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. 

# Notices Federal Register 

### 31743

Vol. 75, No. 107

Friday, June 4, 2010

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service** 

**[Docket No. APHIS-2010-0016]**

**Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection;**  **Brucellosis in Sheep, Goats, and Horses; Payment of Indemnity** 

**AGENCY :**  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request.

**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 regulations for the payment of indemnity for sheep, goats, and horses destroyed because of brucellosis.

**DATES :**  We will consider all comments that we receive on or before August 3,
2010

. **ADDRESSES :**  You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

∑ Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to (http://www.regulations.gov/ fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS2010-0016) to submit or view comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically.

∑ Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send one copy of your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2010-0016, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700, River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that yourcomment refers to Docket No. APHIS2010-0016.

Reading Room: You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 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) 690-2817 before coming.

Other Information: Additional information about APHIS and its programs is available on the Internet at (http://www.aphis.usda.gov ).

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  For information on regulations for the payment of indemnity for sheep, goats, and horses destroyed because of brucellosis, contact Dr. Debra Donch, Brucellosis Program Manager, Ruminant Health Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 43, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-5952. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS’ Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851-2908.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 

Title: Brucellosis in Sheep, Goats, and Horses; Payment of Indemnity.

OMB Number: 0579-0185. 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 of the United States Department of Agriculture is authorized, among other things, to prohibit or restrict the importation and interstate movement of animals and animal products to prevent the introduction into and dissemination within the United States of animal diseases and pests and for eradicating such diseases when feasible.

Brucellosis is a contagious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella that primarily affects cattle, bison, and swine. It causes the loss of young through spontaneous abortion or birth of weak offspring, reduced milk production, and infertility. The continued presence of brucellosis seriously threatens the health of other animals. Goats, sheep, and horses are also susceptible to B

. abortus. In horses, the disease is known as fistulous withers. A third strain of Brucella

, B

. melitensis , affects mainly goats and sheep.

The regulations in 9 CFR part 51 include an indemnity program for sheep, goats, and horses that must be destroyed because of brucellosis. This indemnity program, which is similar to our indemnity program for cattle and bison, is voluntary and was designed to give producers an incentive to cooperate and assist our ongoing program to eradicate brucellosis in the United States.

The indemnity program for the voluntary depopulation of herds of goats, flocks of sheep, and mixed herds of goats and sheep affected with brucellosis, and individual horses infected with brucellosis involves the use of a number of information collection activities, including the completion of indemnity claims (Veterinary Services (VS) Form 1-23), test records (VS Form 4-33), and permits (VS Form 1-27); the use of official seals and animal identification; the submission of proof of destruction and requests for extension of certain program-related deadlines.

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 0.6666 hours per response.

Respondents: Eligible owners of sheep, goats, and horses and materials destroyed and claimants for which compensation is sought under the brucellosis indemnity program; and State and accredited veterinarians.


### 31744 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 107 / Friday, June 4, 2010 / Notices

Estimated annual number of respondents: 3.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 4.

Estimated annual number of
responses: 12.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 8 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 28 th day of May 2010.

Kevin Shea Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2010–13450 Filed 6–3–10: 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE: 3410–34–S**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Forest Service**

**Information Collection; Contract Operations and Administration** 

**AGENCY :**  Forest Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice; request for comment.

**SUMMARY :**  In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on a new information collection, Contract Operations and Administration.

**DATES :**  Comments must be received in writing on or before August 3, 2010 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable.

**ADDRESSES :**  Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to Lathrop Smith, Natural Resources Research Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building A, Suite 341, Fort Collins, CO 80526– 8121. Comments also may be submitted via e-mail to: contractplans@fs.fed.us.

The public may inspect comments received at the Office of the Director, Forest Management Staff, Forest Service, USDA, Room 3 NW., Yates Building, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC, during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 202–205–1496 to facilitate entry to the building.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Lathrop Smith, Forest Management, 970–295–5961. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Standard time, Monday through Friday.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Title: Contract Operations and Administration.

OMB Number: 0596–NEW. Expiration Date of Approval: 3 years from OMB approval date.

Type of Request: New. Abstract: Forest Service contracts for the sale of timber and other forest products are bilateral contracts in which both contracting parties are bound to fulfill obligations reciprocally. By their nature bilateral contracts require both parties to routinely share information and enter into agreements pertaining to operations and performance. Some information collected under Forest Service contracts is required by laws, regulations, and/or timber sale policies. Each contract specifies the information the contractor will be required to provide, including the timing and frequency of the information collection. The inability to collect information required under the terms of a contract could result in delays, disputes, claims, litigation, and/or defaults.

The type and amount of information collected varies depending on the size, complexity, and length of each contract, and external factors such as weather and market conditions. The information collected includes plans, requests, agreements and notices necessary for operations under the terms of the contracts. Forest Service officers collect the information from contractors who may be individuals, private sector businesses, or other government entities. The information is submitted in a variety of formats including Forest Service forms; Government Standard Forms; forms developed by individual contractors, charts, maps, e-mail messages; and letters. Also, to assist small contractors and lessen their burden, individual contracting officers may provide optional forms for some of the information collected. Depending on the purpose of the specific information collection, the information may be submitted by electronic mail, facsimile, conventional mail, or hand delivery.

The information is needed by the Agency for a variety of uses associated with operations and administration of contracts for the sale of timber and other forest products including: (1) Planning and scheduling contract administration workloads, (2) planning and scheduling the delivery of government furnished materials needed by contractors, (3) assuring safety of public in vicinity of contract work, (4) identifying contractor resources that may be used in emergency fire fighting situations, (5) determining contractor eligibility for additional contract time, (6) determining contractor eligibility for redetermining contract rates, (7) monitoring compliance with domestic processing requirements, (8) monitoring compliance with Small Business Administration requirements, (9) processing agreements and modifications, and (10) inspecting and accepting work.

Without accurate information showing when and how a contractor intends to operate, the Forest Service would be hindered in fulfilling its contractual obligations to cooperate with and not hinder performance of the contractors. The inability to obtain accurate and timely information from contractors could lead to serious problems including disruption of operations, disputes, claims, and possible default. In some cases, the Forest Service may be unable to determine if a contractor is eligible for additional contract time or other relief measures authorized under the contract.

The Forest Service desires to combine all information collections associated with operations and administration of contracts for the sale of timber and other forest products into one OMB approval. This new collection includes and combines four related collections currently approved by OMB as follows: 0596–0017 Timber Purchaser’s Costs and Sales Data; 0596–0086 Operation Plans; 0596–0167 Urgent Removal of Timber; and 0596–0212 Extension of Timber Sales.

Type of Respondents: Timber sale and forest products contractors.

Estimated Annual Number of Contracts: 3,400.

Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 1,370.

Estimated Annual Responses: 128,100.

Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 93.5.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 40,700 hours.

Estimate of Average Burden per Response: 0.32 hours.

Comment is invited on: (1) Whether this collection of information is necessary for the stated purposes and the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical or scientific utility; (2) the accuracy of the Agency’s estimate of the burden of the 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