[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 40 (Tuesday, February 29, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10760-10762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-4765]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

February 23, 2000.
    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.

Forest Service

    Title: Application for Prospecting Permit.
    OMB Control Number: 0596-0089.
    Summary of Collection: The Application for Prospecting Permit, Form 
FS-2800-14, was developed by Region 1, Forest Service (FS) to obtain 
better information from applicants requesting permits to conduct 
geophysical activities on National Forest System lands. These 
activities are authorized according to 36 CFR Subpart E 228.100 and 
228.101 for operations on a lease, 36 CFR 251 Subpart B for operations 
off a lease, and 36 CFR 251.15 for operations on reserved mineral 
rights. Geophysical operations are conducted to better understand the 
Earth's geology and mineral resources. Use of the form will ensure that 
a complete, concise, site-specific, description of all proposed 
geophysical activity is obtained. It will ensure timely and effective 
review and decision-making in compliance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 USC 452-4347).
    Need And Use Of The Information: FS collects the applicant name, 
address, and company project name and similar information about the 
geophysical contractor. The information is used by FS to ensure a 
thorough, accurate, and timely review of the proposed geophysical 
activity. If complete and accurate information is not collected the 
environmental analysis and related NEPA documents may be incomplete; 
permit issuance may be delayed; and, recordkeeping may be incomplete.

[[Page 10761]]

    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Non-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 25.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 6.
    Emergency approval has been requested by February 14, 2000.

Forest Service

    Title: Recreation Fee Permit Envelope.
    OMB Control Number: 0596-0106.
    Summary of Collection: The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 
1965, section 4(b), and Forest Service regulations at Title 36, Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR), section 291.2 authorize the collection of 
fees at some of the National Forest and Grassland recreation sites. 
Every year millions of people visit National Forest System recreations 
sites. At some of these sites, the public is required to pay a fee to 
use the site. Fees are charged to cover, as nearly as possible, the 
costs of operating and maintaining fee sites, areas, and facilities 
such as campgrounds. The Forest Service (FS) used the Recreation Fee 
Permit Envelope for collection of these fees. The fee envelope is also 
used as a tool to collect information from visitors who will assist the 
FS in improving its facilities and services for future visitors.
    Need and use of the Information: FS will collect information to be 
used for two purposes; First, the information pertaining to the fee 
(site number, length of stay, amount paid, etc.) will be used to verify 
the visitor has complied with the fee requirements. Second, visitors 
will be given the opportunity to provide comments about their visit, 
the condition of the facilities, and how the FS can improve services to 
the public. If a visitor elects not to complete the information related 
to the fee, there will be no way to verify they have paid the required 
fee.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; business or 
other for-profit; not-for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 500,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (per visit).
    Total Burden Hours: 20,000.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Request for Approval to Sell Capital Assets.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0020.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a 
credit agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It makes 
mortgage loans and loan guarantees to finance electric, 
telecommunications, and water and waste facilities in rural areas. In 
addition to providing loans and loan guarantees, one of RUS' main 
objectives is to safeguard loan security until the loan is repaid. 
Accordingly, RUS manages loan programs in accordance with the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et. seq., as amended, (RE 
ACT) and as prescribe by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular 
A-129, Policies for Federal Credit Programs and Non-Tax Receivables, 
which states that agencies must, based on a review of a loan 
application, determine that an applicant complies with statutory, 
regulatory, and administrative eligibility requirements for loan 
assistance. RUS will collect information using form RUS 369.
    Need and use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
determine whether or not the agency should approve a sale and also to 
keep track of what property exists to secure the loan. If the 
information in Form 369 is not collected when capital assets are sold, 
the capital assets securing the Government's loans could be liquidated 
and the Government's security either eliminated entirely or diluted to 
an undesirable level.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 5.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 15.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Review Rating Summary.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0025.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) manages 
loan programs in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act (RE Act) 
of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended. An important part of 
safeguarding loan security is to see that RUS financed facilities are 
being responsible used, adequately operated, and adequately maintained. 
Future needs have to be anticipated to ensure that facilities will 
continue to produce revenue and that loans will be repaid as required 
by the RUS mortgage. RUS will collect information using form 300 Review 
Rate Summary.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
identity items that may be in need of additional attention; to plan 
corrective actions when needed; to budget funds and manpower for needed 
work; and to initiate ongoing programs as necessary to avoid or 
minimize the need for ``catch-up'' programs.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit;
    Number of Respondents: 253.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; other (once every 3 
years).
    Total Burden Hours: 1,012.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1951-E, ``Servicing of Community and Direct Business 
Programs Loans and Grants''.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0066.
    Summary of Collection: Rural Development (including Farm Credit 
Programs of the Farm Service Agency), hereinafter referred to as 
Agency, is the credit agency for agricultural and rural development for 
the Department of Agriculture. The Agency offers supervised credit to 
build and operate family farms, modest housing, water and sewer 
systems, essential community facilities, and business and industrial 
operations in rural areas. Section 331 and 335 of the Consolidated Farm 
and Rural Development Act, as amended, authorize the Secretary of 
Agriculture, acting through the Agency, to establish provisions for 
security servicing policies for the loans and grants questions. If 
there is a problem which exits, a recipient of the loan, grant, or loan 
guarantee must furnish financial information which is used to aid in 
resolving the problem through reamortization, sale, transfer, debt 
restructuring, liquidation, or other means provided in the regulations. 
The Rural Housing Service (RHS) will collect information using forms RD 
1951-15 and 1951-33.
    Need and Use of the Information: RHS will collect information to 
determine applicant/borrower eligibility and project feasibility for 
various servicing actions. The information enables field staff to 
ensure that borrowers operate on a sound basis and use loan and grant 
funds for authorized purposes.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government; not-
for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 78.
    Frequency of Respondents: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 118.

Forest Service

    Title: Bid For Advertised Timber.
    OMB Control Number: 0596-0066.
    Summary of Collection: Individuals, large and small businesses, and 
corporations who wish to purchase timber of forest products from the 
National Forest must enter into a timber sale contract or Forest 
product contract with the Forest Service (FS).

[[Page 10762]]

Information must be collected by FS in order to ensure that: National 
Forest System timber is sold at not less than appraised value; bidders 
meet specific criteria when submitting a bid; and anti-trust violations 
do not occur during the bidding process. Several statutes, regulations, 
and policies impose requirements on the Government and purchases in the 
bidding process. The FS will collect information using forms FS-2400-
42a and FS-2400-14.
    Need and Use of the Information: FS will collect information to 
determine bid responsiveness. The sale officer will ensure: the bidder 
has signed the bid form; provided a tax identification number; 
completed the unit rate, weighed average, or total sale value bid; 
entered the bid guarantee amount, type, and ensure the bid guarantee is 
enclosed with the bid, the bidder has provided the required information 
concerning Small Business Administration size and Equal Opportunity 
compliance on previous sale. The Timber Sale Contracting Officers will 
use the information to complete the contract prior to award to the 
highest bidder. Failure to include the required information may result 
in the bid being declared non-responsive or the Contracting Officer may 
be unable to make an affirmative finding of purchaser responsibility 
and not able to award the contract.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; 
individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 5,500.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 38,672.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: End-Use Certificate Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0151.
    Summary of Collection: Public Law 103-181, Section 321(f) of the 
North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act mandates that 
the Secretary of Agriculture shall implement, in coordination with the 
Commissioner of Customs, a program requiring that end-use certificates 
be included in the documentation covering the entry into the United 
States of any wheat originating from Canada.
    Need and Use of the Information: The end-use certificate program 
was designed to ensure that Canadian wheat does not benefit from USDA 
or CCC-assisted export program. The information collected on the end-
use certificate is used in conjunction with USDA's domestic origin 
compliance review process during quarterly audits of contractors 
involved in foreign food assistance programs. The form FSA-750 ``End-
Use Certificate for Wheat'' is used by approximately 200 importers of 
Canadian wheat to report entry into the United States. Approximately 
225 millers, exporters, and other users of Canadian wheat to report 
final disposition of Canadian wheat in the United States use the FSA-
751 ``Wheat Consumption and Resale Report''.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit farms.
    Number of Respondents: 421.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; quarterly.
    Total Burden Hours: 4,520.


William McAndrew,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-4765 Filed 2-28-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M