### 24153 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 79 / Wednesday, April 24, 2013 / Notices

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Marlene Betts at the above address, by telephone at (202) 720–9915, or by email at marlene.betts@ams.usda.gov

. **SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 

Title: Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order.

OMB Number: 0581–0264. Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2013.

Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: The Order was created in 2011 to help strengthen the position of softwood lumber in the marketplace, maintain and expand markets for softwood lumber, and develop new uses for softwood lumber within the United States. Softwood lumber is used in products like flooring, siding and framing. The Order is authorized under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 (1996 Act) (7 U.S.C. 7411–7425).

The program is administered by the Softwood Lumber Board (Board) appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and financed by a mandatory assessment on domestic manufacturers and importers. The assessment rate is $0.35 per thousand board feet of softwood lumber shipped within or imported to the United States. Entities that domestically manufacture and ship or import less than 15 million board feet per fiscal year are exempt from the payment of assessments. Additionally, assessed entities do not pay assessments on the first 15 million board feet of softwood lumber shipped domestically or imported during the year. Exports from the United States are also exempt from assessments.

The information collection requirements in the request are essential to carry out the intent of the Order. The objective in carrying out this responsibility includes assuring the following: (1) Funds are collected and properly accounted for; (2) expenditures of all funds are for the purposes authorized by the 1996 Act and Order; and (3) the Board’s administration of the programs conforms to USDA policy.

The Order’s provisions have been carefully reviewed, and every effort has been made to minimize any unnecessary recordkeeping costs or requirements.

The forms covered under this collection require the minimum information necessary to effectively carry out the requirements of the program, and their use is necessary to fulfill the intent of the Order. Such information can be supplied without data processing equipment or outside technical expertise. In addition, there are no additional training requirements for individuals filling out reports and remitting assessments to the Board. The forms are simple, easy to understand, and place as small a burden as possible on the person required to file the information.

Collecting information quarterly coincides with normal industry business practices. The timing and frequency of collecting information are intended to meet the needs of the industry while minimizing the amount of work necessary to fill out the required reports. The requirement to keep records for two years beyond the fiscal period of their applicability is consistent with normal industry practices. In addition, the information to be included on these forms is not available from other sources because such information relates specifically to individual domestic manufacturers and importers who are subject to the provisions of the Order. Therefore, there is no practical method for collecting the required information without the use of these forms.

AMS is committed to complying with the E-Government Act, which requires Government agencies in general to provide the public the option of submitting information or transacting business electronically to the maximum extent possible.

Estimate of Burden: Public recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.416 hour per response.

Respondents: Domestic manufacturers and importers, whether subject to the Order or not.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,478.

Estimated Total Annual Responses: 4,495.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.04.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,871.

Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of 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.

All responses to this document will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record.

Authority: 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35.
Dated: April 18, 2013.
Rex A. Barnes, Acting Administrator.

[FR Doc. 2013–09727 Filed 4–23–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–02–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service** 

**[Docket No. APHIS–2012–0112]**

**Notice of Emergency Approval of an Information Collection; National**  **Animal Health Monitoring System; Equine Herpesvirus**  **Myeloencephalopathy Study**

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

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

**SUMMARY :**  In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has requested and received emergency approval of an information collection for a National Animal Health Monitoring System Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy Study to support the equine industry in the United States.

**DATES :**  We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 24,

2013.

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

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/ #!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0112-

0001

.

• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2012–0112, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238.

Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at http:// www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0112 or in our reading room, which 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.,


### 24154 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 79 / Wednesday, April 24, 2013 / Notices

Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 799–7039 before coming.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  For information on the Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy Study, contact Mr. Chris Quatrano, Industry Analyst, Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health, VS, APHIS, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building B MS 2E6, Fort Collins, CO 80526; (970) 494–7207. 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: National Animal Health Monitoring System; Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy Study.

OMB Number: 0579–0399. Type of Request: Continuation of an emergency 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 (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is authorized, among other things, to protect the health of U.S. livestock and poultry populations by preventing the introduction and interstate spread of serious diseases and pests of livestock and for eradicating such diseases from the United States when feasible. In connection with this mission, APHIS operates the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), which collects nationally representative, statistically valid, and scientifically sound data on the prevalence and economic importance of livestock diseases and associated risk factors.

NAHMS’ epidemiologic investigations are a collaborative industry and government initiative to help determine the most effective means of preventing and controlling livestock disease outbreaks. APHIS is the only agency responsible for collecting data on livestock health. Participation in any NAHMS study is voluntary, and all data are confidential.

APHIS is conducting an Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) Study as part of an ongoing series of NAHMS studies on the U.S. livestock population. The purpose of this study is to collect information using questionnaires, during equine herpesvirus (EHV–1) outbreaks, to identify risk factors for EHM. EHM is the neurologic form of EHV–1 in horses. Infection with EHV–1 can result in respiratory disease, abortion in mares, neonatal foal death, and neurologic disease. The virus can spread in manyways, such as through direct horse-tohorse contact, through the air in equine environments, and by contact with contaminated equipment, clothing, and hands. EHM is endemic to the United States, and outbreaks are usually handled by affected States. However, APHIS becomes involved in cases that involve multiple States or the interstate movement of horses.

Due to recent outbreaks of EHV–1 in the United States, APHIS has initiated the study earlier than expected. State animal health officials are currently administering questionnaires, in person or by telephone, to horse owners and trainers of horses infected with EHV–1 that include cases of EHM and horses that are not affected to serve as case controls. The information collected is being used to understand the risk factors for EHM, make recommendations for disease control, and to allow us to provide guidance on the best ways to avoid future outbreaks based on a thorough analysis and interpretation of the data.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved our use of these information collection activities on an emergency basis. We plan to request continuation of that approval for 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 0.79226 hours per response.

Respondents: Horse owners and/or trainers and State animal health officials.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 626.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.57. Estimated annual number of

responses: 982.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 778 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 18th day of April 2013. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 2013–09736 Filed 4–23–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–34–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service** 

**[Docket No. APHIS–2012–0105]**

**Notice of Availability of a National Animal Health Laboratory Network**  **Reorganization Concept Paper**

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

**ACTION :**  Notice of availability and request for comments.

**SUMMARY :**  We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is making available a concept paper that describes a revised structure for the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) for public review and comment. The NAHLN is a nationally coordinated network and partnership of Federal, State, and university-associated animal health laboratories working to protect animal and public health and the nation’s food supply by providing diagnostic testing aimed at detecting biological threats to the nation’s food animals. The concept paper we are making available for comment presents a structure we believe will give the NAHLN increased capacity and flexibility to detect and respond to emerging and zoonotic diseases.

**DATES :**  We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 24,

2013.

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

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/ #!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0105-

0001.

• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No.