[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 195 (Wednesday, October 10, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57513-57514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-19883]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2007-0093]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Chronic Wasting Disease in Cervids; Payment of Indemnity

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

[[Page 57514]]


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 regulations for the payment of indemnity for 
the voluntary depopulation of captive cervid herds known to be affected 
with chronic wasting disease.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
December 10, 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-2007-0093 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-
2007-0093, 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-2007-0093.
    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 on regulations for the 
payment of indemnity for the voluntary depopulation of captive cervid 
herds known to be affected with chronic wasting disease, contact Dr. 
Dean Goeldner, Chronic Wasting Disease Program Manager, Ruminant Health 
Programs, NCAHP, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 43, Riverdale, MD 
20737; (301) 734-4916. 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: Chronic Wasting Disease in Cervids; Payment of Indemnity.
    OMB Number: 0579-0189.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of 
the U.S. Department of Agriculture regulates the importation and 
interstate movement of animals and animal products, and conducts 
various other activities to protect the health of our Nation's 
livestock and poultry.
    In connection with this mission, APHIS established regulations to 
provide for the payment of indemnity by USDA for the voluntary 
depopulation of captive cervid herds known to be affected with chronic 
wasting disease (CWD).
    CWD is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy of cervids (elk, 
deer, and other members of the deer family) and is typified by chronic 
weight loss leading to death. The presence of CWD in cervids causes 
significant economic and market losses to U.S. producers.
    The regulations in 9 CFR part 55 authorize the payment of indemnity 
for the voluntary depopulation of CWD-positive, -exposed, or -suspect 
captive cervids. In order to take part in the indemnity program, cervid 
producers must apply for participation, must sign a payment, appraisal, 
and agreement form, and must certify as to whether any other parties 
hold mortgages on the herd. These requirements involve the use of two 
information collection instruments: An Appraisal/Indemnity Claim Form 
(VS Form 1-23) and a Herd Plan Agreement.
    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. 
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 
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 1 hour per response.
    Respondents: Cervid herd owners; State personnel who perform 
appraisal and herd plan work.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 10.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 10.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 10 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.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 3rd day of October 2007.
Cindy J. Smith,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-19883 Filed 10-9-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P