[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 80 (Thursday, April 25, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 24380]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09740]


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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. 78, No. 80 / Thursday, April 25, 2013 / 
Notices  

[[Page 24380]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-LPS-13-0020]


National Sheep Industry Improvement Center: Notice of Request for 
Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

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 Agricultural Marketing 
Service's (AMS) intention to request approval, from the Office of 
Management and Budget, for an extension of and revision to the 
currently approved information collection 0581-0263: National Sheep 
Industry Improvement Center (NSIIC).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 24, 2013 to be 
assured of consideration.
    Additional Information or Comments: Comments should be posted 
online at www.regulations.gov. Comments received will be posted without 
change, including any personal information provided. All comments 
should reference the docket number, AMS-LS-13-0020; the date of 
submission; and the page number of this issue of the Federal Register. 
Comments may also be sent to Kenneth R. Payne, Director; Research and 
Promotion Division; Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program; Agricultural 
Marketing Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence 
Ave. SW., Room 2608-S, STOP 0251, Washington, DC 20250; Telephone 202/
720-1115; Fax: 202/720-1125. Comments will be made available for public 
inspection at the above address during regular business hours or via 
the Internet at www.regulations.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: National Sheep Industry Improvement Center.
    OMB Number: 0581-0263.
    Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 2013.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The information collection requirements in this request 
are essential to carry out the intent of the NSIIC. The NSIIC was 
initially authorized under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (Act). The Act, as amended, was passed as part of the 1996 Farm 
Bill (Pub. L. 104-127, 110 Stat. 888). The initial legislation included 
a provision that privatized the NSIIC 10 years after its ratification 
or once the full appropriation of $50 million was disbursed. 
Subsequently, the NSIIC was privatized on September 30, 2006, and the 
NSIIC's office was closed in early 2007.
    In 2008, the NSIIC was re-established under Title XI of the Food, 
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-246), also known as 
the 2008 Farm Bill. The 2008 Farm Bill repealed the requirement in 
section 375(e)(6) of the Act to privatize the NSIIC. Additionally, the 
2008 Farm Bill provided for $1,000,000 in mandatory funding for fiscal 
year 2008 from the Commodity Credit Corporation for the NSIIC to remain 
available until expended; as well as authorization for appropriations 
in the amount of $10 million for each of fiscal years 2008 through 
2012.
    The primary objective of the NSIIC is to assist U.S. sheep and goat 
industries by strengthening and enhancing the production and marketing 
of sheep, goats, and their products in the United States. The 
information collection requirements in the request are essential to 
carry out the intent of the enabling legislation.
    AMS accepts nominations for membership on the NSIIC Board of 
Directors (Board) from national organizations that (1) consist 
primarily of active sheep or goat producers in the United States and 
(2) have the primary interest of sheep or goat production in the United 
States.
    The forms used in this collection are: Nominations for 
Appointments; AD-755 Background Information Form (OMB No. 0505-0001); 
and Nominee's Agreement to Serve.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.21 hour per response.
    Respondents: National organizations submitting nominations to the 
Board who (1) consist primarily of active sheep or goat producers in 
the United States and (2) have the primary interest of sheep or goat 
production in the United States.
    Estimated number of Respondents: 10.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 30.
    Estimated number of Responses per Respondent: 1 per year.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 6.25 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 Kenneth R. Payne, 
Director; Research and Promotion Division. 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.

    Dated: April 19, 2013.
Rex A. Barnes,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-09740 Filed 4-24-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P