[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 39 (Wednesday, February 27, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10419-10420]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-3649]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

U.S. Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; 2009 American 
Community Survey Content

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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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: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before April 28, 2008.

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 Susan Schechter, U.S. Census Bureau, American 
Community Survey Office, Washington, DC 20233, by FAX to (303) 763-8070 
or via the Internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Given the rapid demographic changes experienced in recent years and 
the strong expectation that such changes will continue and accelerate, 
the once-a-decade detailed data collection as part of a decennial 
census is no longer acceptable. To meet the needs and expectations of 
the country, the Census Bureau developed the American Community Survey. 
This survey collects detailed population and housing data every month 
and provides tabulations of these data on a yearly basis. In the past, 
the long-form data were collected only at the time of each decennial 
census. The American Community Survey allowed the Census Bureau to 
remove the long-form from the plans for the 2010 Census, thus reducing 
operational risks, improving accuracy, and providing more relevant 
data. After years of development and testing, the American Community 
Survey began full implementation in households in January 2005 and in 
group quarters (GQs) in January 2006.
    The American Community Survey provides more timely information for 
critical economic planning by governments and the private sector. In 
the current information-based economy, federal, state, tribal, and 
local decision makers, as well as private business and non-governmental 
organizations, need current, reliable, and comparable socioeconomic 
data to chart the future. In 2006, the American Community Survey began 
publishing up-to-date profiles of American communities every year, 
providing policymakers, planners, and service providers in the public 
and private sectors this information every year--not just every ten 
years.
    The American Community Survey will provide data at the census tract 
level by July 2010. These data are needed by federal agencies and 
others and provides assurances that long-form type data are available 
after the elimination of the long-form from the 2010 Census.
    The Census Bureau presently plans to resubmit the American 
Community Survey to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 
extended clearance with content changes.
    In the 2007 American Community Survey Content Test, the Census 
Bureau conducted testing of a new question topic, field of bachelor's 
degree, identified by the National Science Foundation. Following 
cognitive testing, two versions with a new question on

[[Page 10420]]

field of bachelor's degree were field-tested: Categorical and open-
ended. The results of the 2007 Content Test were presented to OMB in 
February 2008.
    In addition to the new field of degree question, the Census Bureau 
proposes restoration of the Duration of Vacancy question that was 
previously collected as part of the American Community Survey. These 
data will be collected on the American Community Survey Computer-
assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) instrument and during Telephone 
Questionnaire Assistance (TQA) interviews. In addition, households that 
are determined to be vacant during the edit follow-up interview will be 
asked this question.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau will mail questionnaires to households selected 
for the American Community Survey. For households that do not return a 
questionnaire, Census Bureau staff will attempt to conduct interviews 
via Computer-assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI) and conduct CAPI for 
a sub sample of non-respondents. A contact reinterview will be 
conducted from a small sample of respondents.
    For most types of group quarters (GQs), the Census Bureau field 
representatives (FRs) will conduct personal interviews with respondents 
to complete questionnaires or, if necessary, leave questionnaires and 
ask respondents to complete. Information from GQ contacts will be 
collected via CAPI. A GQ contact reinterview will be conducted from a 
sample of GQs primarily through CATI. A very small percentage of the GQ 
reinterviews will be conducted via CAPI.
    The Census Bureau staff will provide Telephone Questionnaire 
Assistance (TQA) and if the respondent indicates a desire to complete 
the survey by telephone, the TQA interviewer conducts the interview.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0810.
    Form Number: ACS-1, ACS1(SP), ACS-1 (PR), ACS-1 (PR)SP, ACS-1(GQ), 
ACS-1(PR(GQ), GQFQ, ACS CATI (HU), ACS CAPI (HU), ACS RI (HU), and AGQ 
RI.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for-
profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Each year: 3,000,000 households; 
200,000 persons in group quarters; 20,000 contacts in group quarters; 
27,000 households for reinterview; and 1,500 group quarters contacts 
for reinterview.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 38 minutes per household; 15 minutes 
per group quarters contact; 25 minutes per resident in group quarters; 
and 10 minutes per household or groups quarters contact in the 
reinterview samples.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,994,500.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0 (except for their time).
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C., Section 182.

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: February 21, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-3649 Filed 2-26-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P