2011-16611. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

June 28, 2011.

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.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Title: National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) Needs Assessment Surveys.

OMB Control Number: 0579-New.

Summary of Collection: Collection and dissemination of animal health data and information is mandated by 7 U.S.C. 391, The Animal Industry Act of 1884, which established the precursor of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services, the Bureau of Animal Industry. Legal requirements for examining and reporting on animal disease control methods were further mandated by 7 U.S.C. 8308 of the Animal Health Protection Act, “Detection, Control, and Eradication of Diseases and Pests,” May 13, 2002. APHIS operates the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), which collects nationally representative, statistically valid, and scientifically sound data on the prevalence and economic importance of livestock diseases and associated risk factors. The NAHMS program would like to administer needs assessment surveys prior to all national studies. The purpose of administering needs assessments prior to the design phase of NAHM studies is to gather producer, veterinary, and industry representatives' opinions, which help determine the focus and scope of NAHMS' studies.

Need and Use of the Information: Needs assessments ensure that the NAHMS program is driven by producer and industry interests and that the studies and reports produced by NAHMS are meeting the needs of the public. NAHMS will use the information collected during these needs assessment studies to focus on the objectives of its national studies.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 2,200.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 466.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Title: Gypsy Moth Identification Worksheet.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0104.l

Summary of Collection: Under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701—et seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture either independently or in cooperation with the States, is authorized to carry out operations or measures to detect, eradicate, suppress, control, prevent, or retard the spread of plant pest new to the United States or not widely distributed throughout the United States. The Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) a program within the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is responsible for implementing the intent of this ACT, and does so through the enforcement of its Domestic Quarantine Regulations contained in Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 301. The European gypsy moth is one of the most destructive pests of fruit and ornamental trees as well as hardwood forests. The Asian gypsy moth is an exotic strain of gypsy moth that is closely related to the European variety already established in the U.S. Due to significant behavioral differences, this strain is considered to pose an even greater threat to trees and forested areas. In order to determine the presence and extent of a European gypsy moth or an Asian gypsy moth infestation, APHIS sets traps in high-risk areas to collect specimens.

Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information from the Gypsy Moth Identification Worksheet, PPQ Form 305, to identify and track specific specimens that are sent to the Otis Development Center for identification tests based on DNA analysis. This information collected is vital to APHIS' ability to monitor, detect, and eradicate gypsy moth infestations and the worksheet is completed only when traps are found to contain specimens. Information on the worksheet includes the name of the submitter, the submitter's agency, the date collected, the trap number, the trap's location (including the nearest port of entry), the number of specimens in the trap, and the date the specimen was sent to the laboratory.

Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 120.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting; On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 41.

Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service

Title: Black Stem Rust; Identification Requirements and Addition of Rust-Resistant Varieties.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0186.

Summary of Collection: Under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701—et seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to prohibit or restrict the importation, entry, or movement of plants and plant products to prevent the introduction of plant pests into the United States or their dissemination within the United States. Black stem rust is one of the most destructive plant diseases of small grains that are known to exist in the United States. The disease is caused by a fungus that reduces the quality and yield of infected wheat, oat, barley, and rye crops by robbing host plants of food and water.

Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information to prevent the spread of black stem rust by providing for and requiring the accurate identification of rust-resistant varieties by inspectors.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit.

Number of Respondents: 4.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 32.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.