[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 97 (Friday, May 18, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27627-27628]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-12611]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


2002 Economic Census Covering Transportation of Commodities

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 the 
proposed continuing information collection, 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 July 17, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, 
Departmental Paperwork 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 or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to John Fowler, Bureau of the Census, Room 2761, 
Building 3, Washington, DC 20233 on (301) 457-2108.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

I. Abstract

    The Commodity Flow Survey, a component of the Economic Census, is 
the only comprehensive source of multi-modal, system-wide data on the 
volume and pattern of goods movement in the United States. These data 
are used by government analysts and policy makers at the Federal, 
state, and local levels to estimate the future demand for 
transportation services and facilities; assess the adequacy of our 
current transportation infrastructure to accommodate the future demand; 
and to evaluate the economic, social and environmental impacts of 
transportation flows. The data also are used extensively by academics, 
researchers, economic planning organizations, and the business 
community.
    The Commodity Flow Survey is co-sponsored by the Bureau of 
Transportation Statistics, Department of Transportation. The survey 
provides data on the movement of commodities in the United States from 
their origin to destination. The survey produces summary statistics on 
value, tons, ton-miles and average miles for all shipments. The Census 
Bureau will publish shipment characteristics at the national, census 
regions and divisions, state, and Metropolitan Areas levels.
    Primary strategies for reducing respondent burden in the Commodity 
Flow Survey include: employing a stratified random sample of business 
establishments, requesting data on a limited sample of shipment records 
from each establishment, and accepting estimates.

II. Method of Collection

    The Commodity Flow Survey will survey a sample of business 
establishments in mining, manufacturing, wholesale, and selected retail 
industries. Each selected establishment will receive, by mail, four 
questionnaires, one during each quarter of 2002. On each form, an 
establishment will be asked to report data for an average of 25 
shipments, selected during a designated one-week reporting period.

III. Data

    OMB Number: Not Available.
    Form Number: CFS-1000.
    Type of Review: Regular review.

[[Page 27628]]

    Affected Public: Businesses and other for-profit, small businesses 
or organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 50,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 2 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 400,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $7,280,000.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. 131.

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 utility of the information to businesses/private 
industry for marketing/cost evaluation/planning; (c) the accuracy of 
the agency's estimate of burden (including hours and cost) of the 
proposed collection of information; (d) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (e) 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: May 15, 2001.
Madeleine Clayton,
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-12611 Filed 5-17-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P