[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 230 (Wednesday, November 29, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71090-71091]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30426]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 
L. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget 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 approval for a new information collection, the 2002 Census of 
Agriculture Screening.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 3, 2001 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Rich Allen, Associate 
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Room 4117 South Building, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-2001, (202) 720-4333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 2002 Census of Agriculture Screening.
    Type of Request: Intent to Seek Approval to Conduct an Information 
Collection.
    Abstract: The Census of Agriculture conducted every 5 years is the 
primary source of statistics concerning the nation's agricultural 
industry and provides the only basis for consistent, comparable data at 
the county, state, and national levels. To ensure that only active 
farms are included in the 2002 Census of Agriculture, operations on the 
census mail list that have an unknown farm status will be mailed a 
``screener'' postcard prior to the full census. Response to the 
postcard will determine the operation's eligibility for the full census 
questionnaire. Identifying and removing non-farms from the census mail 
list will significantly reduce respondent burden and cost for the 
census. The screener postcard will be used in all states. Initial mail 
out is planned for late May 2002 with a follow-up mailing to non-
respondents 6 weeks later. Response to this inquiry will be required by 
law under 7 U.S.C. 2204g. A voluntary, small-scale test will be 
conducted in May of 2001 to evaluate wording and the effect on the mail 
list. These data will be collected under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 
2204(a). Individually identifiable data 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: This information collection consists of a 
letter and self-mailing postcard with six questions. Public reporting 
burden will be 2 minutes per refusal (non-response), 3 minutes per 
screen-out (questions 1-4, 6=No), and 4 minutes per positive response 
(question 5).
    Respondents: Farm and ranch operators.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 751,500 (mail-out).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 40,080 hours.
    Copies of this information collection and related instructions can 
be obtained

[[Page 71091]]

without charge from Ginny McBride, 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: Ginny McBride, Agency OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, Room 5330B South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC 20250-2009 or [email protected]. All responses to 
this notice will become a matter of public record and be summarized in 
the request for OMB approval.

    Signed at Washington, DC., November 9, 2000.
Rich Allen,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 00-30426 Filed 11-28-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-20-P