[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 199 (Monday, October 15, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52371-52372]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-25775]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


2002 Economic Census of the Outlying Areas Including Puerto Rico, 
Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American 
Samoa

ACTION: Proposed collection, comment request.

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

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

[[Page 52372]]

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 December 14, 
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 Eddie J. Salyers, U. S. Census Bureau, Room 1183, 
Building 3, Washington DC 20233-6400 (301-457-3318 or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:   

I. Abstract

    The economic census, conducted under authority of Title 13, United 
States Code (U.S.C.), is the primary source of facts about the 
structure and functioning of the United States economy, including 
Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, 
and American Samoa. The economic census, is the primary source of 
dependable facts about each of the outlying areas' economies, and 
features the only recognized source of data at a geographic level 
equivalent to U.S. counties. Outlying areas economic census statistics 
serve to benchmark estimates of local net income and gross product, and 
provide essential information for government (Federal and local), 
business, and the general public. Economic data are the Census Bureau's 
primary program commitment during nondecennial census years. The 2002 
Economic Census of Outlying Areas will cover the following sectors (as 
defined by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)): 
Mining, Utilities, Construction, Manufacturing; Wholesale and Retail 
Trades, Transportation and Warehousing, Information; Finance and 
Insurance; Real Estate and Rental and Leasing; Professional, 
Scientific, and Technical Services; Management of Companies and 
Enterprises; Administrative and Support, Waste Management and 
Remediation Services, Educational Services; Health Care and Social 
Assistance; Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation; Accommodation and Food 
Services, and Other Services (except Public Administration). This scope 
is equivalent to that of the stateside economic census. The information 
collected will produce basic statistics by kind of business on the 
number of establishments, sales/shipments/receipts/revenue, payroll, 
and employment. It will also yield a variety of industry-specific 
statistics, including sales/receipts by commodity/merchandise/receipt 
line, sales/shipments by class of customer, and number of hotel rooms. 
The primary strategy for reducing burden in Census Bureau economic data 
collections is to increase electronic reporting through broader use of 
electronic collection methods, including the introduction of electronic 
formats in the Outlying Areas economic data collection for 2002.

II. Method of Collection

    The 2002 Economic Census of Outlying Areas will be conducted using 
mailout/mailback procedures. Establishments will be selected from the 
Census Bureau's Business Register. An establishment will be included in 
the 2002 Outlying Areas Economic Census if: (a) It is engaged in any of 
the sectors within the scope of the census listed above; (b) it is an 
active operating establishment with payroll; and (c) it is located in 
Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, 
or American Samoa. Generally, non-employer establishments are excluded 
from the Census of the Outlying Areas. However, this economic data 
collection will be the first in American Samoa. The inclusion of non-
employer establishments is still being examined in light of significant 
deficiencies in administrative records for this area as well as the 
lack of economic statistics.

III. Data

    OMB Number: Not available.
    Form Number: The forms used to collect information in Puerto Rico 
are tailored to specific industries or groups of industries. Puerto 
Rico forms are available in English as well as Spanish: OA-97120 and 
OA-97220 (Puerto Rico--Utilities, Transportation , and Warehousing), 
OA-97123 and OA-97223 (Puerto Rico Construction), OA-97130 and OA-97230 
(Puerto Rico--Manufacturing and Mining), OA-97142 and OA-97242 (Puerto 
Rico--Wholesale Trade), OA-97144 and OA-97244 (Puerto Rico--Retail 
Trade and Food Services), OA-97152 and OA-97252 (Puerto Rico--Finance 
and Insurance and Real Estate and Rental and Leasing), OA-97172 and OA-
97272 (Puerto Rico Accommodations), OA-97180 and OA-97280 (Puerto 
Rico--Other Services), and OA-97190 and OA-97290 (Puerto Rico--General 
Schedule). Only one form, covering all economic activity within the 
scope of the census, is used for each of the remaining areas: OA-98163 
(Guam), OA-98173 (U.S. Virgin Islands), OA-98183 (Northern Mariana 
Islands), and OA-98193 (American Samoa).
    Type of Review: Regular review.
    Affected Public: Local governments, businesses, or other for profit 
or non-profit institutions or organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
    Puerto Rico 50,000
    Guam 4,000
    Northern Mariana Islands 2,000
    U.S. Virgin Islands 3,000
    American Samoa 2,500 (includes non-employers)
      Total 61,500

Estimated Time Per Response:
    Puerto Rico 1.00 hours
    Guam 30 minutes
    Northern Mariana Islands 30 minutes
    U.S. Virgin Islands 30 minutes
    American Samoa 30 minutes

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:
    Puerto Rico 50,000
    Guam 2,000
    Northern Mariana Islands 1,000
    U.S. Virgin Islands 1,500
    American Samoa 1,250
      Total 55,750

    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $646,593.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.

    Legal Authority: Title 13, U.S.C., Sections 131 and 224.

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: October 9, 2001.
Madeleine Clayton,
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-25775 Filed 10-12-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P