[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 224 (Monday, November 22, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 71067]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-29132]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 224 / Monday, November 22, 2010 / 
Notices  

[[Page 71067]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights


Notice of Request for Reinstatement of a Previously Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary 
for Civil Rights.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the United States Department 
of Agriculture (USDA) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil 
Rights' (OASCR) intention to seek reinstatement of a previously 
approved information collection. The OASCR will use the information 
collected to process respondents' discrimination complaints about 
programs conducted or assisted by USDA.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 21, 2011 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS:  Contact David King, Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250, (202) 720-8106 
(voice), (202) 619-6853 (fax), [email protected] (e-mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form.
    OMB Number: 0508-0002.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from approval date.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement of a previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: Under 7 CFR 15.6, ``Any person who believes himself/
herself or any specific class of individuals to be subjected to 
discrimination [in any USDA assisted program or activity] * * * may by 
himself/herself or by an authorized representative file * * * a written 
complaint.'' Under CFR 15d.4, ``Any person who believes that he or she 
(or any specific class of individuals) has been, or is being, subjected 
to [discrimination in any USDA conducted program or activity] * * * may 
file on his or her own, or through an authorized representative, a 
written complaint alleging such discrimination.'' The collection of 
this information is an avenue by which the individual or his 
representative may file such a program discrimination complaint.
    The requested information, which can be submitted by filling out a 
form or by submitting a letter, is necessary in order for USDA OASCR to 
address the alleged discriminatory action. The respondent is asked to 
state his/her name, mailing address, property address (if different 
from mailing address), telephone number, e-mail address (if any) and to 
provide a name and contact information for the respondent's 
representative (if any). A brief description of who was involved with 
the alleged discriminatory action, what occurred and when, is 
requested. In the event that the respondent is filing the program 
discrimination complaint more than 180 days after the alleged 
discrimination occurred, the respondent is asked to provide the reason 
for the delay. Finally, the respondent is asked to identify which bases 
are alleged to have motivated the discriminatory action (of those bases 
prohibited under either 7 CFR 15d.2: Race, color, national origin, age, 
sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation, marital or familial 
status, or because all or part of the individual's income is derived 
from any public assistance program; or under nondiscrimination 
regulations applying to recipients of Federal financial assistance from 
USDA: Race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion or 
political beliefs). (Not all bases apply to all programs.)
    The program discrimination complaint filing information, which is 
voluntarily provided by the respondent, will be used by the staff of 
USDA OASCR to intake, investigate, and adjudicate the respondent's 
complaint. The program discrimination complaint form will enable OASCR 
to better collect information from complainants in a timely manner, 
therefore reducing delays and errors in determining USDA jurisdiction.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information will vary based on the complexity of the complaint, but is 
estimated to average 1 hour per response.
    Type of Respondents: Mostly individuals who seek assistance from 
USDA or from programs that receive financial assistance from USDA, such 
as agricultural producers, applicants for Supplemental Nutrition 
Assistance Program benefits, and multi-family housing tenants, but also 
including some businesses and not-for profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 1,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,000 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology. Comments may be sent to David King, Office 
of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250 or to 
[email protected]. All comments received will be available for 
public inspection during regular business hours at the same address.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public 
record.

Joe Leonard, Jr.,
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.
[FR Doc. 2010-29132 Filed 11-19-10; 8:45 am]
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