[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 157 (Tuesday, August 14, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42626-42627]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-20393]


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

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 
intent of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to 
request an extension of a currently approved

[[Page 42627]]

information collection, the Mink Survey, that expires December 31, 
2001.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 18, 2001 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to Ginny McBride, NASS OMB Clearance 
Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5330B South Building, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-2024 or 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Rich Allen, Associate 
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, (202) 720-4333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Mink Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0212.
    Approval Expires: December 31, 2001.
    Type of Request: Extension of 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 Mink Survey collects data on the 
number of mink pelts produced, the number of females bred, and the 
number of mink farms. Mink estimates are used by the federal government 
to calculate total value of sales and total cash receipts, by state 
governments to administer fur farm programs and health regulations, and 
by universities in research projects. The Mink Survey was approved by 
OMB for a 3-year period in 1998. NASS intends to request that the 
survey be approved for another 3 years.
    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.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 10 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Farmers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 425.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 71 hours.
    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 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.
    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, August 6, 2001.
Ron Bosecker,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 01-20393 Filed 8-13-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-20-P