2015-01539. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

January 21, 2015.

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.

Comments regarding this information collection received by February 27, 2015 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office Building, 725—17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. 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.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Title: Lacey Act Declaration Requirements; Plants and Plant Products.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0349.

Summary of Collection: The Lacey Act, first enacted in 1900 and significantly amended in 1988, is the United States' oldest Wildlife Protection Statute. The Act combats trafficking in “illegal” wildlife, fish, or plants. The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, which took effect May 22, 2008, amended the Lacey Act by expanding its protection to a broader range of plants and plant products (Section 8204, Prevention of Illegal Logging Practices).

Need and Use of the Information: Under the amended Lacey Act, importers are required to submit a declaration form (PPQ 505) for all plants. The PPQ 505B is the supplemental form which is provided the declarer if additional space is needed to enter the required information. The declaration must contain, among other things, the scientific name of the plant, value of the importation, quantity of the plant, and name of the country from which the plant was harvested. If species varies or is unknown, importers will have to declare the name of each species that may have been used to produce the product. This information will be used to support investigations into illegal logging practices by the Justice Department and also acts as a deterrent to illegal logging practices worldwide.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 17,140.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 252,019.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.