Notice of Intent To Request an Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 10, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 11823]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5952]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 46 / Wednesday, March 10, 1999 / 
Notices

[[Page 11823]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service


Notice of Intent To Request an Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

Agency

Agricultural Research Service, USDA.

Action

Notice and request for comments.

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Summary

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. No. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR Part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of USDA's Biological Control Documentation Program dealing with documenting the importation and release of foreign biological control agents.

Dates

Comments on this notice must be received by May 17, 1999, to be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Jack R. Coulson, Director, ARS Biological Control Documentation Center, National Program Staff, National Agricultural Library, ARS, USDA, 10301 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705-2330, (301) 504-6350.

Supplementary Information

Title: USDA Biological Shipment Record--Beneficial Organisms. OMB Number: 0518-0013. Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 1999. Type of Request: To extend a currently approved information collection. Abstract: The purpose of the Biological Control Documentation Program is to record the importation (AD-941), release from quarantine (AD-942), and shipment and/or field release/recolonization (AD-942 and AD-943) of foreign/introduced beneficial organisms (biological control agents and pollinators). The information collected is entered into the USDA ``Releases of Beneficial Organisms in the United States and Territories'' (ROBO) database, established in 1984. It is a cooperative program among USDA and other federal agencies, state governmental agencies, and U.S. universities. The use of the forms and the information provided is voluntary. The program is for the benefit of biological control research and action agency personnel, taxonomists, federal and state regulatory agencies, agricultural administrators, and the general public. Efforts are underway to replace the paper forms with computerized information collection, and when completed, only those units for which computerized input is not possible would use the forms. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1/12 hour per response. Non-Federal Respondents: Non-profit institutions, universities, and state and local governments. Estimated Number of Non-Federal Respondents: 100. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: An average of 3 (range 1-60). Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 25 hours. Copies of the 3 forms used in this information collection can be obtained from Jack R. Coulson, ARS Biological Control Documentation Center, at (301) 504-6350.

Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 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 the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 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 use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Jack R. Coulson, Director, ARS Biological Control Documentation Center, National Program Staff, ARS, USDA, National Agricultural Library, 10301 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350. 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.

Signed at Beltsville, MD, February 26, 1999. Judy St John, Associate Deputy Administrator, Plant Sciences, National Program Staff, Agricultural Research Service Department of Agriculture. [FR Doc. 99-5952 Filed 3-9-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-03-P