E8-8264. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

April 11, 2008.

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.

Agricultural Marketing Service

Title: Recordkeeping Requirements for Certified Applicators of Federally Restricted Use Pesticides (7 CFR part 110).

OMB Control Number: 0581-0164.

Summary of Collection: The Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade (FACT) Act of 1990 (Subtitle H, Sec. 1491) mandates the Department of Agriculture (USDA) in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “ shall require certified applicators of federally restricted use pesticides to maintain records comparable to records maintained by commercial applicators in each state.” In addition, USDA and the Administrator of EPA are required under section 1491(f) of the FACT Act to survey the records and develop and maintain a data base so USDA and the Administrator of EPA can prepare and publish annual pesticide use reports, copies of which must be transmitted to Congress. Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is charged with administering the Federal Pesticide Recordkeeping Program. AMS requires certified private applicators of federally restricted use pesticides to maintain records of all restricted use pesticide applications for a period of two years.

Need and Use of the Information: AMS will collect information using the ST-8, Pesticide Recordkeeping Inspection Form. In order to properly administer the Pesticide Recordkeeping Program, AMS needs to monitor and determine to what extent private applicators are complying with the program's requirements and identify the reasons for non/or partial compliance. AMS has the responsibility to assure records are kept to provide information to be utilized by licensed health care professionals for possible medical treatment. In addition, the stature requires USDA to submit annual reports to Congress pertaining to the use of restricted use pesticides in agricultural production.

Description of Respondents: Farms; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 592,233.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 1,797,714.

Charlene Parker,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.