Proposed Rules. Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request
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BILLING CODE 3510-22-S 71 134 Thursday, July 13, 2006 Notices DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS-2006-0108] Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or Produced Through Genetic Engineering 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 regulations for the introduction of organisms and products altered or produced through genetic engineering.
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before September 11, 2006. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: *Federal eRulemaking Portal:* Go to *http://www.regulations.gov* and, in the lower “Search Regulations and Federal Actions” box, select “Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service” from the agency drop-down menu, then click on “Submit.” In the Docket ID column, select APHIS-2006-0108 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through the site's “User Tips” link. *Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:* Please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0108, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No.
APHIS-2006-0108. *Reading Room:* You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our reading room. The reading room 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
(202)690-2817 before coming. *Other Information:* Additional information about APHIS and its programs is available on the Internet at *http://www.aphis.usda.gov* . You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our reading room. The reading room 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
(202)690-2817 before coming. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding the information collection associated with regulations for the introduction of organisms and products altered or produced through genetic engineering, contact Ms. Ingrid Berlanger, Document Control Officer, Regulatory Operations Programs, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737;
(301)734-4885. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at
(301)734-7477. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Title:* 7 CFR Part 340; Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or Produced through Genetic Engineering. *OMB Number:* 0579-0085. *Type of Request:* Extension of approval of an information collection. *Abstract:* 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 in interstate commerce of any plant, plant product, biological control organism, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance, if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the introduction or the dissemination of a plant pest into the United States. Under that authority, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service administers the regulations in 7 CFR part 340, “Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or Produced Through Genetic Engineering Which Are Plant Pests or Which There Is Reason to Believe Are Plant Pests,” which regulate, among other things, the introduction (importation, interstate movement, or release into the environment) of organisms and products altered or produced through genetic engineering that are plant pests or that there is reason to believe are plant pests. Such genetically engineered organisms and products are considered “regulated articles.” A permit must be obtained or a notification acknowledged before a regulated article may be introduced. The regulations set forth the permit application requirements and the notification procedures for the importation, interstate movement, or release into the environment of a regulated article and necessitate certain information and recordkeeping requirements, including APHIS-issued permits, applicants' field testing records, and the submission of protocols to ensure compliance. This notice includes a description of the information collection requirements currently approved by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)under number 0579-0216, “Field Testing of Plants Engineered to Produce Pharmaceutical and Industrial Compounds.” After OMB approves and combines the burden associated with this extension notice under number 0579-0085, the Department will retire number 0579-0216. We are asking OMB to approve our use of these information collection activities 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 information collection, 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 information collection 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 1.0034129 hours response. *Respondents:* U.S. importers and shippers of genetically engineered organisms and products and agricultural companies that produce or test genetically engineered organisms or products or that engage in product research and development. *Estimated annual number of respondents:* 121. *Estimated annual number of responses per respondent:* 24.214876. *Estimated annual number of responses:* 2,930. *Estimated total annual burden on respondents:* 2,940 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 10th day of July 2006. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E6-11044 Filed 7-12-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-34-P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food and Nutrition Service Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Comment Request: Food Stamp Program Education and Administrative Reporting System
(EARS)AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on a proposed information collection. The proposed collection is a new collection. The purpose of the Education and Administrative Reporting System
(EARS)form is to collect uniform and standard information on nutrition education activities funded by the Food Stamp Program. The data collected will inform management decisions, support policy initiatives, and provide documentation for legislative, budget and other requests that support planning within the agency. DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before September 11, 2006. ADDRESSES: 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 has 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 that were 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 Judy Wilson, Director, Nutrition Services Staff, Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria, VA 22302. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)approval. All comments will also be a matter of public record. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the proposed information collection form and instructions should be directed to Judy Wilson at
(703)305-2585. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Title:* Education and Administrative Reporting System. *OMB Number:* Not assigned at this time. *Form Number:* FNS-759. *Expiration Date:* None. *Type of Request:* New collection. *Abstract:* The Food and Nutrition Service
(FNS)has developed a new reporting system for the nutrition education component of the Food Stamp Program, which is provided for in section 11(f) of the Food Stamp Act, 7 U.S.C. 2020(f). To do this, the Agency convened a workgroup of diverse stakeholders that assisted with this task, including people from the State, local, and Federal levels, as well as academia. The new Education and Administrative Reporting System
(EARS)will provide uniform data and information about the nutrition education activities of all participating States across the country. Data collected under the new system include demographic characteristics of participants receiving nutrition education benefits, information about education topics and strategies, and use of resources. The EARS has been designed to be an annual report that State Food Stamp Program Agencies will submit to report prior Fiscal Year's nutrition education activities. *Affected Public:* State Food Stamp Program Agencies, implementing partners such as extension universities and non-profit organizations and local program operators. *Estimated Number of Respondents:* 52. *Number of Responses per Respondent:* 1. *Estimated Total Annual Responses:* 52. *Hours per Response:* 54. *Total Annual Reporting Hours:* 2808. *Total Annual Burden Hours:* 2808. Dated: July 6, 2006. Roberto Salazar, Administrator. [FR Doc. E6-11033 Filed 7-12-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-30-P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Information Collection; Request for Comment; Economic, Social, and Cultural Aspects of Livestock Ranching AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice; request for comment. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension of a currently approved information collection, Economic, Social, and Cultural Aspects of Livestock Ranching on the Santa Fe and Carson National Forests. The extension is necessary to complete collection of baseline data on the economic, social, and cultural contributions of livestock owners in northern New Mexico. The information provided by this study will help the Forest Service administer grazing permits more effectively to better meet the needs of grazing permittees in northern New Mexico. The information will also be used for purposes of public education. DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before September 11, 2006 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable. ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to Carol Raish, Research Social Scientist, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 333 Broadway, SE., Suite 115, Albuquerque, NM 87102-3497. Comments may also be submitted via facsimile to
(505)724-3688 or by e-mail to: *craish@fs.fed.us* . The public may inspect comments received at 333 Broadway, SE., Suite 115, Albuquerque, NM 87102-3497 during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to
(505)724-3666 to facilitate entry to the building. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Raish, Rocky Mountain Research Station, at 505-724-3666. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf
(TDD)may call the Federal Relay Service
(FRS)at 1-800-877-8339 twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Title:* Economic, Social, and Cultural Aspects of Livestock Ranching on the Santa Fe and Carson National Forests. *OMB Number:* 0596-0171. *Expiration Date of Approval:* December 31, 2006. *Type of Request:* Extension of currently approved collection. *Abstract:* Management of Federal lands is often hampered because land managing agencies lack sufficient information to understand and monitor socio-cultural values and changing attitudes toward land and resource use. This lack of up-to-date information impedes efforts of the Forest Service
(FS)to work with livestock ranchers who graze their cattle under permit on Forest Service managed lands (permittees). In northern New Mexico, many grazing permittees are descendants of Hispanic settlers who farmed and ranched in the area for 400 years. Prior to the United States takeover of the region in 1848, much of the land now grazed under Federal permits was owned or used by local communities under Spanish and Mexican land grants. Cultural differences and historic problems over land use contribute to disagreements and misunderstandings between the permittees and Federal land managers. This study, along with a 1998 pilot study conducted on the Española and Canjilon districts, will encompass all grazing permittees on the two forests. It will provide data on economic, social, and cultural contributions of livestock ownership to the grazing permittees of northern New Mexico. Prior studies conducted in the late 1960s and 1970s require updating and revision to provide the most current information. Additionally, our pilot study indicates that there is a need for a broader base of data. The results of this research should help agency personnel manage the land more effectively and work more cooperatively with livestock grazing permittees. Such information may also serve to improve agency relations with area communities by promoting greater understanding of the local culture and the role of livestock ownership in that culture. As the public becomes more involved in the Federal land management decision-making process, the need for public education on the relationship between land and the rural way of life increases. To collect the required information, social science researchers from the Rocky Mountain Research Station, USDA Forest Service will personally administer a questionnaire to grazing permittees from the Santa Fe and Carson National Forests. Respondents who are unable to schedule an interview will have the option of returning their completed questionnaire by mail. The data collected will describe the economic, social, and cultural contributions of livestock operations to grazing permittees including:
(1)Background information on the permittee and his/her family;
(2)background information on the livestock operation;
(3)contribution of the livestock operation to the household economy;
(4)contribution of the livestock operation to the culture and lifestyle;
(5)land use values of the family and community. After completing the information collection, researchers will compile and analyze the data. The compiled data from this study will be used to assist managers on the two forests to work more effectively with grazing permittees by encouraging increased intercultural understanding. Additionally, the collected information may be used in developing and updating grazing allotment plans and in developing forest plan revisions. This type of information is also valuable in public education programs concerning the rural culture of northern New Mexico. The results of this study will also serve as the foundation for multiple research publications. Since this study is designed to provide information on small-scale livestock operations on Federal allotments, its implementation is of considerable importance. If this data is not collected, grazing allotment plans and forest plan revisions for the target forests will not be based on the most current and appropriate socio-cultural and economic information. Furthermore, agency relations with the community may be hindered from a lack of knowledge that might otherwise help to promote intercultural understanding and cooperation. *Estimate of Annual Burden:* 1.5 hours. *Type of Respondents:* Livestock ranchers/owners (permittees) who have permits to graze cattle or sheep on the Santa Fe and Carson National Forests of northern New Mexico. *Estimated Annual Number of Respondents:* 50 respondents annually for 3 years; totaling 150 individual respondents. *Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent:* 1. *Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents:* 75 hours annually; total 3 year burden equals 225 hours. Comment is invited on:
(1)Whether this collection of information is necessary for the stated purposes and the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical or scientific utility;
(2)the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
(3)ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(4)ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. All comments received in response to this notice, including names and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record. Comments will be summarized and included in the request for the Office of Management and Budget approval. Dated: July 10, 2006. Ann M. Bartuska, Deputy Chief for Research & Development. [FR Doc. E6-11045 Filed 7-12-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-11-P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Notice of Sanders County Resource Advisory Committee Meeting AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of meeting. SUMMARY: Pursuant to the authorities in the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463) and under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-determination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-393) the Lolo and Kootenai National Forests' Sanders County Resource Advisory Committee will meet on July 20 at 7 p.m. in Thompson Falls, Montana for a business meeting. The meeting is open to the public. DATES: July 20, 2006. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Thompson Falls Courthouse, 1111 Main Street, Thompson Falls, MT 59873. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Randy Hojem, Designated Federal Official (DFO), District Ranger, Plains Ranger District, Lolo National Forest at
(406)826-3821. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Agenda topics include accepting new RAC project proposals, reviewing progress on current projects, and receiving public comment. If the meeting location is changed, notice will be posted in the local newspapers, including the Clark Fork Valley Press, and Sanders County Ledger. Dated: July 5, 2006. Randy Hojem, DFO, Plains Ranger District, Lolo National Forest. [FR Doc. 06-6176 Filed 7-12-05; 8:45 am]
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U.S. Code
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- 7 CFR 340
- Pub. L. 92-463
- Pub. L. 106-393
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Proposed Rules
Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request
Cite7 CFR 340
Pub. L.Pub. L. 92-463
Pub. L.Pub. L. 106-393
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