[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56104-56105]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-8252]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


2007 Economic Census Covering the Mining Sector

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 27, 
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 instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Arminta N. Quash, U.S. Census Bureau, 
Manufacturing and Construction Division, Room 2108, Building 
4, Washington, DC 20233, (301) 763-8189, (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau is the preeminent collector and provider of 
timely, relevant and quality data about the people and economy of the 
United States. Economic data are the Census Bureau's primary program 
commitment during nondecennial census years. The economic census, 
conducted under authority of Title 13, United States Code, is the 
primary source of facts about the structure and functioning of the 
Nation's economy and features unique industry and geographic detail. 
Economic census statistics serve as part of the framework for the 
national accounts and provide essential information for government, 
business and the general public. The 2007 Economic Census Covering the 
Mining Sector (as defined by the North American Industry Classification 
System (NAICS)) will measure the economic activity of almost 25,000 
mineral establishments.
    The information collected from establishments in this sector of the 
economic census will produce basic statistics for number of 
establishments, shipments, payroll, employment, detailed supplies and 
fuels consumed, depreciable assets, inventories, and capital 
expenditures. It also will yield a variety of subject statistics, 
including shipments by product line, type of operation, size of 
establishments and other industry-specific measures.
    Primary strategies for reducing burden in Census Bureau economic 
data collections are to increase electronic reporting through broader 
use of computerized self-administered census questionnaires, on-line 
questionnaires and other electronic data collection.

II. Method of Collection

    Establishments included in this collection will be selected from a 
frame given by the Census Bureau's Business Register. To be eligible 
for selection, an establishment will be required to satisfy the 
following conditions: (i) It must be classified in the mining sector; 
(ii) it must be an active operating establishment of a multi-
establishment firm (including operations under exploration and 
development), or it must be a single-establishment firm with payroll; 
and (iii) it must be located in one of the 50 states, offshore areas, 
or the District of Columbia. Mail selection procedures will distinguish 
the following groups of establishments:

A. Establishments of Multi-Establishment Firms

    Selection procedures will assign all active mineral establishments 
of multi-establishment firms to the mail component of the universe, 
except for those in industries classified in the Support Activities for 
Mining subsector. In these selected industries, where activities are 
not easily attributable to individual locations or establishments, 
firms will be asked to report their basic data for several 
establishments at a nationwide level on a consolidated report form. 
Approximately seven percent of establishments of multi-establishment 
firms will not be required to file separate reports because they will 
be included in consolidated company reports. We estimate that the 
census mail canvass for 2007 will include approximately 6,400 
establishments of multi-establishment firms.

B. Single-Establishment Firms With Payroll

    As an initial step in the selection process, we will analyze the 
universe for mining. The analysis will produce a set of industry-
specific payroll cutoffs that we will use to distinguish large versus 
small single-establishment firms within each industry. This payroll 
size distinction will affect selection as follows:
1. Large Single-Establishment Firms
    Selection procedures will assign large single-establishment firms 
having annualized payroll (from Federal administrative records) that 
equals or exceeds the cutoff for their industry to the mail component 
of the universe. We estimate that the census mail canvass for 2007 will 
include approximately 6,000 firms in this category. These firms will 
receive a standard form.
2. Small Single-Establishment Firms
    Small single-establishment firms in the crushed stone, sand and 
gravel, and crude petroleum and natural gas industries, where 
application of the cutoff for nonmail establishments results in a 
larger number of small establishments included in the mail canvass, 
will receive a short form. The short form will collect basic statistics 
and other essential information that is not available from 
administrative records.
    The short form will be mailed to approximately 2,600 single-
establishment firms in these industries which are larger than the 
nonmail cutoff for their industry, but which have annual payroll under 
a certain criteria. In terms of employment, this criteria will identify 
establishments with approximately 5 to 19 employees.
    The approximately 10,000 remaining single-establishment firms with 
payroll will be represented in the census by data from Federal 
administrative records.

III. Data

    OMB Number: Not available.
    Form Number: The forms used to collect information from businesses 
in this sector of the economic census are tailored to specific business 
practices and are too numerous to list separately in this notice. You 
can obtain information on the proposed content at

[[Page 56105]]

this Web site: http://www.census.gov/mcd/clearance/census. 
    Type of Review: Regular review.
    Affected Public: Business or Other for Profit, Not-for-Profit 
institutions, and Small Businesses or Organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents:

 
 
 
Standard Form..............................................       12,400
Short Form.................................................        2,600
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    Total..................................................       15,000
 

    Estimated Time Per Response:

 
 
 
Standard Form..............................  4.6 hours.
Short Form.................................  2.5 hours.
 

    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 63,540.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $1,567,532.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, 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: September 21, 2006.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 06-8252 Filed 9-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P