SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Emergency Management Response System.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0071.

Type of Request: Revision to and 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 U.S. Department of Agriculture is authorized, among other things, to protect the health of U.S. livestock and poultry populations by preventing the introduction and interstate spread of diseases and pests of livestock and by eradicating such diseases from the United States when feasible.

The Emergency Management Response System (EMRS) is a web-based system that helps APHIS manage and investigate potential incidents of foreign animal diseases in the United States.

When a potential foreign animal disease incident is reported, APHIS or State animal health officials dispatch a foreign animal disease veterinary diagnostician to the premises of the reported incident to conduct an investigation. The diagnostician obtains vital epidemiological data by conducting field investigations, including sample collection, and by interviewing the owner or manager of the premises being investigated. These important data, submitted electronically by the diagnostician into EMRS, include such items as the purpose of the diagnostician's visit and suspected disease, type of operation on the premises, the number and type of animals on the premises, the number of sick or dead animals on the premises, the results of physical examinations of affected animals and necropsy examinations, vaccination information on the animals in the herd or flock, biosecurity practices at the site, whether any animals were recently moved out of the herd or flock, whether any new animals were recently introduced into the herd or flock, the number and kinds of test samples taken, and detailed geographic data concerning the premises location. EMRS allows these epidemiological and diagnostic data to be documented and transmitted more efficiently.

We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of these information collection activities, as described, 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 burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response.

Respondents: Owners or operators of livestock and poultry facilities and State animal health officials.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 158.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 156.

Estimated annual number of responses: 24,703.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 24,703 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.

86 FR 30250