[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 61 (Tuesday, March 31, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15379-15380]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8394]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Request an Extension of a Currently Approved 
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 an extension of a currently approved information collection, 
the Mink Survey, that expires September 30, 1998.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 4, 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, D.C. 20250-2000, (202) 720-4333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Mink Survey.
    OMB Number: 0535-0212.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 1998.

[[Page 15380]]

    Type of Request: To extend a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural 
Statistics Service is to prepare and issue state and national estimates 
of crop and livestock production. The Mink Survey collects data on the 
number of mink pelts produced, the number of females bred, and the 
number of mink farms. Mink estimates are used by the federal government 
to calculate total value of sales and total cash receipts. Data are 
used by state governments to administer fur farm programs and health 
regulations. Universities use the data in research projects. The Mink 
Survey has approval from OMB for a 3-year period. NASS intends to 
request that the survey be approved for another 3 years.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 10 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Farmers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 425.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 71 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, such as 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 Ave. SW, Room 4162 South Building, 
Washington, D.C. 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, D.C., March 19, 1998.
Rich Allen,
Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8394 Filed 3-30-98; 8:45 am]
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