[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 72 (Tuesday, April 15, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18189-18192]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9174]


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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 
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 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. 72 / Tuesday, April 15, 2003 / 
Notices  

[[Page 18189]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

April 9, 2003
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirements(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.



Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service

    Title: CSREES Proposal Review Process.
    OMB Control Number: 0524-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: This information collection is authorized 
under 7 CFR Section 3015.158, which governs competition in the awarding 
of discretionary grants and cooperative agreements. These regulations 
set forward the standard that proposals are to be evaluated objectively 
by independent reviewers in accordance with written criteria set forth 
by the awarding agency. The Cooperative State Research, Education, and 
Extension Service (CSREES) will collect information using the 
``Proposal Review Sheet'' or the ``Reviewer Worksheet''.
    Need and Use of the Information: CSREES will collect information to 
ensure that proposals are of high quality and are consistent with the 
goals and requirements of the funding program. CSREES uses the results 
of the proposal evaluation to determine whether a proposal should be 
declined or recommended for award. If the information is not collected, 
it would be difficult for a review panel and CSREES staff to determine 
which projects warrant funding.
    Description of Respondent: Not-for-profit institutions; Business or 
other for-profit; Individuals or households; Federal Government; State, 
Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 4,520.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 113,000.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

    Title: Vegetable Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0037.
    Summary of Collection: The primary function of the National 
Agricultural Statistics (NASS) is to prepare and issue current official 
state and national estimates of crop and livestock production. 
Vegetable estimates are an integral part of this function. The 
vegetable program is complex in that some crops are processing only, 
some are fresh market only, and others are dual crops (both processing 
and fresh market). Vegetable processors are surveyed the first week of 
April for their intended acreage of vegetables for processing and the 
first week of July for acreage contracted. The fresh market vegetable 
program consists of weekly estimates during the growing season for 
tomatoes in Florida. NASS will collect information using surveys.
    Need and Use of the Information: NASS will collect information to 
estimate acreage planted and harvested, production, price, and 
utilization for the varies crops. The estimates provided vital 
statistics for growers, processors, and marketers to use in making 
production and marketing decisions.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit 
Dept.
    Number of Respondents: 31,391.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually; Other (seasonally).
    Total Burden Hours: 5,021.

Foreign Agricultural Service

    Title: Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program and the Market 
Access Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0551-0026.
    Summary of Collection: The authority for the Foreign Market 
Development Cooperator Program and the Market Access Program (MAP) is 
contained in Title VII and section 203 of the Agricultural Trade Act of 
1978, U.S.C. 5721, et. seq. The primary objective of the Foreign Market 
Development Cooperator Program and the Market Access Program is to 
encourage and aid in the creation, maintenance and expansion of 
commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural products through cost-
share assistance to eligible trade organizations. Personnel of the 
Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) administer the programs. Prior to 
initiating program activities, each Cooperator or MAP participant must 
submit a detailed application to FAS.
    Need and Use of the Information: FAS will collect information to 
manage, plan, evaluate, and account for government resources. Without 
the submission of information, the programs could not be implemented.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; State, 
Local, or Tribal government.
    Number of Respondents: 71.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 91,070.

[[Page 18190]]

Risk Management Agency

    Title: New Crop Insurance Programs (pilot and private crop 
insurance policies).
    OMB Control Number: 0563-0057.
    Summary of Collection: The Federal Corp Insurance Act (ACT), as 
amended in 1994, 1996, 1998, and 2000 expanded the role of the crop 
insurance program to be the principal tool for risk management by 
producers of farm products, provided for independent review of crop 
insurance products, and gave contracting authority for the development 
of new products. The expansion mission of the Risk Management Agency 
(RMA) is to meet the obligation of mandatory program development and to 
expand the current program to provide risk management products to the 
greatest number of people covering the greatest dollar value of 
commodities. RMA prepares the crop insurance policy provisions, 
underwriting guidelines, actuarial documents, and loss adjustment 
standards. Producers are required to report specific data when applying 
for crop insurance. The information supplied must be accurate and 
complete so insurance companies and Federal Crop Insurance corporation 
(FCIC) can determine liability, subsidy premium, and the amount of 
indemnity and is necessary for administering the crop insurance 
program. The FCIC is the only Federal agency that administers crop 
insurance.
    Need and Use of the Information: RMA will collect information 
indicating the crop, type, variety, and practice that will be insured 
in the state and county along with the premium rates and crop price 
elections that will be available. The information is used to determine 
liability and premium. The information collected will be used Federal 
Agencies, RMA, crop insurance companies reinsured by FCIC, and other 
agencies that require such information in the performance of their 
duties. If the information collected is not submitted by the specified 
dates, the producer may not have insurance coverage.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 14,496.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Weekly; Monthly; 
Semi-Annually; Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 13,113.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1730, Review Rating Summary.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0025.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) manages 
loan programs in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act (RE Act) 
of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended. An important part of 
safeguarding loan security is to see that RUS financed facilities are 
being responsible used, adequately operated, and adequately maintained. 
Future needs have to be anticipated to ensure that facilities will 
continue to produce revenue and that loans will be repaid as required 
by the RUS mortgage. Regular periodic operations and maintenance (O&M) 
review can identify and correct inadequate O&M practices before they 
cause extensive harm to the system. Inadequate O&M practices can result 
in public safety hazards, increased power outages for consumers, added 
expense for emergency maintenance, and premature aging of the 
borrower's systems, which could increase the loan security risk to RUS. 
RUS will collect information using form 300 Review Rate Summary.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
identity items that may be in need of additional attention; to plan 
corrective actions when needed; to budget funds and manpower for needed 
work; and to initiate ongoing programs as necessary to avoid or 
minimize the need for ``catch-up'' programs.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 229.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 916.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: RUS Specification for Quality Control and Inspection of 
Timber Products.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0036.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a 
credit agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It makes 
mortgage loans and loan guarantees to finance electric, 
telecommunications, and water and waste facilities in rural areas. Loan 
programs are managed in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act 
(RE Act) of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will use the information in 
verifying acceptability of poles and crossarms purchased by RUS 
borrowers. Each year, RUS borrowers are required to submit an Annual 
Summary of Purchases that provides a list of plants from which it 
obtained poles or crossarms during the preceding calendar year and 
Treaters must provide notification that they will treat poles for the 
upcoming year. Test reports are needed so that the purchaser, the 
inspectors, and RUS will be able to spot-check the general accuracy of 
the tests.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 700.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 40,763.

Rural Utility Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1773, Policy on Audits of RUS Borrowers.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0095.
    Summary of Collection: Under the authority of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 (ACT), as amended 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., the 
Administrator is authorized and empowered to make loans under certain 
specified circumstances for the purpose of furnishing and improving 
telephone service in rural areas. RUS, in representing the Federal 
Government as Mortgagee, relies on the information provided by the 
borrowers in their financial statements to make lending decisions as to 
borrowers' credit worthiness and to assure that loan funds are 
approved, advanced and disbursed for proper Act purposes. Borrowers are 
required to furnish a full and complete report of their financial 
condition, operations and cash flows, in form and substance 
satisfactory to RUS.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
evaluate borrowers' financial performance, determine whether current 
loans are at financial risk, and determine the credit worthiness of 
future losses. If information were not collected, it would delay RUS' 
analysis of the borrowers' financial strength, thereby adversely 
impacting current lending decisions.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 1,500.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 16,677.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: Form RD 410-8, Application Reference Letter (A Request for 
Credit Reference).
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0091.
    Summary of Collection: Form RD 410-8, Applicant Reference Letter, 
provides credit information and is used by Rural Housing Service (RHS) 
to obtain information about an applicant's credit history that might 
not appear on a credit report. It can be used to document an ability to 
handle credit effectively for applicants who have not used sources of 
credit that appear on a

[[Page 18191]]

credit report. The form provides RHS with relevant information about 
the applicant's creditworthiness and is used to make better decisions.
    Need and use of the Information: RHS will collect information to 
supplement or verify other debts when a credit report is limited and 
unavailable to determine the applicant's eligibility and 
creditworthiness for RHS loans and grants.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 10,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,000.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: 9 CFR 160-162, Veterinary Accreditation Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0032.
    Summary of Collection: Title 21, U.S.C. authorizes sections 111, 
114, 114a, 114-1, 115, 120, 121, 125, 126, 134a, 134c, 134f, and 134g. 
These authorities permit the Secretary to prevent, control and 
eliminate domestic diseases such as brucellosis and tuberculosis, as 
well as to take action to prevent and to manage exotic diseases such as 
foot-and-mouth and rinderpest. Diseases prevention is the most 
effective method for maintaining a healthy animal population and 
enhancing the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS) 
ability to complete in exporting animals and animal products. Because 
APHIS does not have sufficient numbers of Federal personnel to perform 
all of the disease prevention work that must be done, APHIS relies 
heavily on assistance from veterinarians in the private sector. 
Regulations governing the Veterinary Accreditation Program are found in 
Title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations, parts 160, 161, and 162. 
Operating this important program requires APHIS to engage in a number 
of information collection activities in the form of applications for 
veterinary accreditation, veterinary accreditation orientation and 
training, paperwork associated with tasks performed by our accredited 
veterinarians (such as completing certificates, applying and removing 
official seals, and completing test reports); reviewing applications 
for veterinary accreditation and re-accreditation, recordkeeping, and 
updating information on accredited veterinarians. APHIS will collect 
information using several forms.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information to 
determine that a veterinarian has met the requirements for being 
accredited, or for obtaining re-accreditation. APHIS will also collect 
information to ensure that accredited veterinarians are knowledgeable 
of current Federal and State animal health regulations, objectives and 
programs and are competent in their application. If information is not 
collected it would significantly destroy APHIS' ability to operate the 
Veterinary Accreditation Program.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; State, 
Local and Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 88,244.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; 
Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 63,031.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Fruit and Vegetable Market News Reports.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0006.
    Summary of Collection: Section 203(g) of the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621) directs and authorizes the collection of 
information and disseminating of marketing information including 
adequate outlook information on a market-area basis for the purpose of 
anticipating and meeting consumer requirements, aiding in the 
maintenance of farm income and bring about balance between production 
and utilization of agriculture products. Market News provides all 
interested segments of the market chain with market information tends 
to equalize the competitive position of all market participants. The 
fruit and vegetable industries, through their organizations, or 
government agencies present formal requests that the Department of 
Agriculture issue daily, weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly market news 
reports on various aspects of the industry.
    Needs and Use of the Information: AMS will collect information for 
the production of Market News reports that are then available to the 
industry and other interested parties in various formats. Information 
is provided on a voluntary basis and is gathered through confidential 
telephone and face-to-face interviews by market reporters.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 18,347.
    Frequency of Response: Reporting; Weekly; Monthly.
    Total Burden Hours: 120,964.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Food Stamp Employment and Training (E & T) Program Activity 
Report.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0339.
    Summary of Collection: The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (Pub. L. 
105-33), enacted on August 5, 1997, modified the Employment and 
Training (E&T) Program so that States' efforts are now focused on a 
particular segment of the food stamp population--able-bodied adults 
without dependents (ABAWDs). Section 6(d) of the Foot Stamp Act of 1977 
and 7 CFR 273.7 require as a condition of eligibility each food stamp 
household members not exempt shall be registered for employment by the 
State agency at the time of application and once every twelve months 
thereafter. This requirement pertains to non-exempt food stamp 
household member age 16 to 60. Each State agency must screen each work 
registrant to determine whether to refer the individual to its E&T 
Program. States' E&T Programs are federally funded through an annual 
E&T grant. Both the Food Stamp Act and regulations require States to 
file quarterly reports about their E&T Programs so that the Food and 
Nutrition Service (FNS) can monitor their performance.
    Need and Use of the Information: FNS will collect quarterly reports 
about their E&T programs so that the Department can monitor State 
performance to ensure that the program is being efficiently and 
economically operated. Without the information FNS would be unable to 
make adjustments or allocate exemptions in accordance with the statute.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 53.
    Frequency of Response: Reporting; Quarterly; Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 29,455.

Forest Service

    Title: Baseline and Trend Information on Wilderness Use and Users.
    OMB Control Number: 0596-0108.
    Summary of Collection: The Wilderness Act (Pub. L. 88-577) directs 
that wilderness be managed to preserve natural conditions and to 
provide outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and 
unconfined type of recreation. To meet these management goals, managers 
must adapt their programs to changes in the amount and type of use and 
resultant conditions. It is also important for managers to be aware of 
likely visitor response to proposed management actions and their 
preferences for resource conditions. Very little is known about trends 
in the characteristics, activities and preferences of visitors to 
wilderness and other wildlands. The Forest Service (FS) will collect 
information using mail back survey forms, face-to-face and on-site

[[Page 18192]]

interviews to establish usage baselines and monitor trends in some 
areas for critical use and user characteristics for representatives 
Forest Service wilderness area.
    Need and Use of the Information: FS will collect information from 
visitors to find out how many times they visit, when they plan their 
next visit, or if they plan to visit at all. Visitors will be asked, 
when visiting, if they come in groups, and if so, the size of those 
groups and how long they stay when visiting. Also, visitors will be 
asked do they use equipment such as stoves, wood for fires and do they 
have preferences for social conditions? If the information is not 
collected FS will have no basis for making management decisions and 
establishing policy for guiding wilderness management in general.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 1,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 416.

Rural Development

    Title: Rural Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities (Ongoing 
Reporting Requirements).
    OMB Control Number: 0570-0027.
    Summary of Collection: The Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 
extends the duration for all Empowerment Zone through December 2009. 
The Rural Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities program (EZ/EC) 
provides economically depressed rural areas and communities with 
opportunities for growth and revitalization. USDA has designated 120 
Champion communities from the EZ/EC applicant communities that have 
agreed to implement their strategic plans in accordance with the 
principles of the program and report regularly on their progress.
    Need and Use of the Information: Periodic reviews provide the basis 
for USDA to continue or revoke a designation during the life of the 
federal program. These reports provide progress on each project that 
the designee has specified in their implementation plans. A warning 
letter may be sent to recipients who have been regarded as 
noncompliance or have made insufficient progress in implementing the 
strategic plan.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 178.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 3,762.

Sondra Blakey,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-9174 Filed 4-14-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M