[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 73 (Friday, April 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18874-18875]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9516]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 73 / Friday, April 16, 1999 / 
Notices  

[[Page 18874]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. FV99-929-1NC]


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing 
Service's (AMS) intention to request an extension for and revision to a 
currently approved information collection for Cranberries Grown in the 
States of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, 
Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in 
the State of New York, Marketing Order No. 929.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 15, 1999.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Valerie L. Emmer-Scott, 
Marketing Specialist, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and 
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, room 2525-S., P.O. Box 96456, 
Washington, DC 20090-6456; Tel: (202) 205-2829, Fax: (202) 720-5698, or 
E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Cranberries Grown in the States of Massachusetts, Rhode 
Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, 
Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the State of New York, Marketing 
Order No. 929.
    OMB Number: 0581-0103.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 1999.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Marketing order programs provide an opportunity for 
producers of fresh fruits, vegetables and specialty crops, in a 
specified production area, to work together to solve marketing problems 
that cannot be solved individually. Order regulations help ensure 
adequate supplies of high quality product and adequate returns to 
producers. Under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 
(AMAA), as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674) industries enter into marketing 
order programs. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to oversee 
the order operations and issue regulations recommended by a committee 
of representatives from each commodity industry.
    The information collection requirements in this request are 
essential to carry out the intent of the AMAA, to provide the 
respondents the type of service they request, and to administer the 
program, which has operated since 1962.
    The cranberry marketing order regulates the handling of cranberries 
grown in the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New 
Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long 
Island in the State of New York, hereinafter referred to as the 
``order.'' The order authorizes the issuance of allotment provisions 
for producers and regulates the quantities of cranberries handled. The 
order also has research and development authority.
    The order, and rules and regulations issued thereunder, authorize 
the Cranberry Marketing Committee (Committee), the agency responsible 
for local administration of the order, to require handlers and 
producers to submit certain information. Much of this information is 
compiled in aggregate and provided to the industry to assist in 
marketing decisions.
    The Committee has developed forms as a means for persons to file 
required information with the Committee relating to cranberry supplies, 
shipments, dispositions, and other information needed to effectively 
carry out the purpose of the AMAA and order. As shipments of 
cranberries are normally year-round, these forms are utilized 
accordingly. A USDA form is used to allow growers to vote on amendments 
or continuance of the marketing order. In addition, cranberry growers 
who are nominated by their peers to serve as representatives on the 
Committee must file nomination forms with the Secretary.
    Formal rulemaking amendments to the order must be approved in 
referenda conducted by the Secretary. Also, the Secretary may conduct a 
continuance referendum to determine industry support for continuation 
of the order. Handlers are asked to sign an agreement to indicate their 
willingness to abide by the provisions of the order whenever the order 
is amended. These forms are included in this request.
    The forms covered under this information collection require the 
minimum information necessary to effectively carry out the requirements 
of the order, and their use is necessary to fulfill the intent of the 
AMAA as expressed in the order, and the rules and regulations issued 
under the order.
    The information collected is used only by authorized 
representatives of the USDA, including AMS, Fruit and Vegetable 
Programs' regional and headquarter's staff, and authorized employees of 
the Committee. Authorized Committee employees and the industry are the 
primary users of the information, and AMS is the secondary user.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.4173 hours per response.
    Respondents: Cranberry growers and handlers in the States of 
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, 
Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the State 
of New York.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,306
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.398
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 902 hours.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed 
collection of the information is necessary for the proper performance 
of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

[[Page 18875]]

(3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information 
to be collected; and (4) 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.
    Comments should reference OMB No. 0581-0103 and the Cranberry 
Marketing Order No. 929, and be mailed to Docket Clerk, Fruit and 
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, Room 2525-S, Washington, 
D.C. 20090-6456; Fax (202) 720-5698; or E-mail: 
[email protected]. Comments should reference the docket number 
and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register. All 
comments received will be available for public inspection in the Office 
of the Docket Clerk during regular USDA business hours at 14th and 
Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C., room 2525-S.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: April 9, 1999.
Robert C. Keeney,
Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs.
[FR Doc. 99-9516 Filed 4-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P