97-9860. Notice of Intent To Extend a Currently Approved Information Collection  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 73 (Wednesday, April 16, 1997)]
    [Notices]
    [Page 18577]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-9860]
    
    
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    Notices
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    Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 73 / Wednesday, April 16, 1997 / 
    Notices
    
    [[Page 18577]]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
    
    Agricultural Research Service
    
    
    Notice of Intent To Extend a Currently Approved Information 
    Collection
    
    AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, USDA.
    
    ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
    
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    SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 
    L. 109-13) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 
    CFR Part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the 
    Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) intention to request an extension 
    for a currently approved information collection in support of USDA's 
    Biological Control Documentation Program dealing with documenting the 
    importation and release of foreign biological control agents.
    
    DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 20, 1997, to be 
    assured of consideration.
    
    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Jack R. Coulson, Director, 
    ARS Biological Control Documentation Center, Insect Biocontrol 
    Laboratory, Plant Sciences Institute, ARS, USDA, National Agricultural 
    Library, 4th Floor, 10301 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705-2330, 
    (301) 504-6350.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
        Title: USDA Biological Shipment Record--Record of Shipment of 
    Exotic Microorganisms for Biological Control (AD-944); Release of 
    Exotic Microorganisms for Biological Control (AD-944A).
        OMB Number: 0518-0017.
        Expiration Date of Current Approval: October 31, 1997.
        Type of Request: Intent to extend the currently approved 
    information collection.
        Abstract: The purpose of the Biological Control Documentation 
    Program is to record the importation (AD-944) and field release (AD-
    944A) of foreign/introduced beneficial microorganisms (biological 
    control). The information collected is entered into the USDA ``Releases 
    of Beneficial Organisms in the United States and Territories'' (ROBO) 
    database, established in 1984. It is a cooperative program among USDA 
    and other federal agencies, state governmental agencies, and U.S. 
    universities. The use of the forms and the information provided is 
    voluntary. The program is for the benefit of biological control 
    research and action agency personnel, taxonomists, federal and state 
    regulatory agencies, agricultural administrators, and the general 
    public. Efforts are underway to replace the paper forms with 
    computerized information collection, and when completed, the forms 
    would be used only by those units for which computerized input is not 
    possible. This information collection is due to expire on October 31, 
    1997. ARS intends to request an extension of three years.
        Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
    information is estimated to average \1/12\ hour per response.
        Non-Federal Respondents: Non-profit institutions, universities, and 
    state and local governments.
        Estimated Number of Non-Federal Respondents: 20.
        Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: An average of 3 
    (range 1-10).
        Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 5 hours.
        Copies of the 2 forms used in this information collection can be 
    obtained from Jack R. Coulson, ARS Biological Control Documentation 
    Center, at (301) 504-6350.
    
    Comments
    
        Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 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 the burden of the 
    proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
    methodology and assumptions used; (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 through use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
    mechanical or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
    of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Jack R. Coulson, 
    Director, ARS Biological Control Documentation Center, Insect 
    Biocontrol Laboratory, Plant Sciences Institute, ARS, USDA, National 
    Agricultural Library, 4th Floor, 10301 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD 
    20705-2350.
        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.
    
        Signed at Beltsville, MD, March 25, 1997.
    A. Rick Bennett,
    Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of International Research 
    Programs, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of 
    Agriculture.
    [FR Doc. 97-9860 Filed 4-15-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3410-03-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
04/16/1997
Department:
Agricultural Research Service
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice and request for comments.
Document Number:
97-9860
Dates:
Comments on this notice must be received by June 20, 1997, to be assured of consideration.
Pages:
18577-18577 (1 pages)
PDF File:
97-9860.pdf