[Federal Register: May 12, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 91)]
[Notices]
[Page 25316-25317]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12my03-21]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farm Service Agency
Commodity Credit Corporation
Information Collection; Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance
Program
AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.
ACTION: Notice; request for comment.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Farm Service Agency and the Commodity Credit Corporation are seeking
comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the
extension of a currently approved information collection in support of
the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). The information
collected is needed to determine eligibility to obtain NAP assistance.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 11, 2003 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 John
Newcomer, Program Specialist, Production, Emergencies and Compliance
Division, Noninsured Assistance Program Branch, Farm Service Agency,
USDA, Mail Stop 0517, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
20250-0522 and to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget,
Washington, DC 20503. Comments also may be submitted by e-mail to:
John_Newcomer@usda.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Newcomer, Program Specialist,
Noninsured Assistance Program Branch, (202) 720-5172.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Description of Information Collection
Title: Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program.
OMB Number: 0560-0175.
Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 2003.
Type of Request: Extension with revision.
Abstract: The Noninsured Crop Assistance Program is authorized
under 7 U.S.C. 7333 and implemented under regulations issued at 7 CFR
part 1437. The NAP is administered under the general supervision of the
Executive Vice-President of CCC (who also serves as Administrator,
FSA), and is carried out by FSA State and County committees. The
information collected allows CCC to provide assistance under NAP for
losses of commercial crops or other agricultural commodities (except
livestock) for which catastrophic risk protection under 7 U.S.C. 1508
is not available, and that is produced for food or fiber. Additionally,
NAP provides assistance for losses of floriculture, ornamental nursery,
Christmas tree crops, turfgrass sod, seed crops, aquaculture (including
ornamental fish), sea oats and sea grass, and industrial crops. The
information collected is necessary to determine whether a producer and
crop or commodity meet applicable conditions for assistance and to
determine compliance with existing rules. Producers must annually: (1)
Request NAP coverage by completing an application for coverage and
paying a service fee by the CCC-established application closing date;
(2) file a current crop-year report of acreage for the covered crop or
commodity; and (3) certify production of each covered crop or
commodity. When damage to a covered crop or commodity occurs, producers
must file a notice of loss with the local FSA administrative county
office within 15 calendar days of occurrence or 15 calendar days of the
date damage to the crop or commodity becomes apparent. Producers must
also file an application for payment and certification of income with
the local FSA administrative county office.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this information
collection is estimated to average 0.6 hours per response.
Type of Respondents: Producers of commercial crops or other
agricultural commodities (except livestock).
Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 497,000.
Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 3,521,258.
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.
[[Page 25317]]
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 submission for Office
of Management and Budget approval.
Signed at Washington, DC, on May 5, 2003.
James R. Little,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency, and Executive Vice-President,
Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 03-11692 Filed 5-9-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P
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