[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 217 (Thursday, November 8, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 56533]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-28067]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. 01-083-1]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

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

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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 approval of an information 
collection, the Environmental Monitoring Form.

DATES: We invite you to comment on this docket. We will consider all 
comments we receive that are postmarked by January 7, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Please send four copies of your comment (an original and 
three copies) to: Docket No. 01-083-1, 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. 01-083-1.
    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 the 
Environmental Monitoring Form, contact Mr. Ronald Berger, Environmental 
Monitoring Team Leader, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 150, 
Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-5105. 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: Environmental Monitoring Form.
    OMB Number: 0579-0117.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) 
provides leadership in ensuring the health and care of animals and 
plants. The Agency attempts to carry out this mission in a manner that 
promotes and protects the environment.
    In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.) and the regulations that implement this act (contained in 
40 CFR 1500-1508), APHIS engages in environmental monitoring for 
certain activities that we conduct to control or eradicate certain 
pests and diseases. We monitor those activities that have the greatest 
potential for harm to the human environment to ensure that the 
mitigation measures developed to avoid that harm are enforced and 
effective. In many cases, monitoring is required where APHIS programs 
are conducted close to habitats of endangered and threatened species. 
This monitoring is developed in coordination with the United States 
Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, in compliance 
with the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531-1544).
    APHIS field personnel and State Cooperators jointly use APHIS Form 
2060, Environmental Monitoring Form, to collect information concerning 
the effects of pesticide use in these sensitive habitats. The goal of 
environmental monitoring is to track the potential impact that APHIS 
activities may have on the environment and to use this knowledge in 
making any necessary adjustments in future program actions.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of APHIS Form 2060 for an additional 3 years.
    The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public 
(as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. 
These comments will help us:
    (1) Evaluate 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;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the 
collection of information, 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 0.5 hours per response.
    Respondents: Growers/appliers of pesticides, State Department of 
Agriculture personnel.
    Estimated number of respondents: 150.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 20.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 3,000.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 1,500 hours. (Due to 
averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of 
the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per 
response.)
    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 2nd day of November 2001.
W. Ron DeHaven,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 01-28067 Filed 11-7-01; 8:45 am]
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