[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 212 (Wednesday, November 3, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59732-59734]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28750]


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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. 64, No. 212 / Wednesday, November 3, 1999 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

October 28, 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, 
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 Housing Service

    Title: 7 CFR Part 3550, Direct Single Family Housing Loan and Grant 
Programs, HB-1-3550, and HB-2-3550.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0172.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is a credit 
agency for rural housing and community development within the Rural 
Development mission area of the Department of Agriculture. Section 501 
of Title V of the Housing Act of 1049, as amended, authorizes the 
Secretary of Agriculture to administer such programs and to prescribe 
regulations to ensure that these loans and grants provided with Federal 
Funds are made to eligible applicants for authorized purposes, and that 
subsequent servicing and benefits provided to borrowers are consistent 
with the authorizing statute. RHS offers a supervised credit program to 
extend financial assistance to construct, improve, alter, repair, 
replace or rehabilitate dwellings, which will provide modest, decent, 
safe, and sanitary housing to eligible individuals living in rural 
areas. To assist individuals in obtaining affordable housing, a 
borrower's house payment may be subsidized to an interest rate as low 
as 1%. The information requested by RHS is vital to be able to process 
applications for RHS assistance and make prudent credit and program 
decisions. RHS will collect information using several forms.
    Need and Use of the Information: RHS will collect information to 
verify program eligibility requirements; verify continued eligibility 
requirements for borrower assistance; service loans; to determine 
eligibility for special servicing assistance such as: payment 
subsidies, moratorium (stop) on payments, delinquency workout 
agreements; liquidation of loans; and, debt settlement. The information 
is used to ensure that the direct Single Family Housing programs are 
administered in a manner consistent with legislative and administrative 
requirements. Without this information RHS would be unable to determine 
if a borrower would qualify for services or if assistance has been 
granted to which the customer would not be eligible under current 
regulations and statutes.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; business or 
other for-profit; not-for-profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal 
Government.
    Number of Respondents: 500,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 923,053.

Agricultural Research Service

    Title: Continuing Survey of food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) 
1999-2002.
    OMB Control Number: 0518-0023.
    Summary of Collection: During the past decade the U.S. diet has 
been undergoing changes unprecedented in scope and rapidity. Changes 
reflect increased interest by consumers in foods (variety and taste), 
nutrition and health, convenience, and availability of new or modified 
foods or meals from which they may choose. In the next decade, new 
information will be received on relationships among foods, nutrients, 
and health which will influence food consumption patterns and 
nutritional interventions. The objective of the Continuing Survey of 
Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) is to measure current levels and 
shifts in the food and nutrients consumed by individuals and the 
nutritional adequacy of diets, signal changes taking place, and provide 
information for use in evaluating dietary status. The CSFII is a major 
component of the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research 
Program (NNMRRP). The NNMRRP, which was developed in the early eighties 
at the request of Congress, was formally established following the 
passage of the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Act of 1990 
(Pub. L. 101-445). The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will collect 
information using telephone surveys and questionnaires.
    Need and Use of the Information: ARS will collect information to 
meet requirements for information on food consumption and dietary 
status as well as information on foods eaten at home and away. If the 
information is not collected many regulatory, research, and other 
programs would be severely limited by the lack of current data on food 
intakes by individuals.
    Description of Responses: Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 5,066.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 17,800.

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Farm Service Agency

    Title: Farmer Program Account Servicing Policies--7 CFR Part 1951-
S.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0161.
    Summary of Collection: The Farm Service Agency's (FSA) Farm Loan 
Program (FLP) provides supervised credit in the form of loans to family 
farmers and ranchers to purchase land and finance agricultural 
production. The regulations covering this information collection 
package describe the policies and procedures the agency will use to 
service most FLP loans when they become delinquent. These loans include 
Operating, Farm Ownership, Soil and Water, Softwood Timber Production, 
Emergency, Economic Emergency, Economic Opportunity, Recreation, and 
Rural Housing loans for farm service buildings. Servicing of accounts 
is administered in accordance with the provisions of the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT) as amended by the Food Security 
Act of 1985, the Agriculture Credit Act of 1987, the Food Agriculture 
Conservation and Trade Act of 1990, the Agricultural Credit Improvement 
Act of 1992, and the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 
1996. The Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 was intended to ensure that 
private individuals who have obtained a loan from the U.S. Treasury 
through the Department of Agriculture are all treated equally when they 
default on that loan. FSA will collect information using form FSA-1951-
39 and other attachments and exhibits.
    Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information to 
determine whether a financially distressed or delinquent borrower's 
request for loan servicing is warranted. If information is not 
collected, borrowers may not receive the correct servicing options 
which could result in the failure of their business and the loss of 
security property through either voluntary or forced liquidation.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; individuals or households; 
business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 12,013.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 16,116.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Animal Welfare--Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, and Rabbits.
    OMB Control Number: 0579--0092.
    Summary of Collection: The Laboratory Animal Welfare Act (AWA) 
enacted in 1966 and amended in 1970 and 1990 requires the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture to regulate the humane care and handling of 
most warm-blooded animals used for research or exhibition purposes, 
sold as pets, or transported in commerce. The Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service (APHIS) has the responsibility for enforcing the 
Animal Welfare Act and its provisions. APHIS collects information and 
requires certain recordkeeping in order to review and evaluate program 
compliance by regulated facilities and ensure a workable enforcement 
system to carry out the requirements of the AWA. Specific information 
collection requirements relate to certifications of shipping containers 
used to transport guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits as well as the 
conditions (e.g., temperature) necessary during transport, and 
acclimation certificates.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS collects information from 
regulated facilities including dealers, exhibitors, and research 
facilities, intermediate handlers and carriers, and from accredited 
veterinarians to ensure proper handling and care for guinea pigs, 
hamsters, and rabbits. Without this information, APHIS would be unable 
to detect violations and take appropriate actions consistent with the 
AWA.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 1,470.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 260.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Report of School Program Operations.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0002.
    Summary of Collection: The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) 
administers the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast 
Program, and the Special Milk Program as mandated by the National 
School Lunch Act, as amended, and the Child Nutrition Act of 1996, as 
amended. Information on school program operations is collected from 
State agencies on a monthly basis to monitor and make adjustments to 
State agency funding requirements. FNS uses form FNS-10 to collect 
data, although 95 percent of the information is collected through 
electronic means.
    Need and Use of the Information: FNS collects quantity information 
from State agencies on the number of meals served under the various 
food programs. Information is categorized in a number of areas and 
States are asked to provide their estimates along with actual data. FNS 
uses the information collected on school operations to assess the 
progress of the various programs and to make monthly adjustments to 
State agency funding requirements. If the information was not 
collected, FNS would be unable to monitor the proper use of program 
funds.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 62.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Monthly; annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 95,232.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: 9 CFR 160-162, Veterinary Accreditation Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0032.
    Summary of Collection: Title 21, U.S.C. authorizes sections 111, 
114, 114a, 114-1, 115, 120, 121, 125, 126, 134a, 134c, 134f, and 134g, 
of 21 U.S.C. These authorities permit the Secretary to prevent, control 
and eliminate domestic diseases such as brucellosis and tuberculosis, 
as well as to take actions to prevent and to manage exotic diseases 
such as foot-and-mouth and rinderpest. Disease prevention is the most 
effective method for maintaining a healthy animal population and 
enhancing the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS) 
ability to compete in exporting animals and animal products. Because 
APHIS does not have sufficient numbers of Federal personnel to perform 
all of the disease prevention work that must be done, APHIS relies 
heavily on assistance from veterinarians in the private sector. 
Regulations governing the Veterinary Accreditation Program are found in 
Title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations, parts 160, 161, and 162. 
Operating this important program requires APHIS to engage in a number 
of information collection activities in the form of applications for 
veterinary accreditation, veterinary accreditation orientation and 
training, paperwork associated with tasks performed by our accredited 
veterinarians (such as completing certificates, applying and removing 
official seals, and completing test reports); reviewing applications 
for veterinary accreditation and re-accreditation, recordkeeping, and 
updating information on accredited veterinarians. APHIS will collect 
information using several forms.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information to 
determine that a veterinarian has met the requirements for being 
accredited, or for obtaining re-accreditation. APHIS will also collect 
information to ensure that accredited veterinarians are knowledgeable 
of current Federal and State animal health regulations, objectives and 
programs and they are

[[Page 59734]]

competent in their application. If information is not collected it 
would significantly destroy APHIS' ability to operate the Veterinary 
Accreditation Program.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; State, 
Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 56,024.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; 
annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 52,190.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR Part 1789, Use of Consultants Funded.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0115.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a 
credit agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It makes mortgage 
loans and loan guarantees to finance electric, telecommunications, and 
water and waste water facilities in rural areas. The RUS loan portfolio 
totals nearly $42 billion. Loan programs are managed in accordance with 
the Rural Electrification Act (RE Act) of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., 
as amended, and as prescribed by Office of Management and Budget 
Circular A-129, Policies for Federal Credit Programs and Non-Tax 
Receivable. RUS will collect information through the use of 
consultants.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
determine whether it is appropriate to use a consultant voluntarily 
funded by the borrower to expedite a particular borrower application.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 6.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 12.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Report of the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0078.
    Summary of Collection: The Child and Adult Care Food Program is 
mandated by Section 17 of the National School Lunch Act, as amended. 
Program implementation is contained in 7 CFR Part 226. The Food and 
Nutrition Service (FNS) collection information using Form FNS-44 to use 
in managing the Child and Adult Care Food Program. This report is vital 
since it is the only means by which FNS can obtain current information 
necessary to make payments to State agencies and to plan for future 
levels of program funding.
    Need and Use of the Information: FNS will collect information in 
order to analyze progress in the program and to make monthly 
adjustments to State agency funding requirements. If data is not 
collected FNS would be unable to monitor the proper use of program 
funds.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 53.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Quarterly; semi-annually; 
Monthly.
    Total Burden Hours: 5,724.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Importation of Gypsy Moth Host Materials from Canada.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0142.
    Summary of Collection: Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act (7 
U.S.C. 159) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to determine 
whether the unrestricted importation of any plants, fruits, vegetables, 
roots, bulbs, seeds, or other plant products not included by the term 
``nursery stock'' will result in the introduction of plant diseases or 
insect pests into the United States, and to then specify which of these 
products will be subject to the provisions of Section 1 of the Plant 
Quarantine Act. Section 105 and 106 of the Federal Plant Pest Act (7 
U.S.C. 150dd, 150ee) authorizes the Secretary to require inspection and 
treatment of any product when the Secretary deems it necessary to 
prevent a plant pest from being introduced into the United States. 
Until now the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) did 
not specifically regulate the importation of gypsy moth host materials 
from foreign countries into the United States. APHIS has determined 
that the gypsy moth population is growing in certain parts of Canada, 
and that steps must be taken to prevent the introduction of gypsy moth 
from Canada into non-infested areas of the United States. APHIS will 
collect information using phytosanitary certificates, certificates of 
origin, and signed statements from individuals both within and outside 
the United States.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information to 
ensure that importing foreign logs, trees, shrubs, and other articles 
do not harbor plant or insect pests such as the gypsy moth. If the 
information is not collected it would cripple APHIS' ability to ensure 
that trees, shrubs, logs, and a variety of other items imported from 
Canada do not harbor gypsy moths.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; 
individuals or households; not-for-profit institutions; farms; State, 
Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 2,120.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 183.
Nancy B. Sternberg,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-28750 Filed 11-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M