Supporting Statement for OMB No

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SUPPORTING STATEMENT - PART A for
OMB Control Number 0560-0082:  
Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP)



Shanan Smiley
Program Manager

USDA, Farm Service Agency (FSA)
1400 Independence Ave.
S.W. Washington, DC  20250


Table of Contents
A1. Circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.	3
A2. Purpose and Use of the Information.	3
A3.  Use of information technology and burden reduction.	3
A4.  Efforts to identify duplication.	3
A5.  Impacts on small businesses or other small entities.	4
A6.  Consequences of collecting the information less frequently.	4
A7.  Special circumstances relating to the Guidelines of 5 CFR 1320.5.	4
A8.  Comments to the Federal Register Notice and efforts for consultation.	5
A9.  Explain any decisions to provide any payment or gift to respondents.	5
A10.  Assurances of confidentiality provided to respondents.	5
A11.  Justification for any questions of a sensitive nature.	5
A12.  Estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information.	6
A13.  Estimates of other total annual cost burden.	6
A14.  Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.	6
A15.  Explanation of program changes or adjustments.	7
A16.  Plans for tabulation, and publication and project time schedule.	7
A17.  Displaying the OMB Approval Expiration Date.	7
A18.  Exceptions to the certification statement identified in Item 19.	7




A1. 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 Farm Service Agency (FSA) requests a revision of a currently approved information collection.  FSA collects the information covered under this control number to administer the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), both authorized by Federal statute as noted below. These collections are required for FSA to determine producer eligibility, evaluate proposed practices, document program compliance, and authorize payments consistent with statutory mandates.
Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)
ECP is authorized by the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2201–2205), as amended by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. These statutes authorize the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through FSA, to provide emergency financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and to implement emergency water conservation measures during periods of severe drought. Assistance may be provided in any State or area where the FSA county committee determines that natural disaster damage requires emergency measures.
Regulations at 7 CFR Part 701 further implement ECP and require FSA to collect information necessary to document the type and extent of damage, evaluate proposed restoration practices, and determine eligibility for financial assistance. Because ECP is a performance-based program, the information collected is necessary for FSA to approve practices, confirm completion, calculate allowable payment rates, ensure compliance with the program’s statutory payment limitations, and verify that practices meet applicable technical standards. Without this information, FSA cannot determine whether a producer qualifies for assistance or whether Federal funds may be issued.
Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP)
BCAP is authorized under the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110246), as amended, and implemented through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) pursuant to the CCC Charter Act (15 U.S.C. 714 et seq.). BCAP provides financial assistance for establishing and maintaining eligible biomass crops and for delivering eligible material to qualified biomass conversion facilities.
To administer BCAP project area establishment payments, annual maintenance payments, and matching payments, FSA must collect information from producers and biomass conversion facilities. This includes documentation of land eligibility, crop establishment plans, producer agreements, environmental screening requirements, and verification of eligible material deliveries. These data are required to ensure that assistance is only provided in authorized project areas, for approved crops, at allowable payment rates, and in compliance with environmental, technical, and financial requirements established in statute and regulation.
FSA must collect this information in compliance with:
• the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), which requires OMB approval of information collections;
• the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), which mandates disclosure notices and protections for personal information; and
• applicable Federal fraud and false statement statutes, which require accurate and verifiable information to safeguard public funds.
Collecting the information in this request is essential for FSA to implement ECP and BCAP as required by law; determine producer and land eligibility; evaluate and approve conservation and biomass practices; establish contract and agreement terms; confirm proper completion of practices; and authorize program or matching payments. Without this information, FSA could not meet its statutory responsibilities or administer these programs effectively, consistently, and in compliance with Federal requirements.
A2. Purpose and Use of the Information.

Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used.  Except for a new collection, indicate how the agency has actually used the information received from the current collection.
The affected public is individuals or households, farms and business or other for-profit.
FSA collects the information covered under this control number to administer the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). The information is used by FSA county, State, and national office staff, as well as by applicable technical agencies, to determine eligibility, evaluate proposed practices, document program compliance, and authorize payments in accordance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)
For ECP, information submitted by producers is used to:
• document the type and extent of natural disaster related damage;
• determine producer and land eligibility;
• assess needed conservation or restoration practices;
• establish financial assistance agreements and applicable payment limitations;
• certify completion of practices; and
• authorize program payments after verifying that practices meet technical standards.
Technical agencies such as NRCS or qualified technical service providers use the information to prepare needs determinations and provide technical specifications for approved practices. FSA uses producer certifications and technical documentation to ensure that practices are completed correctly before payment is issued.
Information collected for ECP is necessary for performance-based program payments; FSA cannot approve, certify, or issue assistance without it.
Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP)
For BCAP, information is used to:
• evaluate project area proposals submitted by project sponsors;
• determine eligibility of land, crops, producers, and biomass conversion facilities;
• establish producer contracts for establishment and annual production payments;
• verify delivery and eligibility of material for matching payments;
• conduct environmental screening for proposed project areas; and
• ensure that biomass conversion facilities meet requirements for qualification and remain compliant with program provisions.  However, this program has not been funded since 2017.
FSA county office staff use the information to enter eligible material deliveries, calculate matching payments, review BCAP contract documentation, and confirm compliance with program criteria. State and national office staff use the information to review project area proposals, environmental screenings, and biomass conversion facility agreements. 
BCAP has not been funded or implemented since 2017 following the lapse of appropriations. Accordingly, BCAP forms (used for enrollment, payment requests, reporting, etc.) have been formally declared obsolete and removed from active FSA/CCC form inventories. No respondents are submitting these forms; they are retired and will not be utilized during the current information collection period.
Across both programs, the information collected is used to:
• verify eligibility of producers, entities, and land;
• ensure compliance with conservation, environmental, and financial requirements;
• apply statutory payment limitations and attribution rules;
• support monitoring, oversight, and audit activities; and
• maintain accurate records of program implementation and payments.
Without this information, FSA would be unable to evaluate requests for assistance, approve program participation, ensure that conservation and biomass practices meet Federal standards, or issue payments in accordance with statutory and regulatory authorities.
Forms
FSA-848/FSA-848-1 Cost-Share Request and Continuation Sheet
Used by producers to request financial assistance.  The continuation sheet is used when additional space is needed.
FSA-848A/FSA-848A-1 Cost–Share Agreement and Continuation Sheet
Formal agreement between FSA and the producer to formalize the terms of receiving federal program funding for approved restoration or conservation practices. The continuation sheet is used when additional space is needed. 
FSA-848B/FSA-848B-1 Cost-Share Performance Certificate and Payment and Continuation Sheet
Used to document and certify when a conservation practice or disaster restoration has been completed and is ready for payment.  The continuation sheet is used when additional space is needed.
FSA-801/FSA-801-1 Cost-Share Request and Continuation Sheet
Used by producer to document type and extent of disaster-related damage and identifies the emergency conservation practices the producer is requesting.  The continuation sheet is used when additional space is needed.
FSA-801A/FSA-801A-1 Needs Determination and Continuation Sheet
Used to document the technical practice needs, payment scenarios and extents associated with the emergency conservation practices the producer is requesting.  The continuation sheet is used when additional space is needed to itemize more practices or payment scenarios.
FSA-801B/FSA-801B-1 Cost-Share Agreement and Continuation Sheet
Serves as the official record that a producer is receiving federal assistance for an ECP practice by providing the applicant the payment scenario extent and approved funding.  The continuation sheet is used when additional space is needed.
FSA-801C/FSA-801C-1 Practice and Performance Certification and Continuation Sheet
This form captures the participant’s and agency’s technical verification that the practice was completed according to program standards and authorizes the conservation practice as eligible for payment.  The continuation sheet is used additional certification details exceed the space on the base form.0

Collections Approved under Other OMB Control Numbers:  The following table summarizes the information collection for which approval has been obtained under the OMB Control Number.
Description
Approved Under
CCC-901, Member’s Information for Legal Entities, if applicable
0560-0297, Exp. 10/31/2027
CCC-902I Farm Operating Plan
0560-0297, Exp. 10/31/2027
AD-1026, Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification
EXEMPT

FSA-325 Application for Payment of Amount Due Person who has died or incompetent
0560-0026, 08/31/2029
FSA-211/211A Power of Attorney
0560-0190, Exp. 7/31/2029
CCC-37 Joint Payment Authorization
0560-0183, Exp. 10/31/2027

A3.  Use of information technology and burden reduction.  

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.

FSA makes every effort to comply with the E-Government Act, 2002 (E-Gov) and to provide for alternative submission of information collections.  
Producers and project sponsors may submit forms by visiting their local county office, postal service or directly through the county office email. FSA county offices input all collected information into program software systems that support eligibility determinations, environmental reviews, payment calculations, matching payments, and BCAP contract management.
For ECP, updated software applications incorporate GIS mapping, automated calculations, and electronic workflows to reduce burden and improve accuracy. For BCAP, information on matching payments, project area proposals, environmental screenings, and biomass conversion facility qualifications is entered into electronic systems used at the county, State, and national levels for review and approval.
Although some forms must still be signed or submitted in person due to statutory or regulatory requirements, FSA uses integrated software systems that generate the required forms directly from agency applications.  These forms are not available on any public website.  When appropriate, FSA can deliver forms via email and accept electronic signatures through approved solutions such as Box or OneSpan reducing respondent burden and minimizing duplication. Whenever feasible, the agency accepts scanned or electronically signed documents in accordance with USDA policy.

A4.  Efforts to identify duplication. 

Describe efforts to identify duplication.  Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Question 2.
Every effort has been made to avoid duplication. There is similar data collected, however, those do not meet the agency’s need.  The information requested for ECP and BCAP is not available from any other USDA agency, Federal entity, or existing data source. FSA collects only the information necessary to determine eligibility, document required technical or environmental reviews, and process payments in accordance with applicable statutes and regulations.
For ECP, the information needed to document natural disaster damage, proposed restoration practices, and completion of conservation work is specific to each event, producer, and tract of land; therefore, it cannot be obtained from other programs or external databases. While FSA may consult technical agencies such as NRCS for supporting documentation, those agencies do not collect the producer specific information required to administer ECP.
For BCAP, if funded, information related to project area proposals, biomass conversion facility qualifications, eligible material deliveries, and producer contracts is unique to BCAP and cannot be obtained from other Federal programs. No other agency collects or maintains the data necessary to determine eligibility for BCAP establishment payments, annual production payments, or matching payments.
FSA reviews all program forms and information requests to ensure that duplication is avoided and that respondents are not asked to provide the same information more than once unless required by law or necessary for program integrity.
FSA solely manages issuance for the ECP and BCAP programs to ensure integrity. The information required for data collection is not currently reported to any other agency on a regular basis in a standardized form.
A5.  Impacts on small businesses or other small entities.  

If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities (Item 5 of OMB Form 83-I), describe any methods used to minimize burden.

The information collection does not disproportionately impact small businesses or other small entities. ECP and BCAP participants are primarily individual agricultural producers, forest landowners, and biomass material owners. Some small entities, such as small farm enterprises or small biomass conversion facilities, may participate; however, the information collected is the minimum necessary to determine eligibility and administer the programs in accordance with statute. FSA minimizes burden by collecting only essential information and by allowing respondents to submit forms electronically whenever feasible.  The information requested is the minimum amount required to meet program requirements.  There are 5,000 small businesses or entities.  This program is intended to help small businesses; therefore, this estimate is 50 percent of the total respondents.


A6.  Consequences of collecting the information less frequently.  

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.
This is an ongoing mandatory information collection request.  The information is collected only when a producer requests assistance under ECP or BCAP or when a biomass conversion facility seeks qualification. If the information was collected less frequently or not collected:
• FSA could not determine eligibility for assistance;
• statutory and regulatory payment limitations could not be applied; 
• FSA could not verify that conservation or biomass practices were completed properly ensuring program integrity;
• environmental review requirements could not be satisfied; and
• Federal funds could not be issued consistent with program authorities.
Because assistance under both programs is contingent on specific natural disaster events (ECP) or project area or delivery events (BCAP), less frequent collection would undermine the agency’s ability to administer the programs responsibly and in compliance with statutory mandates.
A7.  Special circumstances relating to the Guidelines of 5 CFR 1320.5.  

Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner: 
    • 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; 
    • 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;
    • 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.
The information collection is consistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5.

A8.  Comments to the Federal Register Notice and efforts for consultation.  

If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8 (d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.	

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 recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.  

Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years even if the collection of information activity is the same as in prior years. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.
A 60-day Federal Register Notice was published on June 18, 2026 at 91 FR 36795 to solicit public comments on this information collection. Any comments received will be reviewed, summarized, and addressed prior to submission of the final package to OMB.  One comment was received in full support of the collection of information through the use of the 848/801 series of documents.
FSA routinely consults with individuals and organizations outside the agency on matters relating to the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). These consultations ensure that the information collection remains necessary, understandable, and minimally burdensome.
Consultations occur through:
    • discussions with producers during program delivery at county offices,
    • engagement with agricultural stakeholder groups such as Farm Bureau, commodity associations, and conservation organizations,
    • coordination with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) regarding technical standards and conservation practice documentation, and
    • communication with State and county committees on program implementation issues.
Through these interactions, FSA obtains feedback on:
    • the clarity of form instructions,
    • the practicality of data elements required,
    • availability of required information,
    • frequency of program reporting requirements, and
    • producer burden associated with supporting documentation.
These consultations occur at least once every three years, consistent with 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), or more frequently when program changes or regulatory updates occur. No concerns have been raised by external stakeholders regarding the availability of data, clarity of instructions, or burden associated with the 848/ 801 series ECP forms or BCAP forms. These stakeholders include Beverly P, 703-625-2925, 15605 Parker Circle, Omaha, NE 68118, Allen P, 573-355-1652, 22200 N Rt. V, Sturgeon, MO  65284, [email protected] and Jeremy M, 660-445-2290, 53457 Joiner Rd, Pollock, MO  63560. [email protected]. Consultation indicates that the collection continues to be reasonable, necessary, and aligned with normal business practices for agricultural producers.
A9.  Explain any decisions to provide any payment or gift to respondents.  

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

FSA does not provide any gifts or payments to respondents for completing information collections. Payments issued under ECP and BCAP are authorized program payments, matching, establishment, or annual production payments, and are not related to the act of submitting information.

A10.  Assurances of confidentiality provided to respondents.  

Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
Privacy is assured in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a). Each form includes a Privacy Act statement describing how the information will be used, stored, and disclosed. Information is protected within USDA systems with access limited to authorized personnel for official program purposes.  The information collected on these forms may be disclosed to other Federal, State, Local government agencies, Tribal agencies, and nongovernmental entities that have been authorized access to the information by statute or regulation and/or as described in applicable Routine Uses identified in the System of Records Notice for USDA/FSA-2, Farm Records File (Automated), published on June 4, 2026 (91 FR 33682); USDA/FSA-14, Applicant/Borrower, published on April 13, 2026 (91 FR 18812); USDA/NRCS-1, Landowner, Operator, Producer, Cooperator, or Participant Files, published on August 30, 2005 (70 FR 51332); USDA/FCIC-10, Policyholder, published on December 11, 2007 (72 FR 70290). 
Information may be shared externally only as authorized by the Privacy Act routine uses, including for audit, oversight, and law enforcement purposes.
The Acting Assistant Privacy Officer, Samantha Jones, reviewed and approved this package on August 28, 2026.
A11.  Justification for any questions of a sensitive nature.    

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 be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

The information collection does not request sensitive information such as sexual behavior, medical history, or religious beliefs. Some forms collect personal identifiers (e.g., names, addresses, tax identification numbers) necessary for program eligibility determination, payment issuance, and compliance with Federal financial requirements. This information is collected under statutory authority and protected under the Privacy Act.

A12.  Estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information.  

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.

A.	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.
The information collection includes multiple forms used under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). OMB requires that each form included in the collection have its own burden estimate. The estimates below reflect typical participation levels, the nature and complexity of each form, and the time needed for respondents to gather information, complete the forms, and submit the required documentation.
Because BCAP has not been funded since 2017, no BCAP respondents are anticipated, and its forms are assigned zero burden hours, though they remain in the collection for statutory readiness.  This has caused a reduction in the number of respondents from prior year’s reporting.
ECP receives appropriations from Congress in response to natural disaster events. Based on historical program data, an estimated 10,000 producers are expected to apply annually: 5,000 businesses or farms and 5,000 for individuals.  The “Number of Respondents” column is not a sum, it represents the same respondents participating in different activities for this data collection; therefore, these respondents are not double counted.  See the Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements spreadsheet that contains all the numbers for each response.
The revised annual burden for this information collection package is 12,427 hours.
Estimated Number of Respondents:  10,000.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent:  10.03
Estimated Total Annual Number of Responses:  100,300.
Estimated Average Time per Response:  0.123898 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:  12,427 hours.

B.	Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories.
The annualized cost to respondents is calculated using the May, 2025, Bureau of Labor Statistics mean hourly wage rate for “Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers” of $$48.00/hour, multiplied by the standard 1.44 fringe factor recommended for PRA analyses, resulting in a fully loaded labor rate of $69.12/hour.
Based on an estimated 10,000 annual ECP applications and corresponding form submissions, the total estimated respondent burden is 12,427 hours. Multiplying total burden hours by the fully loaded labor rate results in an estimated annualized cost to respondents of $858,954.
No BCAP costs are included because BCAP has not been funded since FY 2017, and therefore no respondents are expected.
A13.  Estimates of other total annual cost burden.

Provide estimates of the total annual cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information, (do not include the cost of any hour burden shown in questions 12 and 14).  The cost estimates should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component annualized over its expected useful life; and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component.
There are no capital, startup, ongoing operation, maintenance, or purchase of service costs associated with this information collection.
Respondents participating in ECP and BCAP are not required to purchase equipment, software, or services to provide the information requested. All activities required to complete the forms are considered part of normal business practices for agricultural producers, landowners, and biomass material owners. Respondents rely on existing business records—such as farm maps, acreage information, contractor estimates, or environmental documentation—to complete the information collections.
A14.  Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.  

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 estimated annualized cost to the Federal government for administering the information collections under ECP and BCAP is $1,693,640. 
This estimate includes routine labor costs for FSA county office Program Analysts (GS9 Step 3), State Office Program Specialists (GS11 Step 5), and National Office Analysts and Managers (GS13 Step 5) who review and process application materials, conduct eligibility and technical reviews, and issue payments. The estimate is based on an expected workload of approximately 32,000 total staff hours per year and uses 2026 General Schedule salary levels with a standard 60 percent benefits and overhead multiplier.
No additional Federal costs—such as system development, contracts, or special equipment—are incurred as a result of this information collection. All costs are absorbed into existing USDA/FSA program resources.
A15.  Explanation of program changes or adjustments.

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

FSA requests a revision of a currently approved information collection.  The current burden inventory is 140,000 estimated annual respondents: 985,445 estimated annual responses and 67,852 estimated annual burden hours.  With this revision the agency is seeking 10,000 estimated annual respondents, 100,300 estimated annual responses and 12,427 estimated annual burden hours.  This reflects a decrease in the number of estimated respondents –130,000, decrease in the estimated number of responses –885,145 and a decrease in the number of estimated annual burden hours –55,425 since the last OMB submission. 

Program changes or adjustments may occur due to updated statutory requirements, regulatory changes, or improved program processes for ECP and BCAP. Any changes in burden reflect revisions to forms, updates to program procedures, or adjustments in participation levels. Where applicable, the supporting statement distinguishes between burden changes due to program modifications and those due to adjustments in respondent estimates.

Program changes:
    • For the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), all respondent burden has been removed. BCAP has not been funded or operated since 2017, and therefore no participants are currently submitting forms or providing information under this collection. The elimination of BCAP‑related burden is the direct result of the agency’s programmatic decision not to operate the program during the current approval period.
    • For the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), agency transition from the FSA‑848 series forms to the FSA‑801 series forms. This transition reflects modernized forms and changes in the information collected. These modifications represent deliberate agency actions and therefore constitute program changes in the burden calculations.
Program adjustments:
    • Burden changes not associated with the above program decisions reflect routine updates to respondent counts, estimated completion times, and/or wage rates that occur independent of agency actions.  Such adjustments arise from normal fluctuations in participation levels which are dictated by ongoing natural disasters, updated labor cost estimates, and improved accuracy in estimating the time required for respondents to complete forms.  The estimated number of respondents has been updated based on the number of program participants in recent years, which is less than the estimated number of respondents in the last OMB submission.

For detailed explanations, see the Agency Notes column in the Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements spreadsheet.


A16.  Plans for tabulation, and publication and project time schedule. 

For collections of information whose results are planned to be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication.
FSA does not publish individual respondent information. Aggregate program participation data may be compiled for internal management, Congressional reporting, and public program transparency. Examples include:

• number of ECP applications received and approved;

• total acres or practices funded;

• summary of BCAP matching payments; and

• list of qualified biomass conversion facilities.

A17.  Displaying the OMB Approval Expiration Date.

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

FSA displays the OMB control number and expiration date on all forms associated with this information collection. There is no reason to seek an exemption from displaying the control number.

A18.  Exceptions to the certification statement identified in Item 19.  

Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19 of the OMB  83-I" Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act."

FSA is not requesting any exceptions to the certification statement identified in 5 CFR 1320.9.