03-8867. Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY:

Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to request an extension and revision for the Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation certification requirements. This information is collected in support of the conservation provisions of Title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended by the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 and the Federal Agriculture, Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (the Statute).

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received on or before June 10, 2003 to be assured consideration.

Additional Information or Comments: Contact Sharon Biastock, Agricultural Program Specialist, Production, Emergencies, and Compliance Division, USDA, FSA, STOP 0517, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0517; telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification.

OMB Control Number: 0560-0185.

Expiration Date: March 31, 2003.

Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: Rules governing those requirements under Title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended by the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 and the Federal Agriculture, Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 relating to highly erodible lands and wetlands are codified in 7 CFR part 12. In order to ensure that persons who request benefits subject to conservation restrictions get the necessary technical assistance and are informed regarding the compliance requirements on their land, information is collected with regard to their intended activities on their land which could affect their eligibility for requested USDA benefits. Once technical determinations are made, producers are required to certify that they will comply with the conservation requirements on their land to maintain their eligibility for certain programs. Persons may request that certain activities be exempt according to provisions of the Statute. Information is collected from those who seek these exemptions for the purpose of evaluating whether the exempted conditions will be met.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average .16 hours (10 minutes) per response.

Respondents: Individual producers.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 250,000.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 40,000.

Proposed topics for comment include: (a) Whether the collection 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 collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of the information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments should be sent to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503 and to Sharon Biastock, Agricultural Program Specialist, Production, Emergencies, and Compliance Division, USDA, FSA, STOP 0517, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0517, telephone [phone].

Signed at Washington, DC, on April 4, 2003.

James R. Little,

Administrator, Farm Service Agency.