[Federal Register: June 20, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 119)]
[Notices]               
[Page 36971]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20jn03-45]                         

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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
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[[Page 36971]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service

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

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 
L. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR 
part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the 
intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to 
seek approval to extend a currently approved information collection, 
the Agricultural Resources Management Survey and Chemical Use Surveys.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 25, 2003 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Ginny McBride, NASS OMB Clearance 
Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250 or sent electronically to 
gmcbride@nass.usda.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol House, Associate Administrator, 
National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, (202) 720-4333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Agricultural Resources Management Survey and Chemical Use 
Surveys.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0218.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 2003.
    Type of Request: Intent to extend a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: One of the primary objectives of the National 
Agricultural Statistics Service is to provide high quality and timely 
estimates about the nation's food supply and environment.
    Data will be collected regarding chemical uses on field crops, 
fruit, and vegetable crops; the types and amounts of pesticides used on 
selected commodities after harvest and before being shipped to the 
consumer; and production expenses and income sources for farm 
operations. Information from these data collection efforts is used by 
government agencies in planning, farm policy analysis, scientific 
research, and program administration. NASS plans to ask for a 3-year 
approval.
    These data will be collected under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 
2204(a). Individually identifiable data collected under this authority 
are governed by Section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985, 7 U.S.C. 
2276, which requires USDA to afford strict confidentiality to non-
aggregated data provided by respondents.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 36 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Farms, Packers, Shippers, and Warehouses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 81,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 49,000 hours.
    Copies of this information collection and related instructions can 
be obtained without charge from Ginny McBride, NASS OMB Clearance 
Officer, at (202) 720-5778.
    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 use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    All responses to this notice will become a matter of public record 
and be summarized in the request for OMB approval.

    Signed at Washington, DC, June 3, 2003.
Carol House,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-15645 Filed 6-19-03; 8:45 am]

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