[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 198 (Friday, October 13, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60469-60470]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-16940]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Rural Business-Cooperative Service's (RBS) 
intention to request an extension for a currently approved information 
collection in support of the program for the National Sheep Industry 
Improvement Center (NSIIC) authorized in 7 U.S.C. 2008j.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 12, 2006 to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jay B. Wilson, Executive Director, 
National Sheep Industry Improvement Center, P.O. Box 23483, Washington, 
DC 20026-3483, Telephone (202) 690-0632 or by e-mail to: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: National Sheep Industry Improvement Center.
    OMB Number: 0570-0048.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2007.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The National Sheep Industry Improvement Center (NSIIC) is 
authorized by 7 U.S.C. 2008j as a flexible and innovative approach for 
the sheep and goat industries for infrastructure development, business 
development, production, resource development, and market and 
environmental research. The management of NSIIC is vested in a Board of 
Directors (Board), appointed by, and reports to the Secretary of 
Agriculture. The Board is authorized in 7 U.S.C. 2008j(e)(3)(A) to make 
grants, and the grant process is further addressed in the National 
Sheep Center 2006 Strategic Plan which has been approved by the 
Secretary of Agriculture. The Board proposes to make competitive grant 
funds available in fiscal year 2007 to address the needs and priorities 
of the sheep and goat industries.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 8 hours or less per response.
    Respondents: Grant Applicants.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 45.

[[Page 60470]]

    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 45
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 387 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Cheryl 
Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-
0043.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
NSIIC, including whether the information will have practical utility; 
(b) the accuracy of NSIIC's estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (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 
forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Cheryl 
Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Support Services 
Division, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP 0742, 
Washington, DC 20250-0742. 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.

    Dated: October 5, 2006.
Jackie J. Gleason,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-16940 Filed 10-12-06; 8:45 am]
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