[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 45 (Friday, March 7, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11031-11033]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-5433]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 45 / Friday, March 7, 2003 / 
Notices  

[[Page 11031]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

March 4, 2003.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (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 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; (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Washington, DC 20503 and to 
Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, 
DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are 
best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of 
this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by 
calling (202) 720-6746.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Office of the Secretary, Faith-Based and Community Initiatives

    Title: Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants.
    OMB Control Number: 0503-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The responsibility of the Office of Faith-
based and Community Initiatives is to fulfill the mandate of Executive 
Orders 13198 and 13199 which prescribe agency responsibilities related 
to Faith-based and Community Initiatives. Specifically, the office is 
working to remove all barriers to the full participation of faith-based 
and community organizations in federal social service programs. The 
Department of Education has initiated a government-wide survey to gauge 
the number and quality of applications from faith-based and community 
organizations. USDA is requesting approval from OMB to implement this 
survey in conjunction with the application process for the grant 
programs it administers.
    Need and Use of the Information: USDA's Office of Faith-based and 
Community Initiatives plans to collect information from faith-based and 
community organizations through a brief survey. The information will be 
used to judge the effectiveness of the technical assistance and 
outreach efforts of the faith-based and community initiative. The data 
collected through the survey will be kept from the decision-makers who 
oversee the award of grant funds.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 7,377.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 590.

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service

    Title: Application for Authorization to Use the 4-H Name and/or 
Emblem.
    OMB Control Number: 0524-0034.
    Summary of Collection: Use of the 4-H Name and/or Emblem is 
authorized by an Act of Congress, (Pub. L. 772, 80th Congress, 645, 2nd 
Session). Use of the 4-H Name and/or Emblem by anyone other than the 4-
H Clubs and those duly authorized by them, representatives of the 
Department of Agriculture, the Land-Grant colleges and universities, 
and person authorized by the Secretary of Agriculture is prohibited by 
the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 707. The Secretary has delegated authority 
to the Administrator of the Cooperative State Research, Education, and 
Extension Service (CSREES) to authorize others to use the 4-H Name and/
or Emblem. Therefore, anyone requesting authorization from the 
Administrator to use the 4-H Name and Emblem is asked to describe the 
proposed use in a formal application. CSREES will collect information 
using form CSREES-01 ``Application for Authorization to Use the 4-H 
Club Name and Emblem
    Need and Use of the Information: CSREES will collect information on 
the name of individual, partnership, corporation, or association; 
organizational address, name of authorized representative; telephone 
number; proposed use of the 4-H Name or Emblem, and plan for sale or 
distribution of product. The information collected by CSREES will be 
used to determine if those applying to use the 4-H Name and Emblem are 
meeting the requirements and quality of materials, products and/or 
services provided to the public. If the information were not collected, 
it would not be possible to ensure that the products, services, and 
materials meet the high standards of 4-H, its educational goals and 
objectives.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; 
Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 60.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (every 3 years).
    Total Burden Hours: 30.

Foreign Agricultural Service

    Title: Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0551-0038.
    Summary of Collection: The Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops 
(TASC) program is authorized by Section 3205 of the Farm Security and 
Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-171). This section provides 
that the Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a program to address 
unique barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty 
crops. The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) administers the program 
for the Commodity Credit Corporation. The TASC is designed to assist 
U.S. organizations by providing funding for projects that address 
sanitary, phytosanitary, and technical

[[Page 11032]]

barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. speciality crops.
    Need and Use of the Information: FAS collects data for fund 
allocation, program management, planning and evaluation. FAS will 
collect information from applicant desiring to receive grants under the 
program to determine the viability of requests for funds. The program 
could not be implemented without the submission of project proposals, 
which provide the necessary information upon which funding decisions 
are based.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit; Business or other for-
profit; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 20.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; 
Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 640.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: Horse Breeder Loan Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0221.
    Summary of Collection: The Farm Service Agency (FSA) makes direct 
and guaranteed loans to family farmers who cannot obtain loans from 
commercial sources at reasonable rates and terms. The Horse Breeder 
Loans Program will assist horse breeder who have suffered economic loss 
as a result of Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome (MRLS). To determine 
whether an applicant is eligible for a loan FSA must document the 
severity of the horse breeder's loss. A veterinary certification is 
used to document the losses. MRLS is a veterinary medical condition, 
which requires a trained expert to determine the number and type of 
loss. The Horse Breeder Loan Program is authorized under the 
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and 
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002 (The Act), enacted November 
28, 2001. FSA will collect information using several forms.
    Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information to 
evaluate an applicant's eligibility and feasibility for loan 
assistance. If the information is not collected from each applicant, or 
collected less frequently, FSA would be unable to make eligibility and 
feasibility determinations.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households; 
Business or other for-profit; Federal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 267.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (Eligibility).
    Total Burden Hours: 414.

Natural Resources and Conservation Service

    Title: Volunteer Program--Earth Team.
    OMB Control Number: 0578-0024.
    Summary of Collection: Volunteers have been a human resource to the 
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) since 1985. NRCS is 
authorized by the Federal Personnel Manual (FPM) Supplement 296-33, 
Subchapter 22, to recruit, train and accept, with regard to Civil 
Service classification law, rules, or regulations, the service of 
individuals to serve without compensation. Volunteers may assist in any 
agency program/project and may perform any activities which agency 
employees are allowed to do. Volunteers must be 14 years of age. NRCS 
will collect information using several NRCS forms.
    Need and Use of the Information: NRCS will collect information on 
the type of skills and type of work the volunteers are interested in 
doing. NRCS will also collect information to implement and evaluate the 
effectiveness of the volunteer program. Without the information, NRCS 
would not know which individuals are interested in volunteering.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or 
other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 30,320.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Semi-annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 916.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Low Pathogenic AI Payment of Indemnity.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0208.
    Summary of Collection: In accordance with 21 U.S.C. 111-113, 114, 
115, 117, 120, 123, and 134a, the Secretary of Agriculture has the 
authority to promulgate regulations and take measures to prevent the 
introduction into the United States and the interstate dissemination 
within the United States of communicable diseases of livestock and 
poultry, and to pay claims growing out of the destruction of animals. 
Disease prevention is the most effective method of maintaining a 
healthy animal population and enhancing the ability of the United 
States to compete in the global market of animal and animal products. 
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is charged with 
carrying out this disease prevention mission. Highly pathogenic avian 
influenza (AI) is an extremely infectious and deadly form of AI and can 
cause sudden death in poultry without any warning signs of infection. 
Low pathogenic AI, however, causes few clinical sign infected birds. 
APHIS will collect information using several of APHIS' forms.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect the name, 
address, the number, type and age of poultry for which the claimant is 
seeking payment; and the appraised value of the poultry. APHIS will 
also collect information to document the loss of poultry from 
diagnostic testing of backyard flocks. Information provided will be 
used to reimburse poultry owners for poultry dying as a result of the 
test. Failure to collect the information would make it impossible for 
APHIS to launch a control program in Virginia, possibly leading to 
outbreaks in other States.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households; 
Federal Government; State, Local, or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 800.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting; On occasion.
    Total burden Hours: 1,600.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Status of Claims Against Households.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0069.
    Summary of Collection: Section 11, 13, and 16 of the Food Stamp Act 
of 1977, as amended (the Act) and appropriate Food Stamp Program 
Regulation are the bases for the information collected on FNS-209. Food 
Stamp Program regulations require that State agencies submit quarterly 
form NFS-209, Status of Claims Against Households, reports. The 
required information provided on this report must be obtained from a 
State accountable system responsible for establishing claims, sending 
demand letters, collecting claims, and managing other claim activity.
    Need and use of the Information: The Food and Nutrition Service 
(FNS) will collect information on the outstanding aggregate claim 
balance; claims established; collections; any balance and collection 
adjustments; and the amount to be retained for collecting non-agency 
error claims. The information will be used by State agencies to 
ascertain aggregate claim balance and collections for determining 
overall performance, the collection amounts to return to FNS, and claim 
retention amounts. FNS will receive collections and report collection 
activity to Treasury.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 53.

[[Page 11033]]

    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Quarterly.
    Total Burden Hours: 42.

Forest Service

    Title: Special Use Administration.
    OMB Control Number: 0596-0082.
    Summary of Collection: Title 5 of the Federal Land Policy and 
Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA, P.L. 94-579), the Organic Administration 
Act of 1897, (30 Stat. 34) and the Secretary's Regulations at Title 36, 
Code of Federal Regulations, Section 251, Subpart B (36 CFR 251, 
Subpart B), provides for authorities and requirements for the 
application, issuance, and administration of special uses on National 
Forest System Lands. There is a basic obligation of the agency to 
ensure that the use of Federal lands is in the public interest; is 
compatible with the mission of the Forest Service (FS); and that 
environmental and social impacts are identified and mitigated and that 
a fee based on fair market value is received. The evaluation can only 
be accomplished with the cooperation and information furnished by the 
applicant or permit holder. The information is needed from those 
parties who seek special-use authorizations to conduct private or 
commercial operations or National Forest System land, or from those who 
are currently utilizing National Forest System lands for private or 
public use. FS will collect informationusing several forms.
    Need and Use of the Information: FS will collect information on: 
(1) the identity of the applicant; (2) the nature of the request and 
project description; (3) location of National Forest System lands 
requested for use; (4) technical and financial capability of the 
requester; (5) alternatives considered, including use of nonfederal 
lands and; (6) anticipated environmental impacts and proposed 
mitigation of those impacts. The authorized forest officer evaluates 
this information and makes a decision to approve or disapprove the 
requested use. The information required to evaluate the merits of the 
applicant's request to use National Forest System lands that is a not 
available elsewhere. The use of the forms helps reduce the burden on 
the applicant by providing a listing of the information that is 
required by law and tailored to the intended use proposed by the 
respondent. Use of the forms is of extreme benefit to applicants in 
that they do not have to refer to the regulations or policy manuals to 
determine what information is needed by the agency. Without the forms, 
the cost to the applicant would be increased.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or 
other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Farms; Federal 
Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 60,750.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Quarterly; 
Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 82,775.

Forest Service

    Title: National Visitor Use Monitoring, and Customer and Use Survey 
Techniques for Operations, Management, Evaluation, and Research.
    OMB Control Numbers: 0596-0110.
    Summary of Collection: The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 
1976 and the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Act (RPA) of 1974 
require a comprehensive assessment of present and anticipated uses, 
demand for and supply of renewable resources from the nation's public 
and private forests and rangelands. The Forest Service (FS) is required 
to report to Congress and others in conjunction with these legislated 
requirements as well as the use of appropriated funds. An important 
element in the reporting is the number of visits to National Forests 
and Grasslands, as well as to Wilderness Areas that the agency manages. 
The Customer and Use Survey Techniques for Operations, Management, 
Evaluation and Research (CUSTOMER) study combines several different 
survey approaches to gather data describing visitors to and users of 
public recreation lands, including their trip activities, satisfaction 
levels, evaluations, demographic profiles, trip characteristics, 
spending, and annual visitation patterns. FS will use face-to-face 
interviewing for collecting information on-site as well as written 
survey instruments to be mailed back by respondents.
    Need and Use of the Information: FS plans to collect information 
from a variety of National Forests and other recreation areas. 
Information gathered through the various Customer modules has been and 
will continue to be used by planners, researchers, managers, policy 
analysts, and legislators in resource management areas, regional 
offices, regional research stations, agency headquarters, and 
legislative offices.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 66,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting; Quarterly; Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 9,000.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Child Nutrition Labeling Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0320.
    Summary of Collection: The Child Nutrition Labeling Program is a 
voluntary technical assistance program administered by the Food and 
Nutrition Service (FNS). The program is designed to aid schools and 
institutions participating in the National School Lunch Program, the 
School Breakfast Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and 
the Summer Food Service Program in determining the contribution a 
commercial product makes towards the meal pattern requirements. By 
requiring that companies that sell food to the government for use in 
nutrition program to identify the contribution of a product to the 
established meal pattern requirements. The Child Nutrition Labeling 
Program is implemented in conjunction with existing label approval 
programs administered by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), 
the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), and the U.S. Department of 
Commerce. In addition to an application for approval of a Child 
Nutrition label, companies must include a separate statement on how the 
product satisfies meal pattern requirements. All information is 
submitted to FSIS on form FSIS 7234-1, Application for Approval of 
Labels, Marking or Device.
    Need and Use of the Information: FNS uses the information collected 
by FSIS to aid school food authorities and other institutions 
participating in child nutrition programs in determining the 
contribution a commercial product makes towards the established meal 
pattern requirements.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 946.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (as needed).
    Total Burden Hours: 1,938.

Sondra Blakey,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-5433 Filed 3-6-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M