Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection, 54551-54552 [2016-19532]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 158 / Tuesday, August 16, 2016 / Notices representatives of the USDA, including AMS Dairy Programs’ headquarters staff. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1.47 hours per response. Respondents: Milk handlers and milk marketing cooperatives. Estimated Number of Respondents: 690. Estimated Total Annual Responses: 18,591. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 27. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 27,334.05. Comments are invited on: (1) 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; (2) 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; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. 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. Dated: August 10, 2016. Elanor Starmer, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2016–19530 Filed 8–15–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection Office of Advocacy and Outreach, Department of Agriculture. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: This notice announces the intent, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, of the Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO) to request an extension/revision of a currently approved information collection to the Minority Farm Register. The Minority Farm Register is a voluntary register of minority farm and ranch operators, landowners, tenants, and others with an interest in farming or agriculture. The OAO uses the asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:36 Aug 15, 2016 Jkt 238001 collected information to better inform minority farmers about U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs and services. We will consider comments received by October 17, 2016, at 5:00 p.m. EST. ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this notice. In your comments, include date, volume, and page number of this issue of the Federal Register. You may submit comments by any of the following methods: (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting comments; (2) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Advocacy and Outreach, Attn: Kenya Nicholas, Program Director, Whitten Building Room 520–A, Mail Stop 0601, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250; and (3) Fax: (202) 720–7704. How to File a Complaint of Discrimination: To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which may be accessed online at: https://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/ files/docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_ 8_12.pdf, or write a letter signed by you or your authorized representative. Send your completed complaint form or letter to USDA by mail, fax, or email: Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250–9410. Fax: (202) 690–7442. Email: program.intake@usda.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Agency Contact: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Advocacy and Outreach, Attention: Kenya Nicholas, Program Director, Whitten Building Room 520–A, Mail Stop 0601, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone: (202) 720–6350, Fax: (202) 720–7704, Email: kenya.nicholas@osec.usda.gov. Persons with Disabilities: Persons who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: USDA Minority Farm Register. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Number: 0560–0231. Expiration Date: October 31, 2016. Type of Request: Extension/Revision. Abstract: The Minority Farm Register is a voluntary register of minority farm and ranch operators, landowners, tenants, and others with an interest in DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 54551 farming or agriculture. The registrant’s name, address, email, phone number, race, ethnicity, gender, farm location, and signature will be collected; however, the registrant’s name, address, and signature are the only items required to register. Providing this information is completely voluntary. USDA’s OAO will use this information to help inform minority farmers and ranchers about programs and services provided by USDA agencies. The Minority Farm Register is maintained by OAO. Because USDA partners with community-based organizations, minority-serving educational institutions, and other groups to communicate USDA’s programs and services, the OAO may share information collected with these organizations for outreach purposes. The race, ethnicity, and gender of registrants may be used to provide information about programs and services that are designed for these particular groups. Information about the Minority Farm Register is available on the Internet to ensure that the program is widely publicized and accessible to all. Respondents: Individuals and households. Estimated Number of Respondents: 5000. Estimated Average Number of Responses per Respondent: 1. Estimated Total Annual Number of Responses: 5000. Estimated average time to respond: 5 minutes (0.083 hours) and 1 hour traveling time. Estimated Total Annual Burden on all Respondents: 4667 hours. We are requesting comments on all aspects of this information collection to help us to: (1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of OAO, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of OAO’s estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. All responses to this notice, including name and addresses when provided, will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. E:\FR\FM\16AUN1.SGM 16AUN1 54552 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 158 / Tuesday, August 16, 2016 / Notices Signed this 8th day of August, 2016. Carolyn C. Parker, Director, Office of Advocacy and Outreach. [FR Doc. 2016–19532 Filed 8–15–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food and Nutrition Service Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request—Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—Quality Control Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before October 17, 2016. ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to: Stephanie Proska, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 822, Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments may also be submitted via fax to the attention of Stephanie Proska at 703–305–0928 or via email to SNAPHQ–WEB@ fns.usda.gov. Comments will also be accepted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to https:// www.regulations.gov, and follow the online instructions for submitting comments electronically. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will be a matter of public record. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of this information collection should be directed to Stephanie Proska at 703–305–2437. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 shall 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 that were asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:36 Aug 15, 2016 Jkt 238001 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. Title: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—Title 7, Part 275. OMB Number: 0584–0303. Expiration Date: January 31, 2017. Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection. Abstract: There are three components of the Quality Control (QC) system that are covered in this required information collection. They are: (1) The sampling plan; (2) the arbitration process; and (3) the good cause process. Each State is required to develop a sampling plan that demonstrates the integrity of its case selection procedures. The QC system is designed to measure each State agency’s payment error rate based on a statistically valid sample of SNAP cases. A State agency’s payment error rate represents the proportion of cases that were reported through a QC review as being ineligible, as well as the proportion of SNAP benefits that were either overissued or underissued to SNAP households. The QC system contains procedures for resolving differences in review findings between State agencies and FNS. This is referred to as the arbitration process. The QC system also contains procedures that provide relief for State agencies from all or a part of a QC liability when a State agency can demonstrate that a part or all of an excessive error rate was due to an unusual event that had an uncontrollable impact on the State agency’s payment error rate. This is referred to as the good cause process. The approved burden for the QC system includes the burden for the QC sampling plan, the arbitration process and the good cause process. The currently approved burden for total reporting burden for the QC system is 1,544.91 hours, an increase of 167.91 hours. (1) The annual reporting burden associated with the QC sampling plan remains at 265 hours. (2) We estimate the annual reporting burdens associated with arbitration and (3) good cause processes to total 791.1 and 320 hours, PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 respectively. The decrease in the revised burden from the currently approved 792 to 791.1 hours for the arbitration process is due to a decrease in the estimated number of responses per State agency. These decreases are a result of State agencies less frequently disagreeing with FNS’ findings. The requested annual reporting burden for the good cause process remains at 320 hours. In addition, we are adding two additional forms to the reporting burden: FNS 74A, Template for QCrelated New Investment Plans and FNS 74B, Template for QC-related New Investment Plan Progress Reports. These two templates are being added to this collection in an effort to formalize the regulatory requirements of these two items for States that are subject to QCrelated new investments. Based on the number of State agencies subject to the QC-related new investment requirement over the last three years and feedback from those State agencies that responded to our inquiry, we estimate the amount of time to create a QC-related new investment plan is approximately 32 hours. This estimate includes determining root causes of a State agency’s error rate, exploring methods to address those causes, and writing up the plan to address those causes. In addition, we estimate it takes approximately 5 hours to complete a progress report updating FNS on the status of the activities in the State agency’s relevant QC-related new investment plan. We estimate the total annual reporting burden for 4 State Agencies to complete a new investment plan to be 128 hours and 40 hours for the progress report. The requested annual recordkeeping burden associated with the QC sampling plan remains at 1.25 hours per year. The revised annual recordkeeping burdens associated with arbitration has increased from 0.7788 hour to 1.4868 hours and the good cause process has remained at 0.0472 hour. The estimated recordkeeping burden for the QC-related new investment plan and progress reports total 0.0944 hour and 0.1888 hours respectively. The burden for recordkeeping has increased from 2.076 hours to 3.068 hours. As a result, the overall annual burden for the QC system, as proposed by this notice, increased from 1,379.076 to 1547.978 hours, totaling an increase of 168.90 hours. E:\FR\FM\16AUN1.SGM 16AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 158 (Tuesday, August 16, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54551-54552]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-19532]


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 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection

AGENCY: Office of Advocacy and Outreach, Department of Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice announces the intent, in accordance with the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, of the Office of Advocacy and Outreach 
(OAO) to request an extension/revision of a currently approved 
information collection to the Minority Farm Register. The Minority Farm 
Register is a voluntary register of minority farm and ranch operators, 
landowners, tenants, and others with an interest in farming or 
agriculture. The OAO uses the collected information to better inform 
minority farmers about U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs 
and services.

DATES: We will consider comments received by October 17, 2016, at 5:00 
p.m. EST.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this notice. In your 
comments, include date, volume, and page number of this issue of the 
Federal Register. You may submit comments by any of the following 
methods: (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://regulations.gov 
and follow the online instructions for submitting comments; (2) Mail: 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Advocacy and Outreach, Attn: 
Kenya Nicholas, Program Director, Whitten Building Room 520-A, Mail 
Stop 0601, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250; and (3) 
Fax: (202) 720-7704.
    How to File a Complaint of Discrimination: To file a complaint of 
discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint 
Form, which may be accessed online at: https://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_12.pdf, or write a letter 
signed by you or your authorized representative. Send your completed 
complaint form or letter to USDA by mail, fax, or email:

Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410.
Fax: (202) 690-7442.
Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    Agency Contact: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Advocacy 
and Outreach, Attention: Kenya Nicholas, Program Director, Whitten 
Building Room 520-A, Mail Stop 0601, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20250, Phone: (202) 720-6350, Fax: (202) 720-7704, 
Email: kenya.nicholas@osec.usda.gov.
    Persons with Disabilities: Persons who require alternative means 
for communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), should 
contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: USDA Minority Farm Register.
    Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Number: 0560-0231.
    Expiration Date: October 31, 2016.
    Type of Request: Extension/Revision.
    Abstract: The Minority Farm Register is a voluntary register of 
minority farm and ranch operators, landowners, tenants, and others with 
an interest in farming or agriculture. The registrant's name, address, 
email, phone number, race, ethnicity, gender, farm location, and 
signature will be collected; however, the registrant's name, address, 
and signature are the only items required to register. Providing this 
information is completely voluntary. USDA's OAO will use this 
information to help inform minority farmers and ranchers about programs 
and services provided by USDA agencies. The Minority Farm Register is 
maintained by OAO. Because USDA partners with community-based 
organizations, minority-serving educational institutions, and other 
groups to communicate USDA's programs and services, the OAO may share 
information collected with these organizations for outreach purposes. 
The race, ethnicity, and gender of registrants may be used to provide 
information about programs and services that are designed for these 
particular groups. Information about the Minority Farm Register is 
available on the Internet to ensure that the program is widely 
publicized and accessible to all.
    Respondents: Individuals and households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5000.
    Estimated Average Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Number of Responses: 5000.
    Estimated average time to respond: 5 minutes (0.083 hours) and 1 
hour traveling time. Estimated Total Annual Burden on all Respondents: 
4667 hours.
    We are requesting comments on all aspects of this information 
collection to help us to: (1) Evaluate whether the collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
OAO, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) 
Evaluate the accuracy of OAO's estimate of burden including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (4) 
Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. All responses to this notice, 
including name and addresses when provided, will be summarized and 
included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become 
a matter of public record.


[[Page 54552]]


    Signed this 8th day of August, 2016.
Carolyn C. Parker,
Director, Office of Advocacy and Outreach.
[FR Doc. 2016-19532 Filed 8-15-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P
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