[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 179 (Tuesday, September 16, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54197-54200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-23528]


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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. 179 / Tuesday, September 16, 2003 / 
Notices  

[[Page 54197]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

September 10, 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, Pub. L. 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), Pamela-- Beverly-- [email protected] or fax (202) 395-5806 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) 720-8681.
    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.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Permit for Movement of Restricted Animals.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0051.
    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 
of the 21 U.S.C. These authorities permit the Secretary to prevent, 
control and eliminate domestic animal diseases, as well as to take 
actions to prevent and to manage exotic animal diseases. Disease 
prevention is the most effective method of maintaining a healthy animal 
population and for enhancing the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) ability to compete in the world market of animals and 
animal product trade. When farm animals become sick or have been 
exposed to a disease, it is important that they be removed promptly 
from their farms. When transporting animals across state lines, the 
owner completes VS Form 1-27, ``Permit for Movement of Restricted 
Animals''.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect the owner's 
name, address, the animals' point of origin and destination, the number 
of animals being moved, the purpose of the movement, and various pieces 
of animal identification data so that each animal can be identified. 
Meat inspector to report the slaughter of the animals to veterinary 
services also uses VS Form 1-27. Without the information, APHIS would 
be unable to effectively monitor and control the movement of sick 
animals, a situation that could seriously compromise the health of the 
U.S. livestock population.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 4,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 996.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Poultry Imports and Export.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0141.
    Summary of Collection: Title 21 U.S.C. authorizes sections 111, 
114, 114a, 115, 120, 121, 125, 126, 134a, 134c, 134f, and 134g of 21 
U.S.C. These authorities permit the Secretary to prevent, control and 
eliminate domestic diseases such as brucellosis, as well as to take 
actions to prevent and to manage exotic diseases such as exotic 
Newcastle disease (END) and other foreign diseases. Disease prevention 
is the most effective method for maintaining a healthy animal 
population and enhancing the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS) ability to compete in exporting animals and animal products. 
The regulations under which disease prevention activities are contained 
are in Title 9, Chapter 1, Subchapter D, and Parts 91 through 99 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of these regulations is to 
allow poultry meat that originates in the United States to be shipped, 
for processing purposes, to a region where exotic Newcastle disease 
exists, and then returned to the United States. The process entails the 
use of four information collection activities in the form of a 
certificate of origin, serial numbers, records that must be maintained, 
and cooperative service agreements that must be signed.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information to 
ensure that imported poultry carcasses pose a negligible risk of 
introducing END into the United States.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 4.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeepking; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 30.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Tuberculosis, TB in Cattle, Bison, and Goats.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0146.
    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 
of the 21 U.S.C. These authroities permit the Secretary to prevent, 
control and eliminate domestic animal diseases, such as tuberculosis 
and brucellosis, as well as to take actions to prevent and to manage 
exotic animal diseases. Disease prevention is the most effective method 
of maintaining a healthy animal population and for enhancing the Animal 
and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) ability to compete in the 
world market of animals and animal

[[Page 54198]]

product trade. APHIS participates in the Cooperative State-Federal 
Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Program, which is a national program to 
eliminate bovine tuberculosis from the United States. Part 77 of Title 
9, Code of Federal Regulations, provides for the assignment of 
tuberculosis risk classifications for States, for the creation of 
tuberculosis risk status zone within the same State, and for conducting 
of tests before regulated animals are permitted to move interstate. The 
zone system enhances the ability of States to move healthy, 
tuberculosis-free cattle, bison, goats, and captive cervids interstate 
as well as internationally. The zoning, testing and movement activities 
will require the use of several information collection activities.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect the following: 
(1) Submission of a formal request that a zone within a given State is 
given a different tuberculosis status than the rest of the State, (2) 
an epidemiological review of reports of all testing for all zones 
within the State within 30 days of testing, (3) the submission of an 
annual report to APHIS in order to quality for renewal of accredited 
free State or zone status, (4) the completion of a certificate of 
tuberculin test that must accompany certain regulated animals that are 
moved interstate, (5) the retention, for 2 years, of any certificates 
documenting the movement of regulated animals into and out of zones; 
and (6) the creation of a tuberculosis herd management plan as a tool 
for eradicating the disease within a State or zone. Without the 
information, APHIS would not be able to operate an effective 
tuberculosis surveillance, containment, and eradication program.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Farms; 
State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 210.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeepking; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 636.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Phytosanitary Certificates for Imported Fruits and 
Vegetables.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0184.
    Summary of Collection: The United States Department of Agriculture 
is responsible for preventing plant diseases or insect pests from 
entering the United States, preventing the spread of pests not widely 
distributed in the United States, and eradicating those imported pests 
when eradication is feasible. The Plant Quarantine Act and the Federal 
Plant Pest Act authorize the Department to carry out this mission. The 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published a final 
rule that will require all fruits and vegetables entering the United 
States from foreign regions to be accompanied by a phytosanitary 
certificate. The use of phytosanitary certificates is the approach that 
regulatory officials around the world are increasingly relying on to 
help reduce the introduction and spread of plant pests.
    Needs and Use of the Information: APHIS will use the phytosanitary 
certificate to determine the pest condition of the shipment at the time 
it was inspected in its country of origin. APHIS will also collect 
information to determine the intensity of the inspection that is 
performed when the shipment arrives in the United States. Without this 
information, APHIS would need to inspect each and every shipment very 
thoroughly to ensure that no pests were accompanying the shipment.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 4,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 25,000.

Forest Service

    Title: Airplane Pilot Qualifications and Approval Record, 
Helicopter Pilot Qualifications and Approval Record, Airplane Data 
Record, and Helicopter.
    OMB Control Number: 0596-0015.
    Summary of Collection: The Forest Service (FS) is the largest owner 
and operator of aircraft in the federal government outside of the 
Department of Defense. To conduct the Forest Service land management 
mission FS uses 44 owned aircraft with 315 aircraft on loan to 18 
States for fire suppression activities. The majority of FS flying is in 
support of wildland fire suppression. In addition to the agency-owned 
aircraft, the FS contracts with approximately 400 vendors for aviation 
services used in resource protection and administrative projects. 
Contractor aircraft and pilots are used to place water and chemical 
retardants on fires, provide aerial delivery of firefighters to fires, 
perform reconnaissance, resource surveys, search for lost personnel, 
and fire detection. Contracts for such services established rigorous 
qualification requirements for pilots and specific condition/equipment/
performance requirements for aircraft. The authority is granted under 
the Federal Aviation Administration Regulations in Title 14 
(Aeronautics and Space) of the Code of Federal Regulations.
    Needs and Use of the Information: FS will collect information using 
FS forms to document the basis for approval of contract pilot and 
aircraft for use in specific FS aviation missions. The information 
collected from contract pilots in face-to-face meetings (such as name, 
age, pilot's license number, number of hours flown in type of aircraft, 
etc.) is based on the length and type of contract but is usually done 
on a reoccurring annual basis. Without the information supplied on 
these forms, FS contracting officers and pilot/aircraft inspectors 
cannot determine if pilots and aircraft meet the detailed 
qualification, and condition requirements essential to safe efficient 
accomplishment of FS specified flying missions and which are included 
in contract specifications.
    Description of respondents: Individuals or households; Business or 
other for-profit; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 1,030.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 258.

Forest Service

    Title: Application for Permit Non-Federal Commercial Use of Roads 
by Order.
    OMB Control Number: 0596-0016.
    Summary of Collection: The Forest Service (FS) transportation 
system includes approximately 380,000 miles of roads. These roads are 
grouped into five maintenance levels. Level one includes roads which 
are closed and maintained only to protect the environment. Level of 
maintenance increase to level five which is maintained for safe 
passenger car use. The roads usually provide the only access to 
commercial products including timber and minerals found on both Federal 
and private lands within and adjacent to National Forests. Annual 
maintenance not performed becomes a backlog that creates a financial 
burden for the FS. To remedy the backlog and pay for needed maintenance 
the FS requires commercial users to apply and pay for a permit, to use 
the FS Road System. Maintenance resulting from commercial use is 
accomplished through collection of funds or requiring the commercial 
users to perform the maintenance. The vehicle for this is the Road Use 
Permit. The authority for the Road Use Permit process comes from 36 CFR 
212.5, 36 CFR 212.9 and 36 CFR 261.54. Section 212.9 authorizes the FS 
to develop a road system with private in holders that is mutually 
beneficial to both parties.

[[Page 54199]]

    Need and Use of the Information: Persons wishing to haul commercial 
will use form FS 7700-40. The form provides identifying information 
about the applicant such as the name; address; telephone number; 
description of mileage of roads; purpose of use; use schedule; and 
plans for future use. FS will use the information to prepare the 
applicant's permit to identify the road maintenance that is the direct 
result of the applicant's traffic, to calculate any applicable 
collections for recovery of past Federal investments in roads and 
assure that the requirements are met. Without the Road Use Permit, the 
backlog of maintenance would increase and the FS would have great 
difficulty providing the transportation system necessary to meet its 
mission.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; 
Individuals or households; State, Local or Tribal Government; Not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 2000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 500.

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

    Title: Notice of Funds Availability Inviting Applications for the 
Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Improvements Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-0044.
    Summary of Collection: The establishing of the Renewable Energy 
Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program under Title IX, 
Section 9006 requires the Secretary of Agriculture to create a program 
to make direct loans, loan guarantees, grants to farmers, ranchers and 
rural small business to purchase renewable energy systems and make 
energy efficiency improvements. The program is designed to help 
farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses reduce energy cost and 
consumption, develop new income streams and help meet the nation's 
critical energy needs. Mandatory funding beginning in fiscal year (FY) 
2003 is provided to the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) 
annually for 5 years; however, RBS has decided to execute the grant 
program only for FY 2003.
    Need and Use of the Information: RBS will use the information to 
determine applicant/grantee eligibility, project feasibility and to 
ensure that grantees operate on a sound basis and use grant funds for 
authorized purposes.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 133.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; 
Quarterly.
    Total Burden Hours: 6,251.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR Part 1738, Rural Broadband Access.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-NEW
    Summary of Collection: Adding Title VI, Rural Broadband Access, 
amended The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (RE Act), to provide 
loans and loan guarantees to fund the cost of construction, 
improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment for the 
provision of broadband service in eligible rural communities in States 
and territories of the United States. The regulation prescribes the 
types of loans available, facilities financed and eligible applicants, 
as well as minimum credit support requirements considered for a loan. 
In addition, Title VI of the RE Act requires that Rural Utilities 
Service (RUS) make or guarantee a loan only if there is reasonable 
assurance that the loan together with all outstanding loans and 
obligations of the borrower will be repaid in full within the time 
agreed.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
determine whether an applicant's eligibility to borrow from RUS under 
the terms of the RE Act and that the applicant complies with statutory, 
regulatory and administrative eligibility requirements for loan 
assistance. RUS will use the information to determine that the 
Government's security for loans made are reasonably adequate and that 
the loans will be repaid within the time agreed.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 300.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 28,475.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1980-D, Rural Housing Loans.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0078.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is a credit 
agency for rural development for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 
The purpose of the Guaranteed Rural Housing (GRH) program is to assist 
low and moderate-income individuals and families in acquiring or 
constructing a single-family residence in a rural area with loans made 
by private lenders. Eligibility for this program includes low to 
moderate-income families or persons whose income does not exceed 115% 
of the median income for the area. The information requested by RHS 
includes borrower financial information such as household income, 
assets and liabilities, and monthly expenses.
    Need and Use of the Information: All information collected is vital 
for RHS to determine if borrowers qualify for all the assistance for 
which they are eligible. Information requested by lenders is required 
to ensure lenders are eligible to participate in the GRH program and 
are in compliance with OMB Circular A-129. If the information were 
collected less frequently or not at all, the agency could not 
effectively monitor lenders and assess the program.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or 
other for-profit; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 37,456.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Monthly; On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 120,442.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1940-G, Environmental Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0094. Summary of Collection: The National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires Federal agencies prior to the 
approval of proposed actions to consider the potential environmental 
impacts of these actions. Consequently, for the agencies to comply with 
NEPA, it is necessary to have information on the types of environmental 
resources on site or in the vicinity that might impact the proposed 
action. Also, information is required on the nature of the project 
selected by the applicant.
    Need and Use of the Information: The agency will collect 
environmental data using form RD 1940-20, Request for Environmental 
Information. Having all activities and environmental information on the 
proposed project site will enable the Agency official to determine the 
magnitude of the potential environmental impacts and whether the 
project is controversial for environmental reasons. The agency failure 
to collect environmental information would result in a violation of 
NEPA. Thus, the agency would have no basis to support a decision 
regarding the need for an environmental impact statement.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households; 
Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local 
or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 3,915.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 21,812.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

    Title: Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey.

[[Page 54200]]

    OMB Control Number: 0535-0234.
    Summary of Collection: The Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey (FRIS) 
has provided detailed data on water management practices and water uses 
in American agriculture for the past two decades. The 2003 FRIS will 
gather data describing the irrigation activities of U.S. farm 
operations. Some of these activities are of national concern, such as 
the use of chemigation, fertigation and water-conserving practices of 
irrigators. The FRIS is an integral part of the 2002 Census of 
Agriculture and is conducted under the authority of the Census of 
Agriculture Act of 1997 (Pub. L. 105-113).
    Need and Use of the Information: NASS will collect information from 
the FRIS on acres irrigated by land use category, acres and yields of 
irrigated and non-irrigated crops, quantity of water applied and method 
of application to selected crops, acres irrigated and quantity of water 
used by sources, acres irrigated by type of water distribution systems, 
and number of irrigation wells and pumps. The primary purpose of FRIS 
is to provide detailed data relating to on-farm irrigation activities 
for use in preparing a wide variety of water-related local programs, 
economic models, legislative initiatives, market analyses, and 
feasibility studies. The absence of FRIS would certainly affect 
irrigation policy decision.
    Description of Respondents: Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 25,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (one-time).
    Total Burden Hours: 15,250.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-23528 Filed 9-15-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M