[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 207 (Wednesday, October 27, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 57840]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28035]


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 Notices
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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 
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 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 207 / Wednesday, October 27, 1999 / 
Notices  

[[Page 57840]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation


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

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Commodity Credit Corporation's (CCC) intention to 
request an extension and a revision to an approved information 
collection in support of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The 
collection requirements have been revised to amend the total burden 
hours to reflect CRP activity from 1999 through 2002, including 
enrolling new acreage in the program and releasing acreage before 
contract expiration as authorized by the Federal Agriculture 
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before December 
27, 1999 to be assured consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments may be sent to Cheryl 
Zavodny, Chief, Conservation Programs Branch, Conservation and 
Environmental Programs Division, USDA, FSA, CEPD, STOP 0513, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0513, telephone (202)720-
7333; facsimile (202)720-4619; or e-mail 
Cheryl__Z[email protected].; or facsimile (202) 720-4619.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Conservation Reserve Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0125.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 29, 2000.
    Type of Request: Extension and Revision of Currently Approved 
Information Collection.
    Abstract: The information collected under Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) Control Number 0560-0125, as identified above allows FSA 
to effectively administer the regulations under the CRP. The CRP 
regulations at 7 CFR Part 1410 and formerly at 7 CFR Part 704 set forth 
basic policies, program provisions, and eligibility requirements for 
owners and operators to enter into and carry out long-term CRP 
contracts with financial and technical assistance and for making cost-
share and annual rental payments under the program. All information 
collection under 7 CFR Part 704 has ceased. This regulation was removed 
by the final CRP rule published February 19, 1997, which revised 7 CFR 
Part 1410. CRP information collection requirements will continue under 
7 CFR Part 1410. Total public burden hours are based on the following 
assumptions:
    1. Average size for contracts is 70.0 acres for general and 8.0 
acres for continuous signup contracts.
    2. Approximately 3.442 million acres are scheduled to expire under 
CRP on September 30, 1999. The Secretary has the authority to maintain 
36.4 million acres in the program through 2002. The remaining 
enrollment authority through 2002 is 7,181,000 acres.
    3. Twenty-five percent of the producers requesting early release 
will not release the entire contract.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .067691 hours per response.
    Respondents: Owners, operators, and other producers on eligible 
cropland.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 575,140.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 38,932.
    Comments are sought on these requirements including: (a) whether 
the continued 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 the burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) enhancing the quality, utility, 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) minimizing the 
burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, 
including using appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments should be sent to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office 
of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
Washington, DC 20503 and to Cheryl Zavodny, Chief, Conservation 
Programs Branch, Conservation and Environmental Programs Division, 
USDA, FSA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, STOP 0513, Washington DC 
20250-0513.
    Copies of the information collection may be obtained from Cheryl 
Zavodny at the above address.
    OMB is required to make a decision concerning the collection(s) of 
information contained in these proposed regulations between 30 and 60 
days after publication of this document in the Federal Register. 
Therefore, a comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect 
if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.
    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.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on October 18, 1999.
Keith Kelly,
Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 99-28035 Filed 10-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P