Federal Register: August 27, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 165)
DOCID: fr27au09-30 FR Doc E9-20638
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farm Service Agency
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr27au09-30
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Information Collection; Certified State Mediation Program
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before October 26, 2009.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on an extension and revision of a currently approved information collection that supports the Certified State Mediation Program. The information collection is necessary to ensure the grant program is being administered properly. The collection of information by mail, phone, fax, in person, and by the Internet is utilized by FSA to initially determine whether the State meets the eligibility criteria to be a recipient of grant funds. Lack of adequate information to make these determinations could result in the improper administration and appropriation of Federal grant funds.
SUMMARY:
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Title: Certified State Mediation Program.
OMB Control Number: 05600165.
Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2010.
Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved information collection.
Abstract: This information is needed for FSA to effectively administer the Certified State Mediation Program in accordance with Subtitles A and B of Title V of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 (Pub. L. 100233). FSA requires some of the collected information to be reported in a standard manner. Although other institutions, public and private, generally require and collect information similar to that requested by FSA, there is a wide diversity in reporting practices.
The information to be collected includes an application for certification, reverification for subsequent annual approval, SF424, SF424A, and SF424B Application for Federal Assistance, financial management systems and reporting requirements, and audit reports. No additional information is being requested; however, the estimated number of respondents has increased from 32 to 34.
The information requested is reported annually and is necessary for the FSA to determine eligibility and administer the mediation grant program in an equitable and costeffective manner.
Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for this information collection is estimated to average 34 hours per respondent.
Respondents: State Agencies.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 34.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 5.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1088 hours.
We are requesting comments on all aspects of this information collection, including the following to help us to:
(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 the agency'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 comments to this notice will be summarized and included in the
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.
Signed in Washington, DC, on August 21, 2009.
Jonathan W. Coppess,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. E920638 Filed 82609; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 341005P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Ternechue Butler, FSA, Outreach Staff, telephone (202) 6901098.