[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 26, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66392-66395]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-31548]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

December 17, 2001.
    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, DC 20503 and to 
Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, 
DC 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 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.

National Agriculture Statistics Service

    Title: Childhood Injury and Adult Occupational Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0235.
    Summary of Collection: Primary function of the National 
Agricultural Statistics Services (NASS) is to prepare and issue State 
and national estimates of crop and livestock production under the

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authority of 7 U.S.C. 2204 (a). NASS has been asked by the National 
Institute of Occupational Safety Health (NIOSH) to conduct a childhood 
injury and adult occupational injury survey. The survey is designed to 
provide estimates of childhood nonfatal injury incidence and 
description of injury occurring to children less than 20 years of age 
who reside, work, or visit farms and describe the occupational injury 
experience of all farm operators.
    Need and Use of the Information: Data from this survey will provide 
source of consistent information that NIOSH can use to target funds 
appropriated by Congress for the prevention of childhood agricultural 
injuries and adult occupational injuries. No source of data on 
childhood injuries or adult occupational farm injuries exists that 
covers all aspects of the agricultural production sector.
    Description of Respondents: Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 60,500.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other.
    Total Burden Hours: 12,612.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR Part 1744, Subpart B, Lien Accommodations and 
Subordination Policy.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0126.
    Summary of Collection: Recent changes in the telecommunications 
industry, including deregulation and technological developments, have 
caused Rural Utilities Service (RUS) borrowers and other organizations 
providing telecommunications services to consider undertaking projects 
that provide new telecommunications services and other 
telecommunications services not ordinarily financed by RUS. To 
facilitate the financing of those projects and services, RUS is willing 
to consider accommodating the Government's lien on telecommunications 
borrowers' systems in an expedited manner based on the financial 
strength of the borrowers operations. The RUS telecommunications 
program provides loans to borrowers at interest rates and on terms that 
are most favorable than those generally available from the private 
sector.
    Need and Use of the Information: Depending on the purposes for 
which a lien accommodation is sought, RUS will use the information to 
provide ``automatic'' approval for borrowers that meet the financial 
tests. These tests are designed to ensure that the financial strength 
of the borrowers is more than sufficient to protect the government's 
loan security interests; hence, the lien accommodations will not 
adversely affect the government's financial interests.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 30.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 23.

Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service

    Title: National Animal Health Monitoring System Sheep 2001 Study.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Department of Agriculture is responsible 
for protecting the health of our Nation's livestock and poultry 
populations by preventing the introduction and interstate spread of 
contagious, infectious, or communicable diseases of livestock and 
poultry and for eradicating such diseases from the United States when 
feasible. In connection with this mission, the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service (APHIS) operates the National Health Monitoring 
System (NAHMS), which collects, on a national basis, statistically 
valid and scientifically sound data on the prevalence and economic 
importance of livestock and poultry diseases. NAHMS will initiate the 
first national data collection for sheep through a national study, 
Sheep 2001. The study will take place in 22 States, which represent 
88.8% of the U.S. sheep population. Collection and dissemination of 
animal and poultry health information is mandated by 7 U.S.C. 391, The 
Animal Industry Act of 1884 and 21 U.S.C. 19, ``Agents to Examine and 
Report on Methods of Treatment of Animals, and Means for Suppression of 
Diseases,'' amended February 7, 1928.
    Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will use the data collected 
to: (1) Predict or detect national and regional trends in disease 
emergence and movement, (2) address emerging issues, (3) determine the 
economic consequences of disease, and (4) develop trade strategies and 
support trade decisions. Without the data, the U.S.' ability to detect 
trends in management, production, and health status that increase/
decrease farm economy, either directly or indirectly, would be reduced 
or nonexistent.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for profit; 
Individuals or households; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal 
Government.
    Number of Respondents: 10,731.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 9,090.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Title: Filberts/Hazelnuts Grown in Oregon and Washington.
    OMB Control Number: 0581-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: Marketing Order No. 982 (7 CFR Part 982), 
covers filberts/hazelnuts grown in Oregon and Washington. This 
legislation was designed to permit regulation of certain agricultural 
commodities for the purpose of providing orderly marketing conditions 
in interstate commerce and improving returns to growers. The order was 
developed to stabilize marketing conditions for domestic inshell 
hazelnuts.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collected will 
provide the Board with more accurate information on the total supply of 
hazelnuts handled in Oregon and Washington. This will facilitate the 
Boards preparation of its annual marketing policy. Reports and forms 
are periodically reviewed to avoid duplication of information collected 
by industry and public sector agencies. No similar information is 
collected from any other organizations. Collecting data less frequently 
would eliminate data needed to keep the hazelnut industry and USDA 
abreast of changes at the State and local levels.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 5.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 2.

Forest Service

    Title: National Woodland Owner Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0596-0078.
    Summary of Collection: The Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources 
Planning Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93-278) and the Forest and Rangeland 
Renewable Resources Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 307) are the legal authorities 
for conducting the National Woodland Owner Survey. The National 
Woodland Owner Survey collects information to help answer questions 
related to the characteristics of the landholdings and landowners, 
ownership objectives, the supply of timber and non-timber products, 
forest management practices, delivery of the concerns/constraints 
perceived by the landowners.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Forest Service will collect 
information to determine the opportunities and constraints that private 
woodlands owners typically face and facilitate planning and 
implementing forest policies and programs. If the information is not 
collected, the knowledge and understanding of private

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woodland ownerships and their concerns and activities will be severely 
limited.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or 
other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal 
Government.
    Number of Respondents: 10,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (every 5 years).
    Total Burden Hours: 2,500.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

    Title: Wildlife Damage Surveys.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0217.
    Summary of Collection: The primary objectives of the National 
Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) are to provide, prepare and 
issue current official State and national estimates of crop and 
livestock production, disposition, and prices. Auxiliary services, such 
as statistical consultation, data collection, summary tabulation, and 
analysis are performed for other federal and State agencies on a 
reimbursable basis. NASS has entered into an agreement with the Animal 
and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to conduct a nationwide 
survey of selected field crop, livestock, poultry, vegetable, fruit, 
and nut producers to assess the true incidence, extent, specific cause, 
and monetary value of agricultural product and resource losses caused 
by vertebrate wildlife.
    Need and Use of the Information: NASS will collect information on 
the development of valid statistical data reflecting the percentage of 
fruit, nut, and berry growers experiencing losses of products or 
resources and the total dollar losses at the national level caused by 
vertebrate wildlife. Goals of the survey are to assess the agricultural 
community's use and name recognition of the Wildlife Service program at 
a regional level, and provide accurate measurement of wildlife damage 
to agricultural products for use in long range planning and fund 
allocation.
    Description of Respondents: Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 12,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,700.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: Certification of Livestock Losses for Eligible Disaster.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0179.
    Summary of Collection: Under P.L. 106-387, Sec. 813 states ``The 
Secretary shall use up to $10,000,000 of the funds of the Commodity 
Credit Corporation to make livestock indemnity payment to producers on 
a farm that have incurred livestock losses during calendar year 2000 
due to a disaster, as determined by the Secretary, including losses due 
to fires and anthrax. Over the past several years, Congress has 
provided ad hoc funding under several appropriation bills to partially 
compensate producers who lost livestock because of natural disasters. 
Producer requesting compensation on CCC-661, Certificate of Livestock 
Losses for eligible Disaster must provide documentation that shows the 
number of type of livestock lost in the disaster.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Farm Service Agency (FSA) will 
collect information to determine eligibility and the amount of 
compensation. Without obtaining the information from the producers, FSA 
could not carry out the statutory provisions and ensure that funds are 
being provided to eligible producers.
    Description of Respondents: Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 2,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 5,000.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Food Stamp Redemption Certificate.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0085.
    Summary of Collection: The Food Stamp Act of 1977, requires the 
Department of Agriculture to issue regulations that provide for the 
redemption of coupons accepted by retail food stores through approved 
wholesale food concerns or through insured financial institutions. The 
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will provide authorized retail stores 
and wholesale food concerns with redemption certificates. The 
Redemption Certificate and Wholesaler Redemption Certificate (RCs) are 
used by all authorized wholesalers or retailers when depositing food 
stamp coupons, and are processed by financial institutions when they 
are presented for credit or for cash. The issuance of food stamp 
benefits through the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system is 
replacing the issuance of food coupons.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Food and Nutrition Service 
(FNS) will collect information on the verification of the amount of 
coupons forwarded to the bank for redemption. RCs are distributed to 
each authorized retailer or wholesaler by FNS for completion. FNS uses 
the deposit information from the RC to monitor (1) deposits by retailer 
and wholesale food concerns, and (2) for store monitoring and 
compliance purposes.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 155,584.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 135,947.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: WIC Local Agency Directory Report.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0431.
    Summary of Collection: The Supplemental Nutrition Program for 
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is authorized by Section 17 of the 
Child Nutrition Act (CAN) of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786, as amended. The Food 
and Nutrition Service (FNS) of USDA administers the WIC Program by 
awarding cash grants to State agencies (generally State health 
departments). The State agencies award subgrants to local agencies 
(generally local health departments and nonprofit organizations) to 
deliver program benefits and services to eligible participants. Local 
agencies authorized to furnish WIC participants with supplemental 
foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support 
activities and referral to related health services are subject to 
change. New local agencies may be selected to operate the WIC Program 
and local agencies already in operation may be disqualified for 
continued operation. FNS will collect information using form FNS-648 to 
report additions and deletions of local agencies operating the WIC 
program and local agency address changes, when such changes occur.
    Need and Use of the Information: The FNS will collect information 
to maintain a local agency directory that lists the names and addresses 
of all WIC local agencies. The WIC local agency directory serves as the 
primary source of data on the number and location of local agencies and 
is published annually. It is used to refer individuals to the nearest 
source of WIC Program services and to maintain continuity of program 
services to migrant and other transient participants.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 88.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 15.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Forms: 683, 203 
& Regulations.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0447.
    Summary of Collection: The WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program 
(FMNP) is authorized by Public Law 102-314, enacted on July 2, 1992. 
The purpose of the FMNP is to provide resources to women, infants, and

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children who are nutritionally at risk, in the form of fresh, 
nutritious, unprepared foods (such as fruits and vegetables) from 
farmers' markets; to expand the awareness and use of farmers' markets; 
and, to increase sales at such markets. The Food and Nutrition Service 
(FNS) will collect information from each state that receives a grant 
under the FMNP program in conjunction with the preparation of annual 
financial and recipient reports.
    Need and Use of the Information: FNS will collect information from 
the state agency administering the FMNP to develop an annual financial 
report on the number and type of recipients served by both Federal and 
non-Federal benefits under the program. The information is necessary 
for reporting to Congress in accordance with the Uniform Administrative 
Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local 
Governments and for program planning purposes.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government; 
Individuals or household; Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 2,009.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting; Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 4,912.

Sondra A. Blakey,
Departmental Information Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-31548 Filed 12-21-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M