E7-12813. Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY:

Rural Business-Cooperative Service.

ACTION:

Proposed collection; comments requested.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Business-Cooperative Service's intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the program for 7 CFR part 4284, subpart J.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by September 4, 2007 to be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Deputy Administrator, Cooperative Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 3250, Washington, DC 20250, Telephone: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Value-Added Producer Grants.

OMB Number: 0570-0039.

Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2007.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: The purpose of this information collection is to obtain information necessary to evaluate grant applications to determine the eligibility of the applicant and the project for the program and to qualitatively assess the project to determine which projects should be funded.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 43 hours per grant application.

Respondents: Independent producers, agriculture producer groups, farmer- or rancher-cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 535.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.

Estimated Number of Responses: 1,320.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 57,145 hours.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Cheryl Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Support Services Division at [phone].

Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information including 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 the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Cheryl Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Support Services Division, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-0742.

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.

Dated: June 27, 2007.

Ben Anderson,

Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.