[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 41 (Thursday, March 2, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 10636]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-2809]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Notice of Request for an Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service's (NRCS) intention to request an extension and 
revision for a currently approved information collection, Long-Term 
Contracting.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by 60 days after 
publication in the Federal Register to be assured of consideration.

Additional Information Or Comments: Contact Phyllis I. Williams, Agency 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Clearance Officer, NRCS, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mail Stop 5460, 
Beltsville, Maryland 20705-5000; (301) 504-2170; 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Long-Term Contracting.
    OMB Number: 0578-0013.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2006.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
collection for which approval will expire.
    Abstract: The primary objective of NRCS is to work in partnership 
with the American people and the farming and ranching community to 
conserve and sustain our natural resources. The purpose of Long-Term 
Contracting information collection is to provide for programs to extend 
financial and technical assistance through easements and long-term 
contracts to landowners and others. These programs provide for making 
land use changes and installing conservation measures and practices to 
conserve, develop, and use the soil, water, and related natural 
resources on private lands. For cost-share programs, Federal financial 
and technical assistance is based on a conservation plan or schedule of 
operations that is made a part of an agreement, contract, or easement 
for a period of time of no less than 1 year and no greater than 10 
years. Under the terms of the agreement, the participant agrees to 
apply, or arrange to apply, the conservation treatment specified in the 
conservation plan or schedule of operations. In return for this 
agreement, Federal cost-share payments are made to the land user, or 
third party, upon successful application of the conservation treatment. 
For easement programs, NRCS purchases from participants, a conservation 
easement and provides for the easement's protection and management for 
the life of the easement.
    The information collected through this package is used by NRCS to 
ensure the proper use of program funds, including application for 
participation, easement acquisition, contract implementation, 
conservation planning, and application for payment.
    NRCS will ask for a 3-year OMB approval, with revision, within 60 
days of submitting the request.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1.42 hours or 85.2 minutes per 
response.
    Respondents: Farms, individuals, or households, or State, local, or 
tribal governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 31,920.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 22,432.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are to respond, such as through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technologic collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Phyllis 
I. Williams, Agency OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, NRCS, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mail Stop 5460, Beltsville, 
Maryland 20705-5000; (301) 504-2170; [email protected].
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public 
record.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on February 14, 2006.
Bruce I. Knight,
Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. E6-2809 Filed 3-1-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P