98-5230. Notice of Request for Reinstatement of a Revised Previously Approved Information Collection; Comment Request: Crop Acreage and Yields and Water Distribution

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 40 (Monday, March 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10243-10244]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5230]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation


Notice of Request for Reinstatement of a Revised Previously 
Approved Information Collection; Comment Request: Crop Acreage and 
Yields and Water Distribution

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is announcing an 
opportunity for public comment on the proposed reinstatement of a 
certain revised information collection. Under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the 
Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, 
including each proposed reinstatement of an expired collection of 
information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the 
notice. This notice solicits comments on requirements for an annual 
crop census to be taken, along with related statistics, on all 
operating Reclamation projects.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 1, 1998.

ADDRESSES: To submit comments on the information collection contact: 
Bureau of Reclamation, Information Collection Officer, D-7924, P.O. Box 
25007, Denver, CO 80225-0007: telephone [phone]; Internet 
address: [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Larry Schluntz, Program Analysis Office, D-5200, P.O. Box 25007, 
Denver, CO 80225-0007; telephone: [phone] or Robert Hamilton, 
Economics Branch, D-8270, P.O. Box 25007, Denver, CO 80225-0007; 
telephone: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The annual crop census is to be taken on all 
operating Reclamation projects, along with related statistics, 
including water distribution, primarily for use as a tool in 
administering, managing, and evaluating the Federal Reclamation 
program. The statistics are used extensively in the administration of 
the repayment and water service contracts. They also are used in the 
determination of the irrigators ability to pay and in the economic 
evaluation of the projects, including benefit/cost analysis and Class I 
equivalency. These statistics are utilized in the determination of 
subsidies to irrigation and in the administration of foreign treaties, 
such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), where 
estimates of subsidies to agriculture are required. In

[[Page 10244]]

addition, the water use is utilized extensively to determine the 
effectiveness of conservation measures and to determine irrigation 
water requirements. This information will also be used by other Federal 
and non-Federal programs to carry out research programs regarding 
irrigation and water use. Crop and water statistics are of importance 
as factual statements of program accomplishment and will be used as 
documentation for Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) 
requirements.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
Reclamation, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of Reclamation's estimated time and cost 
burdens of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including increased use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Title: Crop Acreage and Yields and Water Distribution.
    OMB No.: 1006-0001.
    Description of respondents: Irrigators and water user entities in 
the 17 Western States who receive irrigation water service from 
Reclamation facilities. Also included are entities who receive other 
water service, such as municipal and industrial water through 
Reclamation facilities.
    Number of respondents: 25,000.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Estimated completion time: An average of 15 minutes per response.
    Annual responses: 25,000.
    Annual burden hours: 6,250 hours.
    Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted 
within 60 days of the publication.

    Dated: February 24, 1998.
J. William McDonald,
Acting Director, Program Analysis Office.
[FR Doc. 98-5230 Filed 2-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-94-M