E6-587. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

January 13, 2006.

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, Pub. L. 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), [e-mail] or fax [phone] 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 [phone].

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.

Food and Nutrition Service

Title: Civil Rights Title VI—Collection Reports—FNS-191 and FNS-101.

OMB Control Number: 0584-0025.

Summary of Collection: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs receiving Federal financial assistance. Title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), § 42.106(b), require all Federal Departments to provide for the collection of racial/ethnic data and information from applicants for and recipients of Federal assistance sufficient to permit effective enforcement of Title VI. In order to comply with the Civil Rights Act, Department of Justice regulations and the Department's nondiscrimination policy and regulations (7 CFR Part 15), the Department's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) requires State agencies to submit data on the racial/ethnic categories of person receiving benefits from FNS food assistance programs. FNS will collect information using forms FNS 191 and FNS 101.

Need and Use of the Information: FNS will collect the names, address, telephone number, and number of clinics to compile a local agency directory which serves as the primary source of data on number and location for local agencies and number of clinics operating Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). FNS will also collect information on the number of CFSP individuals (women, infant, children, and elderly) in each racial/ethnic category for one month of the year. The information will be used in the Department's annual USDA Equal Opportunity Report. If the information is not collected FNS could not track racial/ethnic data for program evaluation.

Description of Respondents: State, local or tribal government.

Number of Respondents: 2,870.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 6,422.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.