Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection; Phytophthora Ramorum Surveys and Data Collection Form, 69642-69643 [E7-23881]

Download as PDF 69642 Notices Federal Register Vol. 72, No. 236 Monday, December 10, 2007 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2007–0137] Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection; Phytophthora Ramorum Surveys and Data Collection Form Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Approval of an information collection; comment request. rmajette on PROD1PC64 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s intention to request approval of new information collection activities associated with a program to prevent the spread of Phytophthora ramorum to noninfested areas of the United States. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before February 8, 2008. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov, select ‘‘Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’’ from the agency drop-down menu, then click ‘‘Submit.’’ In the Docket ID column, select APHIS–2007– 0137 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through the site’s ‘‘User Tips’’ link. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS–2007–0137, Regulatory Analysis and Development, VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:35 Dec 07, 2007 Jkt 214001 PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS– 2007–0137. Reading Room: 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. Other Information: Additional information about APHIS and its programs is available on the Internet at https://www.aphis.usda.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the Phytophthora ramorum program, contact Mr. Jonathan Jones, National Phytophthora ramorum Program Manager, Pest Detection and Management Programs, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 160, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734–8247. 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: Phytophthora ramorum Surveys and Data Collection Form. OMB Number: 0579–xxxx. Type of Request: Approval of an information collection. Abstract: As authorized by the Plant Protection Act (PPA) (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture may prohibit or restrict the importation, entry, exportation, or movement in interstate commerce of any plant, plant product, biological control organism, noxious weed, means of conveyance, or other article if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent a plant pest or noxious weed from being introduced into or disseminated within the United States. This authority has been delegated to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which conducts various regulatory programs under the PPA. One such program concerns a plant disease known as sudden oak death (SOD), ramorum leaf blight or ramorum dieback, which is caused by the PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 pathogen Phytophthora ramorum. Beginning in 1995, oak and tanoak plants in coastal counties of California were found to be dying from this disease. Since then, other types of plants also have been found to be infected or associated with this disease, and the pathogen has been confirmed in additional areas. APHIS continues to define the extent of the pathogen’s distribution in the United States and to limit its artificial spread beyond infected areas through quarantine and regulations and a public education program. As part of these efforts, APHIS has developed questionnaires for property owners or managers at sites where infected plants are found and where we are surveying for the presence of possible infected plants. The questionnaires are intended to gather information that will help determine the possible sources of infection. APHIS has also developed a data collection form that will be used to record information about locations found to have infected plants. This data will assist the Agency in determining how the pathogen is spreading. We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of these information collection activities for 3 years. The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning this 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 0.25 hours per response. E:\FR\FM\10DEN1.SGM 10DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 236 / Monday, December 10, 2007 / Notices Respondents: Property owners or managers at sites where infected plants are found. Estimated annual number of respondents: 166. Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 18. Estimated annual number of responses: 2,922. Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 733 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 4th day of December 2007. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E7–23881 Filed 12–7–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Information Collection; Locatable Minerals Forest Service, USDA. Notice; Request for Comment. AGENCY: rmajette on PROD1PC64 with NOTICES ACTION: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension of a currently approved information collection, Locatable Minerals. DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before February 8, 2008 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable. ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Minerals and Geology Management Staff, Mail Stop 1126, 1601 N. Kent Street, 5th Floor, Arlington, VA 22209. Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 703–605–1575 or by e-mail to: 36cfr228a@fs.fed.us. The public may inspect comments received at the Office of the Director, Forest Service Minerals and Geology Management Staff, 1601 N. Kent Street, 5th Floor, Arlington, VA during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 703–605–4794 to facilitate entry to the building. VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:35 Dec 07, 2007 Jkt 214001 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tony Ferguson, Director, Minerals and Geology Management, at 703–605–4785. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800– 877–8339, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Locatable Minerals. OMB Number: 0596–0022. Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2008. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection. Abstract: This collection of information is necessary to ensure minimal environmental impacts associated with locatable mineral operations on National Forest System (NFS) lands to the extent practicable. Forest Service regulations at 36 CFR 228.5 require mining operators, with some exceptions, to notify the authorized Forest Service officer of the intent to conduct a locatable mineral operation on NFS lands by filing a Notice of Intent or Plan of Operations. Title 36 CFR 228.10 requires mining operators to submit a Cessation of Operation when mining operations temporarily cease for other than seasonal closure. There is not a required format for the information collection, but all information identified in 36 CFR part 228 must be included. Form FS–2800– 5, Plan of Operations for Mining Activities on National Forest System Lands, is available for use by mining operators to simplify this process. The information required in a Plan of Operations, detailed in 36 CFR 228.4(c), (d), and (e), includes: 1. The name and legal mailing address of operators (and claimants if they are not the same) and their lessees, assigns, or designees; 2. A map or sketch showing information sufficient to locate: a. The proposed area of operations on the ground, b. Existing and/or proposed roads or access routes to be used in connection with the operation as set forth in 36 CFR 228.12 on access, and c. The approximate location and size of areas where surface resources will be disturbed; 3. Information sufficient to describe: a. The type of operations proposed and how they would be conducted, b. The type and standard of existing and proposed roads or access routes, c. The means of transportation used or to be used as set forth in 36 CFR 228.12, d. The period during which the proposed activity will take place, and PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 69643 e. Measures to be taken to meet the requirements for environmental protection in 36 CFR 228.8. A Notice of Intent is required, as detailed in 36 CFR 228.4(a)(2), to include information sufficient to identify the area involved, the nature of the proposed operation, the route of access to the area of operations, and the method of transport. A Cessation of Operations is required, as detailed in 36 CFR 228.10, to include verification of intent to maintain structures, equipment, and other facilities, expected reopening date, and an estimate of extended durations of operations. These collections of information are crucial to protecting surface resources, including plants, animals, and their habitat, as well as public safety on NFS lands. The authorized Forest Service official will use the collected information to ensure that the exploration, development, and production of mineral resources are conducted in an environmentally sensitive manner; that these mineral operations are integrated with the planning and management of other resources using the principles of ecosystem management; and that lands disturbed by mineral operations are reclaimed using the best scientific knowledge and returned to other productive uses. Without this information, the Forest Service would not comply with Federal Regulations and locatable mineral operations could result in undue damage to surface resources. Estimate of Annual Burden: 12 hours (10 hours—Plans of Operation; 1 hour— Notice of Intent; 1 hour—Cessation of Operations). Type of Respondents: Mining operators. Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 3,255 (750—Plans of Operations; 2,500—Notices of Intent; 5—Cessation of Operations). Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 10,005 hours (10 hours × 750 Plans of Operations = 7,500; 1 hour × 2,500 Notices of Intent = 2,500; 1 hour × 5 Cessation of Operations = 5; 7,500 + 2,500 + 5 = 10,005). Comment is invited on: (1) Whether this collection of information is necessary for the stated purposes and the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical or scientific utility; (2) the accuracy of the Agency’s estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and E:\FR\FM\10DEN1.SGM 10DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 236 (Monday, December 10, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69642-69643]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-23881]


========================================================================
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 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 236 / Monday, December 10, 2007 / 
Notices

[[Page 69642]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2007-0137]

Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection; 
Phytophthora Ramorum Surveys and Data Collection Form

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: 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 approval of new information collection activities 
associated with a program to prevent the spread of Phytophthora ramorum 
to noninfested areas of the United States.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
February 8, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov, select ``Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service'' from the agency drop-down menu, then click ``Submit.'' In the 
Docket ID column, select APHIS-2007-0137 to submit or view public 
comments and to view supporting and related materials available 
electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov, including 
instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing 
the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through 
the site's ``User Tips'' link.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies 
of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS-
2007-0137, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-
03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state 
that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS-2007-0137.
    Reading Room: 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.
    Other Information: Additional information about APHIS and its 
programs is available on the Internet at https://www.aphis.usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the Phytophthora 
ramorum program, contact Mr. Jonathan Jones, National Phytophthora 
ramorum Program Manager, Pest Detection and Management Programs, PPQ, 
APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 160, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-8247. 
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: Phytophthora ramorum Surveys and Data Collection Form.
    OMB Number: 0579-xxxx.
    Type of Request: Approval of an information collection.
    Abstract: As authorized by the Plant Protection Act (PPA) (7 U.S.C. 
7701 et seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture may prohibit or restrict 
the importation, entry, exportation, or movement in interstate commerce 
of any plant, plant product, biological control organism, noxious weed, 
means of conveyance, or other article if the Secretary determines that 
the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent a plant pest or 
noxious weed from being introduced into or disseminated within the 
United States. This authority has been delegated to the Animal and 
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which conducts various 
regulatory programs under the PPA.
    One such program concerns a plant disease known as sudden oak death 
(SOD), ramorum leaf blight or ramorum dieback, which is caused by the 
pathogen Phytophthora ramorum. Beginning in 1995, oak and tanoak plants 
in coastal counties of California were found to be dying from this 
disease. Since then, other types of plants also have been found to be 
infected or associated with this disease, and the pathogen has been 
confirmed in additional areas.
    APHIS continues to define the extent of the pathogen's distribution 
in the United States and to limit its artificial spread beyond infected 
areas through quarantine and regulations and a public education 
program. As part of these efforts, APHIS has developed questionnaires 
for property owners or managers at sites where infected plants are 
found and where we are surveying for the presence of possible infected 
plants. The questionnaires are intended to gather information that will 
help determine the possible sources of infection. APHIS has also 
developed a data collection form that will be used to record 
information about locations found to have infected plants. This data 
will assist the Agency in determining how the pathogen is spreading.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of these information collection activities for 3 years.
    The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public 
(as well as affected agencies) concerning this 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 0.25 hours per response.

[[Page 69643]]

    Respondents: Property owners or managers at sites where infected 
plants are found.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 166.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 18.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 2,922.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 733 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 4th day of December 2007.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-23881 Filed 12-7-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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