[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 225 (Wednesday, November 22, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67543-67545]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19709]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Generic Clearance for Master Address File (MAF) and Topologically 
Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (TIGER) Update 
Activities

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 January 22, 
2007.

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 Dennis Randolph, U.S. Census Bureau, 5H024, 
Washington, DC 20233, 301-763-9701 (or via the Internet at 
[email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau presently operates a generic clearance covering 
activities involving respondent burden associated with updating our 
Master Address File (MAF) and Topologically Integrated Geographic 
Encoding and Referencing (TIGER) system. (The MAF is the Census 
Bureau's address database and TIGER is the geographic database.) We now 
propose to extend that generic clearance to cover update activities we 
will undertake during the next three fiscal years. Under the terms of 
the generic clearance, we plan to submit a request for OMB approval 
that will describe all planned activities for the entire period; we 
will not submit a clearance package for each updating activity. We will 
send a letter to OMB at least two weeks before the planned start of 
each activity that gives more exact details, examples of forms, and 
final estimates of respondent burden. We also will file a year-end 
summary

[[Page 67544]]

with OMB after the close of each fiscal year giving results of each 
activity conducted. This generic clearance enables OMB to review our 
overall strategy for MAF and TIGER updating in advance, instead of 
reviewing each activity in isolation shortly before the planned start. 
The Census Bureau used the MAF for mailing and delivering 
questionnaires to households during Census 2000. The MAF is also used 
as a sampling frame for our demographic current surveys. In the past, 
the Census Bureau built a new address list for each decennial census. 
The MAF we built for Census 2000 is meant to be kept current, thereby, 
eliminating the need to build a completely new address list for future 
censuses and surveys. The TIGER is a geographic system that maps the 
entire country in Census Blocks with applicable address range or living 
quarter location information. Linking MAF and TIGER allows us to assign 
each address to the appropriate Census Block, produce maps as needed 
and publish results at the appropriate level of geographic detail. The 
following are descriptions of activities we plan to conduct under the 
clearance for the next three fiscal years.

1. Demographic Area Address Listing (DAAL)

    The Demographic Area Address Listing (DAAL) program encompasses the 
geographic area updates for the Community Address Updating System 
(CAUS) and the area and group quarters frame listings for many ongoing 
demographic surveys (the Current Population Survey, the Consumer 
Expenditures Survey, etc.). The CAUS program was designed to address 
quality concerns relating to areas with high concentrations of noncity-
style addresses, and to provide a rural counterpart to the update of 
city-style addresses the MAF will receive from the U.S. Postal 
Services's Delivery Sequence File. The ongoing demographic surveys, as 
part of the 2000 Sample Redesign Program, plan to use the MAF as one of 
several sources of addresses from which to select their samples. In 
addition to the area and group quarters frame listings, the demographic 
surveys will also list blocks via the DAAL program for their Frame 
Assessment for Current Household Surveys (FACHS) evaluations. The DAAL 
program is a cooperative effort across many divisions at the Census 
Bureau; it includes automated listing software, systems, and procedures 
that will allow us to conduct listing operations in a dependent manner 
based on information contained in the MAF.
    The DAAL operations will be conducted on an ongoing basis in 
potentially any county across the country. Field Representatives (FRs) 
will canvass selected Census tabulation blocks to improve the address 
list in areas where substantial address changes have occurred that have 
not been added to the MAF through regular update operations, and/or in 
blocks in the area or group quarters frame sample for the demographic 
surveys. FRs will update existing address information, and when 
necessary, contact individuals, to collect accurate location and 
mailing address information. In general, contact will occur only when 
the FR is adding to the address list, and the individual's address is 
not posted or visible to the FR. If the occupants of these households 
are not at home, the FR may attempt to contact a neighbor to determine 
the best time to find the occupants at home and/or to obtain the 
correct address information.
    DAAL is an ongoing operation. Listing assignments are distributed 
quarterly with the work conducted throughout the time period. We expect 
that DAAL listings will be conducted throughout the entire time period 
of the extension.

2. Dress Rehearsal Address Canvassing

    An Address Canvassing operation will take place as part of the 2008 
Census Dress Rehearsal. The operation will take place between May 7, 
2007 and June 26, 2007. The operation will be a standard address 
canvassing operation where census listers will canvass specified blocks 
and conduct brief interviews to verify or update address information 
against address information on the Census Bureau's address lists and 
maps. Listers will enter an address status for every address based on 
what they found out during the visit. Listers will also visit addresses 
not listed on our address lists and add them. They will record address 
information and address statuses on the address lists that reside on 
the hand held computer (HHC). Sites for the 2008 Census Dress Rehearsal 
will be San Joaquin County, California and Fayetteville and Eastern 
North Carolina.

3. Decennial Address Canvassing

    An Address Canvassing operation will take place as part of the 2010 
Decennial Census. The operation will take place between 13 April 2009 
and May 2009. The operation will be a standard address canvassing 
operation where census listers will canvass specified blocks and 
conduct brief interviews to verify or update address information 
against address information on the Census Bureau's address lists and 
maps. Listers will enter an address status for every address based on 
what they found out during the visit. Listers will also visit addresses 
not listed on our address lists and add them. They will record address 
information and address statuses on the address lists that reside on 
the hand held computer (HHC). Sites for the 2010 Decennial Census will 
be nation wide.

4. Dress Rehearsal Update/Leave

    The U.S. Census Bureau will conduct the Update/Leave operation, 
March 3, 2008 through April 7, 2008 in the 2008 Census Dress Rehearsal 
sites of San Joaquin County, California and Fayetteville and Eastern 
North Carolina. Update/Leave is a field operation for the 2008 Census 
Dress Rehearsal. The results of this test will enable the Census Bureau 
to identify, refine, and improve our address collection procedures for 
a more cost-effective and accurate decennial census.
    Update/Leave requires Listers to update the Census Bureau's address 
list and maps, and to leave a census questionnaire at each housing 
unit. Listers verify and update the addresses on the address list and 
their locations on census maps to ensure that they are as current, 
complete and accurate as possible. Listers will use Form DX-105A (U/L), 
Update/Leave Address Listing Pages to verify, and update addresses 
currently in the Census Bureau's Update/Leave universe. Listers will 
enter an action code for every address based on what they found out. 
Listers will visit addresses not already listed and add them to our 
address list. To add addresses, Listers will use Form DX-105B (U/L), 
Update/Leave Add Pages.
    If the occupants of these living quarters are not at home the 
Listers will leave a questionnaire at the household in a plastic bag, 
then attempt to contact neighbors in order to obtain the correct 
address information. If the Lister is unable to contact anyone about an 
address, they will use their own judgment, and information from 
surrounding addresses to enter the address information. Quality Control 
(QC) for Update/Leave consist of an initial observation, a dependent 
quality control check in the field and an office review of completed 
work.

5. Decennial Update/Leave

    The U.S. Census Bureau will conduct the Update/Leave operation in 
the 2010 Decennial Census. Update/Leave requires Listers to update the 
Census Bureau's address list and maps, and to leave a census 
questionnaire at each housing unit. Listers verify and update the 
addresses on the address list and

[[Page 67545]]

their locations on census maps to ensure that they are as current, 
complete and accurate as possible. Listers will use Form DX-105A (U/L), 
Update/Leave Address Listing Pages to verify, and update addresses 
currently in the Census Bureau's Update/Leave universe. Listers will 
enter an action code for every address based on what they found out. 
Listers will visit addresses not already listed and add them to our 
address list. To add addresses, Listers will use Form DX-105B (U/L), 
Update/Leave Add Pages.
    If the occupants of these living quarters are not at home the 
Listers will leave a questionnaire at the household in a plastic bag, 
then attempt to contact neighbors in order to obtain the correct 
address information. If the Lister is unable to contact anyone about an 
address, they will use their own judgment, and information from 
surrounding addresses to enter the address information. Quality Control 
(QC) for Update/Leave consist of an initial observation, a dependent 
quality control check in the field and an office review of completed 
work.

6. Dress Rehearsal Group Quarters Validation (GQV)

    The U.S. Census Bureau will conduct the Group Quarters Validation 
Operation from 17 September-24 October 2007 at the 2008 Census Dress 
Rehearsal sites of San Joaquin County, California and Fayetteville and 
Eastern North Carolina. The GQV operation, which supports the Census 
Bureau's strategic goal of developing methodologies for compiling a 
complete and accurate MAF for the 2010 Census, is designed to verify 
and classify addresses identified as other living quarters during the 
2006 Address Canvassing operation. The addresses will be classified as 
Group Quarters (GQ), Housing Unit (HU), or ``not a living quarters''. 
If the address is a GQ, the lister will label it with the correct type 
code, (e.g. as a college residence hall or skilled nursing unit). 
Listers will use the DX-351 GQV Questionnaire to list address 
information and type codes for each GQ in their workload. GQV creates 
the universe for a follow-up operation known as Group Quarters 
Enumeration (GQE), in which we count the residents of identified GQs.

7. Decennial Group Quarters Validation

    The U.S. Census Bureau will conduct the Group Quarters Validation 
Operation as part of the 2010 Decennial Census. The operation will take 
place between Sept 11, 2009-October 22, 2009. The GQV operation 
verifies and classifies addresses identified as other living quarters 
during the Decennial Address Canvassing operation. The addresses will 
be classified as Group Quarters (GQ), Housing Unit (HU), or ``not a 
living quarters''. If the address is a GQ, the lister will label it 
with the correct type code, (e.g. as a college residence hall or 
skilled nursing unit). Listers will use the DX-351 GQV Questionnaire to 
list address information and type codes for each GQ in their workload. 
GQV creates the universe for a follow-up operation known as Group 
Quarters Enumeration (GQE), in which we count the residents of 
identified GQs.
    The list above is not exhaustive of all activities which may be 
performed under this generic clearance. We will follow the approved 
procedure when submitting any additional activities not specifically 
listed here.

II. Method of Collection

    The primary method of data collection for most operations/
evaluations will be personal interview by Census Listers, Verifiers or 
Enumerators using the operation/evaluation's listing form or 
questionnaire. A hand held computer and GPS software will be used as 
part of Address Canvassing to update address lists and maps. In some 
cases, the interview could be by telephone callback if no one was home 
on the initial visit.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0809.
    Form Number: Some form numbers for activities have not yet been 
assigned.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: FY07-849,900, FY08-40,000, FY09-
144,300,00.
    Estimated Time Per Response: Varies by operation.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: FY07-14,315, FY08-2,000, FY09-
2,651,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The only cost to respondents is that 
of their time to respond.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 141 and 
193.

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: November 16, 2006.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E6-19709 Filed 11-21-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P