[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 210 (Monday, November 1, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63343-63344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-24309]


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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. 210 / Monday, November 1, 2004 / 
Notices  

[[Page 63343]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

October 26, 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.

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

    Title: Survey of Cooperatives on Selecting Director Candidates for 
Director Elections.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-0051.
    Summary of Collection: Section 6029 of the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-171) amended the Consolidated Farm 
and Rural Development Act (U.S.C. 2009cc) by adding Subtitle H--Rural 
Business Investment Program (RBIP). The purpose of RBIP is to promote 
economic development, create job opportunities in rural areas and to 
establish a developmental venture capital program with the mission of 
addressing unmet equity investment needs of small enterprises located 
in rural areas. In October 2003, USDA and Small Business Administration 
(SBA) signed an Economy Act Agreement authorizing SBA to provide ``the 
day to day'' management and operation of the RBIP.
    Need and Use of the Information: USDA will use the information to 
determine eligibility for licensing as a Rural Business Investment 
Company (RBIC) and evaluate whether applicants have fulfilled the 
statutory and regulatory requirements of the RBIP. If the information 
were not collected, USDA would be unable to meet its statutory 
responsibilities with respect to the licensing and oversight of RBICs.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 108.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; reporting: quarterly; 
annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 6,689.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1806-A. ``Real Property Insurance''.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0087.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) Multi-Family 
Housing (MFH) Program is administered under the provisions of the 
Housing Act of 1949 and sections 303(c), and 321 (b) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT). The Farm Service 
Agency (FSA) and MFH of the RHS currently share this regulation. The 
regulation governs the servicing of property insurance on buildings and 
land securing the interest of RHS or FSA in connection with an FSA Farm 
Loan Program or MFH loan. The information collected pertains to the 
verification of insurance on property securing Agency loans. FSA or RHS 
borrowers submit the information required to agency offices. It is 
necessary to protect the government from losses due to weather, natural 
disasters, or fire and ensure that loan applicants meet the Act's loan 
making requirements of hazard insurance.
    Need and Use of the Information: RHS MFS collects information from 
borrowers documenting that they have sufficient insurance on their 
property that would repair or replace the valuable structures on the 
property should it be damaged. This protects the Government from losses 
due to weather, natural disasters or fire. Failure to obtain this 
information may lead to increased loan losses and the failure of the 
farm business.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; farms; 
business or for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 4,550.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: on occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 2,614.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: Technical & Supervisory Assistance Grants.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0188.
    Summary of Collection: Section 525 (a) of Title V of the Housing 
Act of 1949 gives authorization to the Rural Housing Service (RHS) to 
make grants, to enter into contracts with eligible organizations, ``to 
pay part or all of the cost of developing, conducting, administering or 
coordinating comprehensive programs of technical and supervisory 
assistance which will aid needy low-income individuals and families in 
benefiting from Federal, State, and local housing programs in rural 
areas.''
    Need and Use of the Information: RHS staff in its local, State and 
National offices will collect information from applicants to determine 
eligibility for a grant, project feasibility, and to monitor 
performance after grants have been awarded. Failure to collect this 
information could result in waste and improper use of Federal funds.
    Description of Respondents: Not for profit institutions; State, 
local, or tribal government.

[[Page 63344]]

    Number of Respondents: 50.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; reporting: quarterly.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,185.

Grain Inspection, Packers & Stockyards Administration

    Title: Report and Recordkeeping Requirements.
    OMB Control Number: 0580-0013.
    Summary of Collection: The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
Administration (GIPSA) is mandated to provide, upon request, 
inspection, certification, and identification services related to 
assessing the class, quality, quantity, and condition of agricultural 
products shipped or received in interstate and foreign commerce. 
Applicants requesting GIPSA services must specify the kind and level of 
service desired, the identification of the product, the location, the 
amount, and other pertinent information in order that official 
personnel can efficiently respond to their needs.
    Need and Use of the Information: GIPSA employees use the 
information to guide them in the performance of their duties. 
Additionally, producers, elevator operators, and/or merchandisers who 
obtain official inspection, testing, and weighing services are required 
to keep records related to the grain or commodity for three years. 
Personnel who provide official inspection, testing, and weighing 
services are required to maintain records related to the lot of grain 
or related commodity for a period of five years. The information is 
used for the purpose of investigating suspected violations.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Federal 
government; State, local, or tribal government.
    Number of Respondents: 8,713.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; reporting: on occasion; 
weekly; monthly; semi-annually; annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 159,151.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Fruit and Vegetable Market New Survey: To Our Valued 
Customers.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: Section 203(g) of the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621) directs and authorizes the collection and 
dissemination of marketing information. The fruit and vegetable trade 
use the data as guides in making marketing decisions. Market News 
provides all interested segments of the market chain with timely, 
accurate information from an unbiased third party. A survey has been 
developed to improve and expand global market reporting for the fruit 
and vegetable industry.
    Need and Use of the Information: Market News reports serve as data 
sources for other government agencies for planning and policy 
development and is used by other USDA agencies, such as the Economic 
Research Service and for the National Agricultural Statistical 
Service's Crop Production reports. In addition, Federal, State and 
local governments involved in food purchase programs and institutional 
buying, uses the Market News reports. If the information is not 
collected, the market news will not adequately meet the needs of the 
fruit and vegetable industry in the specific area of international 
markets.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; farms.
    Number of Respondents: 500.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: other (as needed).
    Total Burden Hours: 25.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: 7 CFR Part 225, Summer Food Service Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0280.
    Summary of Collection: Section 13 of the National School Lunch Act, 
as amended, 42 U.S.C. 1761, authorizes the Summer Food Service Program 
(SFSP). The SFSP provides assistance to States to initiate and maintain 
nonprofit food service programs for needy children during the summer 
months and at other approved times. Under the program, a sponsor 
receives reimbursement for serving nutritious, well-balanced meals to 
eligible children at the food service sites. Information is gathered 
from State agencies and other organizations wishing to participate in 
the program to determine eligibility. FNS uses a variety of forms to 
collect information.
    Need and Use of the Information: FNS uses the information collected 
to determine an organization's eligibility and to monitor program 
performance for compliance and reimbursement purposes.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or household; not-for-
profit institutions; Federal government; State, local, or tribal 
government.
    Number of Respondents: 141,226.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; reporting: on occasion; 
weekly; quarterly; monthly.
    Total Burden Hours: 250,455.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Food Coupon Accountability Report.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0009.
    Summary of Collection: The Food Stamp Act of 1977, (the Act) 
authorizes the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), on behalf of the 
Secretary of Agriculture, to develop appropriate procedures for 
determining and monitoring the amount of food coupon inventories 
maintained by State agencies in the Food Stamp Program. Regulations for 
the Food Stamp Program require coupon issuers, bulk storage points, and 
claims collection points to report to their State agencies monthly on 
coupon inventories using the form FNS-250, Food Coupon Accountability 
Report.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collected on the 
FNS-250, shows the starting inventory as reported on the previous 
month's FNS 250, incoming shipments, returns to inventory, transfers 
in, transfer out, and credits. Monthly reporting on inventories ensures 
that coupons are available for issuance generally, ensures that the 
types of coupon books needed are on hand, and helps to keep storage and 
insurance costs down by allowing relatively low inventories.
    Description of Respondents: State, local, or tribal government.
    Number of Respondents: 118.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; reporting: monthly.
    Total Burden Hours: 4,248.

Sondra Blakey,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-24309 Filed 10-29-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02; 3410-XT; 3410-30; 3410-KD-P