2015-10194. Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Domestic Quarantine Notices

AGENCY:

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with the domestic quarantine regulations to prevent the spread of plant pests and diseases within the United States.

DATES:

We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 30, 2015.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/​#!docketDetail;​D=​APHIS-2015-0013.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2015-0013, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov/​#!docketDetail;​D=​APHIS-2015-0013 or in our reading room, which is located in Room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call [phone] before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For information on the domestic quarantine regulations to prevent the spread of plant pests and diseases, contact Ms. Lynn Evans-Goldner, National Policy Manager, PHP, Plant Protection and Quarantine, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 160, Riverdale, MD 20737; [phone]. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Ms. Kimberly Hardy, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Domestic Quarantine Notices.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0088.

Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection.

Abstract: As authorized by the Plant Protection Act (PPA, 7 U.S. C. 7701 et seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture may prohibit or restrict the importation, entry, exportation, or movement in interstate commerce of any plant, plant product, biological control organism, noxious weed, means of conveyance, or other article to prevent a plant pest or noxious weed from being introduced into or disseminated within the United States. This authority has been delegated to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers regulations to implement the PPA.

APHIS regulations in 7 CFR part 301, “Domestic Quarantine Notices,” prohibit or restrict the interstate movement of certain articles from infested areas to noninfested areas to prevent the spread of plant pests. Federal and State quarantines are necessary to regulate the movement of articles from infested areas to noninfested areas. For example, if an area in the United States has been placed under quarantine due to the Asian longhorned beetle, then certain plant products (regulated articles) that are susceptible to the Asian longhorned beetle can be moved from the quarantined area only under certain conditions (i.e., after inspection and issuance of a certificate or limited permit). These measures help prevent the Asian longhorned beetle from spreading from the quarantined area to noninfested areas of the United States.

Administering these regulations requires APHIS to collect information from a variety of individuals who are involved in growing, packing, handling, and transporting plants and plant products. The information serves as supporting documentation required for the issuance of forms and documents that authorize the movement of regulated plants and plant products and is vital to help prevent the spread of injurious plant pests within the United States. Collecting this information requires us to use a number of forms and documents, including certificates, limited permits, transit permits, and outdoor household article documents.

We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of these information collection activities for an additional 3 years.

The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. These comments will help us:

(1) Evaluate 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;

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies; e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.31 hours per response.

Respondents: State plant regulatory officials, State cooperators, and individuals involved in growing, packing, handling, and transporting plants and plant products.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 27,464.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 60.

Estimated annual number of responses: 1,640,893.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 512,491 hours. (Due to averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per response.)

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.

Done in Washington, DC, this 27th day of April 2015.

Kevin Shea,

Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.