2015 0189 ss

SUPPORTING STATEMENT OMB NO. 0579-0189

Control of Chronic Wasting Disease

2015

Background/Introduction

On June 13, 2012, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published in the Federal Register (77 FR 35542-35571, Docket No. 00-108-8) an interim final rule that set an effective date of August 13, 2012 and a compliance date of December 10, 2012. However, APHIS is now in the process of preparing an affirmation of this interim final rule and an associated Program Standards document, and so requests the renewal and approval of this updated information collection.

In conformity with the affirmation of the interim final rule and the Program Standards document, APHIS will merge the burden from 0579-0237: CWD, Herd Certification Program into this information collection 0579-0189: Chronic Wasting Disease of Cervids: Payment of Indemnity.

In addition, because of this merging of information collections and the addition of burden items and content– APHIS changed the title of this information collection, 0579-0189, to Control of Chronic Wasting Disease. Upon approval of this renewal, APHIS will discontinue/retire 0579-0237.

A. Justification

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.

The Animal Health Protection Act (AHPA) of 2002 is the primary Federal law governing the protection of animal health. The law gives the Secretary of Agriculture broad authority to detect, control, or eradicate pests or diseases of livestock or poultry. The Secretary may also prohibit or restrict import or export of any animal or related material if necessary to prevent the spread of any livestock or poultry pest or disease. The AHPA is contained in Title X, Subtitle E, Sections 10401-18 of P.L. 107-171, May 13, 2002, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002.

Disease prevention is the most effective method for maintaining a healthy animal population and for enhancing the United States’ ability to compete in the world market of animal and animal product trade.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy of elk, deer, and moose typified by chronic weight loss leading to death. The presence of CWD in cervids causes significant economic and market losses to U.S. producers. In an effort to accelerate the control and limit the spread of this disease from the United States, APHIS created a cooperative, voluntary Federal-State-private sector CWD Herd Certification Program designed to identify farmed or captive herds infected with CWD and provide for the management of these herds in a way that will reduce the risk of spreading CWD.

Owners of elk, deer, and moose herds who choose to participate in this program would need to follow program requirements for animal identification, testing, herd management, and movement of animals into and from herds. APHIS’ regulations establish requirements for the interstate movement of cervids to prevent movement of elk, deer, and moose that pose a risk of spreading CWD.

APHIS is asking OMB to approve, for 3 years, its use of these information collection activities in connection with its efforts to identify, prevent, and control CWD in the United States.

2. Indicate how, by whom, how frequently, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.

APHIS uses the following information activities to identify, prevent, and control CWD in the United States:

MOU between State and APHIS Animal Health Authorities (from 0579-0237)

State animal health authorities who desire to enter their State into the State-Federal Cooperative CWD Herd Certification Program must sign an MOU between APHIS and the State that delineates the respective roles of each in the program's implementation. States need to sign the MOU to enroll in the program, to amend their status, and to renew their MOUs at least every 5 years to maintain participation.

Participation Request/Application Package - States (VS Form 11-2, application) (from 0579-0237)

Any State that operates a State program to certify the CWD status of deer, elk, or moose may ask the Administrator to designate the State program as an Approved State CWD Herd Certification Program. The State must submit its request, as well as a copy of the State’s program and other documentation, for the Administrator to review. The Administrator will approve or disapprove a State program in accordance with subpart 55.23(a) of title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Once a State is approved, this form of burden (VS Form 11-2) is used as part of the annual report to renew status annually.

Participation Request/Application Package – Business - Formal Request to Participate in the Program by Herd Owners in States without a State CWD Herd Certification Program (VS 11-1, 11-1A, application) (from 0579-0237)

Farmed/captive cervid herd owners may apply to directly enter the national CWD Herd Certification Program by sending VS Form 11-1 and Form 11-1A to APHIS, if a State Herd Certification Program does not exist. However, this is based on availability of Federal funding. Captive cervid herd owners need only apply to participate once. Once the owner is enrolled in the program, he or she can use this form for renewal. The enrollment form includes the owner’s name, mailing and facility addresses; phone numbers; email address; facility manager’s name and phone number; the number of elk, moose, mule deer, red deer, white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer, and other cervid species to be enrolled; and summaries of surveillance conducted.

Sample collection and lab submission – Business – Herd Owner (from 0579-0237)

Sample Submission and Testing – Business – Approved Laboratory

(VS 10-4 or equivalent) (from 0579-0237)

Lab Submission Reports - State (from 0579-0237)

Accredited veterinarians, APHIS employees, State officials, and certified sample collectors will collect samples of cervid tissue. The tissue will be submitted to approved labs for testing. All sample containers must be appropriately labeled with labels containing the date of collection, the producer’s name, the animal’s species and official ID number, the type of specimen, and the sample ID number, and submitted with either the VS 10-4 or equivalent CWD lab submission forms. These same individuals report the test results back to the owners and submitters. If the results are a suspected positive, the sample will be confirmed by the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL). NVSL will report the confirmed test results to the submitting approved testing laboratory, the District office, and the national CWD program staff. The District office will forward a copy of the report to the Approved State.

Recordkeeping: Herd records (includes annual inspections and triennial inventories) – Business and State(from 0579-0237)

The participating herd owner must maintain herd records that include a complete inventory of animals stating the species, date of birth, age, and sex of each animal born into the herd; the date of acquisition and source of each animal not born into the herd; the date of disposition and destination of any animal removed from the herd; and owner name, city, State; and all individual identification numbers (from tags, tattoos, electronic implants, etc.) associated with each animal. The information must also include the name and address of the person from whom any animal was acquired or to whom it was disposed; and the cause of death, if the animal died while in the herd. The records must also state the herd’s program status and any restrictions on the herd due to disease status, as well as the date of CWD sample submission, submitter, owner, premises, and animal information, and official CWD test results from NVSL or another approved laboratory for required samples. These written records will be critical during any traceback investigation conducted by APHIS or the Approved State, and must be maintained as long as the herd remains in the program. In addition, a herd owner must complete annual inspections and a triennial physical herd inventory for all herds enrolled in the CWD Herd Certification Program. Triennial physical inventories are conducted no more than 3 years after the last complete physical herd inventory for the herd. States will need to review and reconcile the records for all inspections and inventories for each owner. APHIS may also be involved with inspections and physical inventories that the owner needs to complete.

Farmed/Captive Cervid Identification – Business (from 0579-0237)

Each animal in a participating herd must be identified with at least two forms of identification. One form of identification must carry a USDA official identification number which is by definition nationally unique. The identification may be applied by the herd owner or the owner's agent and must be linked to that herd in the National CWD Database (SCS – Core One) or State database recognized by APHIS as equivalent to the National CWD database. The second form of identification must uniquely identify the animal within the herd.

Report of Cervid Disappearances, Escapes, and Deaths – Business and State (from 0579-0237)

Herd owners must report in a prompt and timely manner to an APHIS employee or State representative all animals that escape or disappear, and all deaths (including animals killed on premises maintained for hunting and animals sent to slaughter) of deer, elk, and moose in the herd aged 12 months or older. APHIS employees or State representatives may approve reporting schedules other than immediate notification when herd conditions warrant it in the opinion of both APHIS and the State. Herd owners will notify APHIS or State officials to determine if an animal is suspected of exhibiting clinical signs suggesting CWD infection.

Herd or Premises Plans – Business and State

When CWD is discovered in a captive cervid herd, the owner must participate in a herd or premises plan. A herd plan must be signed by the owner and in place before a herd can re-enroll in the CWD Herd Certification Program after losing program status, and must be completed before quarantine can be removed. APHIS will help develop this written management plan with input from the herd owner and State animal health authorities. The plan sets out the steps to be taken to control spread of CWD from a CWD- positive herd, or to prevent the introduction of CWD into another herd. A herd plan will require specified means of identification for each animal in the herd; regular examination of animals in the herd by a veterinarian for signs of disease; reporting to a State or APHIS representative any signs of central nervous system disease in herd animals; maintaining records of the acquisition and disposition of all animals entering or leaving the herd, including the date of acquisition or removal; the name and address of the person from whom the animal was acquired or to whom it was disposed, cause of death, and whether the animal died while in the herd. A herd plan may also contain additional requirements to prevent or control the possible spread of CWD depending on the particular condition of the herd and its premises—including but not limited to: specifying the time for which a premises must not contain cervids after CWD-positive, -exposed, or -suspect animals are removed from the premises; fencing requirements; selective culling of animals; restrictions on sharing and movement of possibly contaminated livestock equipment; cleaning and disinfecting requirements; or other requirements.

Annual Reports for Herd Certification Program (HCP) Renewal – State (VS 11-2) (new)

Comprehensive annual reports of Herd Certification Program status and activities of enrolled herds are submitted by the Approved States to APHIS each year to renew their status. States will use the VS Form 11-2 and additional pages as needed to include information related to numbers of enrolled herds by State, herd status summaries, and summary of the level of mortality surveillance. The reports should also include (1) CWD samples and tests – number of animals tested during the reporting period, species, herd type (breeder, hunting operation, etc.) and test results; (2) any CWD-positive herds – under quarantine, depopulated and released from quarantine, not under quarantine, under herd plans, and the number of animals in each herd; (3) any CWD-exposed herds – under quarantine, depopulated and released from quarantine, not under quarantine, under herd plans, and the number of animals in each herd; (4) epidemiological information – traceouts initiated, traceouts pending, and traceouts completed; and (5) number of enrolled herds – by State and certification status, species, number of animals in each herd, number due for inspection during each reporting period, and the number actually inspected.

Approved State CWD Herd Certification Program Reviews – State (new)

APHIS will periodically review an approved State’s CWD program. Objectives of the review include (1) evaluating program activities to verify Approved State status; (2) identifying and providing guidance on State problems in complying with Federal requirements; (3) reviewing farmed cervid surveillance activities and enrolled herd owner compliance; (4) reviewing records and documents on enrolled herds, including laboratory reports and herd inventories; as well as reviewing epidemiological reports submitted by the State-designated epidemiologist to the CWD epidemiologist and national CWD program manager; (5) assessing compliance with and completeness of data entered into the national CWD database or equivalent State database; (6) reviewing educational and outreach efforts to producers; (7) evaluating personnel and other resource needs; (8) conducting site visits in accordance with APHIS policy.

In selecting States to review, APHIS will consider States with compliance or program consistency issues, States with varying sizes of cervid industry, District balance (selecting States from each APHIS District), and review intervals (at least once every 5 years). APHIS will give a State review report to the Approved State that will include the findings of the review, and a request to the State to develop a response which could include an action plan. The plan will include a list of recommendations or requirements to address specific issues identified and a specified period of time to complete.

Epidemiological Investigations – State and Business (new)

APHIS or State officials will conduct epidemiological investigations of herds designated as CWD-suspect, trace back, or trace forward to determine if the animals in the herd were exposed to a CWD-positive animal, and the consequences of that exposure to herd status. The results of the investigation may lead to development and implementation of a herd plan towards reinstatement of herd status or re-enrollment in the CWD Herd Certification Program. Epidemiological investigations also may determine if the owner of the herd has not fully complied with program requirements for animal identification, animal testing, and recordkeeping, and lead to suspension of program status until a herd plan is implemented. Any herd reinstated after being placed in suspended status must comply with the requirements of the herd plan as well as the requirements of the CWD Herd Certification Program.

Appraisal, Destruction, and Payment of Indemnity (VS From 1-23) - Business

Cervid appraisals must be reported on the VS Form 1-23. The VS Form 1-23 is completed by APHIS or an appraiser (Federal employee) with input from the herd owner. It is signed by both the appraiser and the owner. It lists the owner's name and address, the number of animals for which the owner is seeking payment, and the appraised value of each animal. The owner's signature on this form indicates agreement with the appraised value of each animal. The owner must also certify whether the animals are subject to a mortgage. If there is a mortgage, the form must also be signed by each person holding a mortgage. By signing the form, each mortgage holder is consenting to the payment of indemnity to the owner or lien holder. The form is faxed to the District office for approval and is kept on file in the office of the District Director.

Letter to Appeal Suspension, Cancellation, or Change in Status – Business (from 0579-0237)

If a herd owner's enrollment in the CWD Herd Certification Program is suspended or canceled, or the herd’s status is lowered, the herd owner may, within 10 days of receiving notice of the cancellation or change in status, appeal the cancellation or status reduction in writing to APHIS. The appeal letter must include all of the facts and reasons on which the herd owner relies to show that the reasons for the proposed cancellation are incorrect or do not support APHIS’ action.

Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection – Business and State for Farmed/Captive Cervids and Supporting Documents for Interstate Movement (including cervids not in a State/Federal CWD Herd Certification Program) (from 0579-0237)

No covered cervid may move interstate unless it meets the requirements of 9 CFR 81.3. This includes, but is not limited to, cervids originating from a herd enrolled in the CWD Herd Certification Program that has reached certified status as well as imported animals and non-enrolled animals moving interstate directly to slaughter; zoo and exhibition animals from non-enrolled facilities moving interstate; research animals moving interstate; and wild cervids moving interstate. The animals must be accompanied by a certificate completed by an accredited veterinarian that documents the origin, identity, and health status of the animal being moved. The certificate must show the official identification numbers of each animal being moved, the number of animals covered by the certificate, the purpose for which the animals are being moved, the points of origin and destination, the consignor, and the consignee. The certificate must also include a statement by the issuing accredited veterinarian that the animals were not exhibiting clinical signs associated with CWD at the time of examination. States receiving a request for import of animals into their State will provide instructions of what import requirements are to be met and documents are to be presented.

Wild Cervid Identification, ICVI, and Surveillance data (for Interstate Movement) – State (from 0579-0237)

Each captive wild cervid must be identified with at least two forms of identification attached to the animal by the originating State. One form of identification must be official. The animal also must be accompanied by a certificate documenting the source population to be low risk for CWD based on surveillance in that population. Summary surveillance information provided by the originating State will be reviewed by APHIS and the receiving State to determine interstate movement approvals.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also, describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

APHIS is in the initial stages of using the CWD annual report and approved/consistent State review procedures. APHIS does not yet have baseline information to develop a database to support electronic submission for these forms. Development of a database in future years will depend on funding for Federal CWD activities.

Reporting of CWD suspects and cervid escapes, disappearances, and deaths is incorporated into the annual report (see annual report entry above for more information).

Identification for both captive and wild cervids must physically accompany the animals at all times, and thus currently cannot be submitted electronically; however, APHIS is working on electronic collection and submission of cervid identification.

Epidemiological investigations and reporting of out-of-State traces to affected States will be handled at the State level. APHIS does not anticipate building any kind of Federal database or electronic information management system to support these activities.

The interstate movement certificate requires an original signature to be valid and must accompany the animal. It is therefore not a candidate for electronic submission.

The NVSL Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) requires submission of specimens with hard copies of VS Form 10-4 to ensure proper identification of the samples; therefore, the forms cannot be transmitted electronically. However, this is form can be filled in online.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/library/forms/pdf/VS_Form10_4.pdf

APHIS is in the process of reviewing all of its current requirements for original signatures to see if digital signatures could also be accepted and used. Below explains APHIS’ current practices and reasons for them.

The MOU requires original signatures to be valid, and so is not a candidate for electronic submission.

The herd plan requires original signatures to be valid, and so is not a candidate for electronic submission.

The VS Form 1-23 is not a candidate for electronic submission because it requires an original signature from both the appraiser and the herd owner to be valid.

The letter appealing suspension, cancellation, or change in status requires an original signature from the facility owner and is therefore not a candidate for electronic submission.

The formal requests to participate in the program (Forms VS 11-1, 11-1A, and

11-2) can be completed online, but require original signatures to be valid.

Hyperlink: USDA APHIS VS Forms

In addition, these forms are being considered to be included in APHIS’ new IT system eFile which is being designed for all Certifications, Accreditations, Registrations, Permits, and Other Licenses (CARPOL) across the Agency.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purpose described in item 2 above.

The information that APHIS collects is not available from any other source. APHIS is the only Federal Agency responsible for preventing, detecting, and controlling CWD in the United States.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.

The information APHIS collects in connection with this program is the absolute minimum needed to effectively operate a certification program designed to identify and track farmed cervids in the United States. APHIS expects about 75 percent of the cervid herd owners anticipated to take part directly or indirectly in the Federal CWD Herd Certification Program to be small entities.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

Collecting this information less frequently or failing to collect it would make it impossible for APHIS to maintain its CWD Herd Certification Program, thereby hindering APHIS' ability to prevent and control the spread of CWD in the United States.

7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with the general information collection guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5.

• requiring respondents to report informa­tion to the agency more often than quarterly;

• requiring respondents to prepare a writ­ten response to a collection of infor­ma­tion in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

APHIS is requiring herd owners to appeal cancellations or changes in status within 10 days of receiving notice from APHIS. This is to ensure the proper treatment of herds in regards to their CWD status in the CWD program which makes it possible for APHIS to maintain an effective program.

• requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any docu­ment;

• requiring respondents to retain re­cords, other than health, medical, governm­ent contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than three years;

APHIS is requiring herd owners to maintain their herd records for as long as the herd remains in the CWD program. This time varies from herd to herd.

• in connection with a statisti­cal sur­vey, that is not de­signed to produce valid and reli­able results that can be general­ized to the uni­verse of study;

• requiring the use of a statis­tical data classi­fication that has not been re­vie­wed and approved by OMB;

• that includes a pledge of confiden­tiali­ty that is not supported by au­thority estab­lished in statute or regu­la­tion, that is not sup­ported by dis­closure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unneces­sarily impedes shar­ing of data with other agencies for com­patible confiden­tial use; or

• requiring respondents to submit propri­etary trade secret, or other confidential information unless the agency can demon­strate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permit­ted by law.

No other special circumstances exist that would require this collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with the general information collection guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5.

8. Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and record keeping, disclosure, or reporting form, and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB.

APHIS engaged in productive consultations with the following individuals concerning the information collection activities associated with this program:

David Zellner, DVM, Dip ACPV/Epizootiologist

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services

2301 N. Cameron Street

Harrisburg, PA 17110

[email protected]

Phone: 717-783-8555

Fax: 717-787-1868

Dr. T. David Frew

Ohio Department of Agriculture

Division of Animal Health

8995 East Main Street

Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-3399

[email protected]

Phone: 330-627-4723

Fax: 614-728-6310

Mr. Glenn Dice

Owner: Glenn Dice Farms

Glenn Dice Farms

143 Queen Street

Chambersburg, PA 17201

[email protected]

Phone: 717-658-6373

On Thursday, September 4, 2014, page 52625-52626, APHIS published in the Federal Register, a 60-day notice seeking public comments on its plans to request a 3-year renewal of this information collection. During that comment period, APHIS received one comment from a concerned citizen. That comment did not pertain to paperwork.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than reenumeration of contractors or grantees.

This information collection activity involves no payments or gifts to respondents.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance institute, regulation, or agency policy.

No additional assurance of confidentiality is provided with this information collection. However, the confidentiality of information is protected under 5 U.S.C. 552a.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior or attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to begin to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

This information collection activity will ask no questions of a personal or sensitive nature.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated.

• Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens in Item 13 of OMB Form 83-I.

See APHIS Form 71. Burden estimates were developed from discussions with cervid herd owners, industry representatives, and State animal health authorities.

• Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories.

APHIS estimates the total annualized cost to the above respondents to be $14,664,400. APHIS arrived at this figure by multiplying the hours of estimated response time (383,383 hours) by the estimated average hourly wage of the above respondents ($38.25) by using the following categories of respondents and their associated average hourly wage: cervid herd owners (farmers, ranchers, and agricultural managers) ($29.07); State animal health officials: veterinarians ($44.87) and supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers ($22.09); and industry representatives: hunting workers ($17.43).

APHIS determined the estimated hourly wage from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2013 Report - Occupational Employment and Wages in the United States. http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#13-0000

13. Provide estimates of the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information (do not include the cost of any hour burden shown in items 12 and 1"'). The cost estimates should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component annualized over its expected use full life; and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component.

No annual cost burden is associated with capital and startup costs, operation and maintenance expenditures, and purchase of services.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Provide a description of the method used to estimate cost and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.

The annualized cost to the Federal Government is estimated at $1,630,102 (See APHIS Form 79.)

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or 14 of the OMB Form 83-1.

ICR Summary of Burden:

	Requested	Program Change Due to New Statute	Program Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Agency Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA	Previously Approved
Annual Number of Responses	170,602	0	170,570	26	0	6
Annual Time Burden (Hr)	383,383	0	382,931	390	0	62
Annual Cost Burden ($)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Overall, the number of respondents increased from 4 to 5,735 respondents (+5,731), the number of responses increased from 6 to 170,602 responses (+170,596), and the number of burden hours increased from 62 to 383,383 burden hours (+383,321).

These increases were a result of: adjustments due to the increased interest and enrollment in the CWD Herd Certification Program, and program changes due to the merging of 0579-0237 into this information collection and due to adding new burden items to this information collection. The information provided below gives more detailed explanations of the adjustments and program changes.

Adjustments

Herd or Premises Plans (previously Herd Plan Agreements)

(+26 responses) (+390 burden hours)

The number of CWD-positive, -suspect, or -exposed herds needing a herd plan increased from 2 herds to 15 herds. This change reflects the increased number of enrolled herds and participating States, and an anticipated increase in the number of trace-out exposed animals that may require herd plans.

Program Changes

• The following burden items (and their additional responses and burden hours) were added to this information collection as a result of merging 0579-0237 into this information collection totaling +170,570 responses and +381,331 burden hours.

• Memorandum of Understanding Between States and APHIS (+30 responses) (+240 burden hours)

• Participation Request/Application Package (VS 11-1, 11-1A, and 11-2) (+31 responses) (+601 burden hours)

• Sample collection and lab submission – Business – Herd Owner (+22,200 responses) (+88,800 burden hours)

• Sample Submission and Testing – Business – Approved Laboratory

(VS 10-4 or equivalent) (+22,204 responses) (+18,392 burden hours)

• Lab Submission Reports - State (+22,200 responses) (+11,100 burden hours)

• Herd Records (+6,120 responses) (+180,660 burden hours)

• Farmed/Captive Cervid Identification (+3,700 responses) (+29,600 burden hours)

• Report of Cervid Disappearances, Escapes, and Deaths (+73,990 responses) (+11,838 burden hours)

• Letter to Appeal Suspension, Cancellation, or Change in Status (+20 responses) (+20 burden hours)

• Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (+19,990 responses) (+39, 980 burden hours)

• Wild Cervid Identification, ICVI, and Surveillance Data (+10 responses) (+100 burden hours)

• The following are new burden items totaling +75 responses and +1,600 burden hours:

• Annual Reports for HCP Renewal (VS 11-2) (+30 responses) (+300 hours)

APHIS identified the need for comprehensive annual reports from the Approved States as it began implementing the national program and writing the Program Standards, so APHIS is adding it now.

• Approved/Consistent State CWD Herd Certification Program Reviews

(+5 responses) (+100 burden hours)

APHIS identified the need to periodically review an approved State’s CWD Herd Certification Program as it began implementing the national program and writing the Program Standards; therefore, APHIS is adding it now.

• Epidemiological Investigations and Reporting Out-of-State Traces to Affected States (+40 responses) (+1,200 burden hours)

This is a newly identified and added form of burden. APHIS or State officials will conduct epidemiological investigations of herds designated as CWD-suspect, -traceback, or -trace-forward to determine if the animals in the herd were exposed to a CWD-positive animal, and the consequences of that exposure to herd status.

No Change

Appraisal, Destruction, and Payment of Indemnity (VS From 1-23)

16. For collections of information whose results are planned to be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication.

APHIS has no plans to publish information it collects in connection with this program.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be in appropriate.

VS 1-23

VS 10-4

These forms are used in multiple information collections; therefore, it is not practical to include an OMB expiration date because of the various expiration dates for each information collection. APHIS is seeking approval to not display the OMB expiration date on these forms.

VS 11-1

VS 11-1A

VS 11-2

Not applicable. APHIS will display the expiration dates on these forms.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in the "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act."

APHIS can certify compliance with all provisions.

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods

There are no statistical methods associated with the information collection activities used in this program.

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