2021 Supporting Document

Supporting Statement

Pandemic Assistance for Timber Haulers and Harvesters Program

OMB control number-0560-NEW

FSA is requesting EMERGENCY CLEARANCE because the USDA has directed FSA to implement the Pandemic Assistance for Timber and Haulers and Harvesters (PATHH) Program and to provide assistance to timber harvesting businesses and timber hauling business impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 Outbreak. PATHH eligibility for direct payments to eligible applicants who have suffered a gross revenue loss of at least 10 percent for the period from January 1 through December 1, 2020, compared to the period from January 1 through December 1, 2019 is being evaluated through a Notice of Funds Availability process. Two principal agencies will implement PATHH, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the United States Forest Service (FS). The program will be under the general supervision and direction of the Administrator of FSA, and FS will provide technical support. This is a one-time collection. Since this collection is a short time term to receive applications and distribute payments and the need for county offices to complete portions of the application form, applications must be taken at county offices and entered in automated system.

1. Circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.

FSA is implementing the Pandemic Assistance for Timber and Haulers and Harvesters (PATHH) Program and to provide assistance to timber harvesting businesses and timber hauling business impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 Outbreak. By statute, FSA may use not more than $200 million to provide relief to timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses that experienced a gross revenue loss of not less than 10 percent between January 1, 2020 and December 1, 2020, as compared to the gross revenue of that business in the same period in 2019.

In order to determine whether a producer is eligible for PATHH and to calculate a payment, a producer is required to submit FSA-1118, PATHH application AD-2047; Customer Data Worksheet, if applicable; CCC-901,Member Information for Legal Entities, if applicable; AD-1026, Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification, and the IRS Form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return (Timber haulers only).

2. How, by whom, and for what purpose is information used.

The information submitted by respondents will be used by FSA to determine eligibility and distribute payments to eligible businesses under PATHH.

FSA-3118 – PATHH Application - This form will be used by applicants to apply for PATHH benefits.

AD-2047 Customer Data Worksheet - Customers use this form to provide critical customer information to USDA used to positively identify the customer. Data collected includes contact information, citizenship status, birthdates for minor children and demographic information. Customers may also use this form to report changes to their customer record. Submit the original of the completed form by mail, email, Box, OneSpan, or facsimile to the appropriate FSA servicing office.

CCC-901 Member Information for Legal Entities, if applicable - Producers are required to complete this form to report information about their farming operation, if they have not previously provided it.

AD-1026- Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation Certification is used or producers to certify compliance with the highly erodible land and wetland conservation provisions as a condition of eligibility for certain USDA programs. It is not necessary to complete this form if a previously filed AD-1026 is on file in the FSA serving office and there have not been any changes in your farming operation or changes to the previously listed affiliates. This form is exempted from the PRA for any FSA programs but included the burden hours for information.

IRS Form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return (Timber haulers only) – the timber haulers will provide a copy of the completed Form 2290 and Schedule 1 if a taxable highway motor vehicle (defined later) is registered, or required to be registered, in your name under state, District of Columbia, Canadian, or Mexican law at the time of its first use during the tax period and the vehicle has a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more. It will be used to determine their eligibility for PATHH assistance. This form is covered under the OMB control number of 1545-0143.

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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 decisions for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of information technology to reduce burden.

Applications for PATHH must be taken through the FSA county office and entered in an automated system. The system will allow all data fields to be manually entered. The system will print out the completed PATHH application that the applicant will sign.

Also, PATHH applicants must have submitted the following forms to FSA to be eligible for payment: AD-2047; Customer Data Worksheet, if applicable; CCC-901,Member Information for Legal Entities, if applicable; AD-1026, Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC), and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification, and the copy of completed IRS Form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return (Timber haulers only).

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

The PATHH application is a new information collection; therefore, no similar form exists. This information collection request is a one-time request and will be used for a short period of time.

5. Methods to minimize burden on small businesses or other small entities (Item 5 of OMB Form 83-I), describe any methods to minimize burden.

The information collected does not adversely impact small businesses or other small entities. There are 168 small businesses or entities.

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

Failure to solicit applications will result in failure to provide payments to eligible producers as intended by the Consolidated Appropriations Act.

7. 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 that quarterly;

None.

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

None.

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

None.

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

None.

• 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;

None.

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

None.

• 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

None.

• Requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secret, 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.

None.

8. Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the Agency to obtain their view on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and record keeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.

This is a new information collection request.

We are also requesting EMERGENCY CLEARANCE because FSA will begin accepting applications and distributing payments upon the publication of NOFA for PATHH in the Federal Register.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents.

There is no payment or gift given to respondents.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to the respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or Agency policy.

All information collected is treated as confidential. Agency policy prohibits the giving out of individual information. This information is handled according to the Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act.

11. Provide additional justification for any question of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private.

No questions of a sensitive or personal nature are included in the application.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information.

FSA estimates that up to 2,396 applicants may apply for PATHH payments as indicated in the spreadsheet.

The total annual burden for this information collection package is 815 hours. This was calculated by adding the annual burden hours determined for the PATHH application, and other required forms.

Respondent cost per hour was derived by using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2020, 11-9013 Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers. The U.S. mean household income, as measured by the Bureau of Labor, is $46.63. Fringe benefits for all private industry workers are an additional 29.9 percent,¹ or $12.36, resulting in a total of $53.71 per hour. The estimated cost is $ 48,065 ($58.99 x 815 hours).

13. Provide an estimated of the total annual cost burden to the respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information.

There are no capital, startup, or ongoing operation/maintenance costs associated with this information collection to respondents or record-keepers.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal Government.

The cost of form development, printing and distribution is minimal because the form is computer generated. County employee cost per response is equal .08 hours for completion of the application form multiplied by $ 23.72 (estimated county employee average hourly wage; based 2021 General Schedule, Grade 7, Step 5). Fringe benefits for all government workers are an additional 31 percent, or $8.43, resulting in a total of $32.15 per hour. The total annualized cost to the Federal Government is $18,545 ($32.15 x 0.25 hours x 2,296 responses).

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

This is a new information request.

16. For collection of information whose results will be published, outline plans for the tabulation and publication.

There are no plans to publish the results of PATHH.

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

FSA is displaying the OMB expiration date.

18. Explain each exception statement to the certification statement identified in Item 19 on OMB Form 83-I.

USDA is able to certify compliance with all provisions under Item 19 of OMB Form 83-1.

19. How is this information collection related to the Customer County Office? Will this information be part of their one-stop shopping?

Applicants will continue a relationship with FSA county offices administratively responsible for which their business is located.

1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Employer Costs for Employee Compensation.” News release. March 19, 2020. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.htm.