[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 61 (Thursday, March 31, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16480-16481]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-6361]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection: United States Warehouse Act

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Farm Service Agency's (FSA) intention to request 
an extension from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an 
information collection process currently in effect with respect to 
regulations, licensing and electronic provider agreements issued under 
the United States Warehouse Act (USWA).

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 31, 2005 to be 
assured consideration. Comments may be submitted by mail, fax, e-mail 
or Internet to the applicable address below.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to Roger Hinkle, USWA Program 
Manager, Warehouse and Inventory Division, Farm Service Agency (FSA), 
United States Department of Agriculture, STOP 0553, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0553, telephone (202) 720-7433, FAX 
(202) 690-1323, e-mail address, [email protected]. Persons with 
disabilities who require alternative means for communication of 
regulatory information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should 
contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger Hinkle, (202) 720-8433 or e-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: United States Warehouse Act.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0120.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2005.
    Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Information 
Collection
    Abstract: The USWA authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to 
license public warehouse operators that are in the business of storing 
agricultural products; to examine such federally-licensed warehouses; 
and to license qualified persons to sample, inspect, weigh, and grade 
agricultural products. USDA is also authorized to issue regulations 
which govern the establishment and maintenance of electronic systems 
under which electronic documents including title documents related to 
the shipment, payment and financing may be issued or transferred for 
any agricultural product. The USWA licenses over 50 percent of all 
commercial grain and cotton warehouse capacities in the United States.
    The information collected under OMB Number 0560-0120, as identified 
above, allows FSA to effectively administer the regulations, licensing 
and electronic provider agreements and related reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements under the USWA. USWA activities are 
administered by the FSA and also encompass examination of warehouses 
operated under the Standards for Approval of Warehouses Under the 
Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act. Although there are 
several types of warehouses covered by USWA and CCC functions, the 
reporting requirements for a particular type of warehouse are 
essentially the same. With some exceptions, the same forms are used for 
both USWA licensing and CCC purposes. These forms are furnished to 
interested warehouse operators or used by warehouse examiners employed 
by FSA to secure and record information about the warehouse operator 
and the warehouse. The general purpose of the forms are identical, 
i.e., to provide those charged with issuing licenses under the USWA or 
executing contracts for CCC with a basis to determine whether the 
warehouse and the warehouse operator meet application standards to 
receive a license or contract, and to determine compliance once the 
license is issued or the contract approved.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this information 
collection is estimated to average 0.41 hours per response.
    Respondents: Warehouse operators and electronic providers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses Per Respondent: 1 or on occasion.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 25,613.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 10,516 Hours.
    Comments are invited on these requirements including: (a) Whether 
the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the 
information will have

[[Page 16481]]

practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the collection of information including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information technology; or (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the information collection on those who are to 
respond (such as through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques) or other 
forms of information technology; e.g., permitting electronic submission 
response. The information collection package may be obtained from Roger 
Hinkle, at the address listed below. Comments should be sent to the 
Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, OMB, Washington, DC 20503, and to Roger Hinkle, USWA Program 
Manager, Warehouse and Inventory Division, FSA, USDA, STOP 0553, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0553.
    Comments received in response to this notice will be made a matter 
of public record. Comments will be summarized and included in the 
submission for approval by OMB.

    Signed in Washington, DC on March 25, 2005.
Thomas B. Hofeller,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 05-6361 Filed 3-30-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P