[Federal Register: March 29, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 59)]
[Notices]               
[Page 15817-15818]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29mr05-39]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service

 
United States National Arboretum (USNA); Notice of Intent To 
Renew Expired Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service; Research, Education, and 
Economics; USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks comments on the 
intent of the USNA to renew an information collection that expires on 
May 31, 2005. The information collection serves as a means to collect 
fees to be charged for certain uses of the facilities, grounds, and 
services. This includes fees for use of the grounds and facilities, as 
well as for commercial photography and cinematography. Fees generated 
will be used to defray USNA expenses or to promote the missions of the 
USNA.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before June 2, 2005.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by (docket number and/or 
RIN Number ------), by any of the following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments.

[[Page 15818]]

E-mail: eliast@ars.usda.gov. Include (docket number and/or RIN number 
----) in the subject line of text. Fax: (202) 245-4514
    Mail: Director, U.S. National Arboretum, Beltsville Area, 
Agricultural Research Service, 3501 New York Avenue, NE., Washington, 
DC 20002.
    Hand Delivery/Courier: Director, U.S. National Arboretum, 
Beltsville Area, Agricultural Research Service, 3501 New York Avenue, 
NE., Washington, DC 20002.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Intent to Renew an Expired Information Collection.
    OMB Number: 0518-0024, expiration date of approval, May 31, 2005.
    Type of Request: To extend an approved information collection.
    Abstract: The mission of the U.S. National Arboretum (USNA) is to 
serve the public need for scientific research, education, and gardens 
that conserve and showcase plants to enhance the environment. The USNA 
is a 446-acre public facility, open to the general public for purposes 
of education and passive recreation. Horticulture and gardening are 
important aspects of American life. The USNA receives approximately 
500,000 visitors on the grounds each year. Garden clubs and societies 
like to use the USNA grounds to showcase their activities. The USNA has 
many spectacular features and garden displays which are very popular 
with the visitors. In order to administer the use of the USNA 
facilities and to determine if the requested use is consistent with the 
mission of the USNA, it is necessary for the USNA to obtain information 
from the requestor. The requestor is asked to indicate by whom and for 
what purpose the USNA facilities are to be used. This information is 
collected by officials using applications in the form of 
questionnaires. Applications are in hard copy format and available on 
the USNA Web site (www/usna.usda.gov). Completed permit requests are 
received in person, by mail, and by facsimile. Work is underway to 
accept permits electronically.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
regulations (5 CFR part 1320) which implements the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the information collection and 
record keeping requirements that will be imposed will be submitted to 
OMB for approval. These requirements will not become effective prior to 
OMB approval.

Background

    Section 890 (b) of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform 
Act of 1996, Public Law 104-127 (1996 Act), expanded the authorities of 
the Secretary of Agriculture to charge reasonable fees for the use of 
USNA facilities and grounds. These authorities included the ability to 
charge fees for temporary use by individuals or groups of USNA 
facilities and grounds in furtherance of the mission of the USNA. Also, 
authority was provided to charge fees for tram tours and for the use of 
the USNA for commercial photography and cinematography. All rules and 
regulations noted in 7 CFR 500, subpart A, conduct on the USNA 
property, will apply to individuals or groups granted approval to use 
facilities and grounds.
    Estimate of burden: The USNA estimates 200 requests for the use of 
the facilities and 100 for photography and cinematography on an annual 
basis. Each request will require the completion of an application. The 
application is simple and requires only information readily available 
to the requestor. A copy of the application may be obtained from the 
USNA or on the USNA Web site.
    Estimate Total Annual Burden on Respondents: The estimated 
completion time for the application requires less than 15 minutes. The 
total cost for responding is $1,755 for 65 hours of time at $27 per 
hour. In addition to the current process of obtaining the permit 
request in person, by mail, and by facsimile, (and receiving them back 
in a like manner), the application for photography and cinematography 
is available on the USNA Web site (http://www.usda.usda.gov/information/photography.html
). The application for the use of 

facilities will be available on the website by the end of the calendar 
year. Completed permit requests can then be submitted to the 
Administrative Group, USDA, ARS, U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York 
Avenue, NE., Washington, DC 20002.

Comments

    Comments are invited on whether the proposed collection is 
necessary for the proper functioning of the facility, including whether 
the information will have practical ability; whether the estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection is accurate; how to enhance the 
quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and 
whether the burden of collection could be minimized.

    Done at Washington, DC, this 21st day of March 2005.
Edward B. Knipling,
Administrator, Agricultural Research Service.
[FR Doc. 05-6133 Filed 3-24-05; 12:44 pm]

BILLING CODE 3410-03-P