[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 217 (Tuesday, November 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63017-63023]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30122]
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Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 217 / Tuesday, November 10, 1998 /
Notices
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
November 5, 1998.
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), 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 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.
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Title: Survey for Local Cooperatives' Role in the Emerging Grain
and Feed Industries.
OMB Control Number: 0570-NEW.
Summary of Collection: The mission of the Cooperative Services
Program (CS) of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) is to
assist farmer-owned cooperatives in improving the economic well-being
of their farmer-members. This is accomplished through a comprehensive
program of research on structural, operational, and policy issues
affecting cooperatives; technical advisory assistance to individual
cooperatives and to groups of producers who wish to organize
cooperatives; and development of educational and informational
material. The interplay between market and agricultural policy has
shaped, and continues to shape the potential activities of grain
marketing cooperatives. The passage of the Capper-Volstead Act in 1922,
the Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926, and the Agricultural Marketing
Act of 1929 were responses to the drastic declines in the prices for
most agricultural commodities after World War I. The alternative was
direct intervention by the federal government to limit supplies on the
domestic market in order to raise prices. Cooperatives are found at all
levels of the grain marketing industry, but their presence is strongest
at the origination stage (procuring grain from farmers), and weakest in
grain exporting. RBS will collect information about cooperatives
through telephone and personal interviews surveys.
Need and Use of the Information: RBS will collect information
through a survey to establish a baseline of cooperative resources and
preferences. This information may ultimately provide a basis for
structuring the standardized production and marketing grain sector
desired by end-users. The information will be used by regional
cooperatives to facilitate strategic planning with member local
cooperatives.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 800.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 800.
Emergency approval has been requested by October 30, 1998.
Agricultural Research Service/National Agricultural Library
Title: Food and Nutrition Information Center Customer Satisfaction
Survey for Food and Nutrition Service Audiences.
OMB Control Number: 0518-NEW.
Summary of Collection: The Food and Nutrition Information Center,
National Agricultural Library (NAL), Agricultural Research Service
(ARS), USDA receives special funding to serve Food and Nutrition
Service (FNS), USDA funded programs. This is documented through two
Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) agreements between the Food and
Nutrition Information Center, National Agricultural Library and Food
and Nutrition Service and Economic Research, USDA. Because the Center
and the NAL are emphasizing electronic access, availability of
publications and other resources using only this method of
communication may be feasible for some audiences served as many do not
have access to the World Wide Web or even e-mail through the Internet.
Nutrition staff in various FNS-funded programs that the Food and
Nutrition Information Center is funded to serve do not have access to
World Wide Web and, in some cases, e-mail. ARS will collect information
using a survey.
Need and Use of the Information: ARS will collect information to
plan and manage services directed to the audiences that they provide
service to in order to establish how best to provide reference
materials and other resources and tools.
Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government;
Federal Government.
Number of Respondents: 900.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (every 3 years).
Total Burden Hours: 450.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: Lien Accommodations and Subordinations, 7 CFR Part 1717,
Subparts R&S.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0100.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act (RE Act) of
1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended, authorizes and empowers the
Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to make loans in the
several States and Territories of the United States for rural
electrification
[[Page 63018]]
and the furnishing of electric energy to persons in rural areas who are
not receiving central station service. The RE Act also authorizes and
empowers the Administrator of RUS to provide financial assistance to
borrowers for purposes provided in the RE Act by accommodating or
subordinating loans made by the National Rural Utilities Cooperative
Finance Corporation, the Federal Financing Bank, and other lending
agencies. RUS will collect information using forms RUS 178, Report of
Progress of Construction and Engineering Services, and RUS 457,
Engineer's Monthly Report of Substation Progress.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to
determine an applicant's eligibility for a lien accommodation or lien
subordination under the RE Act; facilitate an applicant's solicitation
and acquisition of non-RUS loans as to conserve available Government
funds; monitor the compliance of borrowers with debt covenants and
regulatory requirements in order to protect loan security; subsequent
to granting the lien accommodation or lien subordination, administer
each so as to minimize its cost to the Government.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business
or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 20.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 93.
Forest Service
Title: Forest Products Free Use Permit, Forest Products Removal
Permit and Cash Receipt, and Forest Products Sale Permit and Cash
Receipt.
OMB Control Number: 0596-0085.
Summary of Collection: 16 U.S.C. 551 requires the promulgation of
regulations to regulate forest use and prevent destruction of the
forests. Regulations at 36 CFR 223.1 and 223.2 govern the sale of
forest products such as Christmas trees, pine cones, moss, and
mushrooms. Regulations at 36 CFR 223.5-223.13 set forth conditions
under which free use of forest product may be obtained by individuals
or organizations. 15 U.S.C. 607 provides that a defense against
trespass is that the forest product be removed under the regulations.
These statutes and the regulations apply to 16 U.S.C. 477, 492, and
607a. Regulations at 36 CFR 261.6 require persons to obtain permits to
remove special forest products from National Forest Land. Forest
Service Regional Offices have been issuing Forest Product Removal
Permits for over 20 years. Each Region has developed its own Forest
Product Removal Permit and policies for implementation, but have not
obtained OMB authorization for the information collection. National
Headquarters is preparing a Forest Product Removal Permit to be
implemented in all Regions to ensure consistent implementation of
National policies for free use and special forest product programs.
Information is required to determine if the applicant meets the
criteria under which free use or sale of forest products is authorized
by the regulations and to ensure that the permittee complies with the
regulations and terms of the permit. This information is also needed to
allow Forest Service (FS) compliance personnel to identify permittees
in the field.
Need and Use of the Information: The FS will collect information
from the public in order to issue a permit, the information that is
needed is the name, address, tax identification number or other
identification number, this information is used by the FS to keep a
record of person buying forest products. The person requesting the
permit will provide the information orally and the Forest Officer will
enter the information into the permit computerized program or enter
onto a hard copy of a permit.
Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or
other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 618,750.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 41,366.
Farm Service Agency
Title: CCC Conservation Contract.
OMB Control Number: 0560-0174.
Summary of Collection: The Farm Service Agency (FSA), in
conjunction with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is
charged with administering the Environmental Quality Incentives Program
(EQIP), the Farmland Protection Program (FPP), and the Conservation
Farm Option (CFO) Program. These programs provide farmers and ranchers
with flexible opportunities to work with the federal government to
address natural resource concerns by implementing innovative and
environmentally-sound solutions. Information must be collected from
potential participants who wish to apply for these programs. Additional
information is required from individuals once they have been accepted
into the program to ensure compliance and to issue, as appropriate,
cost share and land retirement payments.
Need and Use of the Information: Information will be collected from
producers and ranchers who wish to voluntarily participate in either
the EQIP, FPP or CFO programs. The application information will allow
agency management to select program participants which will help best
achieve program objectives related to maximizing environmental
benefits, minimizing land retirement, and continuing agricultural
production levels. Ongoing recordkeeping and reporting requirements
will be necessary to ensure compliance with program provisions.
Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households; Not-
for-profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 91,000.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Other (when
applying).
Total Burden Hours: 383,830.
Rural Housing Service
Title: 7 CFR 1951-R, Rural Development Loan Servicing.
OMB Control Number: 0575-0015.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Development (RD) Loan Servicing
was legislated in 1985 under Section 1323 of the Food and Security Act
of 1985. This action is needed to inplement the provision of Section
407 of the Health and Human Services Act of 1986, which amended Section
1323 of the Food Security Act of 1985. Subpart R of part 1951 contains
regulations for servicing and liquidating existing loans previously
approved and administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) under 45 CFR Part 1076 and transferred from HHS to the
U.S. Department of Agriculture. This subpart contains regulations for
servicing and liquidating loans made by Rural Development, successor to
the Farmers Home Administration, under the Intermediary Relending
Program (IRP) to eligible intermediaries and applies to ultimate
recipients and other involved parties.
Need and Use of the Information: RD will collect information from
the intermediary, i.e. assets and liabilities, income statement and a
summary of the intermediary's lending and guarantee program. The
information is vital to RD for the Agency to make credit and financial
analysis decisions based on financial information provided by the
Intermediary.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business
or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 420.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Quarterly; Semi-
annually; Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 12,675.
[[Page 63019]]
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Title: Domestic Quarantines.
OMB Control Number: 0579-0088.
Summary of Collection: Chapter 8 of the Plant Quarantine Act
(U.S.C. 161) provides authority for the Secretary of Agriculture to
quarantine any State, Territory, or District of the United States to
prevent the spread of insect infestation and diseases new to or not
widely distributed throughout the United States. The Domestic
Quarantines regulations (7 CFR Part 301) are issued under this
authority. Implementing these quarantines often requires the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to collect information from a
variety of individuals who are involved in growing, packing, handling,
transporting, and exporting plants and plant products. The information
collected from these individuals is vital to helping ensure that
injurious plant diseases and insect pests do not spread within the
United States. Information to be collected is necessary to determine
compliance with domestic quarantine laws. Federal/State domestic
quarantines are necessary to regulate the movement of articles from
infested areas to noninfested areas. Collecting information requires
the use of a number of forms and documents.
Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information by
interviewing growers and shippers at the time the inspections are being
conducted and by having growers and shippers of exported plants and
plant products complete an application for a transit permit.
Information is collected from the growers, packers, shippers, and
exporters of regulated articles to ensure that the articles, when moved
from a quarantined area, do not harbor injurious plant diseases and
insect pests. The information obtained will be used to determine
compliance with regulations and for issuance of forms, permits,
certificates, and other required documents.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Farms;
Individuals or households; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal
Government.
Number of Respondents: 174,072.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 60,126.
Rural Housing Service
Title: 7 CFR 1980-D, Rural Housing Loans.
OMB Control Number: 0575-0078.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) offers
supervised credit programs to build modest housing and essential
community facilities in rural areas. RHS regulations prescribe the
policy necessary to process Rural Housing loan guarantees to low- and
moderate-income applicants. RHS, formerly known as the Rural Housing
and Community Development Service (RHCDS), is a successor agency to the
Farmers Home Administration under the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994, Public Law 103-
354. Section 517(d) of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949 provides the
authority for the Secretary of Agriculture to issue loan guarantees for
the acquisition of new or existing dwellings and related facilities to
provide decent, safe, and sanitary living conditions and other
structures in rural areas. The purpose of the Guaranteed Rural Housing
(GRH) program is to assist low- and moderate-income individuals and
families in acquiring or constructing a single family residence in a
rural area with loans made by private lenders. RHS will collect
information using an application form from the customers for a mortgage
loan.
Need and Use of the Information: RHS will collect information from
potential borrowers such as household income, assets and liabilities,
and monthly expenses to determine if borrowers qualify for and assure
they receive all assistance for which they are eligible. All
information collected is used to determine eligibility for program
participation and to monitor the program efficiency and effectiveness.
Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or
other for-profit; State, Local, or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 48,060.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion: Monthly.
Total Burden Hours: 153,931.
Forest Service
Title: 36 CFR Part 228, Subpart A--Locatable Minerals.
OMB Control Number: 0596-0022.
Summary of Collection: The United States Mining Law of 1872, as
amended, governs the prospecting for and appropriation of metallic and
most nonmetallic minerals on 192 million acres of National Forest set
up by proclamation from the public domain. It gives individuals the
right to search for and extract valuable mineral deposits of locatable
minerals. Recording that claim in the local courthouse and with the
appropriate Bureau of Land Management (BLM) State Office affords
protection from subsequent locators. A mining claimant is entitled to
reasonable access to claim for further prospecting, mining or necessary
related activities, subject to the other laws and applicable
regulations. The purpose of the regulations at 36 CFR part 228, subpart
A, is to set some specific rules and procedures through which use of
the surface of National Forest System lands in connection with mineral
operations authorized by the United States mining laws shall be
conducted so as to minimize adverse environmental impacts on surface
resources. The Forest Service (FS) will collect information using form
FS2800-5, Plan of Operations for Mining Activities on National Forest
System Lands.
Need and Use of the Information: FS will collect information
requirements for a Notice of Intent to identify the area involved; the
nature of the proposed operations; the route to the area of operations;
the method of transport. The information requirements for a Plan of
Operations includes: the name and legal mailing address of the
operators; a description of the type of operations proposed; a
description of how it would be conducted; a description of the type and
standard of existing/proposed roads/access routes; a description of the
means of transportation to be used; a description of the period during
which the proposed activity will take place; and measures to meet the
environmental protection requirements. The information requirements for
a cessation of operations include: verification to maintain the
structures, equipment and other facilities; expected reopening date;
estimate of extended duration of operations; maintenance of the site,
structures, equipment and other facilities during nonoperating periods.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 5,924.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (approved till operations
change).
Total Burden Hours: 4,462.
Rural Housing Service
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Farm Service Agency
Title: 7 CFR 1955-B, Management of Property.
OMB Control Number: 0575-0110.
Summary of Collection: The Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Rural
Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) programs are administered under the
provisions of the Consolidated and Rural Development Act (CONACT), as
amended. FSA Farm Loan Program (FLP) provides supervised credit in the
form of loans to family farmers and ranchers to purchase land and
finance
[[Page 63020]]
agricultural production. The Rural Housing Service (RHS) provides
credit in the form of Multi-Family Housing loan and Community Facility
loans. The RBS program is designed to improve, develop or finance
business industry and employment and improve the economic and
environmental climate in rural communities. These agencies must collect
information on real property taken into custody and chattel property in
the agency's inventory.
Need and Use of the Information: FSA, RHS, and RBS collect
information to properly track and monitor real property and chattel
property used to secure loans.
Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or
other for-profit; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal
Government.
Number of Respondents: 1,637.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 1,245.
Farm Service Agency
Title: American Indian Livestock Feed Program.
OMB Control Number: 0560-0187.
Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Act of 1970 (7 U.S.C. 1427
(a)), section 813, gives the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to
relieve distress caused by a natural disaster by using funds from the
sale of commodities held in the disaster reserve. On December 17, 1997,
the Secretary announced there would be an American Indian Livestock
Feed Program (AILFP) and allocated $8 million from the sale of disaster
reserve stocks to fund the program. An additional $4.5 million was
subsequently added to the funds for a total of $12.5 million. The AILFP
will provide cash reimbursement to livestock owners who must purchase
feed to sustain their livestock as a result of a natural disaster.
Reimbursement will amount to either 30 percent of the Animal Unit Days
(AUD) times the AUD value for the crop year in which the disaster took
place, or the amount the owner spent to purchase the feed, whichever
amount is smaller. Livestock owners are required to provide receipts
substantiating their purchases. When the loss of livestock feed first
becomes noticeable in a region a tribal government representative will
contact the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Area Office and the Farm
Service Agency (FSA) State Office to get the names of representatives
from those agencies who will serve as members of a Survey Team. The
Survey Team will consist of a BIA representative, an FSA
representative, and at least one tribal representative. The Survey Team
will examine the conditions in the region and determine if a natural
disaster has had a detrimental effect on the availability of livestock
feed in the region, and if so, the team will estimate the loss. FSA
will collect information using several forms.
Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information to
determine if the disaster region commended by the tribal government
meets the requirements of the regulations.
Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; State, Local
or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 45,000.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Other (when losses
occur).
Total Burden Hours: 22,563.
Farm Service Agency
Title: Livestock Indemnity Program (7 CFR 1439).
OMB Control Number: 0560-0179.
Summary of Collection: Under Pub. L. 105-18, the Secretary of
Agriculture is authorized to use up to $50 million from proceeds earned
from the sale of grain in the disaster reserve established in the
Agricultural Act of 1970 to implement a Livestock Indemnity Program.
The program will provide payments to producers with livestock and
poultry losses between October 1, 1996 and June 12, 1997, from natural
disasters which occurred between October 1, 1996 and June 12, 1997, for
which a Presidential or Secretarial Declaration was requested by June
12, 1997, and subsequently approved. Pub. L. 105-119 authorized an
additional $6 million to implement a Livestock Indemnity Program for
livestock and poultry losses beginning March 1, 1997, through November
26, 1997, from natural disasters which occurred beginning March 1,
through November 26, 1997, for which a Presidential or Secretarial
Declaration was requested between June 12, 1997, and December 1, 1997,
and subsequently approved. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) will collect
information using form CCC-661 to establish eligibility for the
program.
Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information from
persons who suffered livestock or poultry losses to support their
reported pre-disaster inventory such as receipts for purchase of
livestock, poultry, or feed and loan documents, or any information that
may be available to verify their livestock or poultry possessions prior
to the reported loss. Evidence to support the number of losses such as
rendering receipts and a certification by the producer on CCC-661
regarding the accuracy of the information submitted. The information
collected will be used by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to
determine the eligibility and amount of assistance in accordance with
published regulations. Failure to make sound decisions in providing
livestock indemnity program payments, would result in inequitable
treatment of the livestock and poultry owners.
Description of Respondents: Farms.
Number of Respondents: 60,000.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting; On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 120,000.
Farm Service Agency
Title: Upland Cotton Domestic User/Exporter Agreement and Payment
Program.
OMB Control Number: 0560-0136.
Summary of Collection: The Federal Agriculture Improvement and
Reform Act of 1996 (the FAIR Act) provided that, during the period
beginning August 1, 1991, and ending July 31, 2003, if for any
consecutive 4-week period, the Friday through Thursday average price
quotation for the lowest price U.S. growth, as quoted for Middling (M)
one and three-thirty seconds inch cotton, delivered C.I.F. northern
Europe exceeds the Northern Europe price by more than 1.25 cents per
pound, the Secretary of Agriculture issue cash or commodity
certificates to domestic users for cotton consumed or for exporters for
exports made in the week following such consecutive 4-week period.
Participating exporters must submit form CCC-1045-1, Exporter
Application for Payment, or provide the same information in their own
format whenever they export cotton during a week in which a payment
rate is in effect. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) will collect
information using form CCC-1045-1.
Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information from
form CCC-1045, Upland Cotton Domestic User/Exporter Agreement. The
agreement contains the terms and conditions for receiving payments and
outlines the responsibilities of the participants. Data collected on
the agreement documents are limited to the name of exporter, address of
recordkeeping office, and taxpayer ID. The agreement establishes basic
eligibility to participate in the program.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 230.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Weekly.
Total Burden Hours: 3,145.
Farm Service Agency
Title: Request for Aerial Photography.
[[Page 63021]]
OMB Control Number: 0560-0176.
Summary of Collection: The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Aerial
Photography Field Office (AFPO) has the authority to coordinate aerial
photography work in USDA, develop and carry out aerial photography and
remote sensing programs and the Agency's aerial photography flying
contract programs. Section 387 of the Agriculture Adjustment Act of
February 16, 1938, states ``The Secretary may furnish reproductions of
such aerial or other photographs, mosaics, and maps as have been
obtained in connection with the authorized work of the Department to
farmers and governmental agencies at the estimated cost of furnishing
such reproductions, and to persons other than farmers at such prices
(not less than estimated cost of furnishing such reproductions) and the
Secretary may determine, the money received from such sales to be
deposited in the Treasury to the credit of the appropriation charged
with the cost of making such reproductions.'' FSA will collect
information using FSA-441 form to determine the necessary customer and
photography information needed for the USDA FSA Aerial Photography
Field Office to produce and ship the various products ordered from our
office.
Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information on
the name, address, contact name, telephone, fax, e-mail, customer code,
agency code, purchase order number, credit card number/exp. date and
amount remitted/po amount. Customers have the option of placing orders
by mail, fax, telephone, walk-in or floppy disk. Furnishing this
information requires the customer to research and prepare their request
before submitting it to APFO.
Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households;
Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Federal
Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 12,000.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (when ordering).
Total Burden Hours: 8,000.
Rural Housing Service
Title: Form RD 1910-11, Application Certification, Federal
Collection Policies for Consumer or Commercial Debts.
OMB Control Number: 0575-0127.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Development (RD) implements the
requirements of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-
129. OMB Circular A-129, ``Policies for Federal Credit programs and
Non-Tax Receivables provides direction as to how agencies should inform
its loan applicants of the Federal Government's debt collection
policies and procedures prior to extending credit. At the time an
application for a loan program is completed, the agency will ask the
applicant to sign a debt collection certification statement to certify
knowledge of the Government's policies. This statement details the
consequences of delinquency. Form RD 1910-11 uniformly advises
applicants of the debt collection methods that will and can be used in
recovering on delinquent or defaulted loans. RD will collect
information using Form RD 1910-11.
Need and Use of the Information: RD will collect information using
Form RD 1910-11 to advise applicants of the debt collection methods
that will and can be used in recovering on delinquent or defaulted
loans. The information will be obtained from loan applicants for
consumer and commercial debt at the time of loan application. If the
application results in a loan, the information will be maintained in
the borrower's case file or loan docket and used as documentation
should the borrower become delinquent or default.
Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government;
Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit
institutions; Farms; Federal Government.
Number of Respondents: 1,565.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 392.
Farm Service Agency
Title: Power of Attorney.
OMB Control Number: 0560-NEW.
Summary of Collection: The FSA-211, Power of Attorney and FSA-211-
1, Power of Attorney for Husband and Wife have been revised to provide
for authority for programs provided by the Federal Agriculture
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (1996 Act). The power of attorney
grants said attorney authority to act with respect to actions involving
Farm Service Agency (FSA), Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and
Federal Crop Insurance (FCIC) insured crops. These forms provide a
service to producers who are not always able to be present to sign
documents. They save the producers the legal fees associated with
obtaining a power of attorney. FSA will collect information using form
FSA-211 and FSA-211-1.
Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information using
FSA-211, Power of Attorney to delegate authority to another person to
act for the producer with respect to actions under a variety of
programs administered by FSA and FSA-211-1, Power of Attorney for
Husband and Wife used by one spouse to grant signing authority for
another. Without a power of attorney a husband or wife may not be able
to sign documents on behalf of a spouse. These forms provide a service
to producers who are not always able to be present to sign documents.
Description of Respondents: Farms.
Number of Respondents: 500,000.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 150,000.
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Title: Revolving Loan Funds Capitalized by USDA Rural Development.
OMB Control Number: 0570-0030.
Summary of Collection: The information to be collected under this
action involves three programs. The Intermediary Relending Program
(IRP) was authorized by Section 1323 of the Food Security Act of 1985
(7 U.S.C. 1932 note). The Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program is
authorized by section 310B of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932). The Rural Economic Development Grant
Program is authorized by Section 313 of the Rural Electrification Act
of 1936, as amended (7 U.S.C. 940c). The Rural Business-Cooperative
Service (RBS), an agency within the Rural Development mission area of
the U.S. Department of Agriculture, operates several programs that
provide funds to organizations to be used for loans to third-party
recipients. The Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) provides long
term, low interest loans to nonprofit corporations, public agencies,
Indian tribes, and cooperatives to establish revolving loan funds to
finance businesses and community development projects in rural areas.
The Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program provides grant funds to
nonprofit and emerging private business enterprises in rural areas. The
Rural Economic Development Grant Program provides grants to electric
and telephone program borrowers of the Rural Utilities Service, for the
purpose of promoting rural economic development and job creation
projects. In each of these programs there is an organization, referred
to herein as an intermediary, that receives the Federal loan or grant
assistance, and uses that assistance to establish revolving funds to
make loan and grant assistance, to third parties, referred to herein as
ultimate recipients. RBS will collect information using an automated
data base of information created by Virginia Polytechnical University
on ultimate recipient loans.
[[Page 63022]]
Need and Use of the Information: RBS will collect information to
analyze the feasibility of secondary market sales of the promissory
notes held by the intermediaries and to provide better measures and
more accurate and complete information for measuring program impact, in
accordance with the National Performance and Results Act.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business
or other for-profit; Federal Government; State, Local, or Tribal
Government.
Number of Respondents: 550.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 2,750.
Rural Housing Service
Title: 7 CFR 1901-E, Civil Rights Compliance Requirements.
OMB Control Number: 0575-0018.
Summary of Collection: Rural Development (RD) is required to
provide Federal financial assistance through its farmer, housing, and
community and business programs on an equal opportunity basis. The laws
implemented in 7 CFR 1901-E, require the recipients of Rural
Development's Federal financial assistance to collect various types of
information by race, color, and national origin. RD will collect
information using various RD forms.
Need and Use of the Information: RD will collect information on
race, color and national origin. RD will use this information to
monitor a recipient's compliance with the civil rights laws, and to
determine whether or not service and benefits are being provided to
beneficiaries on an equal opportunity basis. Without the required
information, RD and its recipient will lack the necessary documentation
to demonstrate that their programs are being administered in a
nondiscriminatory manner and in full compliance with the civil rights
laws.
Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or
other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Farms; State, Local or
Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 19,565.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 533,017.
Farm Service Agency
Title: Debt Settlement Policies and Procedures, 7 CFR 792 and 1403.
OMB Control Number: 0560-0146.
Summary of Collection: The Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966,
as revised by the Debt Collection Act of 1982 (DCIA) (31 U.S.C., 3711,
et seq.) requires each Federal agency to make aggressive action to
collect debts owed it, and to cooperate with other Federal agencies in
their debt collection activities. The DCIA of 1996 has increased the
aggressiveness required through the addition of mandated provisions to
ensure that all agencies are employing the most efficient and cost
effective procedures and methods to identify, report and collect
outstanding debts. In order for Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the
Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to carryout their responsibilities
under this statute, information must be obtained to ensure that the
Government will be able to collect, or otherwise settle, debts owed it
by any person, organization, corporation, or other legal entity. The
Federal Claims Collection Standards and the DCIA provided that if the
debtor is financially unable to pay the debt in one lump sum, payment
may be accepted in regular installments, that agencies should obtain
financial statements from debtors who represent that they are unable to
pay the debt in one lump sum, and that agencies which agree to accept
payment in regular installments should obtain a legally enforceable
written agreement from the debtor which specifies all of the terms of
the agreement. FSA and CCC will collect financial information and the
completion of a settlement agreement or promissory note from debtors
who are unable to pay their debts in one lump sum.
Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information on
the debtors assets, liabilities, income and expenses when a debtor
requests to enter into an installment agreement to settle their debt.
Based on that information a determination can be made on whether the
debtor can pay the debt in one lump sum or an installment is necessary.
Without this financial information FSA/CCC would have no method of
allowing debtor's to pay their debts in installments while still
ensuring that the government's financial interests are protected. Once
an installment request has been approved, a legally enforceable written
agreement incorporating the terms of payment is necessary to evidence
the agreement and allow for judicial enforcement if the debtor defaults
on the agreement. Form CCC-279 is executed as a promissory note in
these situations.
Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Farm;
Federal Government.
Number of Respondents: 250.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 125.
Farm Service Agency
Title: Conservation and Environmental Programs--7 CFR 701.
OMB Control Number: 0560-0082.
Summary of Collection: The Conservation and Environmental Programs
Regulations at 7 CFR Part 701 set forth the basic policies, program
provisions, and eligibility requirements, as determined by the
Secretary, under which cost-sharing assistance will be made available
to eligible agricultural producers/landowners for carrying out approved
long-term conservation, forestry and emergency conservation measures.
The regulations include: (1) individual program goals and objectives;
(2) applicable program definitions; (3) procedures for program
development and implementation; (4) conditions for approvals, payments,
and completion of practices; and (5) general provisions to each
program. The Farm Service Agency (FSA), in cooperation with the Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Forest (FS) and other
agencies and organizations, provides eligible producers and landowners,
cost-share incentives and technical assistance through several
interrelated conservation and environmental programs to help farmers,
ranchers and other eligible landowners and operators conserve soil,
improve water quality, maintain the fertility of the land, develop the
forests, and rehabilitate land damaged by natural disasters. The
programs included are Emergency Conservation Program (ECP),
Conservation Reserve Program (CFP), Forestry Incentives Program, and
Rural Clean Water Program (RCWP). Various forms are used to collect
information on the type of assistance required and to certify
completions so that cost-share payments can be received.
Need and Use of the Information: Information collected is used by
FSA offices to determine eligibility, calculate cost-share payments
earned by participants based on the information reported by the
applicant that is substantiated by the receipts or sales documents to
monitor compliance.
Description of Respondents: Farm.
Number of Respondents: 450,000.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting.
Total Burden Hours: 205,000.
Farm Service Agency
Title: General Regulations Governing Sugar Loans for 1996 and
Subsequent Crops--7 CFR part 1435.
OMB Control Number: 0560-0093.
Summary of Collection: Sugar loans are authorized by the Federal
Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (the 1996 FAIR Act),
[[Page 63023]]
Section 156 and the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act
(Pub. L. 80-806). The loans to processors are made available through
CCC and implemented by regulations at 7 CFR 1435. The 1996 Act provides
the Secretary shall make available recourse or nonrecourse marketing
assistance loans on 1996 through 2002 crops of sugar beets and
sugarcane. The Farm Service Agency (FSA), on behalf of CCC, administers
recourse and nonrecourse loans for sugar. The type of loan, recourse or
nonrecourse, is determined by the level of tariff rate quotas for sugar
imports. CCC makes loans available to processors on eligible sugar
pledged as loan collateral. The sugar may be stored in approved farm
storage. Processors obtain loans on sugar processed from sugar beets
and sugar cane grown by eligible producers in the United States and
Puerto Rico. An eligible producer on a farm must have: (1) complied
with the highly erodible land requirements; (2) reported planted acres
for commodities applicable to loan requests; (3) met the applicable
crop insurance requirements; and (4) share in the risk of producing the
commodity. Eligible sugar must be processed and owned by the eligible
processor and stored in suitable storage. May not have been processed
from imported sugarcane, sugar beets, or molasses, and must have been
processed in the United States or Puerto Rico and must have processor
certification in the loan application that the sugar is eligible and
available to be pledged as collateral. FSA will collect information
using form SU-2, Application for Sugar Loan.
Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information on
the total capacity, storage location, crop years, commodity
lienholders, quantity, lot number and where the sugar was produced. The
information is used to determine the eligibility of the sugar and is
used to establish the quantity to be pledged as collateral for the
certified loan. Furnishing the data is voluntary, however, without it,
assistance under the CCC loan program cannot be provided.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 43.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Monthly.
Total Burden Hours: 15.
Nancy Sternberg,
Departmental Information Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-30122 Filed 11-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M
