[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 216 (Tuesday, November 7, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66687-66689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-28542]


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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. 65, No. 216 / Tuesday, November 7, 2000 / 
Notices  

[[Page 66687]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

November 2, 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.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Marketing Order Regulations the Handling of Spearmint Oil 
Produced in the Far West, MO 985.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0065.
    Summary of Collection: The 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. The Far West 
spearmint marketing order regulates the handling of spearmint oil 
produced in the Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and designated parts of 
Nevada and Utah. The order authorizes the issuance of allotment 
provisions for producers and regulates the quantities of spearmint oil 
handled and has the authority for research and development. Under the 
Agriculture Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-
674), industries enter into marketing order programs. Agricultural 
Marketing Service (AMS) may act as the Secretary's agent to oversee the 
order operations and issue regulations recommended by a committee of 
representatives from each commodity industry.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Committee has the 
authorization to require producers, handlers, and processors submit 
certain information as provided by the order, rules and regulations. 
Various forms relating to spearmint supplies, shipments, and 
dispositions, and used and required to effectively carry out the 
purpose of the Act and order. The committee periodically reviews 
reports and forms to ensure that they are understandable, easy to fill 
out, and only the minimum of information necessary is reported. The 
information collected is used by authorized representatives of USDA, 
including AMS, Fruit and Vegetable Programs' regional and headquarters 
staff, and employees of the Committee. Timing and frequency of the 
various reports has evolved to meet the needs of the industry and 
minimize the burden on the reporting public. Collecting data less 
frequently would eliminate data needed to keep the spearmint oil 
industry and the Secretary abreast of changes at the state and local 
level.
    Description of Respondents: Business of other for-profit; Farms, 
Federal Government, State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 217.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; 
Annual; Biennially.
    Total Burden Hours: 162.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: 7 CFR 1941-A, Operating Loan Policies, procedures and 
Authorizations.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0162.
    Summary of Collection: The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1941) (CONACT) authorizes the Secretary of Agricultural 
and Farm Service Agency (FSA) to make and ensure loans to farmers and 
ranchers and to administer the provision of the CONACT applicable to 
the Farm Loan Program. The information is require to ensure that the 
agency provides assistance to applicants who have reasonable prospectus 
of repaying the government and meet statutory eligibility requirements. 
This assistance enables family farm operators to use their land, labor, 
and other resources and to improve their living and financial 
conditions so that they can eventually obtain credit elsewhere.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information is needed for FSA 
loan approval officials to evaluate an applicant's eligibility, and to 
determine if the operation is economically feasible and the security 
offered in support of the loan is adequate. FSA relies on current 
information to carry out the business of the program as intended and to 
protect the government's interest. A variety of forms will be used to 
collect the information. If the information were not collected, or 
collected less frequently, the Agency would be: (1) Unable to make an 
accurate eligibility and financial feasibility determination on 
respondent's request for new loans as required by the CONTACT; and (2) 
unable to meet the Congressionally mandated mission of loan program.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit; 
Federal Government; Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 49,492.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting; Other: As needed.
    Total Burden Hours: 6,014.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: Loan Deficiency Payments.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0129.

[[Page 66688]]

    Summary of Collection: The Federal Agriculture Improvement and 
Reform Act of 1996 provide authorization for loan deficiency payments 
that are implemented by the following regulations (1) 7 CFR Part 147, 
for upland cotton loan deficiency payments; (2) 7 CFR Part 1421 for 
rice, oilseeds, wheat, and feed grain loan deficiency payments; (3) 7 
CFR Part 1425 for Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) approved 
cooperative marketing associations. The Farm Service Agency (FSA), 
administers the marketing assistance loan and loan deficiency payment 
programs. Loan deficiency payment provisions are intended to reduce 
quantities of loan collateral delivered to CCC and are made available 
when the loan rate for the commodity is greater than the announced 
repayment rate or world market price.
    Need and Use of the Information: County FSA Committees are 
responsible for approving and disapproving loan deficiency payment 
requests. Producers provide the necessary information applicable to the 
request and must meet certain eligibility requirements in accordance 
with the regulations. Potential applicants may use the approved OMB 
forms for FSA that will be posted on Internet Forms Website along with 
instructions for completing the forms. The information collected is 
needed to determine loan deficiency payment quantities and payment 
amounts, verify producer and commodity eligibility, and to ensure that 
only eligible producers receive loan deficiency payments. If the data 
were collected less frequently, the statutes could not be implemented 
as authorized.
    Description of Respondents: Farm; Business or other for-profit; 
Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 2,035,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (per request).
    Total Burden Hours: 3,825,000.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: Certified Mediation Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0165.
    Summary of Collection: The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is amending 
its Agricultural Loan Mediation (AMP) regulations to implement the 
requirements of the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (the 1994 Act). P.L. 103-354, 
October 13, 1994, amended Section 501 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 
1987 (7 U.S.C. 5101) by striking ``an agricultural loan mediation 
program'' and inserting ``a mediation program''. The regulation 
provides a mechanism to States to apply for and obtain matching funds 
grants from USDA. The grant funds help States supplement administrative 
operating funds needed to administer their agricultural mediation 
programs. FSA will collect information by mail, phone, fax, and in 
person.
    Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information to 
ensure matching grant funds are used only to pay for eligible costs 
necessary for the operation and administration of the State mediation 
programs, consistent with the the statutory purposes of the program. If 
information were not collected, this would result in improper 
administration and appropriation of Federal grant funds.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 25.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 775.

Foreign Agricultural Service

    Title: Foreign Donation of Agricultural Commodities.
    OMB Control Number: 0551-0035.
    Summary of Collection: The Federal Agriculture Improvement and 
Reform Act of 1996, Section 416(b) of the Agriculture Act of 1949, and 
the Food for Progress Act of 1985 require reporting on food aid 
programs. The Department of Agriculture programs provide American food 
assistance to needy people overseas. Assistance may be provided through 
U.S. Private Voluntary Organizations, agricultural trade organizations, 
cooperatives, eligible foreign governments, intergovernments 
organizations, and private entities. The Cooperating Sponsors who elect 
to participate in food aid programs are required to submit a plan of 
operation and initial budget to receive approval. Once approval, the 
Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) enters into an agreement with the 
Cooperating Sponsor. Cooperating Sponsors may submit information to FAS 
in hard copy, electronically (on diskette or through the Internet), or 
via fax.
    Need and Use of the Information: FAS will collect information to 
determine whether the Cooperating Sponsor has complied with the 
agreement and to assess the value of the programs. The information 
allows FAS to make a determination whether future programming should be 
implemented with Cooperating Sponsors. If the information were not 
collected it would be more difficult to determine the accountability 
and compliance of the Cooperating Sponsors.
    Description of Respondents: Not for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 241.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Semi-annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 38,827.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: Farm Labor Housing Technical Assistance Grants.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0181.
    Summary of Collection: The Housing Act of 1949 gives the Rural 
Housing Service (RHS) the authority to make loans for the construction 
of farm labor housing (Section 514) and the authority to provide 
financial assistance (grants) to eligible private and public nonprofit 
agencies (Section 516). RHS will award three grants one from each 
geographic region, Eastern, Central and Western Regions. Eligibility 
for grants is limited to private and pubic nonprofit agencies. These 
grants will be awarded based on the qualifications of the applicants 
and their formal application.
    Need and Use of the Information: RHS staff in the National Office 
and Rural Development field offices will collect information from 
applicants and grant recipients to determine their eligibility for a 
grant, project feasibility, to select grant proposals for funding, and 
to monitor performance after grants have been awarded. The Three 
respondents, who are awarded grants, are required to provide RHS with 
quarterly performance reports throughout the 3-year grant period. The 
respondents are not required to retain records for more than three 
years. Failure to collect this information could result in the improper 
use of Federal funds; difficulties in determining eligibility and 
selections of qualified applicants; and monitoring performance during 
the grant period.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; State, 
Local, and Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 12.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Annually and 
Quarterly.
    Total Burden Hours: 303.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

    Title: Supplemental Qualifications Statement.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0209.
    Summary of Collection: The Department of Agriculture has an 
Interagency Agreement with the Office of Personnel which provides the 
National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) with the authority to 
examine, rate, and certify applications for

[[Page 66689]]

agricultural statistician positions. Accordingly, in addition to 
resumes, curriculum vitae, and the standard Optional Application for 
Federal Employment, NASS has created a Supplemental Qualifications 
Statement (SQS) for agricultural statistician and mathematical 
statistician positions. The SQS allows applicants the opportunity to 
describe their achievements or accomplishments as they relate to the 
required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
    Need and Use of the Information: The SQS provides applicants with 
information related to how they will be measured for a position and 
what kinds of information will be used to evaluate those abilities. 
NASS personnel specialist will use the information on the SQS to 
evaluate and rate the applicant's accomplishments or achievements. 
Ultimately, the information is used by the selecting official as one of 
the criteria in the selection process.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 50.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 150.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: Facsimile Signature Authorization and Verification.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0203.
    Summary of Collection: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm 
Service Agency (FSA) is seeking alternative service delivery processed 
that will reduce the necessity for USDA Service Center customers to 
travel to a Service Center to provide information and sign documents. 
One of the alternatives being implemented is to accept information 
provided via telefacsimile. Each of the USDA Service Center agencies 
(Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Rural 
Development Agencies) will share the signature on the FSA-237 
(Facsimile Signature Authorization and Verification) forms to eliminate 
redundant collection of the same data. FSA will collect information 
using form FSA-237.
    Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect the name and 
signature and identification number from Service Center customers. The 
information collected will be used to verify the authenticity of 
signatures on documents provided to USDA service centers via 
telefacsimile. Failure to collect and maintain the original signature 
will limit USDA's ability to offer the telefacsimile alternative to its 
Service Center customers.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 866,089.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (once).
    Total Burden Hours: 17,322.

Rural Development Services

    Title: 7 CFR 1956-B, Debt Settlement--Farm Programs and Multiple 
Family Housing.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0118.
    Summary of Collection: The Farm Service Agency's Farm Loan Program 
provides supervised credit in the form of loans to family farmers and 
ranchers to purchase land and finance agricultural production. The 
Rural Housing Service (RHS) provides supervised credit in the form of 
Multi-Family Housing (Housing Act of 1949) loans to provide eligible 
persons with economically designed and constructed rental or 
cooperative housing and related facilities suited to the living 
requirements. This regulation defines the requirements for debt 
settlement and the factors the agency considers in approving or 
rejecting the offer submitted by the borrowers.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information submitted by the 
borrowers is used to determine if acceptance of the settlement offers 
on debts owed is in the best interest of the Government. If the 
information were not collected, outdated and inaccurate information 
would cause increased losses to the government.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households; 
Business or other for-profit; State, Local, or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 2,900.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 24,650.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1792, Subpart C--Seismic Safety of New Building 
Construction.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0099.
    Summary of Collection: Seismic hazards present a serious threat to 
people and their surroundings. These hazards exist in most of the 
United States, not just on the West Coast. Unlike hurricanes, times and 
location of earthquake cannot be predicted. Most earthquake strike 
without warning and, if of substantial strength, strike with great 
destructive forces. To reduce risks to life and property from 
earthquake, Congress enacted the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 
1977 (Public Law 95-124, 42 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) and directed the 
establishment and maintenance of an effective earthquake reduction 
program. As a result, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program 
(NEHRP) was established. The objectives of the NEHRP include the 
development of technologically and economically feasible design and 
construction methods to make both new and existing structures 
earthquake resistant, and the development and promotion of model 
building codes. 7 CFR part 1792, subpart C, identifies acceptable 
seismic standards which must be employed in new building construction 
funded by loans, grants, or guarantees made by the Rural Utilities 
Service (RUS) or the Rural Telephone Bank (RTB) or through lien 
accommodations or subordinations approved by RUS or RTB.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information on 
the project designation and owners' name; name of architectural/
engineering firm; name and registration number (for the State in which 
the building project is located) of the certifying architect or 
engineer; purpose and location of the facility; seismic factor for the 
building location; the code identity and date of the model code used 
for the design and construction of the building project(s); total 
square footage of the building project; total cost of the building 
project; and estimated cost of the structural systems affected by the 
requirements of 7 CFR part 1792, Subpart C.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 1,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 525.

Nancy B. Sternberg,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-28542 Filed 11-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M