[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 231 (Friday, December 1, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 69532]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-20296]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics 
Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently 
approved information collection, the Fruits, Nuts, and Specialty Crops 
Surveys. Revision to burden hours may be needed due to changes in the 
size of the target population, sampling design, and/or questionnaire 
length.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 30, 2007 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
0039, by any of the following methods:
     E-mail: [email protected]. Include docket number 
above in the subject line of the message.
     Fax: (202) 720-6396.
     Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions to: 
Ginny McBride, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Room 5336 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20250-2024.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Hand deliver to: Ginny McBride, 
NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South 
Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-2024.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Fruits, Nuts, and Specialty Crops Surveys.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0039.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2007.
    Type of Request: To revise and extend a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural 
Statistics Service is to prepare and issue State and national estimates 
of crop and livestock production, prices, and disposition. The Fruits, 
Nuts, and Specialty Crops survey program collects information on 
acreage, yield, production, price, and value of citrus and noncitrus 
fruits and nuts and other specialty crops in States with significant 
commercial production. The program provides data needed by the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture and other government agencies to administer 
programs and to set trade quotas and tariffs.
    Producers, processors, other industry representatives, State 
Departments of Agriculture, and universities also use forecasts and 
estimates provided by these surveys.
    The Fruits, Nuts, and Specialty Crops Program was last approved by 
OMB in 2004 for a 3-year period. NASS intends to request that the 
survey be approved for another 3 years.
    Authority: These data will be collected under authority of 7 U.S.C. 
2204(a). Individually identifiable data collected under this authority 
are governed by Section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985, 7 U.S.C. 
2276, which requires USDA to afford strict confidentiality to non-
aggregated data provided by respondents. This Notice is submitted in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-113) 
and Office of Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320 (60 
FR 44978, August 29, 1995).
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this information 
collection is based on 73 individual surveys with expected responses of 
4-30 minutes and frequency of 1-12 times per year. Estimated number of 
responses per respondent is 0.69.
    Respondents: Producers, processors, and handlers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 70,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 10,000 hours.
    These data will be collected under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 
2204(a). Individually identifiable data collected under this authority 
are governed by Section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985, 7 U.S.C. 
2276, which requires USDA to afford strict confidentiality to non-
aggregated data provided by respondents.
    Copies of this information collection and related instructions can 
be obtained without charge from Ginny McBride, NASS Clearance Officer, 
at (202) 720-5778.
    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 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.

Carol House,
Deputy Administrator for Programs and Products.
 [FR Doc. E6-20296 Filed 11-30-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-20-P