[Federal Register: October 23, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 205)] [Notices] [Page 60635-60636] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr23oc03-18] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. 03-094-1] 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 regulations for user fees for processing applications and permits to import certain animals and animal products. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before December 22, 2003. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by postal mail/commercial delivery or by e-mail. If you use postal mail/commercial delivery, please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to: Docket No. 03-094-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. 03-094-1. If you use e-mail, address your comment to regulations@aphis.usda.gov. Your comment must be contained in the body of your message; do not send attached files. Please include your name and address in your message and ``Docket No. 03-094-1'' on the subject line. 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. APHIS documents published in the Federal Register, and related information, including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding user fee regulations for the importation of animals and animal products, contact Mrs. Kris Caraher, Section Head, User Fees Section, Financial Systems and Services Branch, Financial Management Division, MRPBS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 54, Riverdale, MD 20737-1232; (301) 734-5743. 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: Veterinary Services User Fees for Permit Applications. OMB Number: 0579-0167. Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection. Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture charges applicants a fee for processing applications for permits to import animals and animal products (including byproducts, organisms, vectors, and germ plasm). Regulations regarding user fees to reimburse APHIS for processing permit applications and for providing other import- and export related services for live animals and birds and animal products are contained in the Code of Federal Regulations, title 9, part 130. Veterinary Services, APHIS, is responsible for reviewing the import applications and issuing permits. [[Page 60636]] The user fees vary depending on such factors as the type of application or the type of animal or product. In order to determine the appropriate fees, Veterinary Services may need to contact applicants for additional information. We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (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 0.02 hours per response. Respondents: Importers, brokers, and the importing public. Estimated annual number of respondents: 2,350. Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1. Estimated annual number of responses: 2,350. Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 47 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 17th day of October, 2003. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 03-26787 Filed 10-22-03; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-34-P