00-577. Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 11, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 1585]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-577]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 7 / Tuesday, January 11, 2000 / 
Notices

[[Page 1585]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Farm Service Agency's intention to request an 
extension and a revision to an approved information collection in 
support of the Disaster Assistance Program. The collection requirements 
have been revised to make clearer the purpose of determining an area 
eligible to receive emergency loans. The collection requirements have 
also been revised to amend the total burden hours reflected in the 
number of requests for Secretarial natural disaster assistance during 
the 1999 crop year.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before March 13, 
2000, to be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Comments may be sent to Diane 
Sharp, Director, Production, Emergencies, and Compliance Division, Farm 
Service Agency, United States Department of Agriculture, STOP 0517, 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0517, telephone 
[phone], e-mail [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Helen Smith, at the above address and 
phone number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Disaster Assistance (General).
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0170.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 2000.
    Type of Request: Extension and Revision of Currently Approved 
Information Collection.
    Abstract: The information collected under OMB Number 0560-0170, as 
identified above, is needed for FSA to effectively administer the 
regulations relating to identifying disaster areas, thereby making 
qualified farmers and ranchers who have suffered weather-related 
physical and production losses in such areas, eligible for emergency 
loans. However, before emergency loans can become available, 
information needs to be collected to determine if the disaster areas 
meet the criteria of having a qualifying loss in order to be considered 
an eligible county. The information collection will be used to 
determine the county eligibility.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .4205 hour per response.
    Respondents: Farmers and ranchers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,454.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,032.
    Comments are sought on these requirements including: (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.
    Comments regarding this information collection should be sent to 
the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503 and to 
Diane Sharp, Director, Production, Emergencies, and Compliance 
Division, Farm Service Agency, United States Department of Agriculture, 
STOP 0517, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0517, 
telephone [phone], e-mail [e-mail].
    Comments regarding paperwork burden will be summarized and included 
in the request for OMB approval of the information collection.
    All comments will also become a matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on January 4, 2000.
Keith Kelly,
Administrator, FSA.
[FR Doc. 00-577 Filed 1-10-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P