[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 149 (Wednesday, August 2, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47372-47373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-19565]


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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 
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 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 149 / Wednesday, August 2, 2000 / 
Notices  

[[Page 47372]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV00-985-5NC]


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing 
Service's (AMS) intention to request an extension for a currently 
approved information collection for the Marketing Order Regulating the 
Handling of Spearmint Oil Produced in the Far West, M.O. No. 985.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 2, 2000.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Caroline C. Thorpe, 
Marketing Specialist, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and 
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, room 2525-S, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, 
DC 20090-6456; Tel: (202) 720-8139, Fax: (202) 720-5698, or E-mail: 
[email protected].
    Small businesses may request information on this notice by 
contacting Jay Guerber, Regulatory Fairness Representative, Marketing 
Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 
room 2525-S, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, D.C., 20090-6456; telephone 
(202) 720-2491, Fax: (202) 720-5698, or E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Marketing Order Regulating the Handling of Spearmint Oil 
Produced in the Far West, M.O. No. 985.
    OMB Number: 0581-0065.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2001.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Marketing order programs provide an opportunity for 
producers of fresh fruits, vegetables and specialty crops, in a 
specified production area, to work together to solve marketing problems 
that cannot be solved individually. Order regulations help ensure 
adequate supplies of high quality product and adequate returns to 
producers. Under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 
(Act), as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), industries enter into marketing 
order programs. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to oversee 
the order operations and issue regulations recommended by a committee 
of representatives from each commodity industry.
    The information collection requirements in this request are 
essential to carry out the intent of the Act, to provide the 
respondents the type of service they request, and to administer the 
program, which has operated since 1980.
    The Far West spearmint marketing order regulates the handling of 
spearmint oil produced in the Far West (Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and 
designated parts of Nevada and Utah), hereinafter referred to as the 
``order.'' The order authorizes the issuance of allotment provisions 
for producers and regulates the quantities of spearmint oil handled. 
The order also has research and development authority.
    The order, and rules and regulations issued thereunder, authorize 
the Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee), the agency 
responsible for local administration of the order, to require handlers 
and producers to submit certain information. Much of this information 
is compiled in aggregate and provided to the industry to assist in 
marketing decisions.
    The Committee has developed forms as a means for persons to file 
required information with the Committee relating to spearmint supplies, 
shipments, dispositions, and other information needed to effectively 
carry out the purpose of the Act and order. The marketing year for the 
order is June 1 through May 31, with production occurring in the months 
of June through September. Forms are utilized throughout the year. A 
USDA form is used to allow producers to vote on amendments to or 
continuance of the marketing order. In addition, the Committee is 
composed of spearmint oil producers, nominated by their peers, to serve 
as representatives on the Committee. All nominees must file nomination 
forms with the Secretary.
    Formal rulemaking amendments to the order must be approved in 
referenda conducted by the Secretary. Also, the Secretary may conduct a 
continuance referendum to determine industry support for continuation 
of the order. Handlers are asked to sign an agreement to indicate their 
willingness to abide by the provisions of the order whenever the order 
is amended.
    The forms covered under this information collection require the 
minimum information necessary to effectively carry out the requirements 
of the order, and their use is necessary to fulfill the intent of the 
Act as expressed in the order, and the rules and regulations issued 
under the order.
    The information collected is used only by authorized 
representatives of the USDA, including AMS, Fruit and Vegetable 
Programs' regional and headquarters staff, and authorized employees of 
the Committee. Authorized Committee employees and the industry are the 
primary users of the information, and AMS is the secondary user.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .12 hours per response.
    Respondents: Far West Spearmint producers and handlers and two 
public members in the production area.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 217.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 6.06.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 162 hours.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed 
collection of the information is necessary for the proper performance 
of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility

[[Page 47373]]

and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) 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.
    Comments should reference OMB No. 0581-0102 and the Spearmint 
Marketing Order No. 985, and be mailed to Docket Clerk, Fruit and 
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, Room 2525-S, Washington, 
D.C. 20090-6456; Fax (202) 720-5698; or E-mail: 
[email protected]. Comments should reference the docket number 
and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register. All 
comments received will be available for public inspection in the Office 
of the Docket Clerk during regular USDA business hours at 14th and 
Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC, room 2525-S.
    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.

    Dated: July 28, 2000.
Robert C. Kenney,
Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs.
[FR Doc. 00-19565 Filed 8-1-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P