[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 5, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24134-24137]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-11232]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

April 29, 1999.
    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, 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, DC 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 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.

Economic Research Service

    Title: Emergency Food Assistance System Study.
    OMB Control Number: 0536-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: Many emergency food providers are reporting 
increased demand for their services as a result of changes in the 
nation's welfare and food assistance safety net under the Personal 
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 and 
decreasing ability to meet the additional demands. USDA is coordinating 
public and private efforts intended to increase the amount of surplus 
food channeled through Emergency Food Assistance System (EFAS) 
providers by 33 percent by the year 2000. On November 23, 1996 
President Clinton signed an executive memorandum directing all Federal 
agencies to join the USDA effort to recover excess food and established 
a Federal interagency task force on gleaning and food recovery. USDA, 
through the Food and Nutrition Service, administers several food 
assistance programs that help low-income households obtain adequate and 
nutritious diets. The largest USDA food assistance program, the Food 
Stamp Program, is designed to provide food assistance through normal 
channels of trade. The EFAS interacts closely with USDA food assistance 
programs by serving as a distribution outlet for Emergency Food 
Assistance Program (TEFAP) commodities and by providing temporary or 
supplemental food assistance to many of the same needy population 
served by USDA programs. A study of the Emergency Food Assistance 
System is going to be conducted. The study will be conducted in two 
phases. Currently, there is no sample frame from which to identify food 
banks, food pantries, and emergency kitchens for the study. Information 
collected during the first phase of the study will be used to compile 
frames of providers to be sampled and contacted for data collection. 
Economic Research Service (ERS) will collect information using 
questionnaires and telephone interviews to compile frames of providers 
to be sampled and contacted for second phased-data collection.
    Need And Use Of The Information: ERS will collect information on 
providers' operating characteristics, service areas, resource base, 
quantity and type of food flowing into the system, number of people 
served, and providers' capacity to manage current and future changes in 
food demand and resources. Once the information is compiled, the frames 
of food banks, food pantries, and emergency kitchens will be used by 
the sampling statisticians for the study to select providers for the 
interviews. The contact information will be used by the data collection 
staff to facilitate advance

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mailings and support the actual study data collection.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; State, 
Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 5,479.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,374.

Economic Research Service

    Title: Report on State Use of Funds to Increase Work Slots for Food 
Stamp Recipients.
    OMB Control Number: 0536-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Personal Responsibility and Work 
Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) dramatically changed 
the system that had provided welfare cash assistance and food stamp 
benefits to low-income households since the early 1970s. One of the 
consequences of the change in the law has been the strengthening of 
work requirements, both for the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families 
(TANF) Program and the Food Stamp Program. The largest change made by 
PRWORA in the Food Stamp Program was the imposition of a time limit on 
receipt of food stamp benefits for Able Bodies Adults Without 
Dependents (ABAWD) who are between the ages of 18 and 50. In order to 
take advantage of the expanded funding and comply with the new Food 
Stamp Employment and Training (E&T) Program requirements most States 
have initiated new approaches to serving ABAWDS in their Food Stamp E&T 
programs. This study will provide detailed and comparable information 
on State changes to their programs. In addition, despite the 
availability of additional funds, many States may still face 
considerable challenges in meeting the program requirements and making 
the modifications to their programs necessary to best serve food stamp 
clients, particularly ABAWDs. The Economic Research Service (ERS) will 
use a telephone survey and mail out questionnaire to collect 
information from States on the specific successes and challenges they 
have faced in utilizing the expanded Balanced Budget Act (BBA) Food 
Stamp E&T funds.
    Need and Use of the Information: ERS will collect information on 
how the States' expenditures, activities, program design, and E&T 
participants have changed in response to the availability of new funds 
for Food Stamp E&T and the Federal emphasis on serving the unemployed 
ABAWD population. The information gathered in the study will have four 
primary uses. First, the study will provide and analyze a database of 
consistent and comparable information across States both before and 
after the enactment of the BBA. Second, FNS will be utilizing the data 
from the telephone interviews in the study for another study on the 
impact of the time limits on ABAWDs. Third, the database created for 
the study may also be used by ERS as a baseline for any future research 
regarding the Food Stamp E&T Program, including research that may focus 
on the impact of various E&T approaches for Food Stamp Program 
participants. One final and important use of the study is that after 
release to Congress, the research report will be shared by USDA with 
all State food stamp directors so that they may learn from the varying 
approaches taken in implementing E&T activities or food stamp 
participants.
    Description of Respondents: Federal Government; State, Local or 
Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 51.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 472

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Food Stamp mail issuance Report
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0015.
    Summary of Collection: Sections 7 (a) and (b) of the Food Stamp Act 
of 1977 require that coupons be issued only to households which have 
been duly certified as eligible to participate in the Food Stamp 
Program (FSP), and that coupons shall be used by eligible housheds 
households only to purchase food in retail food stores which have been 
approved for participation in the FSP at prices prevailing in such 
stores. Section 7(d) of the Act authorizes the Secretary to develop 
procedures for determining and monitoring the level of coupon 
inventories held by issuance agents to ensure that these inventories 
are at proper levels. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), on behalf 
of the Secretary, requires each coupon issuer to submit quarterly a 
written report of the issuer's operations during the periods. The FNS 
will collect information using FNS Form-259, Food Stamp Mail Issuance 
Report.
    Need and use of the Information: FNS will collect information to 
establish the issuance and accountability systems which ensures that 
only certified eligible households receive benefits; that coupons are 
accepted, stored, and protected after delivery to receiving points 
within the state; that program benefits are timely distributed in the 
correct amount; and that coupon issuance and reconciliation activities 
are properly conducted and accurately reported to FNS. The State agency 
is responsible, regardless of any agreements to the contrary, for 
ensuring that assigned duties are carried out in accordance with FSP 
regulations. In addition, the State agency is strictly liable to FNS 
for all losses of coupons, even if those issuance, security, or 
accountability duties are the responsibility of another party.
    Description of Respondents: Federal Government; State, Local or 
Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 1,026.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Quarterly.
    Total Burden Hours: 342.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Recordkeeping requirements for Certified Application of 
Federally Restricted Use Pesticides (7 CFR Part 110).
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0164.
    Summary of Collection: The Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade (FACT) Act of 1990 (Subtitle H, Sec. 1491) mandates the Secretary 
of Agriculture, in consultation with the Administrator of the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ``shall require certified 
applicators of (federally) restricted use pesticides to maintain 
records comparable to records maintained by commercial applicators in 
each State.'' In addition, the Secretary of Agriculture and the 
Administrator of EPA are required under Section 1491(f) of the FACT Act 
to survey the records and develop and maintain a data base so the 
Secretary and the Administrator of EPA can prepare and publish annual 
pesticide use reports, copies of which must be transmitted to Congress. 
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is charged with administering the 
Federal Pesticide Recordkeeping Program. AMS requires certified private 
applicators of federally restrict house pesticides to maintain records 
of all restricted use pesticide applications for a period of two years. 
AMS will collect information using form STD-8 Pesticide for 
Recordkeeping Inspection.
    Need and Use of the Information: AMS will collect information on 
the brand or product name and the EPA registration number of the 
federally restricted use pesticide that was applied; the total amount 
of the federally restricted use pesticide applied; the location, the 
size of the area treated, and the crop, commodity, stored product or 
site to which a restricted use pesticide was applied; the month, day, 
and year on which the restricted use pesticide application occurred; 
and the name and certification number of the certified applicator who 
applied or who supervised the application of the

[[Page 24136]]

restricted use pesticide. In order to properly administer the pesticide 
recordkeeping program, AMS needs to monitor and determine to what 
extent private applicators are complying with the program's 
requirements and identify the reasons for non or partial compliance. 
AMS has the responsibility to assure records are being kept to provide 
information to be utilized by licensed health care professionals for 
possible medical treatment. In addition, the statute requires USDA to 
submit annual reports to Congress pertaining to the use of restricted 
use pesticides in agricultural production.
    Description of Respondents: Farm; Federal Government; State, Local 
or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 1,018,651.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,782,614.

Forest Service

    Title: Stewardship Incentive Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0596-0120.
    Summary of Collection: The Forest Service (FS) in cooperation with 
the Farm Service Agency, State forestry agencies, and other agencies 
and organizations, provides eligible landowners cost-share incentives 
and technical assistance through the Stewardship Incentive Program. 
This assistance helps owners of non-industrial private forest land to 
provide sound, multidisciplinary stewardship to their lands. The 
program encourages landowners to consider the best, long-term use of 
the Nation's land and water resources. The Stewardship Incentive 
Program is authorized in the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 
1978 (Pub. L. 95-313, 92 Stat. 365 as amended; 16 U.S.C. 2101 (note), 
2101-2114, 16 U.S.C. 1606 (note), 16 U.S.C. 1606). FSA, on behalf of 
FS, will collect information using forms SIP-36, Assignment of Payment, 
SIP-211, Power of Attorney, SIP211-1, Power of Attorney for Husband and 
Wife, and SIP-502, Payment Limitation Review.
    Need and Use of the Information: FSA, in conjunction with the FS, 
will collect information to identify (1) the Stewardship Incentive 
Program assignment of payment; (2) IRS income reporting requirements 
for participants; and (3) the participants' delegated Power of 
Attorney. State forestry agencies and FSA work cooperatively with the 
FS to administer the Stewardship Incentive Program.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; farms; 
business or other for-profit; not-for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 32,500.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 74,250.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Consumer Research for Dietary Guidelines 2000.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: Under Subtitle D of the National Agriculture 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3171-
3175), the Secretary of Agriculture is required to develop and 
implement a national food and human nutrition research and extension 
program, including the development of techniques to assist consumers in 
selecting food that supplies a nutritionally adequate diet. Pursuant to 
7 CFR 2.19(a)(3), the Secretary of Agriculture has delegated authority 
to the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) for, among 
other things, developing materials to aid the public in selecting food 
for good nutrition; co-ordinating nutrition education promotion and 
professional education projects with the Department; and consulting 
with the Federal and State agencies, the Congress, universities, and 
other public and private organizations and the general public regarding 
food consumption and dietary adequacy. CNPP is interested in conducting 
a consumer research study with focus groups of adults to gauge the use 
and effectiveness of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and to test 
the communication effectiveness and usefulness of prototype Dietary 
Guidelines-based nutrition promotion materials. CNPP will collect 
information using a study of focus groups and prototype testing 
sessions.
    Need and Use of the Information: CNPP will collect information to 
expand the knowledge base concerning how to translate the Dietary 
Guidelines for Americans 2000 recommendations and message and delivery 
of the information through nutrition promotion products and materials 
to improve the diets of all Americans age 2 and older. Also, to better 
understand consumers' wants and needs, and to discover potential 
motivations for dietary change. The information will be used by the 
CNPP to develop a communications plan outline that addresses how best 
to utilize products developed to effectively reach the target audience.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 225.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; other (one time).
    Total Burden Hours: 900.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Application for Inspection and Certification of Animal 
Byproducts.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0008.
    Summary of Collection: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) on behalf of the Secretary of Agriculture has been 
delegated the authority (7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624) to establish and 
implement a system for verifying that the importation and commercial 
distribution of certain animal byproducts have been processed according 
to the conditions and requirements of the importing country. The laws 
and regulations that govern the importation and commercial distribution 
of certain animal byproducts in some foreign countries may require the 
U.S. exporter to furnish certificates that have been issued or endorsed 
by APHIS Veterinary Services. These certificates attest to the class 
and quality of these products, and also attest to the procedures used 
to process these products for exportation to the receiving country. 
APHIS will collect information using VS Form 16-24, ``Application for 
Inspection & Certification of Animal Byproducts.''
    Need And Use of The Information: APHIS collects information from 
applicants requesting that APHIS monitor the processing of the product. 
After monitoring the processing technique, APHIS certifies that the 
product was processed according to the conditions and requirements of 
the importing country. A copy of the form then accompanies the 
shipment. Without this certification, the importing country would not 
accept the product, and the applicant would be unable to conduct 
business with that country.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 20.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 10.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: 7 CFR Part 3565, ``Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program'' 
and Supporting Handbook.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0174.
    Summary of Collection: On March 28, 1996, President Clinton signed 
the ``Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act of 1996.'' One of the 
provisions of the Act was the authorization of the section 538 
Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP), adding the program to 
the Housing Act of 1949. The purpose of the GRRHP is to increase the 
supply of affordable rural rental housing

[[Page 24137]]

through the use of loan guarantees that encourage partnerships between 
the Rural Housing Service (RHS), private lenders and public agencies. 
RUS will approve qualified lenders to participate and will monitor 
lender performance to ensure program requirements are met. RHS will 
collect information from lenders on the eligibility cost, benefits, 
feasibility, and financial performance of the proposed project.
    Need And Use of The Information: RHS will collect information from 
lenders to manage, plan, evaluate, and account for Government 
resources. The GRRHP regulation and handbook will provide lenders and 
Agency staff with guidance on the origination and servicing of GRRHP 
loans and the approval of qualified lenders. The information is 
collected by RHS so that it may evaluate the lender's request and make 
the determination that the interests of the government are protected.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 50.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting Quarterly; monthly; annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 2,466.
Nancy B. Sternberg,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-11232 Filed 5-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M