[Federal Register: April 1, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 62)]
[Notices]               
[Page 15717-15718]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01ap99-47]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency

Commodity Credit Corporation

 
Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCIES: Farm Service Agency and the Commodity Credit Corporation, 
USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, this notice 
announces the Farm Service Agency's (FSA) intention to request an 
extension for a currently approved information collection. This 
information is used to support payment eligibility determinations for 
the Conservation Reserve Program, the Price Support Program, and the 
Production Flexibility Contract Program authorized by the Agricultural 
Marketing Transition Act.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before June 1, 
1999 to be assured consideration.
    Additional Information and Comments: Contact James Baxa, 
Agricultural Program Specialist, Production, Emergencies, and 
Compliance Division, Farm Service Agency, United States Department of 
Agriculture, STOP 0517, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 
20250-0517, (202) 720-4189, facsimile (202) 720-4941.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Payment Eligibility and Payment Limitation Determinations 
for the receipt of program benefits under the Conservation Reserve 
Program, Price Support Program, and the Production Flexibility Contract 
Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0096.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 1999.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The collection of this information is necessary to 
determine the eligibility of individuals and entities for program 
payments for various programs administered by Farm Service Agency, on 
behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation, including the Conservation 
Reserve Program, Price Support Programs, and the Production Flexibility 
Contract Program. The regulations at 7 CFR part 1400 provide for an 
``actively engaged in farming'' determination be made for individuals 
or entities, with respect to a particular farming operation, in order 
to determine their eligibility for payments under covered programs. The 
regulations at 7 CFR part 1400 also require a determination of 
``person'' as defined in the same regulations for the use in limiting 
payments to an amount specified in each of the covered programs. These 
programs impact a potential participant universe of 2,000,000 
respondents. Forms CCC-502A, CCC-502B, CCC-502C, CCC-502D, CCC-502EZ, 
CCC-501A, and CCC-501B will continue to be used for making 
determinations under part 1400, as will ASCS-561, ASCS-561A, and ASCS-
561B, which are used for these purposes in connection with the 
Conservation Reserve Program. The forms are not required to be 
completed on an annual basis. Once the appropriate forms are submitted 
and the corresponding determinations made, the producer is not required 
to provide this information again, unless there is a substantial change 
in the farming operation or status of the producer requesting program 
benefits that would affect the payment eligibility and payment 
limitation determinations previously made.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to be 52 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Producers who, as owner, landlord, tenant, or 
sharecropper, are involved in the farming operations and who would seek 
benefits under the Conservation Reserve Program, Price Support and the 
Production Flexibility Contract Programs.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 351,960.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: To determine initial 
eligibility or when a substantial change in operations or status 
occurs. .
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 305,032.
    Proposed topics for comment include, but are not limited to: (1) 
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) the accuracy of the

[[Page 15718]]

agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and 
clarity of the information to be collected; or (4) ways to minimize the 
burden of collection on those who are to respond, including the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of informational technology. 
Comments regarding this information collection requirement should be 
directed to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of 
Management and Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for Agriculture, 
Washington, DC 20503, and to Diane Sharp, Director, Production, 
Emergencies, and Compliance Division, Farm Service Agency, United 
States Department of Agriculture, STOP 0517, Room 4754-South Building, 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0517.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments also will become a matter of 
public record.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., on March 24, 1999.
Parks Shackelford,
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency, and Acting Executive Vice 
President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 99-7873 Filed 3-31-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P