[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 213 (Thursday, November 4, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64267-64268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-24605]


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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. 69, No. 213 / Thursday, November 4, 2004 / 
Notices  

[[Page 64267]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

October 29, 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.

Risk Management Agency

    Title: Aquaculture Risk Management Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0563-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 
(Pub. L. 106-224) requires the Risk Management Agency (RMA) to increase 
the availability of risk management tools to underserved commodities. 
Aquaculture production in the U.S. utilizes different aquatic 
environments (warm and cold, fresh and salt water) and types of growing 
systems (pond culture, flow and net pens). Aquaculture operations are 
located in every State; however, production is concentrated in catfish, 
trout, salmon and baitfish. RMA will develop a one-time survey that 
will aid them in the development for a risk management profile of 
aquaculture producers.
    Need and Use of the Information: RMA will use the results from the 
survey to determine how a crop insurance program may be designed or 
adapted to meet the needs of aquaculture producers. The information 
collected also would provide guidance in the design of insurance 
programs. If the survey were not conducted, the development of risk 
management programs for aquaculture producers would be compromised.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households; 
Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 2,200.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (One-Time).
    Total Burden Hours: 1,247.
    Title: Grass Seed Feasibility Study.
    OMB Control Number: 0563-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 
(Pub. L. 106-224) directed the Risk Management Agency (RMA) of the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture to carry out research and development for 
purposes of increasing participation in crop insurance by producers of 
underserved agricultural commodities (section 522(c)). Because grass 
seed is one of these underserved commodities, many producers lack 
access to crop insurance. In the past, many grass seed producers have 
received disaster payments through the Noninsured Crop Disaster 
Assistance Program.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collected in this 
study will make it possible to determine the feasibility for providing 
crop insurance to producers of this crop. RMA will use this information 
to assess the frequency and severity of changes in the volume and value 
of production to determine the probability distribution of these 
severities across tree farms producing these crops. If this information 
were not collected, it would not be possible to develop an actuarial 
profile of the industry, a requirement for judging the feasibility of 
designing and implementing a crop insurance program for grass seed 
producers.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Farms; 
Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 4,889.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Other (One-Time).
    Total Burden Hours: 1,611.
    Title: Christmas Tree Crop Insurance Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0563-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 
(Pub L. 106-224) directed the Risk Management Agency (RMA) of the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture to carry out research and development for 
purposes of increasing participation in crop insurance by producers of 
underserved agricultural commodities (section 522(c)). Christmas tree 
production is one of several crops for which crop insurance is not 
available. They are grown in all 50 states on as many as 1 million 
acres. The production of Christmas trees is an intensive agriculture-
forestry enterprise that requires practices and techniques much like 
those required for any other crop.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collected in this 
study will make it possible to determine the price elections and 
premium rate levels for providing crop insurance to producers of this 
crop. RMA will use this information to assess the frequency and 
severity of changes in the volume and value of production and to 
determine the probability distribution of these severities across tree 
farms producing these crops.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Farms; 
Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 876.

[[Page 64268]]

    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (One-Time).
    Total Burden Hours: 986.

Sondra Blakey,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-24605 Filed 11-3-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-08-P