[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 14 (Monday, January 22, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6574-6578]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-1564]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


The Census 2000 Count Question Resolution Program

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, Public Law 104-13 (44 
U.S.C.3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before March 23, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
6086, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via 
the Internet at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
and instructions should be directed to Robert A. Rinaldi, Assistant 
Division Chief, Decennial Management Division, U.S. Census Bureau, SFC-
2, Room 2002, Washington, DC 20233-001. Telephone: 301-457-8226; fax: 
301-457-8328; or e-mail: [email protected] 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This notice provides information concerning the Census 2000 Count 
Question Resolution (CQR) program that will be implemented to respond 
to challenges to the Census 2000 housing unit counts and group quarters 
counts received from local and tribal governmental entities in the U.S. 
and Puerto Rico. This program will become effective on June 30, 2001, 
and will end on September 30, 2003.
    After the release of Census 2000 Public Law 94-171 redistricting 
data containing population counts and the Demographic Profiles and 
Summary File 1 (SF1) that contain the number of housing units and group 
quarters population counts, some governmental entities may want to 
challenge these official Census 2000 counts.
    Challenges to the overseas counts of persons in the military and 
Federal civilian personnel stationed overseas and their dependents 
living with them will not be accepted. These overseas counts are 
obtained using administrative records and will be used solely for 
reapportioning seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and do not 
provide the substate geographic information required for the CQR 
program.
    No additional data will be collected as part of the CQR program. We 
will only use those data that have already been collected. The Census 
Bureau will respond to all questions and will notify all affected 
governmental entities of any corrections to their official counts as a 
result of CQR. All challenges should be sent to the Census Bureau's 
headquarters. (The specific mailing

[[Page 6575]]

address and a glossary of terms are provided in the Exhibit at the end 
of this notice's Method of Collection section.)

Background

    The Census Bureau implemented the Local Update of Census Addresses 
(LUCA) program for Census 2000. Participating local and tribal 
governments were given the opportunity to review and update the Census 
Bureau's address list before it was used for the actual census 
enumeration. In cases where the local or tribal government and the 
Census Bureau could not agree on the housing unit address list, the 
governmental unit could use an appeal process administered by the 
Census Address List Appeals Office. The Census Bureau also used the 
LUCA Special Places program to involve local and tribal governments in 
helping to identify special places, such as college dormitories, 
nursing homes and other types of group living arrangements.
    In addition to LUCA, governmental units with city-style address 
areas had another opportunity to update the Census 2000 address list 
for the New Construction program. We also conducted the Boundary and 
Validation program, in which we provided local officials with maps that 
showed boundaries of their jurisdiction and asked them to make 
corrections, if necessary.
    The Census Bureau had a comprehensive program to improve the 
quality of the housing unit counts. A number of extensive operations 
afforded other opportunities for additions, corrections, and deletions 
of census addresses and corrections of population counts. Between May 
and August 2000, the Coverage Edit Follow-up operation resolved 
population count discrepancies and obtained additional information on 
households with more than six persons. The Coverage Improvement Follow-
up (CIFU) operation (June-August 2000) enumerated housing units that 
were inaccurately classified as vacant or nonexistent in an earlier 
census operation. It also enumerated added housing units discovered in 
an earlier census operation; housing units added through the LUCA 98 
and 99 appeals process; new addresses from periodic postal updates; 
blank or missing mail return forms; and addresses provided in the New 
Construction update by local and tribal governments.
    During July and August 2000, the Residual Nonresponse Follow-up 
operation completed questionnaires for housing units where 
identification numbers existed for forms that were checked out of the 
Local Census Office, were not included in CIFU, and did not have census 
data captured. The Field Verification operation (July-August 2000) 
verified specific addresses that did not match the Decennial Master 
Address File. Another operation, Population Unknown Supplementary 
(July-August 2000), was conducted to determine the number of people in 
housing units that the Nonresponse Follow-up operation (April-June 
2000) had identified as occupied, but the number of occupants were 
unknown.
    Data collection for Census 2000 ended in the Local Census Offices 
on or before August 30, 2000. This schedule was needed to allow the 
Census Bureau time to produce the state level apportionment counts by 
December 31, 2000, as required by law.
    The Census Bureau also conducted the Accuracy and Coverage 
Evaluation operation that includes a coverage measurement survey that 
is expected to determine and correct for the number of people and 
housing units missed or erroneously included in Census 2000. This 
survey, a nationwide sample survey of about 314,000 housing units, was 
conducted by the Census Bureau independently of Census 2000. All 
enumeration activities, as well as person interviewing follow-up, were 
completed by late November 2000.
    Although many local and tribal governments participated in the LUCA 
and New Construction programs and the Census Bureau conducted an 
extensive quality improvement program, the Census Bureau still expects 
to receive challenges after it releases the official Census 2000 
housing unit and group quarters population counts contained in the 
Demographic Profiles, which are scheduled for release between June and 
September 2001. The CQR start date of June 30, 2001, also is 
coordinated with the release of the Summary File 1 (SF1) on a state-by-
state basis between June and September 2001. The SF1 will contain 
block-level data on the number of housing units. It also will show 
group quarters population counts by blocks.
    The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) must be contacted directly 
by officials of local and tribal governments in order to initiate the 
challenge process. However, the Census Bureau also will accept 
challenges from county clerks, city planners, local planning board 
representatives, and state legislative representatives with 
redistricting functions within each state and state equivalents who are 
acting on the behalf of a local or tribal jurisdiction.

Types of Corrections That Will Be Considered for the Census 2000 CQR 
Program

    Corrections for three types of challenges will be made as a result 
of the Census 2000 CQR program. (For acceptable documentation to 
initiate such challenges, refer to the Method of Collection section, 
``Criteria for Acceptable Documentation Necessary to Initiate the 
Census 2000 CQR Process.'')
    (1) Boundary corrections--Census 2000 respects the proper alignment 
of the jurisdictional boundaries of functioning governmental units as 
legally in effect on January 1, 2000. The Census Bureau needs to ensure 
that the geographic assignment information provided does not, in fact, 
reflect boundary changes made after January 1, 2000. Problems, such as 
the inaccurate reporting of jurisdictional boundaries and the 
inaccurate recording of such boundaries by the Census Bureau, will be 
addressed by the CQR program. The boundaries of other geographic and 
statistical areas, such as census designated places, census tracts, 
voting districts, school districts, and the like are not in the scope 
of the Census 2000 CQR program.
    (2) Geocoding corrections--placement of living quarters and 
associated population within the correct boundaries, census blocks, and 
the like. Even if the CQR process does not result in a change to the 
total count for a local or tribal jurisdiction, we will send a letter 
to the local or tribal government official when the Census Bureau moves 
group quarters or housing units to different blocks within the 
jurisdiction.
    (3) Coverage corrections--specific living quarters and persons 
residing therein that were identified during the Census 2000 process 
but erroneously included or excluded due to processing errors; these 
corrections could be additions or deletions.

Changes That Result in Corrections

    The corrected CQR counts that are issued are based on the housing 
unit and population counts as of April 1, 2000. The new official census 
counts may be used by the governmental entities for all programs 
requiring official Census 2000 data. The Census Bureau will not make 
corrections to the data concerning the characteristics of the 
population and housing inventory. The corrected counts will be 
reflected in the Census Bureau's decennial file modified for use in 
making postcensal estimates that will be released on a flow basis 
beginning in December 2002. An inventory of corrections also will be 
available on the American FactFinder

[[Page 6576]]

Internet Data Access System (errata) and updated periodically. The base 
files for the census will remain unrevised so that none of the standard 
Census 2000 data products will reflect the corrections.

Challenges That Do Not Result in Corrections

    When a local or tribal government provides evidence that the Census 
Bureau missed housing units or group quarters that existed on April 1, 
2000, but the CQR research and Census 2000 records show that all of the 
Census Bureau's boundary information, geocoding, and processing were 
correctly implemented, the Census Bureau will respond by sending a 
letter to the official or his/her representative stating that the 
Census Bureau will maintain the documentation for consideration in the 
context of address list updating activities over the decade.

Internal Census Bureau Review

    Changes to the boundaries or counts for a jurisdiction also may 
result from Census Bureau initiated research and review of census 
files. The Census Bureau reviews Census 2000 data by checking for data 
reasonableness, internal and intra-product consistency, and consistency 
with historical and external data sources. This review process begins 
with an analysis by Census Bureau staff, the Federal-State Cooperative 
Program for Population Estimates and others. These reviewers identify, 
address, and/or explain issues or problems related to coverage, 
content, processing, and geocoding. Unresolved potential problems will 
be forwarded to the CQR staff for additional analysis. Changes made as 
result of this internal review and/or research will be incorporated 
into the CQR process and documented in the same way that changes based 
on jurisdictional CQR challenges will be documented. In cases where 
changes to the housing unit and/or population counts are made, new 
official counts will be issued to the affected jurisdictions.

II. Method of Collection

Criteria for Acceptable Documentation Necessary To Initiate the Census 
2000 CQR Process

    The Census Bureau will require documentation before committing 
resources to investigate concerns raised by local and tribal officials 
or their representatives about boundary and geographic assignment 
errors or the accuracy of the census housing unit or group quarters 
population counts. In general, when submitting a challenge, 
governmental entities must:
     Specify whether the challenge disputes the location of a 
governmental unit boundary or the number of housing units and/or group 
quarters population counts in one or more tabulation blocks.
     For boundary disputes, indicate on a map the location of 
the governmental unit boundary in dispute; that is, it must be shown 
where the Census Bureau incorrectly depicts the boundary and show the 
correct boundary legally in effect as of January 1, 2000. (For types of 
maps that can be used, refer to the section ``Types of Acceptable Paper 
Maps.'')
     For housing unit challenges, identify the specific Census 
2000 tabulation block that is being contested and a list of the 
addresses of all housing units in that block on April 1, 2000. (See the 
section ``Challenge Criteria: Housing Unit Count.'')
     For group quarters (see Census Bureau group quarters 
definition listed under ``Definition of Key Terms'') challenges, 
provide the name of the group quarters and evidence, e.g., a listing of 
patients residing in the XYZ Nursing Home as of April 1, 2000, that 
supports the number of persons residing there on April 1, 2000, as 
necessary, and show the specific Census 2000 tabulation block in which 
the group quarters population is being contested.
     Provide electronic or paper versions of documentation to 
support the challenge.

Boundary Challenge Criteria

    All governmental unit boundary challenges must be based on 
boundaries that were legally in effect on January 1, 2000. The Census 
Bureau will compare the maps and appropriate supporting documentation 
submitted by the challenging entity with the information used by the 
Census Bureau to depict the boundaries for Census 2000.
    Maps submitted by local and tribal governments must show the 
correct location of the boundary and the portion of the boundary that 
the Census Bureau depicted incorrectly, including the Census 2000 
tabulation block numbers associated with the boundary. The local or 
tribal government also should provide the Census Bureau with a list of 
addresses in affected tabulation blocks, indicating their location in 
relationship to the boundary requiring correction.
    For boundary changes affected by legal actions not recorded by the 
Census Bureau, local or tribal governments must submit the effective 
date and the ordinance number or law that effectuated the change in 
boundaries, provide evidence that the state certifying official has 
approved the boundary change, and provide a statement that the boundary 
is not under litigation. The change also must be certified by a local 
official. Regardless of whether the Census Bureau changes boundaries or 
does not change boundaries as a result of the CQR evidence and the 
Census Bureau's research, the Census Bureau will notify the complainant 
and any affected adjacent governmental entity(es) of the results.

Types of Acceptable Paper Maps

     Paper Census 2000 Public Law 94-171 County Block Maps--
These maps will accompany the Redistricting Data Summary Files.
     Paper Census 2000 Redistricting Block Maps for Washington, 
DC.
     Paper Census 2000 Redistricting Municipio Block Maps for 
Puerto Rico--These maps will accompany the Puerto Rico Redistricting 
Data File.
     Paper Census 2000 Block Maps--These maps will be provided 
to local and tribal jurisdictions and will show tabulation block 
numbers. They are a companion map for the Demographic Profiles that 
will contain information on population totals, including group quarters 
and selected population and housing characteristics.
     Paper Maps based on the 2000 TIGER/Line File--
These maps are generated by local or tribal governments based on 
information from the Census Bureau's 2000 TIGER/Line files 
using commercial geographic information systems.
     Other Paper Maps Showing Census Bureau 2000 Tabulation 
Block Numbers and Boundaries--These maps should show geographic 
boundaries as of January 1, 2000, that identify census tabulation 
blocks, census tracts, legal and statistical entities and state 
boundaries; maps depicting data collection blocks cannot be used. In 
general, maps should be comparable to Census 2000 maps.

Challenge Criteria

Housing Unit Count
    Supporting evidence that specifically reflects the validity of any 
address list source must reflect residential addresses that existed as 
viable living quarters on April 1, 2000. Challenges to housing unit 
counts must specify the tabulation block(s) for which the counts are 
being challenged.
    SF1 can be used to obtain tabulation block housing unit counts. 
Complainants must provide a complete address list for all units that 
should be included in each contested block. (Refer to the section 
``Types of Address Lists.'')
    Local or tribal officials must certify that the addresses on their 
lists existed

[[Page 6577]]

and could be lived in on April 1, 2000. See Census Bureau ``housing 
unit'' definition listed under ``Definitions of Key Terms.''
Group Quarters Population Count
    Supporting evidence that specifically reflects the validity of any 
address list source should be dated no later than April 1, 2000. 
Challenges to group quarters population counts must specify the 
tabulation block(s) for which the counts are being challenged. A group 
quarters is defined as a place where people live or stay other than the 
usual house, apartment, or mobile home. Two general types of group 
quarters are recognized: institutional (for example, nursing homes, 
mental hospitals or wards, hospital or wards for chronically ill 
patients, hospices, and prison wards) and noninstitutional (for 
example, college or university dormitories, military barracks, group 
homes, shelters, missions, and flophouses). Group quarters may have 
housing units on the premises for staff and/or guests.
    SF1 can be used to obtain tabulation block group quarters 
population counts. Complainants must provide a complete address list 
(refer to the section ``Types of Address Lists'') for all group 
quarters units that should be included in each contested block. (For 
the definition of group quarters, see the section ``Definitions of Key 
Terms.'')
    The local or tribal official should certify that the addresses on 
their lists existed and could be lived in on April 1, 2000.

Types of Address Lists

     City-Style Address Lists--Must contain city-style 
addresses (house number, street name, post office name, state, and ZIP 
Code) organized by Census 2000 tabulation block within census tract. 
Housing unit identifiers in multi-unit buildings (such as apartment 
numbers) must be included, if applicable.
     Non-City-Style Address Lists--Non-city-style addresses 
must be keyed to the local or tribal government's map-spotted maps, 
that is, maps that show the exact location of the housing unit. The 
list should be focused on the specific area and/ or addresses where the 
problem exists. All housing units in the disputed block must be map 
spotted and a description of the housing unit and location must be 
supplied. The following is an example of a map-spotted address and 
housing unit description: Map Spot 4567-01, Derby Road, 2-story house 
on left with red brick chimney, 6 houses from the intersection of 
Highways 12 and 19, Anytown, Georgia 10020.

Group Quarters Information

    Provide the name, address, and telephone number for the 
administrative office of the facility (special place and group 
quarters) as of April 1, 2000. In addition, provide the census tract 
and tabulation block number for the location of the group quarters.

Statistical Corrections

    The data produced by the Census Bureau may be corrected by applying 
statistical techniques to the data files. Challenges to the Census 
Bureau will be investigated based on the data without the statistical 
correction.

Census Bureau Actions

    The Census Bureau will investigate challenges to determine whether 
information about the existence of a housing unit or occupied group 
quarters on April 1, 2000, was identified but does not appear in the 
final census files due to an error in processing the information. The 
Census Bureau will not collect new information.

Definitions of Key Terms

    American FactFinder--The generalized electronic system for access 
and dissemination of much of Census Bureau data. The system is 
available through the Internet and offers prepackaged data products and 
the ability to build custom products. The system serves as the vehicle 
for accessing and disseminating data from Census 2000 (as well as the 
1997 Economic Censuses and the American Community Survey).
    Census Block--A geographic area bounded on all sides by visible or 
nonvisible features shown on census maps. A block is the smallest 
geographic entity for which the Census Bureau collects and tabulates 
decennial census information. See also block boundary, block number, 
collection block, statistical entity, and tabulation block.
    Census Tract--Small, relatively permanent statistical subdivisions 
of counties delineated by local committees of census data users in 
accordance with Census Bureau guidelines for the purpose of collecting 
and presenting decennial census data. These neighborhoods contain 
between 1,000 and 8,000 people, typically approximately 1,700 housing 
units and 4,000 people.
    Census Designated Place--A geographically defined statistical 
entity delineated for each decennial census according to Census Bureau 
guidelines comprising a densely settled concentration of population 
that is not incorporated or established by law but is locally 
recognized and identified by a name.
    County--A type of governmental unit that is the primary legal 
subdivision of every state except Alaska and Louisiana (which have 
boroughs and parishes, respectively).
    Demographic Profile--A one-page table containing data at the place 
level that shows information on total population, sex, age, race, 
Hispanic or Latino origin, household relationship, group quarters 
population, household type, housing occupancy, and housing tenure.
    Group quarters--A place where people live or stay other than the 
usual house, apartment, or mobile home. The Census Bureau recognizes 
two general types of group quarters: institutional (for example, 
nursing homes, mental hospitals or wards, hospital or wards for 
chronically ill patients, hospices, and prison wards) and 
noninstitutional (for example, college or university dormitories, 
military barracks, group homes, shelters, missions, and flophouses). 
Special places may have housing units on the premises for staff or 
guests.
    Housing unit--A house, an apartment, a mobile home or trailer, a 
group of rooms, or a single room that is occupied as a separate living 
quarters, or, if vacant, is intended for occupancy as a separate living 
quarters. A housing unit is defined as a living quarters that is closed 
to the elements and has all exterior windows and doors installed and 
final usable floors in place. For vacant units, the criteria of 
separateness and direct access are applied to the intended occupants, 
whenever possible. If that information cannot be obtained, the criteria 
are applied to the previous occupants.
    Local Census Office--A temporary Census Bureau office established 
for Census 2000 data collection purposes. These offices managed address 
listing field work, conducted local recruiting, and created a local 
presence. They were called ``district office'' in previous censuses.
    Municipio--A primary legal subdivision of Puerto Rico (synonymous 
to a county).
    Overseas counts--Counts of military and Federal civilian personnel 
stationed overseas and their dependents living with them.
    Postcensal Estimates--Population estimates for the years following 
the last published decennial census. Existing data series, such as 
births, deaths, Federal tax returns, medicare enrollment, and 
immigration and housing unit information are used to update the 
decennial census counts

[[Page 6578]]

during the estimating process. These estimates are used in Federal 
funding allocations, monitoring recent demographic trends, and 
benchmarking may federally funded survey totals.
    Public Law 94-171--The Federal law amending Section 141 of Title 13 
directing the Secretary of Commerce (who delegates that responsibility 
to the Director of the Census Bureau) to provide selected decennial 
census data tabulations to the states by April 1 of the year following 
the census. These tabulations are used by the states to redefine the 
areas included in each Congressional District and the areas used for 
state and local elections, a process called redistricting.
    Special Place--A place containing one or more group quarters, 
including hotels and campgrounds. A special place also may include 
housing units occupied by staff or guests.
    Summary File 1--A data file that presents counts and basic cross-
tabulations of information collected from all people and housing units. 
This information includes age, sex, race, Hispanic or Latino origin, 
household relationship, and whether the residence is owned or rented. 
Data will be available down to the block level for many tabulations, 
but limited to the census tract level in cases where there are concerns 
with disclosure. Summaries also will be included for other geographic 
areas, such as ZIP Code Tabulation Areas and Congressional Districts.

Exhibit--Additional Information

    This section provides additional information on how the Census 2000 
CQR program will operate.
1. Where Should a Governmental Unit Submit a Challenge for the Census 
2000 CQR program?
    Governmental units challenging the completeness or accuracy of the 
Census 2000 counts should submit their challenge in writing to: Count 
Question Resolution Program, Room 2002, SFC--2, Decennial Management 
Division, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233-0001.
2. Will the Census Bureau Make Corrections to the Census Counts Based 
on Information Submitted by Governmental Units?
    The Census Bureau will make corrections if research indicates they 
are warranted. Our experience has shown that many of the questions 
received from the local or tribal officials do not reflect errors in 
census counts. Questions may result from an incorrect or incomplete 
understanding of the procedures used to take the census. In other 
instances, questions about census counts reflect a local or tribal 
official's reliance on different enumeration concepts, definitions, 
geographic assignments, and/or the currency of the information in 
comparison to the census. The Census Bureau's determination of whether 
a correction is necessary will be based on the quality and completeness 
of the information provided by local and tribal governmental unit 
representatives and the results of the Census Bureau's review of the 
census records.
3. Will the Census Bureau Incorporate Corrections From the CQR Process 
Into the Apportionment or Redistricting Data or Subsequent Data 
Products?
    The Census Bureau will not change the apportionment counts to 
reflect corrections resulting from the CQR process. The apportionment 
counts were delivered to the President on December 28, 2000.
    The Census Bureau will begin delivery of the counts required for 
redistricting purposes in March 2001 and will complete this delivery by 
the statutory deadline of April 1, 2001. The Census Bureau will not 
incorporate CQR corrections into the redistricting data and subsequent 
data products for Census 2000. This process will allow the Census 
Bureau to maintain consistency between data products while maintaining 
the schedule for timely release of the data. However, the Census Bureau 
will issue a revised official Census 2000 population and housing unit 
counts for the affected governmental entity(es), maintain a list of CQR 
corrected areas on the American Factfinder, and will incorporate any 
corrections into its Postcensal Estimates program beginning in December 
2002.

III. Data

    OMB Number: Not available.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular collection.
    Affected Public: Local governmental jurisdictions in the United 
States and Puerto Rico.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Approximately 3,000 annually.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 5.2 hours ( based on an average 
challenge of 40 housing units).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 15,600 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $244,440.00.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, USC, Section 141.

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 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: January 12, 2001.
Madeleine Clayton,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-1564 Filed 1-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P