2011-18846. Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Nomination Request Form; Animal Disease Training

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 training related to animal diseases.

DATES:

We will consider all comments that we receive on or before September 26, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/​#!documentDetail;​D=​APHIS-2011-0068-0001.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2011-0068, 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-2011-0068 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 training related to animal diseases, contact Ms. Alicia D. Love, Training Technician, Professional Development Staff, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 27, Riverdale, MD 20737; [phone]. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Nomination Request Form; Animal Disease Training.

OMB Number: 0579-0353.

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

Abstract: Under the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture is authorized, among other things, to prohibit or restrict the importation and interstate movement of animals and animal products to prevent the introduction into and dissemination within the United States of animal diseases and pests and for eradicating such diseases when feasible. In connection with this mission, the Veterinary Services (VS) program of APHIS provides vital training to State, Tribal, and industry representatives and academic personnel to prepare them to respond to an animal disease event, including disease eradication activities and sample collection.

Individuals who wish to attend animal disease-related training must submit a Nomination Request Form (VS-1-5) to VS to help the program coordinate courses and select participants. VS develops rosters with course participants' names and their contact information to notify them of future training courses and to encourage contact among participants throughout their careers.

We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of this information collection activity 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 0.3 hours per response.

Respondents: State, Tribal, and industry representatives; and academic personnel.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 100.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.

Estimated annual number of responses: 100.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 30 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 20th day of July 2011.

Kevin Shea,

Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.