[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 129 (Thursday, July 7, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 40483]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-14467]


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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. 87, No. 129 / Thursday, July 7, 2022 / 
Notices  

[[Page 40483]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2022-0041]


Notice of Request for an 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 the regulations for the interstate movement 
of certain land tortoises.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
September 6, 2022.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov. 
Enter APHIS-2022-0041 in the Search field. Select the Documents tab, 
then select the Comment button in the list of documents.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2022-0041, 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 regulations.gov or in our reading room, which is located 
in Room 1620 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 the land tortoises 
program, contact Dr. Alexandra MacKenzie, Senior Veterinary Medical 
Officer, Live Animal Imports, Strategy & Policy, Veterinary Services, 
APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851-3411. 
For information on the information collection process, contact Mr. 
Joseph Moxey, APHIS' Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, at (301) 851-
2483; [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Interstate Movement of Certain Land Tortoises.
    OMB Control 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) of the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture is authorized, among other things, to 
prohibit or restrict the interstate movement of animals and animal 
products to prevent the dissemination of animal diseases and pests 
within the United States.
    Currently, 9 CFR part 74 restricts the interstate movement of three 
tortoises: The leopard tortoise (Geochelone pardalis), African spurred 
tortoise (Geochelone sulcata), and Bell's hingeback tortoise (Kinixys 
belliana). APHIS implemented these restrictions in 2001 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.
    Leopard, African spurred, and Bell's hingeback tortoises can be 
moved interstate for sale, health care, adoption, or export to another 
country only if they are accompanied by a health certificate or a 
certificate of veterinary inspection. The health certificate or 
certificate of veterinary inspection must be signed by a Federal or 
accredited veterinarian and must state that the tortoises have been 
examined by that veterinarian and found free of ticks within 30 days 
prior to movement. Animal owners may use one of several different types 
of health certificates that are issued at the State level. These 
documents request the same information, and any may be used and 
submitted to APHIS.
    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 1.5 hours per response.
    Respondents: Accredited veterinarians, business owners, and 
individuals.
    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: 375 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 1st day of July 2022.
Anthony Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-14467 Filed 7-6-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P