[Federal Register: May 22, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 99)]
[Notices]               
[Page 28347-28348]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22my98-35]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. 98-039-1]

 
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment 
request.

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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 in support of the regulations for the importation of logs, 
lumber, and other unmanufactured wood articles.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by July 21, 1998 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding the accuracy of burden estimate, 
ways to minimize the burden (such as through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology), or any 
other aspect of this collection of information to: Docket No. 98-039-1, 
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, suite 3C03, 4700 River 
Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please send an original and 
three copies, and state that your comments refer to Docket No. 98-039-
1. Comments received may be inspected at USDA, room 1141, South 
Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, 
between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. 
Persons wishing to inspect comments are requested to call ahead on 
(202) 690-2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding the 
regulations for the importation of logs, lumber, and other 
unmanufactured wood articles, contact Mr. Ronald C. Campbell, Staff 
Officer, Phytosanitary Issues Management, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, 
Unit 139, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236, (301) 734-6799. For copies of more 
detailed information on the information collection, contact Ms. Cheryl 
Groves, APHIS, Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-5086.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Foreign Quarantine Notices, Logs and Lumber.
    OMB Number: 0579-0119.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 1998.

[[Page 28348]]

    Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of 
the United States Department of Agriculture is responsible for, among 
other things, preventing the introduction and dissemination of plant 
pests into or through the United States. As part of this 
responsibility, APHIS regulates the importation of logs, lumber, and 
other unmanufactured wood articles.
    In administering the regulations, we collect information from 
persons both within and outside the United States who are involved in 
growing, handling, processing, transporting, and importing 
unmanufactured wood articles. The information is provided on a number 
of forms and other documents, including applications for permits, 
various accompanying importer documents or certificates, notices of 
arrival, and compliance agreements. This information is vital to ensure 
that unmanufactured wood articles imported into the United States do 
not harbor plant pests.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
the continued use of this information collection activity.
    The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public 
(as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. 
We need this outside input to help us:
    (1) Evaluate 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;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the 
proposed 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 reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average .15078 hours per response.
    Respondents: Importers, processors, shippers, foreign plant health 
protection authorities.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 80,005.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 12.530.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 1,002,472.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 151,152 hours. (Due 
to rounding, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of 
the annual number of responses multiplied by the average 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 18th day of May 1998.
Charles P. Schwalbe,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 98-13769 Filed 5-21-98; 8:45 am]
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