[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 56 (Thursday, March 23, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 17516]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-05985]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 56 / Thursday, March 23, 2023 / 
Notices  

[[Page 17516]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
are requested regarding: 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; the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    Comments regarding this information collection received by April 
24, 2023 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for 
the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days 
of the publication of this notice on the following website 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information 
collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for 
Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

    Title: Fertilizer Production Expansion Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-0081.
    Summary of Collection: On July 9, 2021, Executive Order (E.O.) 
14036, ``Promoting Competition in the American Economy'' was issued, 
which created a White House Competition Council and directed federal 
agencies to enhance fairness and competition. In response, the United 
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on March 11, 2022, 
that it would support additional fertilizer production to help American 
farmers address rising costs and spur competition as part of the whole-
of-government effort to enhance fair and competitive markets along the 
same lines as the independent food processing investments being made as 
part of the Food System Transformation Effort.
    The Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP) is authorized by 
the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act to assist 
agricultural producers through grants, purchases, payments, and other 
operations, and makes available materials and facilities required in 
the production and marketing of agricultural commodities. Through FPEP, 
USDA is supporting new and expanded supplies of fertilizer and 
alternatives that play the same role as fertilizer to United States 
farmers as a key input necessary for production of agricultural 
commodities. The FPEP Program will be administered by the USDA, Rural 
Development (RD) Rural Business Cooperative Service (RBCS). RBCS has 
developed requirements for FPEP, prepared a Request for Applications 
(RFA) and up to $500 million will be made available in competitive 
grants.
    The purpose of FPEP is to expand capacity, improve competition, and 
increase supply chain resilience within the agricultural fertilizer and 
nutrient management sector, in connection with the production of 
agricultural commodities.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collected will be 
used to determine applicant and project eligibility, conduct technical 
evaluations, calculate a priority score, rank and compete the 
application, as applicable, in order to be considered. Lack of adequate 
information to make the determination could result in the improper 
administration and appropriation of Federal grant funds.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local, and Tribal Governments.
    Number of Respondents: 2,241.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 26,372.

Levi S. Harrell,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-05985 Filed 3-22-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P