[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 58 (Monday, March 27, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 15158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4423]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


Information Collection: Highly Erodible Land Conservation and 
Wetland Conservation

AGENCIES: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Farm Service Agency's (FSA) is seeking comments from all interested 
individuals and organizations on the extension with revision of a 
currently approved information collection associated with Highly 
Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation certification 
requirements. This information is collected in support of the 
conservation provisions of Title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985, 
as amended by the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 
1990, the Federal Agriculture, Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, and 
the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (the Statute).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before May 26, 
2006 to be assured consideration.
    Additional Information or Comments: Comments concerning this notice 
should be addressed to Jan Jamrog, Program Manager, Production, 
Emergencies, and Compliance Division, Farm Service Agency, United 
States Department of Agriculture, STOP 0517, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20250-0517, (202) 690-0926, facsimile (202) 720-
4941. Comments should also be sent to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, Washington, DC 20503. Copies of the information collection may 
be requested by writing to Jan Jamrog at the above address. Comments 
may be also submitted by e-mail to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Highly Erodible land Conservation and Wetland Conservation 
Certification.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0185.
    Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 2006.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The collection of this information is necessary to 
determine payment eligibility of individuals and entities for various 
programs administered by the USDA including the Conservation Programs, 
Price Support Programs, Direct and Counter Cyclical Program, Noninsured 
Assistance Program, Disaster Programs and Farm Loan Programs. 
Regulations governing those requirements under Title XII of the Food 
Security Act of 1985, as amended by the Food, Agriculture, Conservation 
and Trade Act of 1990, the Federal Agriculture, Improvement and Reform 
Act of 1996, and the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 
relating to highly erodible lands and wetlands are codified in 7 CFR 
part 12. In order to ensure that persons who request program benefits 
subject to conservation restrictions obtain the necessary technical 
assistance and are informed regarding the compliance requirements on 
their land, information is collected with regard to their intended 
activities on their land which could affect their eligibility for 
requested USDA benefits. Producers are required to certify that they 
will comply with the conservation requirements on their land to 
maintain their eligibility for certain programs. Persons may request 
that certain activities be exempt according to provisions of the 
Statute. Information is collected from those who seek these exemptions 
for the purpose of evaluating whether the exempted conditions will be 
met. Forms AD-1026, AD-1026B, AD-1026-C, AD-1026D, AD-1068, AD-1069, 
CCC-21, and FSA-492 are being used for making determinations in this 
information collection. The forms are not required to be completed on 
an annual basis.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .16 hours (10 minutes) per 
response.
    Respondents: Individuals and entities.
    Estimated Number Respondents: 262,175.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 43,696.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the collection information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) 
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of the 
information on those who are to respond, including the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    All comments to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on March 21, 2006.
Teresa C. Lasseter,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
 [FR Doc. E6-4423 Filed 3-24-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P