[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 171 (Tuesday, September 3, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 46437]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22421]



[[Page 46437]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of the Census


1997 Economic Census of the Outlying Areas Including Puerto Rico, 
Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands

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 paperwork 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 November 4, 
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 instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Joseph 
T. Reilly, Bureau of the Census, Agriculture and Financial Statistics 
Division, Room 437, Iverson Mall, Washington, DC 20233. Phone: (301) 
763-8557.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau is the preeminent collector and provider of 
timely, relevant and quality data about the people and economy of the 
United States including Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, 
and the Virgin Islands. Economic data are the Census Bureau's primary 
program commitment during nondecennial census years. The economic 
census, conducted under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, 
is the primary source of dependable facts about each of the outlying 
areas' economy, and features the only recognized source of data at a 
geographic level equivalent to U.S. counties. Outlying areas economic 
census statistics serve to benchmark estimates of net income and gross 
product, and provide essential information for government (Federal and 
local), business, and the general public. The 1997 Economic Census of 
the Outlying Areas will cover the following sectors: retail and 
wholesale trades, certain services industries, construction, and 
manufactures.
    The information collected in the 1997 Economic Census of the 
Outlying Areas will produce basic statistics by kind of business for 
number of establishments, sales, payroll, and employment. It also will 
yield a variety of industry-specific statistics, including value of 
shipments, sales by commodity and merchandise lines, and number of 
hotel rooms.

II. Method of Collection

    The 1997 Economic Census of the Outlying Areas will be conducted 
using mailout/mailback procedures. Mailout/mailback procedures will 
replace canvassing for Guam, Northern Marianas, and the Virgin Islands. 
The use of the mail helps reduce respondent burden for establishments 
that are not within the scope of the census while allowing in-scope 
establishments the flexibility to complete the form when convenient. As 
in the 1992 census, only one form covering all economic activity within 
the scope of the census is used for each area. Since administrative 
records for the outlying areas sometimes have classification 
deficiencies the use of one form eliminates time spent by the 
respondent requesting a sector-appropriate form. Establishments will be 
selected from the Census Bureau's Standard Statistical Establishment 
List. An establishment will be included in the 1997 Economic Census of 
the Outlying Areas if: (a) It is engaged in retail, wholesale, certain 
services activities, construction, or manufacturing; (b) it is an 
active establishment with payroll; and (c) it is located in Puerto 
Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands or the Virgin Islands. No data are 
tabulated for establishments without payroll.

III. Data

    OMB Number: Not Available.
    Form Number: OA9819 (Puerto Rico Spanish), OA9820 (Puerto Rico 
English), OA9863 (Guam), OA9883 (Northern Mariana Islands), and OA9873 
(Virgin Islands).
    Type of Review: Regular Review.
    Affected Public: Businesses or Other For-Profit Organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents:

Puerto Rico--45,000
Guam--4,000
Northern Mariana Islands--2,000
Virgin Islands--3,000
Total--54,000

    Estimated Time Per Response:

Puerto Rico--1 hr.
Guam--.5 hr.
Northern Mariana Islands--.5 hr.
Virgin Islands--.5 hr.
Total--2.5 hrs.

    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:

Puerto Rico--45,000
Guam--2,000
Northern Mariana Islands--1,000
Virgin Islands--1,500
Total--49,500

    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The total cost to the government for 
this work is included in the total cost of the 1997 Economic Census, 
estimated at $218 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 collection techniques or other 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: August 28, 1996.
Linda Engelmeier,
Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 96-22421 Filed 8-30-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-M