[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 71 (Monday, April 14, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 17909]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9039]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Seek Reinstatement of an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 
L. 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 
seek approval for reinstatement of an information collection, the Farm 
and Ranch Irrigation Survey.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 18, 2003, to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Ginny McBride, NASS Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 
South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-
2024 or sent electronically to [email protected].

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0535--0234.
    Type of Request: Intent to Seek Approval to Reinstate an 
Information Collection.
    Abstract: The Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey is conducted every 5 
years as authorized by the Census of Agriculture Act of 1997 (Pub. L. 
No. 105-113). The 2003 Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey will use a 
probability sample from farms that reported irrigation on the 2002 
Census of Agriculture. This irrigation survey will provide a 
comprehensive inventory of farm irrigation practices with detailed data 
relating to acres irrigated by category of land use, acres and yields 
of irrigated and non-irrigated crops, quantity of water applied, and 
method of application to selected crops. Also included will be 2003 
expenditures for maintenance and repair of irrigation equipment and 
facilities; purchase of energy for on-farm pumping of irrigation water; 
investment in irrigation equipment, facilities, and land improvement; 
and cost of water received from off-farm water supplies. Irrigation 
data are used by the farmers, their representatives, government 
agencies, and many other groups concerned with the irrigation industry. 
This survey will provide the only source of dependable, comparable 
irrigation data by State. The National Agricultural Statistics Service 
will use the information collected only for statistical purposes and 
will publish the data only as tabulated totals.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 30 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Farms.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 25,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 12,500 hours.
    Copies of this information collection and related instructions can 
be obtained without charge from Ginny McBride, NASS Information 
Collection 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 in Washington, DC, March 24, 2003.
Carol House,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-9039 Filed 4-11-03; 8:45 am]
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