Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Veterinary Services National Import Export Services Customer Service Survey Project, 93883-93884 [2016-30848]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 246 / Thursday, December 22, 2016 / Notices Respondents: Applicants who apply for facility approval; owners and operators of permanent, privately owned horse quarantine facilities; facility employees; authorities who issue and complete environmental certifications; and employees of security companies. Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 6. Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 20.5. Estimated Annual Number of Responses: 123. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 20 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 16th day of December 2016. Kevin Shea, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2016–30857 Filed 12–21–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2016–0098] Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Veterinary Services National Import Export Services Customer Service Survey Project Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Revision to and extension of approval of an information collection; comment request. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s intention to request a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection to evaluate service delivery by the National Import Export Services to the public. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before February 21, 2017. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2016-0098. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:40 Dec 21, 2016 Jkt 241001 • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2016–0098, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at https:// www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2016-0098 or in our reading room, which 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) 799–7039 before coming. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the National Import Export Services customer service survey project, contact Ms. Demille Richardson, Program Analyst, VS, APHIS, NIES, 4700 River Road Unit 40, Riverdale, MD 20737; 301–851–3438. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Ms. Kimberly Hardy, APHIS’ Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851– 2483. Title: Veterinary Services National Import Export Services Customer Service Survey Project. OMB Control Number: 0579–0334. Type of Request: Revision to and extension of approval of an information collection. Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, among other things, regulates and provides services related to the importation, interstate movement, and exportation of animals, animal products, and other articles to prevent the spread of pests and diseases of livestock. APHIS’ Veterinary Services’ (VS’) National Import Export Services (NIES) is the program unit that carries out these activities to protect animal health. After performing a service for an individual or business, NIES conducts a survey to evaluate its customer service. The survey consists of a short questionnaire in which respondents are asked to identify the type of customer they are (e.g., pet owners, animal importers/exporters, animal product and byproduct importers/exporters, users of quarantine facilities, and accredited veterinarians), and then to rate the services received in terms of courtesy, timeliness, helpfulness, etc. Respondents are also asked to rate and provide comments concerning their PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 93883 overall experience. Completion of the questionnaire is voluntary and responses do not identify the individual respondent. NIES uses the survey to gain a general view of the public’s perception of NIES customer service at VS service centers, animal import centers, and air and seaports, and identifies areas in which NIES can improve service delivery to the public and more efficiently meet the needs and expectations of customers. Since the last approval of this collection by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), we have changed the name from Veterinary Services Customer Service Survey to Veterinary Services National Import Export Services Customer Service Survey Project to more accurately reflect the respondents and the intent of the survey. We are asking OMB to approve our use of this information collection activity, as described, 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 collection of information, 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 collection of information 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 0.0382 hours per response. Respondents: Members of the public who receive services from Veterinary Services (e.g., pet owners, animal importers/exporters, animal product and byproduct importers/exporters, users of quarantine facilities, and accredited veterinarians). Estimated annual number of respondents: 15,050. Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.32. Estimated annual number of responses: 19,850. Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 760 hours. (Due to E:\FR\FM\22DEN1.SGM 22DEN1 93884 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 246 / Thursday, December 22, 2016 / Notices 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 16th day of December 2016. Kevin Shea, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2016–30848 Filed 12–21–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Commodity Credit Corporation Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program Commodity Credit Corporation and Farm Service Agency, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Farm Service Agency (FSA), on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), is announcing the availability of $12.5 million per year for fiscal year (FY) 2017 and 2018 under the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) for eligible certified organic and transitional producers and handlers. FSA is announcing the opportunity for States to apply in FY 2017 to administer the OCCSP program for FY 2017. States that establish an agreement for FY 2017 may be given the opportunity to extend their agreement and receive additional funds to administer the program in FY 2018; FSA has not yet determined whether an additional application period will be announced for FY 2018 for State agencies that do not establish an agreement to administer the program for FY 2017. In this document, FSA is providing the requirements for producers and handlers to apply for OCCSP payments, and for State agencies to establish agreements to receive funds in order to provide cost share assistance to eligible producers and handlers. DATES: Applications for State Agency Agreements: FSA will accept applications from States for funds for cost-share assistance between the period of January 3, 2017, and February 17, 2017. Producer or Handler Applications: FSA county offices will accept applications for OCCSP payments from producers and handlers for FY 2017 starting on March 20, 2017, and ending on October 31, 2017, and for FY 2018, sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:40 Dec 21, 2016 Jkt 241001 starting on October 1, 2017, and ending on October 31, 2018. Comments: To comment on the information collection request in the Paperwork Reduction Act Requirement section in this document, we will consider comments we receive by February 21, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Peterson, (202) 720–7641. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The purpose of OCCSP is to provide cost share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products in obtaining certification under the National Organic Program (NOP) established under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501– 6524) and the regulations in 7 CFR part 205. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) implemented OCCSP and has been running the program through agreements with State agencies since FY 2008. USDA transferred authority to administer OCCSP from AMS to FSA beginning with FY 2017. FSA will accept applications from States interested in overseeing reimbursements to their producers, handlers, and processors. All producers and handlers will have access to OCCSP through their local FSA offices. In States where State agencies provide cost share funds, producers and handlers can choose between the State agencies or the local FSA office. In addition to expanding to FSA local offices for FY 2017, OCCSP will now cover costs related to transitional certification and State organic program fees. In order for a State agency to receive new fund allocations for FY 2017, they must establish a new agreement to administer OCCSP. FY 2017 agreements will include provisions allowing a State agency to request an extension of that new FY 2017 agreement to provide additional funds and allow the State agency to continue to administer the program for FY 2018. FSA has not yet determined whether an additional application period will be announced for FY 2018 for State agencies that choose not to participate in FY 2017; State agencies that would like to administer the program for FY 2018 are encouraged to establish an agreement for FY 2017 to ensure that they will be able to continue to participate. FSA does not anticipate substantive changes to the agreement process with the participating States. Agreements will continue to allow subgrants to other entities. Certified operations will be subject to the same eligibility criteria and PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 calculation of cost share payments regardless of whether they apply for OCCSP through an FSA local office or a participating State agency. Certified operations may only receive OCCSP payment for the same scope for the same year from one source: either the State agency or FSA. FSA will coordinate with participating State agencies to ensure there are no duplicate payments. If a duplicate payment is inadvertently made, then FSA will inform the participant and require that funds be returned to CCC. Availability of Funds Funding for OCCSP is provided through two authorizations: National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NOCCSP) funds and Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) funds. Section 10004 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (the 2014 Farm Bill, Pub. L. 113–79) amended section 10606(d) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 6523(d)), authorizing $11.5 million of CCC funds for NOCCSP for each of FYs 2014 thorough 2018, to remain available until expended. NOCCSP funds will be used for cost share payments to certified operations in the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marina Islands. The USDA organic regulations recognize four separate categories, or ‘‘scopes,’’ that must be individually inspected for organic certification: crops, livestock, wild crops, and handling (that is, processing). A single operation may be certified under multiple scopes. For example, a certified organic vegetable farm that also has certified organic chickens and produces certified organic jams would be required to be certified for three scopes: crops, livestock, and handling. Beginning in FY 2017, transitional certification and state organic program fees will be eligible for cost share reimbursement and for OCCSP purposes, they will be considered two additional separate scopes. Transitional certification is an optional certification offered by some certifiers for producers and handlers who are in the process of transitioning land to organic production. State organic program fees may be required by States that have established a State organic program according to 7 CFR 205.620–205.622, and are in addition to the costs of organic certification under the four scopes of USDA organic certification. NOCCSP funds can be used to provide cost share for all four scopes of USDA E:\FR\FM\22DEN1.SGM 22DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 246 (Thursday, December 22, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 93883-93884]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-30848]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2016-0098]


Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an 
Information Collection; Veterinary Services National Import Export 
Services Customer Service Survey Project

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Revision to and 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 a revision to and extension of approval of an 
information collection to evaluate service delivery by the National 
Import Export Services to the public.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
February 21, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2016-0098.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2016-0098, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.
    Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may 
be viewed at https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2016-
0098 or in our reading room, which 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) 799-7039 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the National Import 
Export Services customer service survey project, contact Ms. Demille 
Richardson, Program Analyst, VS, APHIS, NIES, 4700 River Road Unit 40, 
Riverdale, MD 20737; 301-851-3438. For copies of more detailed 
information on the information collection, contact Ms. Kimberly Hardy, 
APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851-2483.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Veterinary Services National Import Export Services Customer 
Service Survey Project.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-0334.
    Type of Request: Revision to and extension of approval of an 
information collection.
    Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of 
the U.S. Department of Agriculture, among other things, regulates and 
provides services related to the importation, interstate movement, and 
exportation of animals, animal products, and other articles to prevent 
the spread of pests and diseases of livestock. APHIS' Veterinary 
Services' (VS') National Import Export Services (NIES) is the program 
unit that carries out these activities to protect animal health.
    After performing a service for an individual or business, NIES 
conducts a survey to evaluate its customer service. The survey consists 
of a short questionnaire in which respondents are asked to identify the 
type of customer they are (e.g., pet owners, animal importers/
exporters, animal product and byproduct importers/exporters, users of 
quarantine facilities, and accredited veterinarians), and then to rate 
the services received in terms of courtesy, timeliness, helpfulness, 
etc. Respondents are also asked to rate and provide comments concerning 
their overall experience. Completion of the questionnaire is voluntary 
and responses do not identify the individual respondent.
    NIES uses the survey to gain a general view of the public's 
perception of NIES customer service at VS service centers, animal 
import centers, and air and seaports, and identifies areas in which 
NIES can improve service delivery to the public and more efficiently 
meet the needs and expectations of customers.
    Since the last approval of this collection by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB), we have changed the name from Veterinary 
Services Customer Service Survey to Veterinary Services National Import 
Export Services Customer Service Survey Project to more accurately 
reflect the respondents and the intent of the survey.
    We are asking OMB to approve our use of this information collection 
activity, as described, 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 
collection of information, 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 collection of information 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 0.0382 hours per response.
    Respondents: Members of the public who receive services from 
Veterinary Services (e.g., pet owners, animal importers/exporters, 
animal product and byproduct importers/exporters, users of quarantine 
facilities, and accredited veterinarians).
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 15,050.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.32.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 19,850.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 760 hours. (Due to

[[Page 93884]]

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 16th day of December 2016.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-30848 Filed 12-21-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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