[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 144 (Monday, July 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40330-40331]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-19704]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

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Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 144 / Monday, July 28, 1997 / 
Notices

[[Page 40330]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. FV97-922-1 NC]


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved 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 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing 
Service's (AMS) intention to request an extension for and revision to a 
currently approved information collection for Apricots Grown in 
Designated Counties in Washington, Marketing Order No. 922.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before September 
26, 1997 to be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Tershirra T. Yeager, 
Marketing Order Administration Branch, F & V, AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 
96456, Room 2523-S, Washington, D.C. 20090-6456, Telephone (202) 720-
2491 or Fax (202) 720-5698.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Apricots Grown in Designated Counties in Washington, 
Marketing Order 922.
    OMB Number: 0581-0095.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Marketing order programs provide an opportunity for 
producers of fresh fruits, vegetables and specialty crops, in a 
specified production area, to work together to solve marketing problems 
that cannot be solved individually. Order regulations help ensure 
adequate supplies of high quality product and adequate returns to 
producers. Under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 
(AMAA), as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674), industries enter into marketing 
order programs. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to oversee 
the order operations and issue regulations recommended by a committee 
of representatives from each commodity industry.
    The information collection requirements in this request are 
essential to carry out the intent of the AMAA, to provide the 
respondents the type of service they request, and to administer the 
apricot marketing order program, which has been operating since 1957.
    The apricot marketing order authorizes the issuance of quality 
regulations and inspection requirements. Regulatory provisions apply to 
apricots shipped within and outside of the production area, except 
those specifically exempt. The order also has authority for marketing 
research and development projects.
    The order, and rules and regulations issued thereunder, authorize 
the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee), the agency 
responsible for local administration of the order, to require handlers 
and growers to submit certain information. Much of this information is 
compiled in aggregate and provided to the industry to assist in 
marketing decisions.
    The Committee has developed forms as a means for persons to file 
required information with the Committee relating to apricot supplies, 
shipments, dispositions, and other information needed to effectively 
carry out the purpose of the Act and order. Apricots are harvested from 
late June through mid-August, and these forms are utilized accordingly. 
A USDA form is used to allow growers to vote on amendments to or 
continuance of the marketing order. In addition, apricot growers and 
handlers who are nominated by their peers to serve as representatives 
on the Committee must file nomination forms with the Secretary.
    Formal rulemaking amendments to the order must be approved in 
referenda conducted by the Secretary. Also, the Secretary may conduct a 
continuance referendum to determine industry support for continuation 
of the order. Handlers are asked to sign an agreement to indicate their 
willingness to abide by the provisions of the order whenever the order 
is amended. These forms are included in this request.
    The forms covered under this information collection require the 
minimum information necessary to effectively carry out the requirements 
of the order, and their use is necessary to fulfill the intent of the 
Act as expressed in the order.
    The information collected is used only by authorized 
representatives of the USDA, including AMS, Fruit and Vegetable 
Division regional and headquarter's staff, and authorized employees of 
the Committee. Authorized Committee employees and the industry are the 
primary users of the information and AMS is the secondary user.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.3 hours per response.
    Respondents: Apricot growers and handlers in the designated 
Counties in Washington.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 430.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 0.304.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 39 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.
    Comments may be sent to Docket Clerk, Fruit and Vegetable Division, 
AMS, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, Room 2525-S, Washington, D.C., 20090-6456. 
Comments should reference the docket number and the date and page 
number

[[Page 40331]]

of this issue of the Federal Register. All comments received will be 
available for public inspection during regular business hours at the 
same address.
    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: July 22, 1997.
Robert C. Keeney,
Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division.
[FR Doc. 97-19704 Filed 7-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P