[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 70 (Friday, April 11, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17769-17770]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-8867]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information 
Collection

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intention of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to 
request an extension and revision for the Highly Erodible Land 
Conservation and Wetland Conservation certification requirements. This 
information is collected in support of the conservation provisions of 
Title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended by the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 and the Federal 
Agriculture, Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (the Statute).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before June 10, 
2003 to be assured consideration.
    Additional Information or Comments: Contact Sharon Biastock, 
Agricultural Program Specialist, Production, Emergencies, and 
Compliance Division, USDA, FSA, STOP 0517, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20250-0517; telephone (202) 720-6336.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation 
Certification.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0185.
    Expiration Date: March 31, 2003.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Rules governing those requirements under Title XII of the 
Food Security Act of 1985, as amended by the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 and the Federal Agriculture, 
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 relating to highly erodible lands 
and wetlands are codified in 7 CFR part 12. In order to ensure that 
persons who request benefits subject to conservation restrictions get 
the necessary technical assistance and are informed regarding the 
compliance requirements on their land, information is collected with 
regard to their intended activities on their land which could affect 
their eligibility for

[[Page 17770]]

requested USDA benefits. Once technical determinations are made, 
producers are required to certify that they will comply with the 
conservation requirements on their land to maintain their eligibility 
for certain programs. Persons may request that certain activities be 
exempt according to provisions of the Statute. Information is collected 
from those who seek these exemptions for the purpose of evaluating 
whether the exempted conditions will be met.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .16 hours (10 minutes) per 
response.
    Respondents: Individual producers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 250,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 40,000.
    Proposed topics for comment include: (a) Whether the collection 
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 collected; 
and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of the 
information on those who are to respond, including the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology. 
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 Sharon Biastock, Agricultural Program 
Specialist, Production, Emergencies, and Compliance Division, USDA, 
FSA, STOP 0517, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-
0517, telephone (202) 720-6336.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on April 4, 2003.
James R. Little,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 03-8867 Filed 4-10-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P