[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 51 (Friday, March 15, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 11659]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-6206]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCIES: Commodity Credit Corporation and Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intent of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), 
through the Farm Service Agency (FSA), to request an extension and 
revision of the currently approved information collection for the 
regulation used in support of the CCC Conservation Reserve Program 
(CRP). This renewal includes revisions incorporated in the proposed 
rule, ``Cropland Eligibility and Private Sector Technical Assistance,'' 
including revisions to amend total burden hours to reflect ongoing CRP 
activity as authorized by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and 
Reform Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104-127, and Title XI of the Agriculture, 
Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act, 2001, Pub. L. 106-387.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before May 14, 
2002 to be assured consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, AND TO FILE COMMENTS, CONTACT: Comments may be 
sent to Robert Stephenson, Director, Conservation and Environmental 
Programs Division, USDA, FSA, CEPD, STOP 0513, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0513, telephone (202) 720-6221; 
facsimile (202) 720-4619; or e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: (7 CFR part 1410) Conservation Reserve Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0125.
    Expiration Date: October 31, 2002.
    Type of Request: Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection.
    Abstract: The information collected under Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) Control Number 0560-0125, as identified above allows FSA 
to effectively administer the regulations under the CRP. The CRP 
regulations at 7 CFR part 1410 and formerly at 7 CFR part 704 set forth 
basic policies, program provisions, and eligibility requirements for 
owners and operators to enter into and carry out long-term CRP 
contracts with financial and technical assistance and for making cost-
share and annual rental payments under the program. All information 
collection under 7 CFR part 704 has ceased. This regulation was removed 
by the final CRP rule published February 19, 1997, which revised 7 CFR 
part 1410. CRP information collection requirements will continue under 
7 CFR part 1410.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 6.7 minutes per respondent.
    Respondents: Owners, operators, and other producers on eligible 
cropland.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 160,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours on Respondents: 153,861.
    Comments are sought on these requirements including: (a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of 
the burden 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, including using 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology. These 
comments should be sent to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
Washington, DC 20503 and to Robert Stephenson, Director, Conservation 
and Environmental Programs Division, USDA, FSA, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., STOP 0513, Washington DC 20250-0513.
    Comments will be summarized and included in the request for OMB 
approval of the information collection. All comments will also become a 
matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on January 28, 2002.
James R. Little,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency and Executive Vice President, 
Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 02-6206 Filed 3-14-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P