[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 56 (Thursday, March 22, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 16026]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-7109]


 ========================================================================
 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 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.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 56 / Thursday, March 22, 2001 / 
Notices  

[[Page 16026]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. 01-014-1]


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment 
request.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's 
intention to request an extension of a currently approved information 
collection in support of credit account approval for reimbursable 
services.

DATES: We invite you to comment on this docket. We will consider all 
comments that we receive by May 21, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Please send four copies of your comment (an original and 
three copies) to: Docket No. 01-014-1, Regulatory Analysis and 
Development, PPD, APHIS, Suite 3C03, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.
    Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. 01-014-1.
    You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our 
reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of the USDA 
South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, 
DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, 
please call (202) 690-2817 before coming.
    APHIS documents published in the Federal Register, and related 
information, including the names of organizations and individuals who 
have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at 
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding credit 
account approval for reimbursable services, contact Ms. Donna J. Ford, 
User Fees Section Head, FSSB, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 54, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1232; (301) 734-5752. For copies of more detailed 
information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste 
Sickles, APHIS, Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-7477.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Credit Account Approval for Reimbursable Services.
    OMB Number: 0579-0055.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2001.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The services of an Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) inspector to clear imported and exported commodities 
requiring release by APHIS personnel are covered by user fees during 
regular working hours. If an importer wishes to have a shipment of 
cargo cleared at other hours, such services will usually be provided on 
a reimbursable overtime basis, unless already covered by a user fee. 
Exporters wishing cargo to be certified during nonworking hours may 
also utilize this procedure.
    Requestors of our services are usually repeat customers who request 
that we bill them for our services. We need to collect certain 
information in order for our Field Servicing Office to conduct a credit 
check on prospective applicants to ensure creditworthiness prior to 
extending credit services, and to prepare billings for such services 
performed.
    Also, the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 requires that 
agencies collect tax identification numbers from all persons doing 
business with the Government for purposes of collecting delinquent 
debts. This is one field on the APHIS Form 192, and it must be 
completed before credit is extended.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend 
its approval of our use of this information collection activity for an 
additional 3 years.
    The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public 
(as well as affected agencies) concerning this information collection 
activity. These comments will help us:
    (1) Evaluate whether the information collection is necessary for 
the proper performance of our agency's functions, including whether the 
information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the 
information collection, including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, 
electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies, e.g., 
permitting electronic submission of responses.
    Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average 0.25 hours per response.
    Respondents: Importers/exporters who wish to set up an account for 
billing of inspection services provided for shipments of cargo or 
animals cleared during nonworking hours.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 360.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 360.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 90 hours.
    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.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 16th day of March 2001.
Bobby R. Acord,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 01-7109 Filed 3-21-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P