[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
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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 
 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

[[Page 53866]]

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