[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 184 (Thursday, September 23, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56988-56990]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-21352]


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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. 69, No. 184 / Thursday, September 23, 2004 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

September 17, 2004.
    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), [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 Plant and Health Inspection Service

    Title: Mexicali Valley-Karnal Bunt.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0132.
    Summary of Collection: The 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 when eradication is 
feasible. The Plant Protection Act authorizes the Department to carry 
out this mission. Regulations in 7 CFR 319.59 through 319.59-2 restrict 
the importation into the U.S. of certain seeds, plants, and plant 
products from certain countries or localities in order to prevent an 
incursion of Karnal bunt (a fungal disease of wheat) into the U.S. 
Wheat and other wheat-related articles offered for entry from the 
Karnal bunt free zone of the Mexicali Valley would need to be 
accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the Mexican plant 
protection authorities. This certificate would state that the wheat or 
other articles were grown in the designated Karnal bunt free area of 
the Mexicali Valley.
    Need and Use of the Information: The collected information 
contained on the signed phytosanitary certificate by Mexico's national 
plant protection official is used to ensure that wheat imported into 
the U.S. is free of Karnal bunt. If the information is not collected, 
introduction of Karnal bunt into the United States could cause millions 
of dollars in damage to U.S. wheat crops, as well as additional 
millions of dollars to eradicate.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit; 
Individuals or households; Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 20.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 120.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Animal Welfare; Transportation of Animals on International 
Carriers.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0247.
    Summary of Collection: Under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) (U.S.C. 
2131 et seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to promulgate 
standards and other requirements governing the humane handling, care, 
treatment, and transportation of certain animals by dealers, research 
facilities, exhibitors, and carriers and intermediate handlers. The 
Secretary has delegated the responsibility for administering the AWA to 
the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS). APHIS intends to begin applying the AWA regulations and 
standards for the human transportation of animals in commerce to all 
international carriers operating within the United States, its 
territories, possessions, or the District of Columbia. APHIS believes 
that animals being transported by international carriers should be 
afforded the same protection under the AWA as if domestic carriers were 
transporting them.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information 
using APHIS forms 7001, United States Interstate and International 
Certificate of Health Examination for Small Animals and 7011, 
Application for Registration. The information collected from the forms 
is necessary for carriers and intermediate handlers to properly care 
for and deliver the animals to destination in a speedy and humane 
manner. The information is also used in documenting instances of 
violations for possible legal action and for locating facilities or 
person who are evading regulations under the law. If the information 
were not collected, full enforcement of the AWA would be limited or 
totally ineffective.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 20.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 175.

Food Safety and Inspection Service

    Title: Marking, Labeling, and Packaging of Meat, and Egg Products.
    OMB Control Number: 0583-0092.
    Summary of Collection: These statues: Federal Meat Inspection Act 
(FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601 seq.), the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) 
(21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.), and the Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA) (21 
U.S.C. 1031, et seq.) mandate that Food Safety and Inspection Service 
(FSIS) protect the public by ensuring that meat, poultry, and egg 
products are safe, wholesome,

[[Page 56989]]

unadulterated, and properly labeled and packaged. To control the 
manufacture of marking devices bearing official marks, FSIS requires 
that official meat and poultry establishments and the manufacturers of 
such marking devices complete FSIS form 5200-7, Authorization 
Certificate, and FSIS form 7234-1, Application for Approval of Labels, 
Marking or Device.
    Need and Use of the Information: FSIS will collect information to 
ensure that meat and poultry product are accurately labeled. FSIS will 
also collect the following information: Establishment number, company 
name and address, name of product, action requested of FSIS, size of 
label, product formulation, special processing procedures, and a 
signature on the form.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 7,444.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 82,348.

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

    Title: Value-Added Producer Grants.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-0039.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service 
(RBS), an agency within the USDA Rural Development mission area, will 
administer the Value-Added Producer Grants Program. The program is 
authorized by the Agriculture Risk Protection Act of 2000 (Public Law 
106-224) as amended by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 
2002 (Farm Bill) (Public Law 107-171). The objective of this program is 
to encourage producers of agricultural commodities and products of 
agricultural commodities to further refine these products increasing 
their value to end users of the product. These grants will be used for 
two purposes: (1) To fund feasibility studies, marketing and business 
plans, and similar development activities; (2) to use the grant as part 
of the venture's working capital fund. Grants will only be awarded if 
projects or ventures are determined to be economically viable and 
sustainable.
    Need and Use of the Information: RBS will use the information 
collected to determine: (1) Eligibility; (2) the specific purpose for 
which the funds will be utilized; (3) time frames or dates by which 
activities are to be accomplished; (4) feasibility of the project; (5) 
applicants' experience in managing similar activities; and (6) the 
effectiveness and innovation used to address critical issues vital to 
value-added ventures development and sustainability. Without this 
information, there would be no basis on which to award funds.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 800.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 34,040.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Weather Radio Transmitter Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0124.
    Summary of Collection: The National Weather Service operates an All 
Hazards Early Warning System that alerts people in areas covered by its 
transmissions of approaching dangerous weather and other emergencies. 
The National Weather Service can typically provide warnings of specific 
weather dangers up to fifteen minutes prior to the event. At present, 
many rural areas lack National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 
Weather Radio and Alert System (NOAA) Weather Radio coverage. The 
Weather Radio Transmitter Grant Program will provide grant funds for 
use in rural areas and communities of 50,000 or less inhabitant. The 
grant funds will be processed on a first-come basis until the 
appropriation is used in its entirety.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will use the information from 
the submission to determine the following: (1) That adequate coverage 
in the area does not already exist and that the proposed coverage will 
meet the needs of the community; (2) that design requirements are met; 
and (3) that the funds needed to complete the project are adequate 
based on the grant and the matching portion from the applicant.
    Description of Respondents: Not for-profit institutions; State, 
Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 113.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 678.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1777, Section 306C Water & Waste Disposal (WWD) Loans 
& Grants.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0109.
    Summary of Collection: Rural Utilities Service is authorized to 
make loans and grants under Section 306C of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926c). This program funds facilities 
and projects in low income rural communities whose residents face 
significant health risks. These communities do not have access to or 
are not served by adequate affordable water supply systems or waste 
disposal facilities. The loans and grants will be available to provide 
water and waste disposal facilities and services to these communities.
    Need and Use of the Information: Eligible applicants submit an 
application package and other information to Rural Development field 
offices. Applicants may use the funds in two ways: (1) To develop or 
improve community water and waste disposal systems; (2) to make loans 
or grants to individuals for extending service lines to residences, 
connecting residence plumbing to the applicant's system, or improving 
residences to use the water or waste disposal system.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; 
Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 1.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 9.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: Form RD 1940-59, Settlement Statement.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0088.
    Summary of Collection: The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act 
(RESPA), as amended, requires the disclosure of real estate settlement 
costs to real estate buyers and sellers. Disclosure of the nature and 
costs of a mortgage transaction enables the borrower to be a more 
informed customer and protects the public from unnecessarily high 
settlement charges. Failure to collect and disclose the information 
would be a violation of the RESPA. Form RD 1940-59, ``Settlement 
Statement,'' provides the buyer and the seller with a statement 
detailing the actual costs of the settlement services involved in 
certain Agency financed real estate transactions.
    Need and Use of the Information: Form RD 1940-49 is completed by 
Settlement Agents, Closing Attorneys, and Title Insurance Companies 
performing the closing of RHS loans and credit sales used to purchase 
or refinance Section 502 Housing, Rural Rental Housing, and Farm 
Laboring Housing. The same parties performing the closing of FSA Farm 
Ownership loans and credit sales complete the form. Without this 
information, the agency would be unable to determine, if RESPA 
requirements are met.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other profit.
    Number of Respondents: 14,909.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

[[Page 56990]]

    Total Burden Hours: 7,455.

Sondra Blakey,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-21352 Filed 9-22-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODES 3410-34-P, 3410-DM-P, 3410-XT-P, 3410-15-P