[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 236 (Wednesday, December 9, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67849-67852]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32522]
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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. 236 / Wednesday, December 9, 1998 /
Notices
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
December 2, 1998.
The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following
information collection requirements(s) to OMB for review and clearance
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments
regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy
of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality,
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Washington, D.C. 20503 and to
Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington,
D.C. 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are
best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of
this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by
calling (202) 720-6746.
An emergency 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.
Food and Nutrition Service
Title: Child Nutrition Database.
OMB control number: 0584-New.
Summary of collection: The Child Nutrition (CN) Database is a
necessary component in implementation of USDA's Food and Nutrition
Service (FNS) National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast
(SBP): School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children final rule
published in the June 13, 1995 Federal Register, Volume 60, No. 113.
The overriding purpose in NSLP and SBP initiatives is to serve more
nutritious and healthful meals to school children. FNS has updated the
regulations which established the specific nutrition criteria for
reimbursable school meals incorporating the Recommended Dietary
Allowances (RDA) issued by the Food and Nutrition Board, Commission on
Life Sciences, National Research Council for key nutrients, energy
allowances for calories, and the most current nutritional standards as
outlined in the Dietary Guidelines. FNS will collect information using
a database that contains information on the nutritional composition of
a variety of foods.
Need and use of the information: FNS will collect information on
(1) USDA commodities; (2) USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference
food items which are used in the SBP and NSLP; (3) quantity recipes for
school food service developed by USDA; and (4) brand name commercially
processed foods. The information gathered for the CN Database is
required to be used in software programs approved by USDA for use in
meeting the nutrient standards and nutrition goals of the Child
Nutrition Program meal pattern. The information will be used by both
the States and FNS program staffs.
Description of respondents: Business or other for-profit.
Number of respondents: 100.
Frequency of responses: Reporting: Other (as needed).
Total burden hours: 6,000.
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Title: 1998 Census of Aquaculture.
OMB control number: 0535-New.
Summary of collection: The primary objective of the 1998 Census of
Aquaculture is to obtain a comprehensive and detailed picture of the
aquaculture sector of the economy. The Census of Aquaculture will be
the only source of data comparable and consistent at the national and
state level. The Census of Aquaculture will cover all operations in
each state that produced or sold $1,000 or more of aquaculture or
aquaculture products during 1998. Data from the 1998 Census of
Aquaculture will be tabulated to provide benchmark statistics at the
U.S. and state levels. Authority to administer the Census of
Aquaculture is covered by Public Law 105-113, the Census of Agriculture
Act of 1997 (Title 7, United States Code). The National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS) will collect information using survey
questionnaires.
Need and use of the information: NASS will collect information on
the numbers of operations, land and water acreage, method of
production, total production, sales outlets and sales by aquaculture
species. The Census of Aquaculture provides the only source of
comparable, detailed state level data descriptive of the structure of
the aquacultural production sector of the United States economy. Census
data are used by the United States economy. Census data are used by the
Administration, Federal agencies, and Congress to formulate and
evaluate national aquaculture policies and programs. Without the Census
of Aquaculture, there would be no reliable source of data consistent
for all 50 states.
Description of respondents: Farms.
Number of respondents: 4,800.
Frequency of responses: Reporting: Other (One-time only).
Total burden hours: 2,400.
Emergency approval for this information collection has been
requested by November 20, 1998.
Farm Service Agency
Title: Disaster Reserve Flood Compensation Program (7 CFR 1439).
OMB control number: 0560-New.
Summary of collection: Under Section 813 of the Agriculture Act of
1970 (7 U.S.C. 1427a) and S. Con. Res. 63, the Secretary of Agriculture
is authorized to utilize the $12 million remaining from the sale of
commodities held in the disaster reserve to compensate eligible
producers affected by long-term flooding of agriculture land. The
program will provide payments to livestock producers with land that is
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inaccessible or incapable of crop production, grazing, or haying at any
time during the 1998 fiscal year due to flooding. The eligible land
must be physically located in counties that have been declared a
disaster under a Presidential Declaration or Secretarial Designation
during the period January 1, 1997 through August 1, 1998. The Farm
Service Agency (FSA) will collect information using form CCC-454, Flood
Compensation Program.
Need and use of the information: FSA will collect information to
determine eligible producers who are currently engaged in the
production of livestock in any of the years 1992-1997; determine
eligible livestock producers who are under obligation due to a binding
lease to make a fair market value rental payment for crop year 1998;
and determine eligible producers who have land that is inaccessible or
incapable of crop production, haying or grazing due to flooding in FY
98. Eligible producers will be required to provide documents to support
their reported disaster such as crop reports, disaster reports, photo
copies and slides of the affected areas; form CCC-454 and a copy of
lease agreement, if a leaseholder.
Description of respondents: Farms; Federal Government; State, Local
or Tribal Government.
Number of respondents: 6,500.
Frequency of responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total burden hours: 130.
Emergency approval for this information collection has been
requested by November 23, 1998.
Forest Service
Title: Economic, Social, and Cultural Contributions of Livestock
Ownership.
OMB control number: 0596--New.
Summary of collection: Management of federal lands is hampered in
many cases because land managing agencies lack sufficient information
to understand and monitor sociocultural values and changing attitudes
toward land and resource use. Insufficient recent information of this
type hampers efforts of the USDA Forest Service (FS) to work with small
livestock operators who graze their cattle under permits on Forest
Service-managed lands in northern New Mexico. Many of these permittees
are descendants of Hispanic settlers who have farmed and ranched in the
area for 400 years. Cultural differences and historical issues of land
ownership and use contribute to disagreements and misunderstandings
between the permittees and federal land managers. This pilot on the
Espanola Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest and the
Canjilon Ranger District of the Carson National Forest will provide
baseline data on economic, social, and cultural contributions of
livestock ownership to the permittees of northern New Mexico. The
Forest Service (FS) will collect information in a pilot study using
questionnaires and face-to-face interviews.
Need and use of the information: FS will collect information to
assist managers of the forest to (1) work more effectively with the
grazing permittees by facilitating increased intercultural
understanding and (2) to develop and update grazing allotment plans,
especially for the two targeted districts. This information is also
valuable in public education programs concerning the Hispanic culture
of northern New Mexico. The results of this pilot study will contribute
to the development of a broader study of all permittees in the Santa Fe
and Carson National Forests.
Description of respondents: Individuals or households; Business or
other for-profit; Farms.
Number of respondents: 112.
Frequency of responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total burden hours: 364.
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Title: Wildlife Damage.
OMB control number: 0535-0217.
Summary of collection: The National Agricultural Statistics
Service's (NASS) primary function is to prepare and issue current
official state and national estimates of crop and livestock production,
disposition, and prices. Auxiliary 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. NASS has entered into an agreement with the Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to conduct nationwide
sample surveys of selected fruits, nut, and berry producers for the
purpose of assessing the true incidence, extent, specific cause, and
monetary value of agricultural product and resource losses caused by
vertebrate wildlife. APHIS and NASS have entered into this agreement in
direct response to specific recommendations to APHSI by the National
Animal Damage Control Advisory Committee (NADCAC) in recognition of the
present lack of current information available to the APHIS' Wildlife
Service for use in strategic planning. NASS will collect information
using a sampling survey to evaluate wildlife damage to livestock.
Need and use of the information: NASS will collect information on
the development of valid statistical data reflecting the percentage of
fruit, nut, and berry growers experiencing losses of products or
resources and the total dollar losses at the national level caused by
vertebrate wildlife. Goals of the survey are to assess the agricultural
community's use and name recognition of the Wildlife Service's program
at a regional level, and provide accurate measurement of wildlife
damage to agricultural products for use in long range planning and fund
allocation.
Description of respondents: Farms.
Number of respondents: 10,400.
Frequency of responses: Reporting: Other (One time).
Total burden hours: 2,253.
Food and Nutrition Service
Title: Waiver Guidance for Food Stamp Time Limits.
OMB control number: 0584-0479.
Summary of collection: Section 824 of the Personal Responsibility
and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104-193
(PRWORA) establishes a time limit for the receipt of food stamp
benefits for certain able-bodied adults who are not working. The
provision authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, upon a State
agency's request, to waive the provision for any group of individuals
if the Secretary determines ``that the area in which the individual
resides has an unemployment rate of over 10 percent, or does not have a
sufficient number of jobs to provide employment for the individuals.''
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will collect information using
waiver requests for state officials.
Need and use of the information: FNS will collect information on
unemployment rates of over 10 percent; number of jobs to provide
employment to individuals and areas in which they reside. FNS will use
the information provided by State food stamp agencies to evaluate
whether the statutory requirements for a waiver of the food stamp time
limit have been met.
Description of respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government;
Federal.
Number of respondents: 44.
Frequency of responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total burden hours: 2,000.
Forest Service
Title: Application for the Senior Community Service Employment
Program.
OBM control number: 0596-0099.
Summary of collection: The Senior Community Service Employment
Program (SCSEP) is designed to provide part-time employment
opportunities and training to low-income and disadvantaged persons aged
55 or above.
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In order for the Forest Service (FS) to establish the eligibility of
each individual for enrollment into the program, it is necessary to
collect income information and age data for each individual. The
application document is the tool needed to collect this pertinent data
and other relevant information required by the Department of Labor. The
authority for this data collection is contained in the Federal Register
Rules and Regulations, Section, 641.305, prepared by the Department of
Labor, Employment and Training Administration. The Forest Service will
collect information using applications submitted by individuals.
Need and use of the information: FS will collect identifying
information from individuals as well as data on family income, age, and
type of public assistance received. FS will use the information to
determine eligibility for enrollment into the Senior Community Service
Employment Program. If FS does not collect the personal income and age
data from each person applying for the SCSEP, the FS will be unable to
determine participant eligibility in this targeted program; will be in
violation of the current law; and would not be able to continue as a
sponsor of the program.
Description of respondents: Individuals or households.
Number of respondents: 6,500.
Frequency of responses: Reporting: Other (Initial Application).
Total burden hours: 1,083.
Office of the Secretary, White House Liaison
Title: Advisory Committee Membership Background Information.
OMB control number: 0505-0001.
Summary of collection: Section 1804 of the Food and Agriculture Act
of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2281, et seq.) requires the Department to provide
information concerning advisory committee members' principal place of
residence, persons or companies by whom employed, and other major
sources of income. Board members' under each program are appointed by
the Secretary. Some of the information contained on Form AD-755 is used
by the Department to conduct background clearances of prospective board
members required by departmental regulations. This clearance is
required by all committee members who are appointed by the Secretary.
The Office of the Secretary, White House Liaison, in conjunction with
agency personnel, will collect information using Form AD-755, Advisory
Committee Membership Background Information.
Need and use of the information: The Office of the Secretary, White
House Liaison will collect information on the background of the
nominees to make sure there are no delinquent loans to the United
States Department of Agriculture, USDA, as well as making sure they
have no previous record that could be a negative reflection to the
USDA. The information obtained from the form is also used in the
compilation of an annual report to Congress. Failure of the Department
to provide this information would require the Secretary to terminate
the pertinent advisory committee.
Description of respondents: Individuals or households.
Number of respondents: 1,631.
Frequency of responses: Reporting: Monthly.
Total burden hours: 760.5.
Emergency approval for this information collection has been
requested by December 30, 1998.
Forest Service
Title: Disposal of Mineral Materials.
OMB control number: 0596-0081.
Summary of collection: The Forest Service (FS) is responsible for
overseeing the management of National Forest System land. The Multiple-
Use Mining Act of 1955 (30 U.S.C. 601, 603, 611-615) gives the FS
specific authority to manage the disposal of mineral materials mined
from National Forest land. FS uses two separate forms, FS-2800-9 and
R1-FS-2850-1, to collect detailed information on the planned mining and
disposal operations as well as a contract for the sale of mineral
materials.
Need and use of the information: FS will use information collected
from the public to ensure that environmental impacts of mineral
material disposal are minimized. A review of the operating plan
provides the authorized officer the opportunity to determine if the
proposed operation is appropriate and consistent with all applicable
land management laws and regulations. The information also provides the
means of documenting planned operations and the terms and conditions
that the Forest Service deems necessary to protect surface resources.
Description of respondents: Business or other for-profit;
Individuals or households.
Number of respondents: 3,000.
Frequency of responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total burden hours: 7,500.
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Title: Year 2000 Survey.
OMB control number: 0535-New.
Summary of collection: There is widespread concern regarding the
Year 2000 (Y2K) technology problem. Y2K is an unprecedented issue among
all industries including agriculture. The USDA's Y2K Food Supply
Working Group is leading an effort to evaluate the Y2K readiness of the
agricultural industry. The National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS) has been asked to assist by providing an assessment of the
awareness and preparation by the agricultural production sector for the
year 2000. NASS will collect information from farm operators about
their Y2K awareness and readiness using a telephone survey.
Need and use of the information: NASS will collect information on
the impact of the year 2000 problem on the food industry in general-
from farm to fork; description of the Department's Year 2000 outreach
program; and an assessment of the general preparedness of the food
industry to continue uninterrupted business despite the century date
change.
Description of respondents: Farms.
Number of respondents: 1,300.
Frequency of responses: Reporting: Other (One time only).
Total burden hours: 325.
Emergency approval for this information collection has been
requested by December 8, 1998.
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Title: Census of Agriculture--American Samoa.
OMB control number: 0535-0226.
Summary of collection: The census of agriculture is the only source
of agricultural data comparable and consistent at the national, state
and country or county-equivalent levels for the United States and four
territories/commonwealths. The census of agriculture, conducted on a 5-
year cycle, covers all agricultural operations in each state, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands that meet the farm
definition. Authority to administer the census of agriculture was
transferred from the Bureau of Census to the USDA's National
Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The information collection is
being resubmitted as an emergency submission to obtain approval to
conduct an agricultural census in American Samoa beginning in January
1999. In addition to the census of commercial agricultural operations,
a sample of all American Samoa residences will be surveyed to determine
the extent of subsistence farming on the island. Representatives of the
U.S. Department of Interior and the Government of American Samoa
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recently approached NASS to request that an agriculture census and a
survey of residences covering 1998 be conducted in American Samoa, and
that subsequently, American Samoa be included in the 5-year agriculture
census cycle. NASS will collect information using a survey of the
American Samoa residences.
Need and use of the information: NASS will collect information on
the number and type of farms, land use, crop acreage and production,
livestock inventory and sales production expenses, farm-related income,
and other characteristics. The data will be used by the Administration,
Federal agencies, and Congress to formulate and evaluate national farm
and rural policies and programs, and by the USDA and Bureau of Economic
Analysis to compile the farm sector economic indicators and the
national income accounts. Without the census of agriculture, there
would be no reliable source of data consistent throughout the 50 states
and over 3,000 counties in the United States.
Description of respondents: Farms, Individuals or households.
Number of respondents: 3,589,580.
Frequency of responses: Reporting: Other (One time only).
Total burden hours: 1,320,705.
Emergency approval for this information collection has been
requested by December 11, 1998.
Nancy Sternberg,
Departmental Information Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-32522 Filed 12-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M