[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 179 (Monday, September 16, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58348-58349]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-23488]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 179 / Monday, September 16, 2002 / 
Notices  

[[Page 58348]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Food Stamp Program: Agency Information Collection Activities: 
Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Disaster Food Stamp Assistance

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment 
on proposed information collections. This information collection is 
based on the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act and section 5(h) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as 
amended, which provide the Secretary of Agriculture with the authority 
to develop an emergency food stamp program to address the needs of 
families temporarily in need of food assistance after a disaster. The 
information collection under this notice is required for the 
establishment and operation of emergency food stamp assistance 
programs.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before November 15, 
2002.

ADDRESSES: 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 shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 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; (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Patrick 
Waldron, Branch Chief, Certification Policy Branch, Program Development 
Division, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments may also be 
faxed to the attention of Mr. Waldron at (703) 305-2486. The Internet 
address is: [email protected]. All written comments will be 
open for public inspection at the office of the Food and Nutrition 
Service during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday) at 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia, 22302, 
Room 812.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will be a matter of public 
record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
should be directed to Mr. Waldron at (703) 305-2495.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Emergency Food Stamp Assistance for Victims of Disasters.
    OMB Number: 0584-0336.
    Expiration Date: 1/31/2000.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement with a change of a previously 
approved collection for which approval has expired.
    Abstract: Pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act and section 5(h) of the Food Stamp Act of 
1977, as amended, the Secretary of Agriculture has the authority to 
develop an emergency food stamp program to address the temporary food 
needs of families following a disaster. The information collection 
under this notice is required to be provided by State agencies in order 
to receive approval from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to 
operate an emergency food stamp program as the result of a disaster.
    The number of disasters that occur annually and the average number 
of households affected by disasters cannot be accurately predicted. In 
reviewing the number of disasters for the last three fiscal years, we 
found that although the number of disasters remained relatively 
constant, most disasters covered small geographic areas and affected 
small populations resulting in a decreased reporting burden. In 1999, 
there were eight disasters with the number of disaster-affected 
households ranging from 93 to 147,189. In 2000, there were four 
disasters with the number of disaster-affected households ranging from 
12 to 40,149. In 2001, there were four disasters and the number of 
disaster-affected households ranging from 410 to 56,060. The 
information collection under this reporting burden is limited to burden 
encountered by State agencies in preparing their requests to operate 
disaster food stamp programs. We estimate that approximately 10 hours 
of State agency personnel time would be required to prepare such 
requests. Previously, we had included in this information collection 
the burden associated with the application process experienced by 
disaster victims applying for assistance under State disaster food 
stamp programs as well as the burden experienced by State and local 
food stamp personnel in processing such applications. Upon review we 
have determined that the reporting burden associated with the process 
of applying for food stamp benefits under disaster food stamp programs 
has been included in approved information collection under the overall 
food stamp application-processing burden (approved under OMB no. 0584-
0064) and that including the application-processing burden under this 
information collection would be redundant.
    Based on an estimate of six State agency requests per year to 
operate disaster food stamp programs and 10 hours of State agency 
personnel time to prepare each application, we have calculated an 
estimated burden of 60 hours per year in an average year. We note that 
in most years the number of disasters (six) necessitating the operation 
of disaster food stamp programs falls below the minimum threshold for 
which OMB approval of the reporting burden associated with this 
information collection is required. Since an above average number of 
disasters may occur in any given year we have elected to submit this 
information collection to OMB for their approval, and consequently, are 
requesting public comments associated with the collection.

[[Page 58349]]

    Affected Public: Food Stamp recipients; State and local 
governments.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 6.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 6.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Recipient: 1.
    Estimated Time per Response: 10 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 60 hours.

    Dated: September 5, 2002.
Roberto Salazar,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 02-23488 Filed 9-13-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P