01-28067. Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection

AGENCY:

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection, the Environmental Monitoring Form.

DATES:

We invite you to comment on this docket. We will consider all comments we receive that are postmarked by January 7, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

Please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to: Docket No. 01-083-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Suite 3C03, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. 01-083-1.

You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call [phone] before coming.

APHIS documents published in the Federal Register, and related information, including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/​ppd/​rad/​webrepor.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For information regarding the Environmental Monitoring Form, contact Mr. Ronald Berger, Environmental Monitoring Team Leader, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 150, Riverdale, MD 20737; [phone]. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Environmental Monitoring Form.

OMB Number: 0579-0117.

Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection.

Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) provides leadership in ensuring the health and care of animals and plants. The Agency attempts to carry out this mission in a manner that promotes and protects the environment.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the regulations that implement this act (contained in 40 CFR 1500-1508), APHIS engages in environmental monitoring for certain activities that we conduct to control or eradicate certain pests and diseases. We monitor those activities that have the greatest potential for harm to the human environment to ensure that the mitigation measures developed to avoid that harm are enforced and effective. In many cases, monitoring is required where APHIS programs are conducted close to habitats of endangered and threatened species. This monitoring is developed in coordination with the United States Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, in compliance with the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531-1544).

APHIS field personnel and State Cooperators jointly use APHIS Form 2060, Environmental Monitoring Form, to collect information concerning the effects of pesticide use in these sensitive habitats. The goal of environmental monitoring is to track the potential impact that APHIS activities may have on the environment and to use this knowledge in making any necessary adjustments in future program actions.

We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of APHIS Form 2060 for an additional 3 years.

The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. These comments will help us:

(1) Evaluate 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;

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies; e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.5 hours per response.

Respondents: Growers/appliers of pesticides, State Department of Agriculture personnel.

Estimated number of respondents: 150.

Estimated number of responses per respondent: 20.

Estimated annual number of responses: 3,000.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 1,500 hours. (Due to averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per response.)

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

Done in Washington, DC, this 2nd day of November 2001.

W. Ron DeHaven,

Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.