[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 15, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 66272]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-29728]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 15, 2009 / 
Notices  

[[Page 66272]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

December 9, 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.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

    Title: Plant Protection and Quarantine; Official Control Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: Under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 
7701-7772), the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to prohibit or 
restrict the importation, entry, or movement of plants and plant pests 
to prevent the introduction of plant pests into the United States or 
their dissemination within the United States. The Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine 
(PPQ) program has established the following procedures for State to 
petition the Agency to recognize State-level plant pest regulations and 
associated action taken as meeting the international criteria for 
Official Control. The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) 
defines ``Official Control'' as the active enforcement of mandatory 
phytosanitary regulations and the application of mandatory 
phytosanitary procedures with the objective of eradication or 
containment of quarantine pests or for the management of regulated non-
quarantine pests.
    Need and Use of the Information: To obtain a program's designation 
as an Official Control Program, States must petition APHIS-PPA to 
recognize their established or proposed programs to eradicate or 
contain a regulated plant pest. The State should provide the following 
supporting information and documentation for Quarantine Pests of 
Concern: (1) Evidence the pest does not exist in the State; (2) 
Evidence that the pest could become established or widespread in the 
State; (3) Evidence that the pest could cause economic and/or 
environmental harm in the State; (4) A description of the State actions 
used to maintain and monitor for pest freedom upon eradication; and (5) 
A copy of the State or local quarantine regulations that provide 
enforcement of the appropriate programs. The State should provide the 
following supporting information and documentation for Regulated Non-
Quarantine Pests: (1) Evidence that a particular pest could cause 
significant harm to plant for planting if the pest was not managed 
through a certification program; (2) Evidence the State has regulatory 
authority and a program established to manage the levels of the pest in 
plants for planting that are the hosts for the pest; and (3) A 
description of State actions to manage the level and or producers' 
management of pests in the plants for planting where the pest is 
maintained below a level that can affect production, health, or 
marketability of plants for planting. Without the information, APHIS 
would be less effective in establishing procedures that are used to 
contain regulated plant pests within the United States.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 53.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 106,000.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-29728 Filed 12-14-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P