[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 107 (Monday, June 4, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 29928]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-13910]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Request an Extension of a Currently Approved 
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. No. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR 
part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the 
intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to 
request an extension of a currently approved information collection, 
Field Crops Production.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 8, 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: Field Crops Production.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0002.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 09/30/01.
    Type of Request: To extend a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural 
Statistics Service is to prepare and issue state and national estimates 
of crop and livestock production. The Field Crops Production program 
consists of probability field crops surveys and supplemental panel 
surveys. The panel surveys capture unique crop characteristics such as 
the concentration of crops in localized geographical areas. These 
surveys are extremely valuable for commodities where acreage and yield 
are published at the county level. The Field Crops Production Program 
was last approved by OMB in 1998 for a 3-year period. NASS intends to 
request that the survey be approved for another 3 years.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 14 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Farmers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 536,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 150,000 hours.
    These data will be collected under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 
2204(a). Individually identifiable data collected under this authority 
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.
    Copies of this information collection and related instructions can 
be obtained 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 20250-2024 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, May 18, 2001.
Rich Allen,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 01-13910 Filed 6-1-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-20-P