[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 111 (Monday, June 10, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 34635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-13682]


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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. 111 / Monday, June 10, 2013 / 
Notices  

[[Page 34635]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2013-0028]


Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection; Interstate Movement of Certain Land Tortoises

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 regulations for the interstate movement of 
certain land tortoises.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
August 9, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2013-0028-0001.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2013-0028, 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-2013-
0028 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) 799-7039 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on regulations for the 
interstate movement of certain land tortoises, contact Dr. Christa 
Speekmann, Import/Export Specialist-Aquatic Animals, National Center 
for Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 39, Riverdale 
MD 20737; (301) 851-3365. 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: Interstate Movement of Certain Land Tortoises.
    OMB Number: 0579-0156.
    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: Under the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et 
seq.), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulates 
the importation and interstate movement of certain animals and animal 
products to prevent the introduction into or dissemination within the 
United States of pests and diseases of livestock.
    The regulations in 9 CFR part 93 prohibit the importation of the 
leopard tortoise, the African spurred tortoise, and the Bell's 
hingeback tortoise to prevent the introduction and spread of exotic 
ticks known to be vectors of heartwater disease, an acute, infectious 
disease of cattle and other ruminants. The regulations in 9 CFR part 74 
prohibit the interstate movement of those tortoises that are already in 
the United States unless the tortoises are accompanied by a health 
certificate or certificate of veterinary inspection. The certificate 
must be signed by an APHIS accredited veterinarian and must state that 
the tortoises have been examined by that veterinarian and found free of 
ticks.
    Since the last extension of approval for these information 
collection activities, APHIS has refined the number of responses 
collected, resulting in a decrease of the estimated annual number of 
responses from 500 to 250. The number of responses fell because of more 
accurate estimates by APHIS of the actual number of health certificates 
requested and prepared. As a result, the estimated total annual burden 
hours has decreased from 1,000 hours to 500 hours.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of this information collection activity 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 2.0 hours per response.
    Respondents: APHIS accredited veterinarians, U.S. tortoise 
breeders, members of tortoise adoption organizations.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 50.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 5.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 250.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 500 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 5th day of June 2013.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-13682 Filed 6-7-13; 8:45 am]
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