In accordance
with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved. However,
the agency must provide to OMB a plan for providing a fully
electronic option for meeting CRP program requirements. This plan
must consider the information collection as a whole, rather than
the feasibility of providing individual forms in an electronic
format. The agency is also instructed to revise their calculation
of burdens associated with information collections to account for
the burden associated with different instruments. Specifically, the
increased use of CRP817U must result in a reduction in the use of
an alternative instrument. In the absence of evidence of such a
reduction, the the agency's information collection activities are
duplicative, overly burdensome, and inconsistent with 5 CFR
1320.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
10/31/2002
10/31/2002
03/31/2001
160,497
0
278,000
70,088
0
41,277
0
0
0
Under the CRP the Secretary is
authorized to enter into long- term contracts with owners and
operators of highly erodible cropland to assist such owners and
operators in conserving and improving the nation's soil, water, and
other natural resources of these farms and ranches by converting
land to less intensive uses.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) - 7 cfr part 1410