[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 130 (Thursday, July 6, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 41624]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-17064]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 130 / Thursday, July 6, 2000 / 
Notices  

[[Page 41624]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service


Notice of Intent To Seek Renewed Approval To Collect Information

AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 
L. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 
CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the 
Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) intention to request renewed 
approval for information collection from applicants for Federal 
financial assistance, in order to ensure compliance with civil rights 
laws and regulations. The initial Federal Register document for the 
collection of information was published 62 FR 12789, March 18, 1997.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by September 11, 2000 
to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments and or questions to, Bruce Lee, Extramural 
Agreements Program Manager, Extramural Agreements Division, 
Administrative and Financial Management, Agricultural Research Service, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, George Washington Carver Center, 5601 
Sunnyside Avenue, Room 3-2174, Mail Stop 5110, Beltsville, Maryland 
20770, (301) 504-1148; fax (301) 504-1262; e-mail comments to: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Application for ARS funding for grants and assistance-type 
cooperative agreements.
    Type of Request: Renewed approval to collect information from 
applicants for Federal financial assistance.
    Abstract: ARS' Federally assisted programs consist of the following 
types of extramural awards executed under the requirements of Pub. L. 
95-224, Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977:
    1. Grants and Assistance-Type Cooperative Agreements awarded in 
support of basic or applied research.
    2. Grants awarded in support of research conferences and 
symposiums, and other non-research activity.
    The U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, has 
determined that ARS has the responsibility to collect such data from 
entities that have applied or received Federal assistance in the form 
of grants or assistance-type cooperative agreements in order to ensure 
compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of 
the Education Amendments Act of 1972, and the Rehabilitation Act of 
1973. Together these acts prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, 
color, national origin, sex, or disability in any program receiving 
Federal financial assistance.
    ARS' data collection duties are pursuant to 28 CFR part 42 
(Sec. Sec. 42.401-42.15), which the Department of Justice references as 
the legal basis regarding Title VI for all Federal agencies extending 
Federal assistance. The purpose of part 42 is to insure that Federal 
agencies which extend financial assistance properly enforce Title VI of 
the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Part 42 further states that Federal 
agencies which extend financial assistance have the responsibility to 
enforce Title VI, in accordance with the authority under Executive 
Order 12250. In addition, the Department of Agriculture's TItle VI 
regulations at 7 CFR 15.5(a) require the ARS, as the administering 
agency, to conduct compliance reviews of the practices of recipients of 
ARS grants and assistance-type cooperative agreements to determine 
compliance with requirements of the Title VI.
    Furthermore, the Department of Agriculture is responsible for 
ensuring compliance with Title VI pursuant to Executive Order 12250, 45 
CFR 86.1 et seq., and 7 CFR 15a.1 et seq., and compliance with the 
Rehabilitation Act pursuant to Executive Order 12250, 28 CFR 41.1 et 
seq., and 7 CFR 15b.1 et seq.
    Data requested to assure compliance with these Civil Rights Acts 
and regulations include (1) race, national origin, sex, and disability 
information on employees conducting the research, and membership of 
planning and advisory bodies, and (2) other information necessary to 
effectively enforce Title VI, Title IX, and the Rehabilitation Act.
    Information obtained from the public includes: Federal Financial 
Assistance Civil Rights Assurance Questionnaires; Applications for 
Funding; Grants and Assistance Type Cooperative Agreement Budget 
Information; Other Current and Pending Federal Financial Assistance 
Support; Research Assurance Statements; and Assurances of Compliance 
with the Department of Agriculture Regulations Assuring Civil Rights 
Compliance Statements.
    Estimated of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average four hours per set, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, 
gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing 
the collection of information.
    Respondents: Universities, animal and plant research scientists, 
and individuals who perform research relevant to the mission of ARS.
    Estimated Number of respondents: 200.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 800 hours.
    Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the renewed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the agency, including whether the information has 
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimated of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity 
of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) 
ways to minimize the burden of those who respond, such as through the 
use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques.
    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 Beltsville, Maryland.

    Dated: June 19, 2000.
Gene P. Spory,
Associated Deputy Administrator, Financial Management Division.
[FR Doc. 00-17064 Filed 7-5-00; 8:45 am]
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