7 CFR part 1970 - Environmental Policies and Procedures

OMB Control No: 0575-0197	ICR Reference No: 201508-0575-001
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201205-0575-002
Agency/Subagency: USDA/RHS	Agency Tracking No:
Title: 7 CFR part 1970 - Environmental Policies and Procedures
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 06/22/2016
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 04/20/2016
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	06/30/2019	36 Months From Approved
Responses	3,712	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	410,050	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: 7 CFR part 1970 covers all the rules and procedures that deal with environmental review and environmental law. It is necessary to obtain information from applicants regarding their proposals and to determine whether these proposals have the potential to affect environmental resources and historic properties either at the project site or in the project vicinity.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 42 USC 4321 - 4346 Name of Law: National Enivronmental Policy Act of 1969

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
0575-AC56	Final or interim final rulemaking	81 FR 11000	03/02/2016

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 3

IC Title Form No. Form Name Individuals - 7 CFR part 1970 Business - 7 CFR 1970 Government/Tribal - 7 CFR 1970

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	3,712	0	0	0	3,712	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	410,050	0	0	0	410,050	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is a new package combining the environmental policies and procedures of RBS/RHS and RUS. Since the proposed rule, the final rule estimated number of responses decreased from 4,954 to 3,712. However, total burden hours increased from 262,923 to 410,050 because the estimated response time range increased from between 32 and 2,200 hours to 80 and 2,200 hours. The annual total cost to respondents calculates to $17, 907,846.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $6,536,414

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

Agency Contact: Mike Poe 202 720-3257 [email protected]

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(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;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
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.
Certification Date: 04/20/2016

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