[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 15, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47187-47188]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-22226]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2009-0068]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Permanent, Privately Owned Horse Quarantine Facilities

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 regulations for permanent, privately owned 
horse quarantine facilities.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
November 16, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2009-0068 to submit or view comments and 
to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send two copies of 
your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2009-0068, 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-2009-0068.
    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 
permanent, privately owned horse quarantine facilities, contact Dr. 
Ellen Buck, Staff Veterinary Medical Officer, Equine Imports, National 
Center for Import and Export, VS, 4700 River Road Unit 39, Riverdale, 
MD 20737; (301) 734-5097. For copies of more detailed information on 
the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' 
Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851-2908.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Permanent, Privately Owned Horse Quarantine Facilities.
    OMB Number: 0579-0313.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: Under the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et 
seq.), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the 
United States Department of Agriculture is authorized, among other 
things, to prohibit or restrict the importation and interstate movement 
of animals and animal products to prevent the introduction into and 
dissemination within the United States of livestock diseases and pests. 
To carry out this mission, APHIS regulates the importation of animals 
and animal products into the United States. The regulations are 
contained in title 9, parts 92 through 98, of the Code of Federal 
Regulations.
    The regulations in 9 CFR part 93 require, among other things, that 
certain animals, as a condition of entry, be quarantined upon arrival 
in the United States. APHIS operates animal quarantine facilities and 
also authorizes the use of quarantine facilities that are privately 
owned and operated for certain animal importations.
    The regulations in subpart C of part 93 pertain to the importation 
of horses and include requirements for privately owned quarantine 
facilities for horses. These requirements entail certain information 
collection activities, including environmental certification, 
application for facility approval, service agreements, requests to 
APHIS concerning withdrawal of approval, notification to APHIS of 
facility closure, compliance agreements, security procedures, alarm 
notification, lists of personnel, signed statements, daily logs, and 
requests for variance.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to

[[Page 47188]]

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 0.75 hours per response.
    Respondents: Applicants who apply for facility approval; owners/
operators of permanent, privately owned horse quarantine facilities; 
facility employees; authorities who issue environmental certifications; 
employees of security companies.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 11.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 2.5454.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 28.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 21 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 4th day of September 2009.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E9-22226 Filed 9-14-09; 8:45 am]
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