[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 171 (Tuesday, September 6, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 52982]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17575]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Precanvass Operation for the 2007 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 
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 November 7, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 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, Census Bureau, Room G-023-Building 
3, Washington, DC 20233.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau plans to conduct a Precanvass Operation in 
preparation for the 2007 Commodity Flow Survey to improve the 
efficiency and accuracy of the sample frame. The Commodity Flow Survey 
itself will be the subject of a later notice planned for publication in 
early 2006.
    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. The 
Commodity Flow Survey is conducted in partnership with the Bureau of 
Transportation Statistics, U.S. Department of Transportation.
    In conducting the Precanvass, the Census Bureau will mail a one-
page questionnaire to selected manufacturing, mining, and wholesale 
establishments, and to enterprise support establishments in its 
Business Register. The precanvass will determine if these 
establishments are engaged in shipping activities, and if so obtain an 
estimate of the annual value of those shipments, along with contact 
information for the 2007 Commodity Flow Survey. Those establishments 
that do not ship will be eliminated from the sample frame. This will 
significantly improve the sample for the 2007 Commodity Flow Survey. 
Also, those establishments excluded from the sample frame will be saved 
the added burden of reporting in the Commodity Flow Survey.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau will mail the Precanvass Questionnaire to (a) 
enterprise support establishments in the Census Bureau's Business 
Register, and (b) the largest establishments in the industries listed 
above that are likely to be included in the 2007 Commodity Flow Survey. 
The estimated size of the Precanvass mailing is 75,000 establishments.
    The Census Bureau will use a mail-out, mail-back methodology, with 
telephone follow-up for selected non-response cases. General 
information on shipping activity and value of shipments will be 
collected via check box style questions. Contact information also will 
be collected and used to improve the mailing and follow-up activities 
for the 2007 Commodity Flow Survey.

III. Data

    OMB Number: Not Available.
    Form Number: CFS-0001.
    Type of Review: Regular review.
    Affected Public: Businesses and other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 75,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 5 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 6,250.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $200,000.
    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 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: August 30, 2005.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-17575 Filed 9-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P