[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 21, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25478-25479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12667]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census


The American Community Survey (ACS)

ACTION: Proposed agency information collection activity; comment 
request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paper work and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 22, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Acting 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instruments(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Lawrence S. McGinn, Bureau of the Census, Room 
2A, Silver Hill Executive Plaza, Washington, DC 20233-8400, (301) 763-
8327.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau is authorized to conduct surveys necessary to 
furnish current data on subjects covered by the major census authorized 
by Title 13, United States Code. The data from the ACS will determine 
the feasibility of a continuous measurement system that provides 
socioeconomic data on a continual basis throughout the decade for small 
areas and small subpopulations.
    The American Community Survey, implemented in November 1995, is a 
continuing full-scale operation of a continuous measurement system in 
four survey sites--Fulton County, Pennsylvania; Rockland County, New 
York; Brevard County, Florida; and Multnomah County, Oregon, including 
the city of Portland. The survey also includes a national sample to 
test response rates and our ability to obtain telephone numbers for 
nonresponse households. The data collected in this survey will be 
within the general scope and nature of those inquiries covered in the 
decennial census every ten years.
    We plan to continue sampling and enumeration in the American

[[Page 25479]]

Community Survey in 1997 and 1998. We also plan to add testing of 
procedures for identification, sampling, and data collection for 
special populations, i.e. American Indian reservations, military bases, 
college dormitories, and institutional group quarters such as 
hospitals.
    The American Community Survey will include a national sample, the 
present survey sites, and additional sites in Douglas County, Nebraska; 
Otero County, New Mexico; Harris and Fort Bend Counties, Texas; and 
Franklin County, Ohio, including the entire city of Columbus.

II. Method of Collection

    In the urban areas, the Census Bureau will mail questionnaires to 
the households covered by the American Community Survey and request a 
response as soon as possible after receipt. In the rural sites where 
city-style addresses are not available, Field Representatives will 
deliver the questionnaires to the household. For those households not 
returning the questionnaire, we will collect household information by 
both telephone interview and personal visit. Participation of the 
selected households will be mandatory in accordance with the provisions 
of Title 13.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0810.
    Form Number: TACS-1/1A, TACS-10/10A, TACS-12(L)/12A(L), TACS-13(L)/
13A(L), TACS-14(L)/14A(L), TACS-15(L), TACS-16(L), TACS-20/20A, TACS-
30/30A.
    Type of Review: Regular.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 135,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 67,500 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $19.5 million.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information 
to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection 
of information on respondents, including through the use of automated 
collections techniques or others forms of information technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: May 15, 1996.
Linda Engelmeier,
Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
(FR Doc. 96-12667 Filed 5-20-96; 8:45 a.m.)
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P