2010-3696. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

February 18, 2010.

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.

Farm Service Agency

Title: Disaster Assistance—General (7 CFR part 1945-A).

OMB Control Number: 0560-0170.

Summary of Collection: The regulation at 7 CFR 1945-A, defines the responsibilities of the Secretary of Agriculture in making disaster area determinations, the types of incidents that can result in a disaster area determination, and the factors used in making disaster area determinations. The determination of a disaster area is prerequisite to authorizing emergency (EM) loans to qualified farmers. EM loan funds may be used to restore or replace essential property, pay all or part of production costs incurred by the farmer or rancher in the year of the disaster, pay for essential family living expenses, pay to reorganize the farming operation or refinance USDA and non-USDA creditors. The information collection occurs when the Secretary receives a letter from the Governor requesting a Secretarial natural disaster determination. Supporting documentation of losses for all counties having disaster is provided by the County Emergency Boards in the form of a report entitled “Loss Assessment Report” (LAR).

Need and Use of the Information: The Farm Service Agency will collect the following information to determine if the county is eligible to qualify for a natural disaster designation: (1) The nature and extent of production losses; (2) the number of farmers who have sustained qualifying production losses; and (3) the number of farmers that have sustained qualifying production losses that other lenders in the county have indicated that they will not be in a position to finance. The information will be used by FSA to process State Governor requests for Secretarial natural disaster designations.

Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 1,581.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 900.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.