[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 35 (Monday, February 23, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 8900]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4426]



[[Page 8900]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent to Seek Approval to Conduct an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 
L. No. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 
5 CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces 
the National Agricultural Statistics Service's (NASS) intention to 
request approval for a new information collection, the Fruit and Nut 
Wildlife Damage Survey.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 29, 1998 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Rich Allen, Associate 
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 4117 
South Building, Washington, DC 20250-2000, (202) 720-4333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Fruit and Nut Wildlife Damage Survey.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to conduct an information 
collection.
    Abstract: A sample of U.S. producers of selected fruits and nuts 
will be surveyed. The primary goal of the survey is the collection and 
development of valid statistical data reflecting the percentage of U.S. 
fruit and nut growers experiencing loss of product or resources caused 
by vertebrate wildlife. An accurate measurement of dollar losses due to 
vertebrate wildlife will also be obtained.
    These data will be collected under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 
2204(a). Individually identifiable data collected under this authority 
are governed by section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985, 7 U.S.C. 
2276, which requires USDA to afford strict confidentiality to non-
aggregated data provided by respondents.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 10 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Fruit and Nut Growers.
    Estimated number of Respondents: 15,000.
    Estimated total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,500 hours.
    Copies of this information collection and related instructions can 
be obtained without charge from Larry Gambrell, the Agency OMB 
Clearance Officer, at (202) 720-5778.
    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 will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (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 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be 
sent to:
    Larry Gambrell, Agency OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 4162 South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-2000.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Signed at Washington, DC, January 22, 1998.
Rich Allen,
Acting Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
[FR Doc. 98-4426 Filed 2-20-98; 8:45 am]
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