[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 193 (Thursday, October 4, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 60671]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-24494]
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Notices
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 193 / Thursday, October 4, 2012 /
Notices
[[Page 60671]]
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.
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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 List Sampling Frame Surveys.
Revision to burden hours will be needed due to changes in the size of
the target population, sampling design, and/or questionnaire length.
Annually, NASS obtains lists of farm and ranch operators from different
crop and livestock organizations. Historically we have averaged 500,000
potential new operators each year from these lists. Before adding these
names to our list of active operators we will contact the operators to
collect basic farming information from them on the size and type of
operation. These data will be used to eliminate any duplication we may
have with names already on our list. Since the 2012 Census of
Agriculture will be conducted in 2013, the sample sizes for 2014 and
2015 will be greatly reduced. Additional questions may need to be added
to the questionnaire during the next three years to accommodate any new
trends or changes in the farming community that need to be identified
(i.e. Organic farming, renewable energy production, expansion of
acreage of alternative or specialty crops, etc.).
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 3, 2012 to
be assured of consideration.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
0140, by any of the following methods:
Email: [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:
David Hancock, 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: David Hancock,
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: List Sampling Frame Surveys.
OMB Control Number: 0535-0140.
Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 2013.
Type of Request: Intent to Seek Approval to Revise and Extend an
Information Collection for a period of three years.
Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural
Statistics Service is to prepare and issue State and national estimates
of crop and livestock production, economic statistics, environmental
statistics related to agriculture and also to conduct the Census of
Agriculture. The List Sampling Frame Surveys are used to develop and
maintain as complete a list as possible of farm operations. The goal is
to produce for each State a relatively complete, current, and
unduplicated list of names for statistical sampling for agricultural
operation surveys and the Census of Agriculture. Data from these
agricultural surveys are used by government agencies and educational
institutions in planning, farm policy analysis, and program
administration.
Authority: 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
as amended, 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, (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) and Office of Management and Budget
regulations at 5 CFR part 1320. NASS also complies with OMB
Implementation Guidance, ``Implementation Guidance for Title V of the
E-Government Act, Confidential Information Protection and Statistical
Efficiency Act of 2002 (CIPSEA),'' 72 FR 33362, Jun. 15, 2007.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 15 minutes per respondent.
Respondents: Farms.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 200,000.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: With an estimated
response rate of approximately 80% we estimate the burden to be 40,000
hours. Copies of this information collection and related instructions
can be obtained without charge from David Hancock, NASS Clearance
Officer, at [email protected] or at (202) 690-2388.
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, through the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, technological, or other forms of information
technology collection methods. All responses to this notice will become
a matter of public record and be summarized in the request for OMB
approval.
Signed at Washington, DC, September 24, 2012.
Joseph T. Reilly,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2012-24494 Filed 10-3-12; 8:45 am]
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