[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] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of the Census Address Listing for the American Community Survey Area Frame ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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