[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 242 (Friday, December 16, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78227-78228]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32315]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2011-0108]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Emergency Management Response System

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 the Emergency Management Response System.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
February 14, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2011-0108-0001.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2011-0108, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.
    Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may 
be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2011-
0108 or in our reading room, which 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the Emergency 
Management Response System, contact Dr. Steven Finch, Senior Staff 
Veterinarian, Preparedness and Incident Coordination Staff, NCAHEM, VS, 
APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 41, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-0823. 
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: Emergency Management Response System.
    OMB Number: 0579-0071.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), 
among other things, administers regulations intended to prevent foreign 
diseases of livestock or poultry from being introduced into the United 
States, conducts surveillance for the early detection of such foreign 
animal diseases, and conducts eradication programs if such foreign 
diseases are detected.
    Through our automated Emergency Management Response System (EMRS), 
APHIS helps manage and investigate potential incidents of foreign 
animal diseases in the United States.
    When a potential foreign animal disease incident is reported, APHIS 
dispatches a foreign animal disease veterinary diagnostician to the 
site to conduct an investigation. The diagnostician obtains vital 
epidemiologic data by conducting field investigations, including sample 
collection, and by interviewing the owner or manager of the premises 
being investigated. These important data, submitted electronically by 
the diagnostician into EMRS, include such items as the number of sick 
or dead animals on the premises, the results of necropsy examinations, 
vaccination information on the animals in the flock or herd, 
biosecurity practices at the site, whether any animals were recently 
moved out of the herd or flock, whether any new animals were recently 
introduced into the herd or flock, and detailed geographic data 
concerning

[[Page 78228]]

premises location. The web-based system allows epidemiological and 
diagnostic data to be documented and transmitted more efficiently.
    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 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 1 hour per response.
    Respondents: Owners and operators of livestock and poultry 
facilities and State animal health officials.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 471.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 4.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 1,884.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 1,884 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 12th day of December 2011.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-32315 Filed 12-15-11; 8:45 am]
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