[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 80 (Wednesday, April 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24639-24640]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-6229]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


2007 Commodity Flow Survey

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 June 26, 2006.

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

[[Page 24640]]

instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to John Fowler, U.S. 
Census Bureau, Room G-023, FOB 3, Washington, DC 20233, (301) 763-2108 
(or via the Internet at [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    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. These data 
are used by government transportation analysts at the Federal, state 
and local levels to estimate the future demand for transportation 
services and facilities; assess the adequacy of our current 
transportation infrastructure to accommodate the future demand; and to 
evaluate the economic, social and environmental impacts of 
transportation flows. The data also are used extensively by academics, 
researchers, economic planning organizations, and the business 
community.
    The Commodity Flow Survey is co-sponsored by the Bureau of 
Transportation Statistics, Research and Innovative Technology 
Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation. The survey provides 
data on the movement of commodities in the United States from their 
origin to destination. The survey produces summary statistics on value, 
tons, ton-miles, average miles per shipment, commodity shipped, and 
modes of transportation used. The Census Bureau will publish shipment 
characteristics at the national, census regions and divisions, state, 
and Metropolitan Areas levels. Reports are also planned for estimates 
of hazardous material shipments and exports.
    Primary strategies for reducing respondent burden in the Commodity 
Flow Survey include employing a stratified random sample of business 
establishments, requesting data on a limited sample of shipment records 
from each establishment, and accepting estimates.

II. Method of Collection

    The Commodity Flow Survey will survey a sample of business 
establishments in mining, manufacturing, wholesale, and selected retail 
industries. The survey also covers auxiliary establishments of multi-
establishment companies, which have non-auxiliary establishments that 
are in-scope to the CFS or classified in retail trade. Each selected 
establishment will receive, by mail, four questionnaires--one during 
each quarter of 2007. On each form an establishment will be asked to 
report data for an average of 25 shipments selected during a designated 
one-week reporting period. Upon request by the respondent electronic 
reporting options will be made available.

III. Data

    OMB Number: Not Available.
    Form Number: CFS-1000.
    Type of Review: Regular review.
    Affected Public: Business and other for-profit, small businesses or 
organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 100,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 2 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 800,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $21,600,000.
    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: April 20, 2006.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E6-6229 Filed 4-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P