[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 210 (Monday, November 1, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63346-63347]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E4-2948]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. 04-110-1]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment 
request.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's 
intention to request an extension of approval of an information 
collection associated with the payment of indemnity for the voluntary 
depopulation of captive cervid herds known to be affected with chronic 
wasting disease.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
January 3, 2005.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
    EDOCKET: Go to http://www.epa.gov/feddocket to submit or view 
public

[[Page 63347]]

comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official 
public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that 
are available electronically. Once you have entered EDOCKET, click on 
the ``View Open APHIS Dockets'' link to locate this document.
    Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies of your 
comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. 04-110-1, 
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 
River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your 
comment refers to Docket No. 04-110-1.
    E-mail: Address your comment to [email protected]. Your 
comment must be contained in the body of your message; do not send 
attached files. Please include your name and address in your message 
and ``Docket No. 04-110-1'' on the subject line.
    Agency Web site: Go to http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/cominst.html for a form you can use to submit an e-mail comment through 
the APHIS Web site.
    Reading Room: You may read any comments that we receive on this 
docket in our reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of 
the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to 
help you, please call (202) 690-2817 before coming.
    Other Information: You may view APHIS documents published in the 
Federal Register and related information, including the names of groups 
and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, on the Internet at 
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the payment of 
indemnity for chronic wasting disease, contact Dr. Dean Goeldner, 
Senior Staff Veterinarian, Eradication and Surveillance Team, National 
Center for Animal Health Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 43, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-4916. For copies of more detailed 
information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste 
Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-7477.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Chronic Wasting Disease in Cervids; Payment of Indemnity.
    OMB Number: 0579-0189.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is 
responsible for, among other things, preventing the interstate spread 
of pests and diseases of livestock within the United States and for 
conducting eradication programs. In connection with this mission, the 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service established regulations to 
provide for the payment of indemnity by USDA for the voluntary 
depopulation of captive cervid herds known to be affected with chronic 
wasting disease (CWD).
    CWD is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy of cervids (elk, 
deer, and other members of the deer family) and is typified by chronic 
weight loss leading to death. The presence of CWD in cervids causes 
significant economic and market losses to U.S. producers.
    The regulations in 9 CFR part 55 authorize the payment of indemnity 
for the voluntary depopulation of CWD-positive, -exposed, or -suspect 
captive cervids. In order to take part in the indemnity program, cervid 
producers must apply for participation, must sign a payment, appraisal, 
and agreement form, and must certify as to whether any other parties 
hold mortgages on the herd. These requirements involve the use of two 
information collection instruments: an Appraisal/Indemnity Claim Form 
(VS Form 1-23) and a Herd Plan Agreement.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of these information collection activities for an additional 3 
years.
    The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public 
(as well as affected agencies) concerning this information collection. 
These comments will help us:
    (1) Evaluate 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;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the 
information collection, including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of the information collection on those who 
are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, electronic, 
mechanical, and other collection technologies, e.g., permitting 
electronic submission of responses.
    Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response.
    Respondents: Cervid herd owners, State personnel who perform 
appraisal work.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 20.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 20.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 20 hours. (Due to 
averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of 
the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per 
response.)
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 27th day of October 2004.
Elizabeth E. Gaston,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E4-2948 Filed 10-29-04; 8:45 am]
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