[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 76 (Thursday, April 20, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20382-20383]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-5942]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 76 / Thursday, April 20, 2006 / 
Notices  

[[Page 20382]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2006-0048]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Tuberculosis

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 domestic tuberculosis eradication 
program.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 
19, 2006.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and, in the lower ``Search Regulations and Federal 
Actions'' box, select ``Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service'' 
from the agency drop-down menu, then click on ``Submit.'' In the Docket 
ID column, select APHIS-2006-0048 to submit or view public comments and 
to view supporting and related materials available electronically. 
After the close of the comment period, the docket can be viewed using 
the ``Advanced Search'' function in Regulations.gov.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies 
of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS-
2006-0048, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-
03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state 
that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0048.
    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: Additional information about APHIS and its 
programs is available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding the domestic 
tuberculosis eradication program, contact Dr. Michael Dutcher, Senior 
Staff Veterinarian, Ruminant Health Programs, National Center for 
Animal Health Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 43, Riverdale, 
MD 20737; (301) 734-5467. 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: Tuberculosis.
    OMB Number: 0579-0146.
    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, 
USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) participates 
in the Cooperative State-Federal Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication 
Program, which is a national program to eliminate bovine tuberculosis 
from the United States. This program is conducted under various States' 
authorities supplemented by Federal authorities regulating interstate 
movement of affected animals.
    The tuberculosis regulations, contained in 9 CFR part 77, provide 
several levels of tuberculosis risk classifications to be applied to 
States and zones within States, and classify States and zones according 
to their tuberculosis risk. The regulations restrict the interstate 
movement of cattle, bison, and captive cervids from the various classes 
of States or zones to prevent the spread of tuberculosis.
    These regulations contain information collection requirements, 
including requirements for epidemiological reviews, certificates for 
animals moved interstate, tuberculosis management plans, submission by 
States of requests to APHIS for State or zone status, and submission by 
States of an annual report to APHIS for renewal of State or zone 
status.
    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. 
We need this outside input to 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 0.30 hours per response.
    Respondents: State animal health authorities, including State 
veterinarians and designated State tuberculosis epidemiologists.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 200.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 10.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 2,000.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 600 hours. (Due to 
averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of 
the annual

[[Page 20383]]

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 14th day of April 2006.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-5942 Filed 4-19-06; 8:45 am]
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