[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 8, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44484-44485]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15418]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2007-0078]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Update of Nursery Stock Regulations

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 our regulations that govern the importation 
of nursery stock (plants and plant parts and products for propagation) 
into the United States.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
October 9, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov, select ``Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service'' from the agency drop-down menu, then click ``Submit.'' In the 
Docket ID column, select APHIS-2007-0078 to submit or view public 
comments and to view supporting and related materials available 
electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov, including 
instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing 
the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through 
the site's ``User Tips'' link.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies 
of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS-
2007-0078, 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-2007-0078.
    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 nursery 
stock regulations, contact Ms. Vanessa P. Schreier, Assistant Director 
of Preclearance Programs, Quarantine Policy, Analysis and Support, PPQ, 
APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 60, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-8259. 
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: Update of Nursery Stock Regulations.
    OMB Number: 0579-0190.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Plant Protection Act (PPA, 7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) 
authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to restrict the importation, 
entry, or interstate movement of plants, plant products, and other 
articles to prevent the introduction of plant pests into the United 
States or their dissemination within the United States. Regulations 
authorized by the PPA concerning the importation of nursery stock, 
plants, roots, bulbs, seeds and other plant products are contained in 
``Subpart-Nursery Stock, Plants, Roots, Bulbs, Seeds, and Other Plant 
Products'' (7 CFR 319.37 through 319.37-14).
    Under the regulations, individuals who are involved in growing, 
exporting, and importing nursery stock must provide information to the 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service about the commodities they 
wish to bring into the United States. This information serves as the 
supporting documentation needed to issue required forms and documents, 
and is vital to help ensure that plant pests are not introduced into 
the United States.
    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 our information collection. 
These comments will 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 
collection of information, 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 collection of information 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 0.5 hour per response.
    Respondents: Importers of nursery stock; foreign government 
officials.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 30.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 5.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 150.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 75 hours. (Due to 
averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of 
the annual 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.


[[Page 44485]]


    Done in Washington, DC, this 2nd day of August 2007.
W. Ron DeHaven,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E7-15418 Filed 8-7-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P