[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 232 (Friday, December 4, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63716-63717]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-28964]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

December 1, 2009.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) 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; (b) the accuracy 
of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 
other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [email protected] or 
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these 
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if 
received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the 
submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8958.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP).
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0263.
    Summary of Collection: The Farm Service Agency (FSA) in 
Conservation and Environment Programs Division has

[[Page 63717]]

been tasked with implementing the Biomass Crop Assistance Program 
(BCAP) authorized by section 9001 of the 2008 Farm Bill (Pub. L. 220-
246), which amends Title IX of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
Act of 2002 and adds section 9011 for BCAP. On May 5, 2009, the 
President issued a Presidential Directive to the Secretary of 
Agriculture to aggressively accelerate the investment in and production 
of biofuels. The Presidential Directive requests that the Secretary of 
Agriculture take steps to the extent permitted by law to expedite and 
increase production of and investment in biofuel development efforts by 
making renewable energy financing opportunities and including guidance 
and support for the collection, harvest, storage, and transportation 
(CHST) assistance of eligible materials for use in biomass conversion 
facilities.
    Need and Use of the Information: Information collected will be 
collected using forms AD-245 and AD-247. The collected information from 
eligible biomass owners and biomass conversion facilities meeting the 
requirements for CHST qualification is necessary in order to ensure the 
financial accountability needed to operate and administer the BCAP. The 
information will be used to produce reports, as needed by FSA to inform 
the public how FSA has administered CHST funds at the State and country 
levels and to establish a list of CHST qualified biomass conversion 
facilities.
    Description of Respondents: Farm; Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 5,600.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 38,700.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-28964 Filed 12-3-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P