[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 194 (Tuesday, October 10, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46954-46956]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-21735]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-SC-17-0060; SC17-929-1]


Cranberries Grown in States of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, 
Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, 
Washington, and Long Island in the State of New York; Request for 
Approval of a New 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, this 
notice announces the Agency's intent to request emergency approval from 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a new information 
collection for cranberry handlers, where applicable, to provide prior 
affirmative consent authorizing five forms needed to implement and 
facilitate compliance with a handler withhold volume regulation for the 
2017-18 season under the marketing order for cranberries grown in the 
states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, 
Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in 
the State of New York.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 11, 2017. Pursuant to the 
Paperwork Reduction Act, comments on the information collection burden 
that would result from this notice must be received by December 11, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments concerning 
this notice by using the electronic process available at 
www.regulations.gov. Written comments may also be submitted to the 
Docket Clerk, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops 
Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0237, 
Washington, DC 20250-0237; Fax: (202) 720-8938. All comments should 
reference the document number and the date and page number of this 
issue of the Federal Register and will be made available for public 
inspection in the Office of the Docket Clerk during regular business 
hours, or can be viewed at: http://www.regulations.gov. All comments 
submitted in response to this notice will be included in the record and 
will be made available to the public. Please be advised that the 
identity of the individuals or entities submitting the comments will be 
made public on the Internet at the address provided above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doris Jamieson, Marketing Specialist, 
or Christian D. Nissen, Regional Director, Southeast Marketing Field 
Office, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops 
Program, AMS, USDA; Telephone: (863) 324-3375, Fax: (863) 291-8614, or 
Email: [email protected] or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Overview of This Information Collection

    Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
    Title: Cranberries grown in States of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, 
Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, 
Washington, and Long Island in the State of New York; Marketing Order 
No. 929.
    OMB Number: 0581-NEW.
    Type of Request: New Information Collection.
    Abstract: The information requirements in this request are 
essential to carry out the intent of the Agricultural Marketing 
Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), hereinafter 
referred to as the ``Act'', to provide the respondents the type of 
service they request, and to administer the cranberry marketing order 
program. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is 
responsible for overseeing Marketing Agreement and Order No. 929, as 
amended (7 CFR part 929), regulating the handling of cranberries grown 
in the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, 
Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in 
the State of New York, hereinafter referred to as the ``order.'' The 
order is effective under the Act.
    On August 31, 2017, the Cranberry Marketing Committee (Committee) 
recommended establishing a handler withhold volume regulation for the 
2017-18 season in response to historically high inventory levels for 
cranberries. Following the recommendation for the handler withhold, the 
Committee developed the forms necessary to effectively carry out the 
handler withhold. Given that the industry has begun harvesting the 
2017-18 crop, these forms need to be effective immediately.
    On September 15, 2017, the Committee unanimously recommended that 
cranberry handlers covered under the order provide the Committee with a 
report indicating the anticipated total quantity of cranberries 
acquired by the handler, the amount withheld from handling, and the 
disposition of such

[[Page 46955]]

withheld cranberries during the crop year. This form, titled ``Handler 
Withholding Report,'' will be submitted directly to the Committee by 
handlers by June 1, 2018. This report will give the Committee 
background data on how each handler plans to meet the requirements of 
the handler withhold volume regulation.
    The Committee also recommended that handlers covered under the 
order submit a report certifying whenever a disposal of withheld 
cranberries is made. This report will contain information regarding the 
volume, the form of disposed cranberries, and information on the 
container type. This form, titled ``Handler Disposal Certification,'' 
will be submitted directly to the Committee by handlers following each 
disposal activity. This information collection provides the Committee 
with data regarding the amount of cranberries diverted and the 
information needed to help track handler compliance with the 
recommended handler withhold.
    The Committee also recommended that handlers provide the Committee 
with a record of withheld cranberries disposed of in non-commercial 
outlets. This form, titled ``Handler Application for Outlets for 
Withheld Fruit,'' will be submitted directly to the Committee by 
handlers to provide information regarding the type, form, and volume of 
cranberries disposed of in noncompetitive outlets. Handlers will submit 
this form prior to each disposal activity of this type to provide the 
Committee with the opportunity to review and approve the requested 
outlet. This information collection provides the Committee with 
information on the noncompetitive outlets used to meet the requirements 
for withheld cranberries, and is necessary for the Committee to track 
compliance with the recommended handler withhold.
    The Committee also recommended that handlers submit a report 
confirming the third-party receipt of withheld fruit. This form, titled 
``Third-Party Confirmation of Receipt of Withheld Fruit,'' will include 
certification by outlets receiving withheld cranberries for use in a 
noncompetitive outlet. This form needs to be filed after each shipment 
of withheld fruit received by noncompetitive outlets, such as 
charities. This report contains information on the type, form, and 
volume of withheld fruit received. This reporting requirement helps 
track the disposition of withheld cranberries and facilitates 
compliance with the recommended handler withhold.
    The Committee also recommended establishing a form for handlers to 
use to appeal any denial of a request made for disposing of cranberries 
in a noncompetitive outlet. This form, titled ``Handler Withholding 
Appeal,'' will need to be submitted by the handler making the appeal 
within 30 days of the denial. This form will include information on why 
the handler is making the appeal and what additional information is 
being provided.
    The order authorizes the Committee to collect certain information 
as required. The information collected will only be used by authorized 
representatives of the USDA, including the AMS Specialty Crops Program 
regional and headquarters staff, and authorized employees of the 
Committee. All proprietary information will be kept confidential in 
accordance with the Act and the order.
    The Committee developed these forms to effectively carry out a 
handler withhold volume regulation for the 2017-18 season. The purpose 
of these forms will be to ensure compliance with the recommended 
handler withhold.
    Upon OMB approval of the new forms and the information collection 
package, AMS will request OMB approval to merge the new forms and this 
information collection in the currently approved information collection 
OMB control number 0581-0189, Fruit Crops.
    The new information collection under the order is as follows:

Handler Withholding Report (CMC-JUN)

    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to be an average of 0.08 hours per response.
    Respondents: Handlers of cranberries grown in the states of 
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, 
Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the State 
of New York.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 10.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 0.8 hours.

Handler Disposal Certification (CMC-DISP)

    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to be an average of 0.17 hours per response.
    Respondents: Handlers of cranberries grown in the states of 
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, 
Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the State 
of New York.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 10.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 12.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 20.4 hours.

Handler Application for Outlets for Withheld Fruit (CMC-OUT)

    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to be an average of 0.08 hours per response.
    Respondents: Handlers of cranberries grown in the states of 
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, 
Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the State 
of New York.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 10.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 12.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 9.6 hours.

Third-Party Confirmation of Receipt of Withheld Fruit (CMC-CONF)

    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to be an average of 0.05 hours per response.
    Respondents: Handlers of cranberries grown in the states of 
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, 
Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the State 
of New York.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 10.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 12.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 6 hours.

Handler Withholding Appeal (CMC-APPL)

    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to be an average of 0.08 hours per response.
    Respondents: Handlers of cranberries grown in the states of 
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, 
Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the State 
of New York.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 0.8 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

[[Page 46956]]

have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of 
the burden of the 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.

    Dated: October 4, 2017.
Bruce Summers,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-21735 Filed 10-6-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-02-P