[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 107 (Monday, June 4, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 29925]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-13870]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 107 / Monday, June 4, 2001 / 
Notices  

[[Page 29925]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service


United States National Arboretum (USNA); Notice of Intent To 
Renew an Expired Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service; Research, Education, and 
Economics; USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks comments on the 
intent of the USNA to renew an expired information collection. The 
information collection serves as a means to collect fees to be charged 
for certain uses of the facilities, grounds, and services. This 
includes fees for the grounds and facilities, as well as for commercial 
photography and cinematography. Fees generated will be used to defray 
USNA expenses or to promote the mission of the USNA.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before August 8, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Address all correspondence to Thomas S. Elias, Director, 
U.S. National Arboretum, Beltsville Area, Agricultural Research 
Service, 3501 New York Avenue, NE., Washington, D.C. 20002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Director, National Arboretum, 
Beltsville Area, ARS, 3501 New York Avenue, NE., Washington, D.C. 
20002; (202) 245-4539.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Intent to Renew an Expired 
Information Collection
    OMB Number: 0518-0024.
    Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 2000.
    Type of Request: To extend an approved information collection.
    Abstract: The mission of the U.S. National Arboretum (USNA) is to 
conduct research, provide education, and conserve and display trees, 
shrubs, flowers, and other plants to enhance the environment. The USNA 
is a 446 acre public facility, open to the general public for purposes 
of education and passive recreation. Horticulture and gardening are 
very important aspects of American life. The USNA receives 
approximately 500,000 visitors each year. Garden clubs and societies 
like to use the USNA grounds to showcase their activities. The USNA has 
many spectacular features and garden displays which are very popular 
with the visitors. In order to administer the use of the USNA 
facilities and to determine if the requested use is consistent with the 
mission of the USNA, it is necessary for the USNA to obtain information 
from the requestor. The requestor is asked to indicate by whom and for 
what purpose the USNA facilities are to be used. This information is 
collected by official using applications in the form of questionnaires. 
Applications are in hard copy format received in person, by mail, and 
by facsimile. Work is underway to provide permits, and information at 
the USNA website (www-usna.usda.gov). Completed permit requests can be 
E-mailed, faxed, or delivered to the USNA.
    Paperwork Reduction Act: In accordance with the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) regulations (5 CFR part 1320) which 
implement the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), 
the information collection and record keeping requirements that will be 
imposed will be submitted to OMB for approval. These requirements will 
not become effective prior to OMB approval.
    Background: Section 890(b) of the Federal Agriculture Improvement 
and Reform Act of 1996, Public Law 104-127 (1996 Act), expanded the 
authorities of the Secretary of Agriculture to charge reasonable fees 
for the use of USNA facilities and grounds. These authorities included 
the ability to charge fees for temporary use by individuals or groups 
of USNA facilities and grounds in furtherance of the mission of the 
USNA. Also, authority was provided to charge fees for the use of the 
USNA for commercial photography and cinematography. All rules and 
regulations noted in 7 CFR 500, subpart A, Conduct on the USNA 
property, will apply to individuals or groups granted approval to use 
the facilities and grounds.
    Estimate of Burden: The USNA estimates 200 requests for the use of 
the facilities and 20 for photography and cinematography. Each request 
will require the completion of an application. The application is 
simple and requires only information readily available to the 
requestor. A copy of the application can be obtained from the USNA.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: The estimated 
completion time for the application is 15 minutes for a total of 53 
hours.
    The photography application requires less than 10 minutes. The 
total cost for responding is $837 for 53 hours of time at $15.80 per 
hours. In addition to the current process of obtaining the permit 
requests in person, by mail, and by facsimile, (and receiving them back 
in like manner), the application for photography and cinematography is 
available on its website (www.usna.usda.gov/information/photography.html). The application for the use of facilities will be 
available on the website by the end of the calendar year. Completed 
permit requests can then be e-mailed to the Administrative Officer, 
National Arboretum, ARS, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, D.C. 
20002.
    Comments: Comments are invited on whether the proposed collection 
is necessary for the proper functioning of the facility, including 
whether the information will have practical ability; whether the 
estimate of the burden of the proposed collection is accurate; how to 
enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and whether the burden of collection could be minimized.

Edward B. Knipling,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Research Service.
[FR Doc. 01-13870 Filed 6-1-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-U