E8-27606. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

November 17, 2008.

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), [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.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Title: User Fee Regulation, 7 CFR 354 and 9 CFR 130.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0094.

Summary of Collection: The Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to prescribe and collect fees to cover the cost of providing certain Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection (AQI) services. The Act gives the Secretary the authority to charge for the inspection of international passengers, commercial vessels, trucks, aircraft, and railroad cars, and to recover the costs of providing the inspection of plants and plant products offered for export. The Secretary is authorized to use the revenue to provide reimbursements to any appropriation accounts that incur costs associated with the AQI services provided. APHIS will collect information using several APHIS forms.

Need and Use of the Information: APHIS collects information, which includes the taxpayer identification number, name, and address and telephone number to collect fees. The procedures and the information requested for the passengers and aircraft are used to ensure that the correct users fees are collected and remitted in full in a timely manner. Without the information, APHIS would not be able to ensure substantial compliance with the statute. Noncompliance with the statute could result in misappropriation of public funds and lost revenue to the Federal Government.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Individuals or households; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 245,122.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 11,876.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.