[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 67 (Thursday, April 7, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 19310]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-8320]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


Information Collection; Certified State Mediation Program

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Farm Service Agency (FSA) is seeking comments from all interested 
individuals and organizations on an extension of a currently approved 
information collection that supports the Certified State Mediation 
Program. The information collection is necessary to ensure the grant 
program is being administered properly. The collection of information 
by mail, phone, fax, in person, and by the internet is utilized by FSA 
initially to determine whether the State meets the eligibility criteria 
to be a recipient of grant funds. Lack of adequate information to make 
these determinations could result in the improper administration and 
appropriation of Federal grant funds.

DATES: We will consider comments that we receive by June 6, 2011.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this notice. In your 
comments, include date, volume, and page number of this issue of the 
Federal Register. You may submit comments by any of the following 
methods:
    <bullet> Mail: Carol Wagner, Certified State Mediation Program 
Manager, USDA, FSA, Appeals and Litigation Staff, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Ag Stop 0570, Washington, DC 20250-0570.
    <bullet> E-mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a8ebc9dac7c486ffc9cfc6cddae8dfcccb86dddbccc986cfc7de"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="91d2f0e3fefdbfc6f0f6fff4e3d1e6f5f2bfe4e2f5f0bff6fee7">[email protected]</span></a>.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 690-3003.
    You may also send comments to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, Washington, DC 20503. Copies of the information collection may 
be requested by contacting Carol Wagner at the above addresses.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Wagner, FSA, Appeals and 
Litigation Staff, telephone (202) 720-4966.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Certified State Mediation Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0165.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2011.
    Type of Request: Extension.
    Abstract: This information is needed for FSA to effectively 
administer the Certified State Mediation Program in accordance with 
Subtitles A and B of Title V of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 (7 
U.S.C. 5106). FSA requires some of the collected information to be 
reported in a standard manner. Although other institutions, public and 
private, generally require and collect information similar to that 
requested by FSA, there is a wide diversity in reporting practices.
    The information to be collected includes an application for 
certification, re-verification for subsequent annual approval, SF-424, 
SF-424A, and SF-424B Application for Federal Assistance, financial 
management systems and reporting requirements, and audit reports. The 
information collection request has not changed since the last OMB 
approval.
    The information requested is reported annually and is necessary for 
the FSA to determine eligibility and administer the mediation grant 
program in an equitable and cost-effective manner.
    Estimated of Annual Burden: The public reporting burden for this 
information collection is estimated to average 34 hours per respondent.
    Respondents: State Agencies.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 35.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 5.
    Estimated Total Annual of Reponses: 175.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden hours: 1190 hours.
    We are requesting comments on all aspects of this information 
collection to help us to:
    (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 the agency's estimate of burden 
including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to 
be collected;
    (4) 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.
    All comments in response to this notice, including names and 
addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record. Comments 
will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval.

    Signed at Washington DC, on April 1, 2011.
Carolyn B. Cooksie,
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 2011-8320 Filed 4-6-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P


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