[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 195 (Friday, October 6, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59816-59818]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-25727]


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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. 65, No. 195 / Friday, October 6, 2000 / 
Notices

[[Page 59816]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

October 2, 2000.
    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 
regarding: (a) 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; (b) the accuracy 
of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) 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 should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Washington, D.C. 20503 and to 
Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, 
D.C. 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are 
best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of 
this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by 
calling (202) 720-6746.
    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.

<bullet> Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Form FNS-388, State Issuance and Participation Estimates.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0081.
    Summary of Collection: Section 18(b) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, 
as amended, requires that ``In any fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
limit the value of those allotments issued (under the Food Stamp 
Program) to an amount not in excess of the appropriation for such 
fiscal year.'' Timely State monthly issuance estimates are necessary 
for the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to ensure that it remains 
within the appropriation and will have a direct effect upon the manner 
in which allotments would be reduced when necessary. FNS uses the FNS-
388 report to obtain monthly Statewide estimated or actual issuance and 
participation data for the current and previous months, and the actual 
participation data for the second preceding month.
    Need and Use of the Information: The FNS-388 report provides the 
necessary data for an early warning system to enable the Department to 
fulfill the requirements of Section 18(b) of the Food Stamp Act. In 
addition, the data is used to: (1) Validate the Annual Food Stamp 
Household Characteristic Survey; (2) to compile a Statistical Summary 
Report which is used for special studies and in response to 
Congressional and other inquiries; and (3) to compare against the 
coupon issuance points' FNS-250 (which reports issuances from 
inventory) and reconciliation points' FNS-46 issuance data (which 
reports issuances for coupons, electronic benefit transfer, and cash-
out) for indications of accountability problems.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 53.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Monthly; Semi-annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 4,542.

<bullet> Rural Housing Service

    Title: Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications 
for the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI).
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0180.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Community Development Initiative 
(RCDI) was created by Congress in Fiscal Year 2000 with an 
appropriation of $6 million under the Rural Community Advancement 
Program. The Rural Housing Service (RHS) will administer the grant 
program. The grants will be made to qualified intermediary 
organizations that will provide technical assistance to recipients to 
increase their capacity and ability in the areas of housing, community 
facilities, and community and economic development in rural areas. 
Eligible recipients are private, nonprofit community/based housing and 
community development organizations and low-income rural communities.
    Need and Use of the Information: RHS will collect information to 
determine applicant/grantee eligibility, project feasibility, and to 
ensure that grantees operate on a sound basis and use grant funds for 
authorized purposes. Failure to collect this information could result 
in improper use of Federal funds.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for profit institutions; State, 
Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 100.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Quarterly; 
Annually
    Total Burden Hours: 1,702.

<bullet> Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Tart Cherries Grown in the states of MI, NY, PA, OR, UT, WA, 
and WI.
    OMB Control Number : 0581-0177.
    Summary of Collection: Marketing Order No. 930 (7 CFR part 930) 
regulates the handling of tart cherries grown in the states of 
Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and 
Wisconsin. The Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 was 
designed to permit regulation of certain agricultural commodities for 
the purpose of providing orderly marketing conditions in inter and 
intrastate commerce and improving returns to growers. The primary 
objective of the Order is to stabilize the supply of tart cherries. 
Only tart cherries that will be canned or frozen will be regulated. The 
Order is administered by a 18 member Board comprised of producers, 
handlers and one public member with each member serving for a three-
year term office.
    Need and Use of the Information: Various forms are used to collect 
information necessary to effectively carry out the requirements of the 
Order.

[[Page 59817]]

The information gathered is used to ensure compliance, verify 
eligibility, and vote on amendments, monitor and record grower's 
information. Authorized Board employees and the industry are the 
primary users of the information.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit; arms.
    Number of Respondents: 943.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 852.

<bullet> Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Worksheet for Food Stamp Program Quality Control Reviews, 
FNS-380.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0074.
    Summary of Collection: State agencies are required to perform 
Quality Control reviews for the Food Stamp Program in conjunction with 
Section 16 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977. The Food Stamp Worksheet 
provides a systematic means of aiding the State agency's quality 
control reviewer in analyzing household case records; planning and 
carrying out the field investigations; and gathering, comparing, 
analyzing and evaluating the review data. The Food and Nutrition 
Service (FNS) has traditionally used the FNS-380 as a hardcopy 
worksheet; however, recent efforts to automate the form have been 
completed. FNS would like to implement an automated version of the form 
at the beginning of FY 2001.
    Need and Use of the Information: FNS will use the hardcopy and 
automated versions of the FNS-380 to document and evaluate each step of 
the field investigation process to determine eligibility and payment 
amounts under FNS approved State practices.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government; 
Federal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 53.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; 
Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 491,967.

<bullet> Rural Business--Cooperative Service

    Title: Research on Rural Cooperative Opportunities and Problems.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-0028.
    Summary of Collection: The Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994, Public Law 103-350, established the Rural Business-
Cooperative Service (RBS). RBS' mission is to improve the quality of 
life in rural America by financing community facilities and businesses, 
providing technical assistance and creating effective strategies for 
rural development. The primary objective of this funding is to 
encourage research through cooperative agreements on critical issues 
vital to the development and sustainability of cooperatives as a means 
of improving the quality of life in America's rural communities. RBS 
will collect information through research proposals prepared by 
applicants, who may be public or private colleges or universities, 
research foundations maintained, by a college or university, or private 
nonprofit organizations.
    Need and Use of the Information: RBS will collect information from 
applicants to determine: (1) Eligibility; (2) the specific purpose for 
which the funds will be utilized; (3) time frames or dates by which 
activities surrounding the use of funds will be accomplished; (4) 
feasibility of the project; (5) applicants' experience in managing 
similar activities; and (6) the effectiveness and innovation used to 
address critical issues vital to the development and sustainability of 
cooperatives as a means of improving the quality of life in America's 
rural communities. Without the collection of information, there would 
be no basis on which to award funds or monitor project progress.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 50.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion, 
Quarterly.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,140.

<bullet> Economic Research Service

    Title: Study of Program Access and Declining Food Stamp 
Participation.
    OMB Control Number: 0536-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Economic Research Service (ERS) of the 
Department of Agriculture (USDA) has the responsibility to provide 
social and economic intelligence on consumer, food marketing, and rural 
issues, including: domestic food assistance programs; low-income 
assistance programs; food security status of the poor; food consumption 
determinants and trends; consumer demand for food quality, safety, and 
nutrition; food market competition and coordination; and food safety 
regulations. The Food Stamp Program (FSP) is the cornerstone of the 
Nation's nutrition safety net for low-income Americans. The program's 
intent is to eliminate hunger and enable eligible low-income persons to 
obtain a more nutritionally adequate diet by providing food stamp 
coupons (or other forms of payment) redeemable at many retail food 
stores. USDA is concerned about the declines in Food Stamp Program 
participation that have occurred since 1994, and whether or not the 
program is reaching all those in need. In an effort to better 
understand the factors affecting Food Stamp Program participants, the 
ERS will launch a study. The evaluation is being performed pursuant to 
Public Law 95-73, which authorizes USDA to undertake research in this 
area.
    Need and Use of the Information: ERS will collect information to 
describe the policies and practices in local food stamp offices, 
particularly those instituted since welfare reform, that may affect 
accessibility to the FSP; to examine how local policies and practices 
affect households' decisions to apply for food stamps and their 
decisions to continue to receive food stamps; and to examine the reason 
eligible households do not participate in the FSP. If the information 
is not collected, FNS would be severely limited in its ability to make 
appropriate policy decisions regarding the FSP.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals; State, Local, or Tribal 
Government.
    Number of Respondents: 37,278.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (one time).
    Total Burden Hours: 5,110.5.
    <bullet>  Rural Housing Service
    Title: 7 CFR 3570-B, Community Facilities Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0173.
    Summary of Collection: The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1926) authorizes the Rural Housing Service (RHS) to make 
grants to public agencies, nonprofit corporations, and Indian tribes to 
develop essential community facilities and services for public use in 
rural areas. These facilities include schools, libraries, childcare, 
hospitals, clinics, assisted-living facilities, fire and rescuer 
stations, police stations, community centers, public buildings, and 
transportation. The Department of Agriculture through its Community 
Programs strives to ensure that facilities are readily available to all 
rural communities.
    Need and Use of the Information: Rural Development field offices 
will collect information from applicant/borrowers and consultants. This 
information is used to determine applicant/borrower eligibility, 
project feasibility, and to ensure borrowers operate on a sound basis 
and use loan and grant funds for authorized purposes. Failure to 
collect information could have an adverse impact on effectively 
carrying out the mission, administration, processing, and program 
requirements.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions: State, 
Local, or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 294.

[[Page 59818]]

    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,078.

<bullet> Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Vegetable and Specialty Crops.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-0178.
    Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 
1937 was designed to permit regulation of certain agricultural 
commodities for the purpose of providing orderly marketing conditions 
in inter and intrastate commerce and improving returns to growers. The 
Order and agreements are administered by committees/board comprised of 
producers/growers, handlers and in some cases, a member representing 
the public. The marketing order programs provide an opportunity for 
producers of fresh fruit, vegetables, and specialty crops, in specified 
production areas to work together to solve marketing problems that 
cannot be solved individually.
    Need and Use of the Information: Various forms are used to collect 
information necessary to effectively carry out the requirements of the 
Act and the Order/Agreement. Information collected is used to formulate 
market policy, track current inventory and statistical data for market 
development programs, ensure compliance, and verify eligibility, 
monitor and record grower's information. The Committees/Boards 
periodically review the forms to avoid unnecessary duplication by 
industry and public sector agencies. If information were not collected, 
it would eliminate data needed to keep the industry and the Secretary 
abreast of changes at the State and local level.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit; Farms; 
Federal Government; Individuals or households; Not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 17,463.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion, Quarterly, 
Biennially, Weekly, Semi-annually, Monthly, Annually and Recordkeeping.
    Total Burden Hours: 9,102.

<bullet> National Agricultural Statistics Service

    Title: Nursery and Greenhouse Production Survey and Nursery and 
Floriculture Chemical Use Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: In February 1997, the Secretary of 
Agriculture issued the report of the Civil Rights Action Team entitled 
``Civil Rights at the Department of Agriculture.'' Civil Rights teams 
were formed to implement the report recommendations. One of the 
recommendations that was a direct outcome of the evaluation was the 
condition of farm workers. The team recognized the need for reliable 
pesticide use information about enterprises that involve farm workers 
and requested that the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) 
obtain pesticide use information for commodities which require 
intensive farm labor. Congress appropriated funds for the collection of 
pesticide use data on nursery and flouriculture operations. NASS will 
incorporate biennial nursery production statistics into the NASS 
estimating program to measure the nursery industry's growing 
significance to the agriculture economy and also provide a link to the 
collection of chemical use data. The data will be collected under the 
authority of 7 U.S.C. 2204(a). NASS will collect information using 
surveys.
    Need and Use of the Information: NASS will collect information to 
assess the environmental and economic impact of various programs, 
policies, and procedures on nursery and flouriculture operators and 
their workers. The basic chemical use and farm practices information 
will be used to enhance the national chemical use database maintained 
by NASS. The information will also aid in determining the needs of 
growers, such as appropriation of research funds to target pests and 
diseases.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 9,834.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Biennially.
    Total Burden Hours: 5,098.

Nancy B. Sternberg,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-25727 Filed 10-5-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M