[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 217 (Tuesday, November 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63017-63023]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30122]


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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. 217 / Tuesday, November 10, 1998 / 
Notices  

[[Page 63017]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

November 5, 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, 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.

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

    Title: Survey for Local Cooperatives' Role in the Emerging Grain 
and Feed Industries.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The mission of the Cooperative Services 
Program (CS) of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) is to 
assist farmer-owned cooperatives in improving the economic well-being 
of their farmer-members. This is accomplished through a comprehensive 
program of research on structural, operational, and policy issues 
affecting cooperatives; technical advisory assistance to individual 
cooperatives and to groups of producers who wish to organize 
cooperatives; and development of educational and informational 
material. The interplay between market and agricultural policy has 
shaped, and continues to shape the potential activities of grain 
marketing cooperatives. The passage of the Capper-Volstead Act in 1922, 
the Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926, and the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1929 were responses to the drastic declines in the prices for 
most agricultural commodities after World War I. The alternative was 
direct intervention by the federal government to limit supplies on the 
domestic market in order to raise prices. Cooperatives are found at all 
levels of the grain marketing industry, but their presence is strongest 
at the origination stage (procuring grain from farmers), and weakest in 
grain exporting. RBS will collect information about cooperatives 
through telephone and personal interviews surveys.
    Need and Use of the Information: RBS will collect information 
through a survey to establish a baseline of cooperative resources and 
preferences. This information may ultimately provide a basis for 
structuring the standardized production and marketing grain sector 
desired by end-users. The information will be used by regional 
cooperatives to facilitate strategic planning with member local 
cooperatives.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 800.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 800.
    Emergency approval has been requested by October 30, 1998.

Agricultural Research Service/National Agricultural Library

    Title: Food and Nutrition Information Center Customer Satisfaction 
Survey for Food and Nutrition Service Audiences.
    OMB Control Number: 0518-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Food and Nutrition Information Center, 
National Agricultural Library (NAL), Agricultural Research Service 
(ARS), USDA receives special funding to serve Food and Nutrition 
Service (FNS), USDA funded programs. This is documented through two 
Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) agreements between the Food and 
Nutrition Information Center, National Agricultural Library and Food 
and Nutrition Service and Economic Research, USDA. Because the Center 
and the NAL are emphasizing electronic access, availability of 
publications and other resources using only this method of 
communication may be feasible for some audiences served as many do not 
have access to the World Wide Web or even e-mail through the Internet. 
Nutrition staff in various FNS-funded programs that the Food and 
Nutrition Information Center is funded to serve do not have access to 
World Wide Web and, in some cases, e-mail. ARS will collect information 
using a survey.
    Need and Use of the Information: ARS will collect information to 
plan and manage services directed to the audiences that they provide 
service to in order to establish how best to provide reference 
materials and other resources and tools.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government; 
Federal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 900.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (every 3 years).
    Total Burden Hours: 450.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Lien Accommodations and Subordinations, 7 CFR Part 1717, 
Subparts R&S.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0100.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act (RE Act) of 
1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended, authorizes and empowers the 
Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to make loans in the 
several States and Territories of the United States for rural 
electrification

[[Page 63018]]

and the furnishing of electric energy to persons in rural areas who are 
not receiving central station service. The RE Act also authorizes and 
empowers the Administrator of RUS to provide financial assistance to 
borrowers for purposes provided in the RE Act by accommodating or 
subordinating loans made by the National Rural Utilities Cooperative 
Finance Corporation, the Federal Financing Bank, and other lending 
agencies. RUS will collect information using forms RUS 178, Report of 
Progress of Construction and Engineering Services, and RUS 457, 
Engineer's Monthly Report of Substation Progress.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
determine an applicant's eligibility for a lien accommodation or lien 
subordination under the RE Act; facilitate an applicant's solicitation 
and acquisition of non-RUS loans as to conserve available Government 
funds; monitor the compliance of borrowers with debt covenants and 
regulatory requirements in order to protect loan security; subsequent 
to granting the lien accommodation or lien subordination, administer 
each so as to minimize its cost to the Government.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 20.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 93.

Forest Service

    Title: Forest Products Free Use Permit, Forest Products Removal 
Permit and Cash Receipt, and Forest Products Sale Permit and Cash 
Receipt.
    OMB Control Number: 0596-0085.
    Summary of Collection: 16 U.S.C. 551 requires the promulgation of 
regulations to regulate forest use and prevent destruction of the 
forests. Regulations at 36 CFR 223.1 and 223.2 govern the sale of 
forest products such as Christmas trees, pine cones, moss, and 
mushrooms. Regulations at 36 CFR 223.5-223.13 set forth conditions 
under which free use of forest product may be obtained by individuals 
or organizations. 15 U.S.C. 607 provides that a defense against 
trespass is that the forest product be removed under the regulations. 
These statutes and the regulations apply to 16 U.S.C. 477, 492, and 
607a. Regulations at 36 CFR 261.6 require persons to obtain permits to 
remove special forest products from National Forest Land. Forest 
Service Regional Offices have been issuing Forest Product Removal 
Permits for over 20 years. Each Region has developed its own Forest 
Product Removal Permit and policies for implementation, but have not 
obtained OMB authorization for the information collection. National 
Headquarters is preparing a Forest Product Removal Permit to be 
implemented in all Regions to ensure consistent implementation of 
National policies for free use and special forest product programs. 
Information is required to determine if the applicant meets the 
criteria under which free use or sale of forest products is authorized 
by the regulations and to ensure that the permittee complies with the 
regulations and terms of the permit. This information is also needed to 
allow Forest Service (FS) compliance personnel to identify permittees 
in the field.
    Need and Use of the Information: The FS will collect information 
from the public in order to issue a permit, the information that is 
needed is the name, address, tax identification number or other 
identification number, this information is used by the FS to keep a 
record of person buying forest products. The person requesting the 
permit will provide the information orally and the Forest Officer will 
enter the information into the permit computerized program or enter 
onto a hard copy of a permit.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or 
other for-profit.
     Number of Respondents: 618,750.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 41,366.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: CCC Conservation Contract.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0174.
    Summary of Collection: The Farm Service Agency (FSA), in 
conjunction with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is 
charged with administering the Environmental Quality Incentives Program 
(EQIP), the Farmland Protection Program (FPP), and the Conservation 
Farm Option (CFO) Program. These programs provide farmers and ranchers 
with flexible opportunities to work with the federal government to 
address natural resource concerns by implementing innovative and 
environmentally-sound solutions. Information must be collected from 
potential participants who wish to apply for these programs. Additional 
information is required from individuals once they have been accepted 
into the program to ensure compliance and to issue, as appropriate, 
cost share and land retirement payments.
    Need and Use of the Information: Information will be collected from 
producers and ranchers who wish to voluntarily participate in either 
the EQIP, FPP or CFO programs. The application information will allow 
agency management to select program participants which will help best 
achieve program objectives related to maximizing environmental 
benefits, minimizing land retirement, and continuing agricultural 
production levels. Ongoing recordkeeping and reporting requirements 
will be necessary to ensure compliance with program provisions.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households; Not-
for-profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 91,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Other (when 
applying).
    Total Burden Hours: 383,830.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1951-R, Rural Development Loan Servicing.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0015.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Development (RD) Loan Servicing 
was legislated in 1985 under Section 1323 of the Food and Security Act 
of 1985. This action is needed to inplement the provision of Section 
407 of the Health and Human Services Act of 1986, which amended Section 
1323 of the Food Security Act of 1985. Subpart R of part 1951 contains 
regulations for servicing and liquidating existing loans previously 
approved and administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services (HHS) under 45 CFR Part 1076 and transferred from HHS to the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture. This subpart contains regulations for 
servicing and liquidating loans made by Rural Development, successor to 
the Farmers Home Administration, under the Intermediary Relending 
Program (IRP) to eligible intermediaries and applies to ultimate 
recipients and other involved parties.
    Need and Use of the Information: RD will collect information from 
the intermediary, i.e. assets and liabilities, income statement and a 
summary of the intermediary's lending and guarantee program. The 
information is vital to RD for the Agency to make credit and financial 
analysis decisions based on financial information provided by the 
Intermediary.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 420.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Quarterly; Semi-
annually; Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 12,675.

[[Page 63019]]

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Domestic Quarantines.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0088.
    Summary of Collection: Chapter 8 of the Plant Quarantine Act 
(U.S.C. 161) provides authority for the Secretary of Agriculture to 
quarantine any State, Territory, or District of the United States to 
prevent the spread of insect infestation and diseases new to or not 
widely distributed throughout the United States. The Domestic 
Quarantines regulations (7 CFR Part 301) are issued under this 
authority. Implementing these quarantines often requires the Animal and 
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to collect information from a 
variety of individuals who are involved in growing, packing, handling, 
transporting, and exporting plants and plant products. The information 
collected from these individuals is vital to helping ensure that 
injurious plant diseases and insect pests do not spread within the 
United States. Information to be collected is necessary to determine 
compliance with domestic quarantine laws. Federal/State domestic 
quarantines are necessary to regulate the movement of articles from 
infested areas to noninfested areas. Collecting information requires 
the use of a number of forms and documents.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information by 
interviewing growers and shippers at the time the inspections are being 
conducted and by having growers and shippers of exported plants and 
plant products complete an application for a transit permit. 
Information is collected from the growers, packers, shippers, and 
exporters of regulated articles to ensure that the articles, when moved 
from a quarantined area, do not harbor injurious plant diseases and 
insect pests. The information obtained will be used to determine 
compliance with regulations and for issuance of forms, permits, 
certificates, and other required documents.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Farms; 
Individuals or households; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal 
Government.
    Number of Respondents: 174,072.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 60,126.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1980-D, Rural Housing Loans.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0078.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) offers 
supervised credit programs to build modest housing and essential 
community facilities in rural areas. RHS regulations prescribe the 
policy necessary to process Rural Housing loan guarantees to low- and 
moderate-income applicants. RHS, formerly known as the Rural Housing 
and Community Development Service (RHCDS), is a successor agency to the 
Farmers Home Administration under the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and 
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994, Public Law 103-
354. Section 517(d) of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949 provides the 
authority for the Secretary of Agriculture to issue loan guarantees for 
the acquisition of new or existing dwellings and related facilities to 
provide decent, safe, and sanitary living conditions and other 
structures in rural areas. The purpose of the Guaranteed Rural Housing 
(GRH) program is to assist low- and moderate-income individuals and 
families in acquiring or constructing a single family residence in a 
rural area with loans made by private lenders. RHS will collect 
information using an application form from the customers for a mortgage 
loan.
    Need and Use of the Information: RHS will collect information from 
potential borrowers such as household income, assets and liabilities, 
and monthly expenses to determine if borrowers qualify for and assure 
they receive all assistance for which they are eligible. All 
information collected is used to determine eligibility for program 
participation and to monitor the program efficiency and effectiveness.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or 
other for-profit; State, Local, or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 48,060.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion: Monthly.
    Total Burden Hours: 153,931.

Forest Service

    Title: 36 CFR Part 228, Subpart A--Locatable Minerals.
    OMB Control Number: 0596-0022.
    Summary of Collection: The United States Mining Law of 1872, as 
amended, governs the prospecting for and appropriation of metallic and 
most nonmetallic minerals on 192 million acres of National Forest set 
up by proclamation from the public domain. It gives individuals the 
right to search for and extract valuable mineral deposits of locatable 
minerals. Recording that claim in the local courthouse and with the 
appropriate Bureau of Land Management (BLM) State Office affords 
protection from subsequent locators. A mining claimant is entitled to 
reasonable access to claim for further prospecting, mining or necessary 
related activities, subject to the other laws and applicable 
regulations. The purpose of the regulations at 36 CFR part 228, subpart 
A, is to set some specific rules and procedures through which use of 
the surface of National Forest System lands in connection with mineral 
operations authorized by the United States mining laws shall be 
conducted so as to minimize adverse environmental impacts on surface 
resources. The Forest Service (FS) will collect information using form 
FS2800-5, Plan of Operations for Mining Activities on National Forest 
System Lands.
    Need and Use of the Information: FS will collect information 
requirements for a Notice of Intent to identify the area involved; the 
nature of the proposed operations; the route to the area of operations; 
the method of transport. The information requirements for a Plan of 
Operations includes: the name and legal mailing address of the 
operators; a description of the type of operations proposed; a 
description of how it would be conducted; a description of the type and 
standard of existing/proposed roads/access routes; a description of the 
means of transportation to be used; a description of the period during 
which the proposed activity will take place; and measures to meet the 
environmental protection requirements. The information requirements for 
a cessation of operations include: verification to maintain the 
structures, equipment and other facilities; expected reopening date; 
estimate of extended duration of operations; maintenance of the site, 
structures, equipment and other facilities during nonoperating periods.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 5,924.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (approved till operations 
change).
    Total Burden Hours: 4,462.

Rural Housing Service

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Farm Service Agency

    Title: 7 CFR 1955-B, Management of Property.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0110.
    Summary of Collection: The Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Rural 
Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) programs are administered under the 
provisions of the Consolidated and Rural Development Act (CONACT), as 
amended. FSA Farm Loan Program (FLP) provides supervised credit in the 
form of loans to family farmers and ranchers to purchase land and 
finance

[[Page 63020]]

agricultural production. The Rural Housing Service (RHS) provides 
credit in the form of Multi-Family Housing loan and Community Facility 
loans. The RBS program is designed to improve, develop or finance 
business industry and employment and improve the economic and 
environmental climate in rural communities. These agencies must collect 
information on real property taken into custody and chattel property in 
the agency's inventory.
    Need and Use of the Information: FSA, RHS, and RBS collect 
information to properly track and monitor real property and chattel 
property used to secure loans.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or 
other for-profit; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal 
Government.
    Number of Respondents: 1,637.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,245.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: American Indian Livestock Feed Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0187.
    Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Act of 1970 (7 U.S.C. 1427 
(a)), section 813, gives the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to 
relieve distress caused by a natural disaster by using funds from the 
sale of commodities held in the disaster reserve. On December 17, 1997, 
the Secretary announced there would be an American Indian Livestock 
Feed Program (AILFP) and allocated $8 million from the sale of disaster 
reserve stocks to fund the program. An additional $4.5 million was 
subsequently added to the funds for a total of $12.5 million. The AILFP 
will provide cash reimbursement to livestock owners who must purchase 
feed to sustain their livestock as a result of a natural disaster. 
Reimbursement will amount to either 30 percent of the Animal Unit Days 
(AUD) times the AUD value for the crop year in which the disaster took 
place, or the amount the owner spent to purchase the feed, whichever 
amount is smaller. Livestock owners are required to provide receipts 
substantiating their purchases. When the loss of livestock feed first 
becomes noticeable in a region a tribal government representative will 
contact the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Area Office and the Farm 
Service Agency (FSA) State Office to get the names of representatives 
from those agencies who will serve as members of a Survey Team. The 
Survey Team will consist of a BIA representative, an FSA 
representative, and at least one tribal representative. The Survey Team 
will examine the conditions in the region and determine if a natural 
disaster has had a detrimental effect on the availability of livestock 
feed in the region, and if so, the team will estimate the loss. FSA 
will collect information using several forms.
    Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information to 
determine if the disaster region commended by the tribal government 
meets the requirements of the regulations.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; State, Local 
or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 45,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Other (when losses 
occur).
    Total Burden Hours: 22,563.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: Livestock Indemnity Program (7 CFR 1439).
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0179.
    Summary of Collection: Under Pub. L. 105-18, the Secretary of 
Agriculture is authorized to use up to $50 million from proceeds earned 
from the sale of grain in the disaster reserve established in the 
Agricultural Act of 1970 to implement a Livestock Indemnity Program. 
The program will provide payments to producers with livestock and 
poultry losses between October 1, 1996 and June 12, 1997, from natural 
disasters which occurred between October 1, 1996 and June 12, 1997, for 
which a Presidential or Secretarial Declaration was requested by June 
12, 1997, and subsequently approved. Pub. L. 105-119 authorized an 
additional $6 million to implement a Livestock Indemnity Program for 
livestock and poultry losses beginning March 1, 1997, through November 
26, 1997, from natural disasters which occurred beginning March 1, 
through November 26, 1997, for which a Presidential or Secretarial 
Declaration was requested between June 12, 1997, and December 1, 1997, 
and subsequently approved. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) will collect 
information using form CCC-661 to establish eligibility for the 
program.
    Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information from 
persons who suffered livestock or poultry losses to support their 
reported pre-disaster inventory such as receipts for purchase of 
livestock, poultry, or feed and loan documents, or any information that 
may be available to verify their livestock or poultry possessions prior 
to the reported loss. Evidence to support the number of losses such as 
rendering receipts and a certification by the producer on CCC-661 
regarding the accuracy of the information submitted. The information 
collected will be used by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to 
determine the eligibility and amount of assistance in accordance with 
published regulations. Failure to make sound decisions in providing 
livestock indemnity program payments, would result in inequitable 
treatment of the livestock and poultry owners.
    Description of Respondents: Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 60,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting; On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 120,000.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: Upland Cotton Domestic User/Exporter Agreement and Payment 
Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0136.
    Summary of Collection: The Federal Agriculture Improvement and 
Reform Act of 1996 (the FAIR Act) provided that, during the period 
beginning August 1, 1991, and ending July 31, 2003, if for any 
consecutive 4-week period, the Friday through Thursday average price 
quotation for the lowest price U.S. growth, as quoted for Middling (M) 
one and three-thirty seconds inch cotton, delivered C.I.F. northern 
Europe exceeds the Northern Europe price by more than 1.25 cents per 
pound, the Secretary of Agriculture issue cash or commodity 
certificates to domestic users for cotton consumed or for exporters for 
exports made in the week following such consecutive 4-week period. 
Participating exporters must submit form CCC-1045-1, Exporter 
Application for Payment, or provide the same information in their own 
format whenever they export cotton during a week in which a payment 
rate is in effect. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) will collect 
information using form CCC-1045-1.
    Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information from 
form CCC-1045, Upland Cotton Domestic User/Exporter Agreement. The 
agreement contains the terms and conditions for receiving payments and 
outlines the responsibilities of the participants. Data collected on 
the agreement documents are limited to the name of exporter, address of 
recordkeeping office, and taxpayer ID. The agreement establishes basic 
eligibility to participate in the program.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 230.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Weekly.
    Total Burden Hours: 3,145.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: Request for Aerial Photography.

[[Page 63021]]

    OMB Control Number: 0560-0176.
    Summary of Collection: The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Aerial 
Photography Field Office (AFPO) has the authority to coordinate aerial 
photography work in USDA, develop and carry out aerial photography and 
remote sensing programs and the Agency's aerial photography flying 
contract programs. Section 387 of the Agriculture Adjustment Act of 
February 16, 1938, states ``The Secretary may furnish reproductions of 
such aerial or other photographs, mosaics, and maps as have been 
obtained in connection with the authorized work of the Department to 
farmers and governmental agencies at the estimated cost of furnishing 
such reproductions, and to persons other than farmers at such prices 
(not less than estimated cost of furnishing such reproductions) and the 
Secretary may determine, the money received from such sales to be 
deposited in the Treasury to the credit of the appropriation charged 
with the cost of making such reproductions.'' FSA will collect 
information using FSA-441 form to determine the necessary customer and 
photography information needed for the USDA FSA Aerial Photography 
Field Office to produce and ship the various products ordered from our 
office.
    Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information on 
the name, address, contact name, telephone, fax, e-mail, customer code, 
agency code, purchase order number, credit card number/exp. date and 
amount remitted/po amount. Customers have the option of placing orders 
by mail, fax, telephone, walk-in or floppy disk. Furnishing this 
information requires the customer to research and prepare their request 
before submitting it to APFO.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households; 
Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Federal 
Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 12,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (when ordering).
    Total Burden Hours: 8,000.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: Form RD 1910-11, Application Certification, Federal 
Collection Policies for Consumer or Commercial Debts.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0127.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Development (RD) implements the 
requirements of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-
129. OMB Circular A-129, ``Policies for Federal Credit programs and 
Non-Tax Receivables provides direction as to how agencies should inform 
its loan applicants of the Federal Government's debt collection 
policies and procedures prior to extending credit. At the time an 
application for a loan program is completed, the agency will ask the 
applicant to sign a debt collection certification statement to certify 
knowledge of the Government's policies. This statement details the 
consequences of delinquency. Form RD 1910-11 uniformly advises 
applicants of the debt collection methods that will and can be used in 
recovering on delinquent or defaulted loans. RD will collect 
information using Form RD 1910-11.
    Need and Use of the Information: RD will collect information using 
Form RD 1910-11 to advise applicants of the debt collection methods 
that will and can be used in recovering on delinquent or defaulted 
loans. The information will be obtained from loan applicants for 
consumer and commercial debt at the time of loan application. If the 
application results in a loan, the information will be maintained in 
the borrower's case file or loan docket and used as documentation 
should the borrower become delinquent or default.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government; 
Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit 
institutions; Farms; Federal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 1,565.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 392.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: Power of Attorney.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The FSA-211, Power of Attorney and FSA-211-
1, Power of Attorney for Husband and Wife have been revised to provide 
for authority for programs provided by the Federal Agriculture 
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (1996 Act). The power of attorney 
grants said attorney authority to act with respect to actions involving 
Farm Service Agency (FSA), Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and 
Federal Crop Insurance (FCIC) insured crops. These forms provide a 
service to producers who are not always able to be present to sign 
documents. They save the producers the legal fees associated with 
obtaining a power of attorney. FSA will collect information using form 
FSA-211 and FSA-211-1.
    Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information using 
FSA-211, Power of Attorney to delegate authority to another person to 
act for the producer with respect to actions under a variety of 
programs administered by FSA and FSA-211-1, Power of Attorney for 
Husband and Wife used by one spouse to grant signing authority for 
another. Without a power of attorney a husband or wife may not be able 
to sign documents on behalf of a spouse. These forms provide a service 
to producers who are not always able to be present to sign documents.
    Description of Respondents: Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 500,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 150,000.

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

    Title: Revolving Loan Funds Capitalized by USDA Rural Development.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-0030.
    Summary of Collection: The information to be collected under this 
action involves three programs. The Intermediary Relending Program 
(IRP) was authorized by Section 1323 of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(7 U.S.C. 1932 note). The Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program is 
authorized by section 310B of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932). The Rural Economic Development Grant 
Program is authorized by Section 313 of the Rural Electrification Act 
of 1936, as amended (7 U.S.C. 940c). The Rural Business-Cooperative 
Service (RBS), an agency within the Rural Development mission area of 
the U.S. Department of Agriculture, operates several programs that 
provide funds to organizations to be used for loans to third-party 
recipients. The Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) provides long 
term, low interest loans to nonprofit corporations, public agencies, 
Indian tribes, and cooperatives to establish revolving loan funds to 
finance businesses and community development projects in rural areas. 
The Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program provides grant funds to 
nonprofit and emerging private business enterprises in rural areas. The 
Rural Economic Development Grant Program provides grants to electric 
and telephone program borrowers of the Rural Utilities Service, for the 
purpose of promoting rural economic development and job creation 
projects. In each of these programs there is an organization, referred 
to herein as an intermediary, that receives the Federal loan or grant 
assistance, and uses that assistance to establish revolving funds to 
make loan and grant assistance, to third parties, referred to herein as 
ultimate recipients. RBS will collect information using an automated 
data base of information created by Virginia Polytechnical University 
on ultimate recipient loans.

[[Page 63022]]

    Need and Use of the Information: RBS will collect information to 
analyze the feasibility of secondary market sales of the promissory 
notes held by the intermediaries and to provide better measures and 
more accurate and complete information for measuring program impact, in 
accordance with the National Performance and Results Act.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit; Federal Government; State, Local, or Tribal 
Government.
    Number of Respondents: 550.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 2,750.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1901-E, Civil Rights Compliance Requirements.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0018.
    Summary of Collection: Rural Development (RD) is required to 
provide Federal financial assistance through its farmer, housing, and 
community and business programs on an equal opportunity basis. The laws 
implemented in 7 CFR 1901-E, require the recipients of Rural 
Development's Federal financial assistance to collect various types of 
information by race, color, and national origin. RD will collect 
information using various RD forms.
    Need and Use of the Information: RD will collect information on 
race, color and national origin. RD will use this information to 
monitor a recipient's compliance with the civil rights laws, and to 
determine whether or not service and benefits are being provided to 
beneficiaries on an equal opportunity basis. Without the required 
information, RD and its recipient will lack the necessary documentation 
to demonstrate that their programs are being administered in a 
nondiscriminatory manner and in full compliance with the civil rights 
laws.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or 
other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Farms; State, Local or 
Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 19,565.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 533,017.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: Debt Settlement Policies and Procedures, 7 CFR 792 and 1403.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0146.
    Summary of Collection: The Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966, 
as revised by the Debt Collection Act of 1982 (DCIA) (31 U.S.C., 3711, 
et seq.) requires each Federal agency to make aggressive action to 
collect debts owed it, and to cooperate with other Federal agencies in 
their debt collection activities. The DCIA of 1996 has increased the 
aggressiveness required through the addition of mandated provisions to 
ensure that all agencies are employing the most efficient and cost 
effective procedures and methods to identify, report and collect 
outstanding debts. In order for Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the 
Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to carryout their responsibilities 
under this statute, information must be obtained to ensure that the 
Government will be able to collect, or otherwise settle, debts owed it 
by any person, organization, corporation, or other legal entity. The 
Federal Claims Collection Standards and the DCIA provided that if the 
debtor is financially unable to pay the debt in one lump sum, payment 
may be accepted in regular installments, that agencies should obtain 
financial statements from debtors who represent that they are unable to 
pay the debt in one lump sum, and that agencies which agree to accept 
payment in regular installments should obtain a legally enforceable 
written agreement from the debtor which specifies all of the terms of 
the agreement. FSA and CCC will collect financial information and the 
completion of a settlement agreement or promissory note from debtors 
who are unable to pay their debts in one lump sum.
    Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information on 
the debtors assets, liabilities, income and expenses when a debtor 
requests to enter into an installment agreement to settle their debt. 
Based on that information a determination can be made on whether the 
debtor can pay the debt in one lump sum or an installment is necessary. 
Without this financial information FSA/CCC would have no method of 
allowing debtor's to pay their debts in installments while still 
ensuring that the government's financial interests are protected. Once 
an installment request has been approved, a legally enforceable written 
agreement incorporating the terms of payment is necessary to evidence 
the agreement and allow for judicial enforcement if the debtor defaults 
on the agreement. Form CCC-279 is executed as a promissory note in 
these situations.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Farm; 
Federal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 250.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 125.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: Conservation and Environmental Programs--7 CFR 701.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0082.
    Summary of Collection: The Conservation and Environmental Programs 
Regulations at 7 CFR Part 701 set forth the basic policies, program 
provisions, and eligibility requirements, as determined by the 
Secretary, under which cost-sharing assistance will be made available 
to eligible agricultural producers/landowners for carrying out approved 
long-term conservation, forestry and emergency conservation measures. 
The regulations include: (1) individual program goals and objectives; 
(2) applicable program definitions; (3) procedures for program 
development and implementation; (4) conditions for approvals, payments, 
and completion of practices; and (5) general provisions to each 
program. The Farm Service Agency (FSA), in cooperation with the Natural 
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Forest (FS) and other 
agencies and organizations, provides eligible producers and landowners, 
cost-share incentives and technical assistance through several 
interrelated conservation and environmental programs to help farmers, 
ranchers and other eligible landowners and operators conserve soil, 
improve water quality, maintain the fertility of the land, develop the 
forests, and rehabilitate land damaged by natural disasters. The 
programs included are Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), 
Conservation Reserve Program (CFP), Forestry Incentives Program, and 
Rural Clean Water Program (RCWP). Various forms are used to collect 
information on the type of assistance required and to certify 
completions so that cost-share payments can be received.
    Need and Use of the Information: Information collected is used by 
FSA offices to determine eligibility, calculate cost-share payments 
earned by participants based on the information reported by the 
applicant that is substantiated by the receipts or sales documents to 
monitor compliance.
    Description of Respondents: Farm.
    Number of Respondents: 450,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting.
    Total Burden Hours: 205,000.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: General Regulations Governing Sugar Loans for 1996 and 
Subsequent Crops--7 CFR part 1435.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0093.
    Summary of Collection: Sugar loans are authorized by the Federal 
Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (the 1996 FAIR Act),

[[Page 63023]]

Section 156 and the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act 
(Pub. L. 80-806). The loans to processors are made available through 
CCC and implemented by regulations at 7 CFR 1435. The 1996 Act provides 
the Secretary shall make available recourse or nonrecourse marketing 
assistance loans on 1996 through 2002 crops of sugar beets and 
sugarcane. The Farm Service Agency (FSA), on behalf of CCC, administers 
recourse and nonrecourse loans for sugar. The type of loan, recourse or 
nonrecourse, is determined by the level of tariff rate quotas for sugar 
imports. CCC makes loans available to processors on eligible sugar 
pledged as loan collateral. The sugar may be stored in approved farm 
storage. Processors obtain loans on sugar processed from sugar beets 
and sugar cane grown by eligible producers in the United States and 
Puerto Rico. An eligible producer on a farm must have: (1) complied 
with the highly erodible land requirements; (2) reported planted acres 
for commodities applicable to loan requests; (3) met the applicable 
crop insurance requirements; and (4) share in the risk of producing the 
commodity. Eligible sugar must be processed and owned by the eligible 
processor and stored in suitable storage. May not have been processed 
from imported sugarcane, sugar beets, or molasses, and must have been 
processed in the United States or Puerto Rico and must have processor 
certification in the loan application that the sugar is eligible and 
available to be pledged as collateral. FSA will collect information 
using form SU-2, Application for Sugar Loan.
    Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information on 
the total capacity, storage location, crop years, commodity 
lienholders, quantity, lot number and where the sugar was produced. The 
information is used to determine the eligibility of the sugar and is 
used to establish the quantity to be pledged as collateral for the 
certified loan. Furnishing the data is voluntary, however, without it, 
assistance under the CCC loan program cannot be provided.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 43.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Monthly.
    Total Burden Hours: 15.
Nancy Sternberg,
Departmental Information Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-30122 Filed 11-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M