used
by AMS for information collection: FV-159, ``Application for Inspection
of Unofficially Submitted Samples of Food Products''--the information
collected is used to determine the purpose for which the inspection is
desired for unofficially submitted samples. FV-356, ``Application for
Inspection and Certificate of Sampling''--the information is used to
fill in the respondent's name and address, and to describe the
containers, the location, code marks and the number of containers in
the lot. FV-468, ``Application for License to Sample Processed
Foods''--the information collected is used to hire prospective
employees desiring to become licensed to sample processed foods and to
certify as to the identification, location, kinds and condition of
containers of processed products that are sampled. The information
collected from the forms is used to provide a service and is not
requested for use in conducting a survey.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Federal
Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 1,698.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 1,126.
Rural Development
Title: Agricultural Cooperative Service Questionnaire: (New
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Cooperative Volume and Structure) Producer Survey.
OMB Control Number: 0570-0008.
Summary of Collection: Rural Business-Cooperative Services (RBS) is
authorized by the Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926: 7 U.S.C. 451-455,
and the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627, to
formulate, develop, and administer research and technical assistance
programs on financial, organization, management, legal, social, and
economic aspects of cooperatives. 7 U.S.C. 453(b)(4) authorizes RBS
``To confer and advise with committees or groups of producers, if
deemed advisable, that may be desirous of forming a cooperative
association and to make an economic survey and analysis of the facts
surrounding the production and marketing of the agricultural product or
products which the association, if formed, would handle or market.''
RBS will survey potential buyers of proposed cooperatives' products at
the request of producer groups to assist them in determining the
feasibility of new cooperative marketing ventures.
Need and Use of the Information: RBS will collect information from
a survey to determine producer characteristics, volume of production
and potential production, and producer's interest in forming or
expanding a cooperative. Together with analysis of the general market
situation, the survey information will be used by RBS/Cooperative
Development Division (CDD) staff to prepare a site-specific business
plan for each requesting group, that includes facility and equipment
needs and costs, management and labor requirements, operating costs,
equity base and loan fund package, debt service schedules, cash flow
projections, and pro forma financial statements.
Description of Respondents: Farm; Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 35.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 245.
Rural Housing Service
Tital: 7 CFR 1944-D, Farm Labor Housing Loan and Grant Policies,
Procedures, and Authorizations.
OMB Control Number: 0575-0045.
Summary of Collection: Under the authority of Sections 514 and 516
Title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (Public Law 104-193, August 22,
1996) (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act
of 1996), the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to make loans and/
or grants to public, private nonprofit and farm worker organizations
for developing farm labor housing. The Secretary is authorized to make
only loans to farm owners, family farm corporations, and partnerships
and associations of farmers. The objective of the program is to provide
decent, safe, and sanitary housing and related facilities for domestic
farm labor and migrant labor to be located in areas where a need
exists. Labor housing grants are provided where there is a pressing
need for such facilities in the area and the housing cannot be provided
at affordable rents without grant assistance in development of the
project. The Rural Housing Service (RHS) has been charged with the
responsibility for protecting the interest of the taxpayer's funds and
to assure that the objectives of the loan and grant program are carried
out as intended. RHS will collect information using several forms to
make the determination of applicable eligibility for a loan and/or
grant.
Need and Use of the Information: RHS will collect information on
the need for the proposed housing in the area, and the appropriateness,
feasibility and economies of the proposed housing and related
facilities. Through the collection of this information, RHS will be
able to assure Congress and the general public that all projects
financed with housing funds will be operated as economically as
possible, used for the purposes for which they are intended, and
provided benefits to those they are mandated to serve.
Description of Respondents: Farm; Not-for-profit institutions;
State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 95.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 8,610.
Food and Nutrition Service
Title: WIC Annual Closeout Report with Addendum.
OMB Control Number: 0584-0427.
Summary of Collection: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program
for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is authorized by section 17 of
the Child Nutrition Act (CNA) of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1786), as amended. The
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of USDA administers the WIC Program by
awarding cash grants to State agencies (generally State health
departments). The State agencies award subgrants to local agencies
(generally local health departments and nonprofit organizations) to
deliver program benefits and services to eligible participants.
Nonentitlement programs such as the WIC Program are required to undergo
an annual closeout and reconciliation of grants. Departmental
regulations at CFR 3016.23(b), states that a State agency must
liquidate all obligations under a grant not later than 90 days after
the end of the funding period to coincide with the submission of the
annual Financial Status Report (SF-269). WIC Program Regulations at 7
CFR 246.17(b)(2) instruct State agencies to ``submit to FNS, within 150
days after the end of the fiscal year, final fiscal year closeout
reports.'' FNS will collect information using forms FNS 227 and FNS
227A.
Need and Use of the Information: FNS will collect information to
determine if the State has met the 97 percent performance standard for
food and 15 percent performance standard for NSA and also to determine
whether the statutory NSA nutrition education and breastfeeding
promotion and support expenditure requirements are met and to monitor
other NSA costs.
Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 88.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 502.
Food and Nutrition Service
Title: WIC Local Agency Directory Report.
OMB Control Number: 0584-0431.
Summary of Collection: The Supplemental Nutrition Program for
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is authorized by section 17 of the
Child Nutrition Act (CNA) of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786), as amended. The
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of USDA administers the WIC Program by
awarding cash grants to State agencies (generally State health
departments). The State agencies award subgrants to local agencies
(generally local health departments and nonprofit organizations) to
deliver program benefits and services to eligible participants. Local
agencies authorized to furnish WIC participants with supplemental
foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support
activities and referral to related health services are subject to
change. New local agencies may be selected to operate the WIC Program
and local agencies already in operation may be disqualified for
continued operation. FNS will collect information using form FNS-648 to
report additions and deletions of local agencies operating the WIC
program and local agency address changes, when such changes occur.
Need and Use of the Information: FNS will collect information to
maintain a local agency directory which lists the names and addresses
of all WIC local
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agencies. The WIC local agency directory serves as the primary source
of data on the number and location of local agencies and is published
annually. It is used to refer individuals to the nearest source of WIC
Program services and to maintain continuity of program services to
migrant and other transient participants.
Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 88.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 15.
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Title: Equine Survey.
OMB Control Number: 0535-0227.
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. Services such as
statistical consultation, data collection, summary tabulation, and
analysis are performed for other Federal and state agencies on a
reimbursable basis as the need arises. In 1997, an Equine Survey was
conducted for the New Jersey State Department of Agriculture. The
results are being used to provide an assessment of the equine
industry's contribution to the state's economy in terms of
infrastructure and value. NASS will collect information using a survey
on equine.
Need and Use of the Information: NASS will collect information on
the equine inventories, by category; equine revenue, by activity; and
equine related expenditures, by purpose. The survey will provide NASS
with names and addresses of equine operations that can be used for
Census of Agriculture enumeration and for the NASS program that seeks
to cover 99 percent of U.S. agricultural cash receipts.
Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 43,800.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (One time only).
Total Burden Hours: 21,900.
Food and Nutrition Service
Title: Federal Collection Methods for Food Stamp Program Recipient
Claims.
OMB Control Number: 0584-0446.
Summary of Collection: Currently there is approximately $1 billion
in established recipient claims for overissued Food Stamp Program (FSP)
benefits, a substantial portion of which State agencies are being
unsuccessful in collecting. The Debt Collection Improvement (DCIA),
Food Stamp (FSA) and Privacy Acts require that State agencies advise
debtors of the intended Federal Claims Collection Methods (FCCM), offer
debtors an opportunity to repay the claim, and offer debtors an
opportunity to request a review of the validity of the collection
action. Under DCIA, food stamp recipient claims administered by State
agencies which are delinquent for 180 days are required to be referred
to Treasury for Treasury Offset Program (TOP) collection actions. In
the case of Federal Income Tax Refund Offset Program (FTROP), the
claims are then referred to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for
collection from individual Federal income tax refunds. Claims to be
collected via Salary Offset are referred to Federal employers for wage
garnishment. In all instances, the debtor is notified and given the
opportunity to request a hearing and make arrangements to repay the
claim prior to FCCM referral. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will
collect information using various methods as the FTROP, TOP, FCCM, to
collect debts from delinquent recipients.
Need and Use of the Information: FNS will collect information to
collect outstanding claim balances by using the recipient Federal
income tax refunds, Salary Offset for wage garnishment, various Federal
payments including, but not limited to, social security benefits and
vendor payments.
Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Federal
Government; State, Local, or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 380,053.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion;
Weekly; Quarterly; Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 71,803.
Nancy Sternberg,
Departmental Information Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-26824 Filed 10-6-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M