SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Environmental Monitoring.

OMB Control Number: 0579-0117.

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 (USDA) provides leadership in ensuring the health and care of animals and plants, improves agricultural productivity and competitiveness, and contributes to the national economy and the public health.

APHIS is committed to accomplishing its mission in a manner that promotes and protects the integrity of the environment. This includes APHIS' compliance with all applicable environmental statutes and regulations including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the USDA regulations implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1b).

APHIS engages in environmental monitoring for certain activities that we conduct to control or eradicate agricultural pests and diseases. We monitor those activities that have the greatest potential for harm to the human environment to ensure that the mitigation measures developed to avoid that harm are enforced and effective. In many cases, monitoring is required where APHIS programs are conducted close to habitats of endangered and threatened species. This monitoring is developed in coordination with the U.S. Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service, in compliance with the Endangered Species Act (50 U.S.C. 17.11 and 17.12).

APHIS field personnel and State cooperators jointly use an APHIS-provided environmental monitoring form to collect information concerning the effects of pesticide use in these sensitive areas. The goal of environmental monitoring is to track the potential impact that APHIS activities may have on the environment and to use this knowledge in making any necessary adjustments in future program actions.

We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of these information collection activities for an additional 3 years. APHIS has amended this information collection by increasing the Estimated Annual Number of Responses and the estimated Annual Burden on Respondents.

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 burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.23 hours per response.

Respondents: Growers, pesticide appliers, and State department of agriculture personnel.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 11.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 3.

Estimated annual number of responses: 31.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 7.0 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.