[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 154 (Thursday, August 9, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41829-41830]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-19995]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 
L. 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 
the Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) intention to 
request a revision to a currently approved information collection, 
Application for Payment.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before October 1, 
2001, to be assured consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Phyllis I. Williams, Agency 
OMB Clearance Officer, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mailstop 5460, 
Beltsville, MD 20705-5000, telephone number (301) 504-2170. Comments 
may also be submitted by e-mail to: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Risk Protection Programs.
    OMB Control Number: 0578-0028.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 2001.
    Type of Request: Revision to a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The primary objective of the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service (NRCS) is to work in partnership with the American 
people to conserve and sustain our natural resources. The purpose of 
the Risk Protection Program information collection is to provide NRCS 
program participants a method for making application for participation 
(CCC-1200 and Appendix) in the Agricultural Management Assistance

[[Page 41830]]

and Soil and Water Conservation Assistance programs. This information 
collection also includes an application for payment (CCC-1245) for 
participants to 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 long-term contract.
    Information collected is used by the NRCS to ensure the proper 
utilization of program funds. The CCC-1200 and Appendix and the CCC-
1245 are the basic documents used by USDA program participants to 
request assistance and payment through the local USDA Service Center in 
return for applying one or more conservation practices in a long-term 
contract (FR Notice fr06jn01-40 and fr06jn01-41). 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 0.54 hours per response.
    Respondents: Farms, individuals, or households, or State, local, or 
Tribal governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,917.
    Copies of this information collection and related instructions can 
be obtained without charge from Phyllis I. Williams, Directives 
Manager, NRCS, USDA, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mailstop 5460, Beltsville, 
Maryland 20705-5000, telephone number (301) 504-2170, e-mail: 
[email protected].
    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 number (301) 
504-2170. Comments may also be submitted by e-mail to: 
[email protected].
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval.
    All comments will become a matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, DC on August 3, 2001.
P. Dwight Holman,
Deputy Chief for Management.
[FR Doc. 01-19995 Filed 8-8-01; 8:45 am]
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