[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 112 (Friday, June 9, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 36662]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-14573]



[[Page 36662]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation


Request for Revision and Extension 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 revision for a currently approved information 
collection. This information collection is used in support of the 
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) which offers flexible 
assistance to counter serious threats to soil, water, grazing lands, 
wetlands, and wildlife habitat and, also, to address natural resource 
concerns, such as nonpoint source pollution, water quality protection 
or improvement, and wetland restoration, protection, and creation, as 
authorized by the Food Security Act of 1985 (the 1985 Act).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before August 8, 
2000 to be assured consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Ilka Gray, Agricultural 
Program Specialist, USDA, FSA, CEPD, STOP 0513, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0513; telephone (202) 690-0794; e-
mail [email protected]; or facsimile (202) 720-4619.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: CCC Conservation Contract.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0174.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 2000.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The 1985 Act authorized the EQIP to assist farmers and 
ranchers in solving natural resource related problems on agricultural 
land. The information is necessary to ensure the integrity of the 
program and to ensure that only eligible producers are authorized 
contracts.
    Producers requesting cost-share or incentive payments from the 
Commodity Credit Corporation must provide specific data related to the 
conservation payment request. Forms included in this information 
collection package require farm and tract numbers, conservation 
practice or benefits requested, major resource concerns, and similar 
information, in order to determine eligibility. Producers must also 
agree to the terms and conditions contained in the conservation 
contract. Without the collection of this information, CCC cannot ensure 
the integrity of CCC conservation programs.
    Estimate of Respondent Burden: Public reporting burden for this 
collection of information is estimated to average .23 hours per 
response.
    Respondents: Individuals producers, partnerships, corporations, 
tribal members, or other eligible agricultural producers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 80,000.
    Estimated Number of Annual Responses per Respondent: 2.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1.53 hrs.
    Proposed topics for comment include: (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 collected; 
or (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of the 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 must be 
sent to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 
20503, and to Ilka Gray, Agricultural Program Specialist, USDA-FSA-
CEPD, STOP 0513, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-
0513; telephone (202) 690-0794; e-mail [email protected]; or 
facsimile (202) 720-4619. Copies of the information collection may be 
obtained from Mrs. Gray at the above address.
    OMB is required to make a decision concerning the collection 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 in 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.

Parks Shackelford,
Acting Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 00-14573 Filed 6-8-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P