[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 112 (Friday, June 11, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 31537-31538] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-14845] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Commodity Credit Corporation Notice of Request for Reinstatement of a Previously Approved Information Collection AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, this notice announces the Commodity Credit Corporation's (CCC) intention to request a reinstatement of a previously approved information collection, under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). Assistance under the NAP is authorized by Section 196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (the 1996 Act), and implemented by regulations issued by CCC. Section 196(b) of the 1996 Act specifies that producers shall provide records and information as requested by the Secretary to carry out the program. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 10, 1999 to be assured of consideration. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact G. Sean O'Neill, Chief, NAPB, PECD, FSA, USDA, STOP 0517, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-0517; e-mail Sean__O[email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. OMB Control Number: 0560-0175. Type of Request: Reinstatement of a previously approved collection. Abstract: The information which will be collected under OMB control number 0560-0175 will allow CCC to effectively administer noninsured crop disaster assistance authorized and mandated by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (1996 Act). The information collected allows CCC to provide assistance under the noninsured crop disaster assistance program for losses of commercial crops or other agricultural commodities (except livestock) for which catastrophic risk protection under section 508(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act is not available; and that is produced for food or fiber. Additionally, the 1996 Act specifically makes benefits available for [[Page 31538]] floricultural, ornamental nursery, Christmas tree crops, turfgrass sod, seed crops, aquiculture (including ornamental fish), and industrial crops. The information collected is necessary to determine whether a producer, crop and commodity meet applicable conditions for assistance and to determine compliance with existing rules. When damage to a crop or commodity occurs as a result of a natural disaster, producers requesting NAP assistance must: (1) File a current crop year report of acreage; (2) file a notice of loss with the local FSA county office within 15 days of the occurrence or 15 days of the date damage to the crop or commodity becomes apparent; (3) certify production by the applicable acreage reporting date for the crop in the subsequent crop year; and (4) file an application for payment with the local FSA county office no later than the applicable acreage reporting date for the crop in the subsequent crop year. When a producer requests FSA to calculate an approved yield for a specific crop on the basis of actual yield versus reduced yields (i.e. transitional-yield (T-yield), assigned yield, zero yield, etc.), the producers must certify annually the planted acreage and production for the crop year prior to the applicable reporting dates. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this information collection is estimated to average 0.5554 hours per response. Respondents: NAP crop producers. Estimated Number of Respondents: 497,000. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 9. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,511,901 hours. Proposed topics for comments 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 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 collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the 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, D.C. 20503, or to G. Sean O'Neill, Chief, Noninsured Assistance Program Branch; Production, Emergencies, and Compliance Division; Farm Service Agency; United States Department of Agriculture, STOP 0517, Room 3646-South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-0517; e-mail Sean__O[email protected]. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Signed at Washington, DC, on June 7, 1999. Keith Kelly, Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation. [FR Doc. 99-14845 Filed 6-10-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-05-P