[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 131 (Thursday, July 9, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37091-37092]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18269]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


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 intent of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to 
request an extension of a currently approved information collection, 
the Equine Survey.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by September 14, 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,

[[Page 37092]]

Washington, D.C. 20250-2000, (202) 720-4333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Equine Survey.
    OMB Number: 0535-0227.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved Information 
Collection.
    Abstract: To improve information regarding the equine industry, 
several State Departments of Agriculture are expected to contract with 
the NASS to conduct an Equine Survey in their state within the next 3 
years. Equine activities offer unusually varied opportunities for rural 
development. In addition to providing the livelihood for breeders, 
trainers, veterinarians, and many others, the horse remains important 
to recreation. Equine survey data will quantify the importance of the 
industry in the state. The number of operations, number of animals, and 
economic information will provide a focus on the importance of the 
equine industry to state economies. Income data provides a view of the 
benefits that the industry provides to the state economy and a ranking 
in terms of its relative importance within both the agricultural sector 
and the state's total economic sector. The expenditure information 
provides data regarding the multiplier effect of money from the equine 
industry, effects of wage rates paid to both permanent and part-time 
employees, and secondary businesses supported by the industry. The 
Equine Survey has approval from OMB for a 2 year period. NASS intends 
to request that the survey be approved for another 3 years. This data 
will be collected under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 2204(a). Individually 
identifiable data collected under this authority is 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 35 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Horse owners, breeders, trainers, boarders.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 58,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 33,800 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, 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, 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., June 25, 1998.
Rich Allen,
Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
[FR Doc. 98-18269 Filed 7-8-98; 8:45 am]
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