[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 2, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 93-94]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-33381]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Notice of Intent: To Request a Revision of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Department 
of Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public 
Law 104-13) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations 
at 5 CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice 
announces NRCS'' intention to request a revision to a currently 
approved information collection, Application for Payment.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by March 5, 2001 to be 
assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phyllis I. Williams, Directives 
Manager, NRCS, USDA, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mailstop 5460, Beltsville, 
Maryland 20705-5000; telephone: (301) 504-2170; e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Application for Payment. OMB Number: 
0578-0018. Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2001. Type of 
Request: To continue, with change, a currently approved collection for 
which approval will expire. Abstract: The primary objective of NRCS is 
to work in partnership with the American people to conserve and sustain 
our natural resources. The purpose of the Application for Payment 
information collection is to provide NRCS program participants with a 
method for making application for payment, provide information 
regarding completion of conservation program contract activities, 
provide certification of work performed within the required standards, 
determine division of payment, ascertain the status of debt register 
collections, and provide the responsible NRCS official with authority 
to make Federal cost-share payments to the land user or third party 
upon successful completion of a conservation program contract. 
Information collected is used by NRCS to ensure the proper use of 
program funds. The NRCS-FNM-141 or the CCC-1202 are the basic documents 
used by USDA program participants and vendors to request payment 
through their USDA Service Center in return for applying one or more 
conservation practices in a long-term contract or completing an action 
associated with filing an easement (7 CFR 631.12, 7 CFR 632.31, 7 CFR 
636.6, 7 CFR 701.44, 7 CFR 702.12, 7 CFR 752.14 and 7 CFR 1467.9). NRCS 
will ask for 3-year OMB approval within 60 days of submitting the 
request.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.52 hours per response.
    Respondents: Farms, individuals, households, or State, local, or 
Tribal governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 35,540.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 20,731.5.
    Copies of this information collection and related instructions can 
be obtained without charge from Phyllis I. Williams, Directives 
Manager, NRCS, USDA, at 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mailstop 5460, 
Beltsville, Maryland 20705-5000; telephone: (301) 504-2170; e-mail: 
[email protected].
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
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 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 to be collected; 
and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, such as through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technologic collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be 
sent to Phyllis I. Williams, Directives Manager, NRCS, USDA, 5601 
Sunnyside Avenue, Mailstop 5460, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-5000; 
telephone: (301) 504-2170; e-mail: [email protected].
    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.


[[Page 94]]


    Signed in Washington, D.C. on December 13, 2000.
Pearlie S. Reed,
Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 00-33381 Filed 12-29-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-U