[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 106 (Thursday, June 2, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35294-35295]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13019]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-LPS-16-0035]


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection for the National Sheep Industry Improvement 
Center

AGENCY:  Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION:  Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 (OMB) for an extension of a currently approved 
information collection 0581-0263: National Sheep Industry Improvement 
Center (NSIIC).

DATES:  Comments must be received by August 1, 2016.
    Additional Information or Comments: Interested persons are invited 
to submit comments concerning this information collection document. 
Comments should be submitted online at www.regulations.gov. Comments 
received will be posted without change, including any personal 
information provided. All comments should reference docket number AMS-
LPS-16-0035 and note the date of submission and the page number of this 
issue in the Federal Register. Comments may also be sent to Kenneth R. 
Payne, Director, Research and Promotion Division, Livestock, Poultry, 
and Seed Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 2610-S, 
STOP 0249, Washington, DC 20250-0249; or by telephone (202) 720-5705 or 
fax: (202) 720-1125. Comments will be made available for public 
inspection at the above address during regular business hours or via 
the Web site at www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Kenneth R. Payne, Research and 
Promotion Division, Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, AMS, USDA; 
1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 2610-S, STOP 0249, Washington, DC 
20250-0249; or by telephone to (202) 720-5705 or fax to (202) 720-1125.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: National Sheep Industry Improvement Center.
    OMB Number: 0581-0263.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 2016.
    Type of Request: Extension 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), whose primary objective was to assist the U.S. sheep 
industry by strengthening and enhancing the production and marketing of 
sheep 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. 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

[[Page 35295]]

repealed the requirement in section 375(e)(6) of the Act to privatize 
the NSIIC. Additionally, the 2008 Farm Bill provided for $1 million in 
mandatory funding for fiscal year 2008 from the Commodity Credit 
Corporation for the NSIIC to remain available until expended. NSIIC has 
expended the $1 million authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill.
    On October 7, 2014, as provided under the Agricultural Act of 2014 
(Pub. L. 113-79), also known as the 2014 Farm Bill, NSIIC was awarded 
$1.475 million under the Sheep Production and Marketing Grant Program.
    Currently, NSIIC awards funds annually to organizations designed to 
strengthen and enhance the production and marketing of sheep and sheep 
products in the United States including the improvement of 
infrastructure business, resource development, and the development of 
innovative approaches to solve long-term needs.
    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 Number of Responses per Respondent: 1 per year per form.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 30.
    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.
    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: May 27, 2016.
Elanor Starmer,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-13019 Filed 6-1-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-02-P