[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 178 (Tuesday, September 15, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49326-49327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24627]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census


Address Listing for the American Community Survey Area Frame

ACTION: Proposed collection; 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, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before November 16, 
1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
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 and instructions 
should be directed to Cynthia Taeuber, Bureau of the Census, 
Demographic Statistical Methods Division, Washington, DC 20233. Her 
telephone number is 301-457-2899.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau is developing a methodology to produce data on a 
continual basis, rather than only once every ten years during the 
decennial census. This methodology is referred to as Continuous 
Measurement, and the vehicle for collecting the data is a monthly 
household survey called the American Community Survey (ACS). The Census 
Bureau began the ACS in late 1995 in four test sites and has expanded 
the program every year since. The Census Bureau plans to continue 
expanding the ACS, and put the ACS fully in place nationally in 2003.
    For the ACS, we select most of the survey sample addresses from the 
Census Bureau's Master Address File (MAF). The MAF is a list of 
addresses that the Bureau is compiling for use during the decennial 
census in 2000. There are some areas for which a MAF will not be 
created until the time of the decennial census. These areas are list/
enumerate areas, meaning that Bureau staff will list addresses at the 
time of the decennial enumeration. These types of areas will be in the 
ACS for the first time in 2000. In order to conduct the ACS in 2000-
2002 for these areas, we will have Census Bureau employees called 
``listers'' compile a list of address in a sample of blocks in the 
list/enumerate areas of counties we have selected for the 2000-2002 
ACS. Most of the listing activities will be completed during 1999, but 
there may be some areas which will require listing in 2000 and 2001.
    Address listing will be conducted in approximately 1,200 blocks. 
Listers will canvass (walk or drive) each of these blocks, identifying 
each structure where people live or could live, including housing units 
and group quarters. They will record the block number and each physical 
location address or description on an Area Segment Listing Sheet. For 
each living quarters, the lister will attempt to conduct an interview 
to collect the mailing address, occupant name or group quarters contact 
person name, and telephone number. If no one is at home, the lister 
will attempt to interview a neighbor to obtain this information. If 
unable to obtain the information, the lister will make up to three 
personal and two telephone callbacks to obtain the information. The 
lister will also spot the location of the living quarters on a Block 
Map and update the Block Maps by adding missing roads, road names, or 
other map features as necessary, and deleting roads that no longer 
exist. The address information and map spots will be directly used to 
mail ACS Questionnaires to sample addresses, and to locate addresses 
for non-response follow-up in the ACS, should that become necessary.

II. Method of Collection

    The primary method of data collection for all operations will be 
personal interview by listers using the operation's listing form. In 
some cases, the interview could be by telephone callback if no one was 
home on the initial visit.

III. Data

    OMB Number: Not available.
    Form Number: We have not yet assigned a form number to the ACS Area 
Segment Listing Sheet.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of respondents: 6,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 2 Minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 200.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The only cost to respondents is that 
of their time to respond.
    Respondent's Obligation:  Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Section 182.

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

[[Page 49327]]

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: September 8, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-24627 Filed 9-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P