[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 19, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79337-79339]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32298]


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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 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 244 / Tuesday, December 19, 2000 / 
Notices  

[[Page 79337]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

December 14, 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.

Foreign Agricultural Service

    Title: Certificate for Quota Eligibility.
    OMB Control Number: 0551-0014.
    Summary of Collection: Section 5 (a)(i) of the Harmonized Tariff 
Schedule of the United States authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture 
to establish a raw-cane sugar tariff-rate quota (TRQ). Section 5(b)(i) 
authorized the U.S. Trade Representative to allocate the raw-cane sugar 
tariff-rate quota among supplying countries. Certificates of Quota 
Eligibility (CQE) are issued to the 40 countries that receive TRQ 
allocations to export sugar to the United States. The CQE is completed 
by the certifying authority in the foreign country who certifies that 
the sugar that will be exported to the United States was produced in 
the foreign country that has the TRQ allocation. The Foreign 
Agricultural Service (FAS) will collect information using form FSA-961.
    Need and Use of the Information: FAS will collect the quantity, 
name of shipper, name of vessel, and port of loading. The information 
will help FAS determine if the quantity to be imported is eligible to 
be entered under the TRQ.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; 
individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 40.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 200.

Foreign Agricultural Service

    Title: CCC's Supplier Credit Guarantee Program (SCGP).
    OMB Control Number: 0551-0037.
    Summary of Collection: The Supplier Credit Guarantee Program (SCGP) 
offers credit guarantees to exporters in order to maintain and increase 
overseas importer's ability to purchase U.S. agricultural goods. The 
SCGP is designed to assist exporters of U.S. agricultural commodities 
who wish to provide relatively short-term (up to 180 days) credit to 
their importers evidenced by promissory notes executed by such 
importers. Under 7 CFR Part 1493, exporters are required to submit the 
following: (1) Information about the exporter for program 
participation; (2) export sales information in connection with applying 
for a payment guarantee; (3) information regarding the actual export of 
the commodity (evidence of export report); (4) notice of default and 
claims for loss; and (5) other documents, if applicable, including 
notice assignment of the right to receive proceeds under the export 
credit guarantee. The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) will collect 
information using the guarantee application, export report and 
assignment notice from the participants by mail, fax, e-mail, and 
telephone.
    Need and Use of the Information: FAS will collect information to 
manage, plan, evaluate and account for government resources. The 
reports and records are required to ensure the proper and judicious use 
of public funds.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 288.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,166.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: Insured Farm Ownership Loan Policies, Procedures, and 
Authorizations.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0157.
    Summary of Collection: The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (CONACT) provides authorization to the Secretary of Agriculture to 
make and insure loans to farmers and ranchers. In addition, the 
Secretary is authorized to make such rules and regulations, prescribe 
the terms and conditions for making and insuring loans, security 
instruments and agreements. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator 
has been delegated the authority to administer the farm ownership loan 
program in accordance with the requirements in 7 CFR part 1943 subpart 
A.
    Need and Use of the Information: The agency uses the information to 
evaluate loan making or loan servicing proposals. The information is 
needed by the agency 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. If this information were 
not collected, the agency and applicant would be unable to adequately 
bind a real estate sales contract and meet the congressionally mandated 
mission of loan programs.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 210.

[[Page 79338]]

    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 54.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: National Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information 
Programs.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0093.
    Summary of Collection: The U.S. Department of Agriculture has the 
responsibility for implementing and overseeing programs for a variety 
of commodities including cotton, dairy, eggs, beef, pork, soybeans, 
honey, potatoes, watermelons, mushrooms, kiwifruit, popcorn, and olive 
oil. Various Acts authorize these programs to carry out projects 
relating to research, consumer information, advertising, sales 
promotion, producer information, market development and product 
research to assist, improve, or promote the marketing, distribution, 
and utilization of their respective commodities.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Secretary of Agriculture 
appoints board members and approves the boards' budgets, plans, and 
projects. This responsibility has been delegated to the Agricultural 
Marketing Service (AMS). AMS' objective in carrying out this 
responsibility is to ensure the following: (1) Funds are collected and 
properly accounted for; (2) expenditures of all funds are for the 
purposes authorized by enabling legislation; and (3) that each board's 
administration of the programs conforms to USDA policy. The applicable 
commodity program areas within AMS have direct oversight over the 
respective programs. The boards administer the various programs 
utilizing a variety of forms to carry out their responsibilities. Only 
authorized employees of the various boards and USDA employees will use 
the information collected. If this data were collected less frequently, 
(1) it would hinder data needed to collect and refund assessments in a 
timely manner and result in delayed or even lost revenue; (2) the 
boards would be unable to carry out the responsibilities of their 
respective Acts; and (3) additional record keeping requirements would 
be imposed.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit; Farms; 
Federal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 321,510.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; 
Weekly; Monthly; Semi-annually; Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 354,066.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Pricing Pilot program.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0190.
    Summary of Collection: The Pricing Pilot Program was included in 
the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2000 (Section 3 of H.R. 3428 of 
the 106th Congress, as enacted by Section 1001(a)(8) of Public Law 106-
113 (113 Stat. 1536) and signed into law on November 29, 1999). Dairy 
farmers must sign a disclosure statement before participating in the 
pilot program. The effect of the amendment is to permit a handler to 
pay producers or cooperative associations a negotiated price, rather 
than the minimum Federal order price, for milk that is under forward 
contract, provided that such milk does not exceed the handler's non-
fluid use of milk for the month. The pilot project enables the 
Agricultural Marketing Services (AMS) to conduct a study of forward 
contracting to determine the impact on milk prices paid to producers in 
the U.S. This is a voluntary program and only applies to federally 
regulated milk that is not packaged for fluid use.
    Need and Use of the Information: AMS will collect information to 
review the contract to ensure it has been signed before exempting a 
handler from paying a contracting producer the minimum order price for 
that portion of his or her milk that is covered by the contract. AMS 
will also determine the impact on milk prices paid to producers in the 
United States. Dairy farmers will have to sign a disclosure statement, 
before entering into a forward contract. The disclosure statement, 
contains guidelines to help the dairy farmers understand the forward 
contract process. It will be completed by dairy farmers who choose to 
participate in the pilot program. If the information is not collected 
the forward pricing pilot program that was mandated by Congress will 
not be able to be conducted and forward pricing contracts would not be 
recognized under the Federal Order program.
    Description of Respondents: Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 8000.
    Frequency of Response: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 2000.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Marketing Order Committee/Board Interview.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0195.
    Summary of Collection: Under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement 
Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), industries enter into order 
and agreement programs. Order and agreement regulations help ensure 
adequate supplies of high quality products for consumers and adequate 
returns to producers. Order and agreement programs provide an 
opportunity for producers of fresh fruit, vegetables, and specialty 
crops in specified production areas to work together to solve marketing 
problems that cannot be solved individually. Currently, there are 37 
orders and agreements in effect.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is used 
to conduct interviews of managers and committees and board members for 
order and agreement programs. Interviews will enable the agency to 
better understand the factors that encourage or discourage committee/
board participation. The Department of Agriculture will use the 
information to develop a training program and to encouraging eligible 
women, minorities, and people with disabilities to participate on 
USDA's order and agreement committee and boards. Authorized 
representatives of USDA, including Agricultural Marketing Service 
(AMS), Fruit and Vegetable Programs' regional and headquarters' staff 
will use the information collected. Collecting the information less 
frequently would eliminate data needed to keep the respective marketing 
order industries and the Secretary abreast of changes or improvements 
in committee/board operations at the local level.
    Description of Respondents: Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 8000.
    Frequency of Response: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 2000.

Forest Service

    Title: Operating Plan.
    OMB Control Number: 0596-0086.
    Summary of Collection: The National Forest Management Act, 16 
U.S.C. 472a (14)(c) (Act), requires timber sale operating plans on 
timber sales that exceed 2 years in length. The regulations at 36 CFR 
223.32 have a similar requirement. The operating plans are collected 
within 60 days of award of timber sale contracts and annually 
thereafter until harvest is complete. There is no prescribed format for 
the collection of the information. Timber sale purchases may submit the 
required information in the form of a chart or letter using surface 
mail, electronic mail, or via facsimile. The information is based on 
the timber sale purchaser's business plan.
    Need and Use of the Information: Forest Service (FS) will collect 
information to determine eligibility for additional contract time. In 
addition, the information is used to plan the agency timber sale 
contract administration workload and to meet other contract 
obligations. The

[[Page 79339]]

information collected includes planned periods and methods of 
anticipated major activities, including, road construction, timber 
harvesting, and completion of other contract requirements.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; 
Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 2,500.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,875.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

    Title: Milk and Milk Products.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0020.
    Summary of Collection: U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2204, specifies 
that ``the Secretary of Agriculture shall procure and preserve all 
information concerning agriculture which he can obtain * * * by the 
collection of statistics * * * and shall distribute them among 
agriculturists.'' The National Agricultural Statistics Services (NASS) 
primary function is to prepare and issue current official state and 
national estimates of crop and livestock production. Estimates of milk 
production and manufactured dairy products are an integral part of this 
program. Milk and dairy statistics are used by the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) to help administer price support programs and by the 
dairy industry in planning, pricing, and projecting supplies of milk 
and milk products.
    Need and Use of the Information: NASS will collect information to 
develop and implement a biweekly cream/milkfat price survey to benefit 
all segments of the dairy industry. This data will be collected as a 
pilot project for a minimum of two months. The date will be analyzed 
for accuracy, response/cooperation from manufacturers, and other 
related factors. Continuation of this survey will depend on the results 
of the analysis. Major users of cream/milkfat, including manufacturers 
of processed cheese, butter, cream cheese, and ice cream mix, will base 
biweekly milkfat prices on purchases. The selected firms account for 
about 85 percent of the U.S. total milkfat used in these products. Only 
U.S. level data will be published to avoid disclose problems that 
regional data would present.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 44,689.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Quarterly; Weekly; Monthly; 
Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 21,571.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Quality Control Review Schedule.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0299.
    Summary of Collection: State agencies are required to perform 
Quality Control (QC) reviews for the Food Stamp Program (FSP). The 
legislative basis for the operation of the QC system is provided by 
Section 16 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977. The FNS-380-1, Quality 
Control Review Schedule, is for State use to collect both QC data and 
case characteristics for the Food Stamp Program and to serve as the 
comprehensive data entry form for FSP QC reviews.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Food and Nutrition Service 
(FNS) will collect information to monitor and reduce errors, develop 
policy strategies, and analyze household characteristic data. In 
addition, FNS will use the data to determine sanctions and incentive 
based on error rate performance, and to estimate the impact of some 
program changes to FSP participation and costs by analyzing the 
available household characteristic data.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government; 
Federal Government; Farms; Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 53.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Weekly; Monthly.
    Total Burden Hours: 58,686.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR Part 1794).
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0117.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) published 
its revised Environmental Policies and Procedures in December, 1998. 
The rule promulgated environmental regulations that cover all RUS 
Federal actions taken by RUS' electric, telecommunications, water and 
environmental programs. The regulation was necessary to ensure 
continued RUS compliance with the Council on Environmental Quality 
(CEQ) Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), and 
certain related Federal environmental laws, statutes, regulations, and 
Executive Orders. RUS electric, telecommunications, water and 
environmental program borrowers provide environmental documentation to 
assure that policy contained in NEPA is followed.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
evaluate the cost and feasibility of the proposed project and the 
environmental impact.
    Description of Respondents: Non-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 600.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 450,200.

Nancy B. Sternberg,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-32298 Filed 12-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M