[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 7, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66794-66796]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-27183]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Generic 
Clearance for Master Address File (MAF) and Topologically Integrated 
Geographic Encoding and Referencing (TIGER) Update Activities

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau.

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 January 7, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via email 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 Patricia Williams, U.S. Census Bureau, 5H020E, 
Washington DC 20233, 301-763-3036 (or via email 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) Database (MTdb). The MTdb is the 
Census Bureau's integrated address geographic database. We now propose 
to extend the 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, in general terms, all 
planned activities for the entire period. We will provide information 
to OMB at least two weeks before the planned start of each activity 
giving more exact details, examples of forms, and final estimates of 
respondent burden. We also will file a year-end summary with OMB after 
the close of each fiscal year giving results of each activity 
conducted. The generic clearance enables OMB to review our overall 
strategy for MTdb updating in advance, instead of reviewing each 
activity in isolation shortly before the planned start.
    The Census Bureau used the addresses in the MTdb for mailing and 
delivering questionnaires to households during the 2010 Census and will 
do so for the 2020 Census. These addresses are also used as a sampling 
frame for our demographic current surveys. Prior to Census 2000, the 
Census Bureau built a new address list for each decennial census. The 
MTdb built for the 2010 Census is designed to be kept up-to-date, 
thereby eliminating the need to develop a completely new address list 
for future censuses and surveys. The Census Bureau plans to use the 
MTdb

[[Page 66795]]

for post-Census 2010 evaluations and as a sampling frame for the 
American Community Survey and our other demographic current surveys. 
The TIGER component of the MTdb is a geographic system that maps the 
entire country in Census Blocks with applicable address ranges or 
living quarter location information. The MTdb 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. The Census Bureau has 
conducted these activities (or similar ones) previously and the 
respondent burden remains relatively unchanged from one time to 
another.

Demographic Area Address Listing (DAAL)

    The Demographic Area Address Listing (DAAL) program encompasses the 
geographic area updates for the Community Address Updating System 
(CAUS), the area and group quarters frame listings for many ongoing 
demographic surveys (the Current Population Survey, the Consumer 
Expenditures Survey, etc.), and any other operations which choose to 
use the Automated Listing and Mapping System (ALMI) for evaluations, 
assessments, or to collect updates for the MTdb. 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 Census Bureau 
will receive from the U.S. Postal Services's Delivery Sequence File. 
The ongoing demographic surveys, as part of the 2000 Sample Redesign 
Program, use the MTdb as one of several sources of addresses from which 
they select their samples.
    The DAAL program is a cooperative effort among 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 MTdb. The DAAL 
operations will be conducted on an ongoing basis in potentially any 
county across the country. Field Representatives (FRs) will canvass 
selected 2010 Census tabulation blocks in an effort to improve the 
address list in areas where substantial address changes may have 
occurred that have not been added to the MTdb 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 a unit to the address list, and/
or the individual's address is not posted or visible to the FR. There 
is no pre-determined or scripted list of questions asked as part of 
this listing operation. If an address is not posted or visible to the 
FR, the FR will ask about the address of the structure, the mailing 
address, and, in some instances, the year the structure was built. 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 
the DAAL listing operation will be conducted throughout the entire time 
period of the extension.

2020 Census Research and Testing Program

    The 2020 Census Research and Testing program will conduct tests 
from FY13 through FY15 to research methodologies to improve the 
efficiency and effectiveness of the 2020 Census. Among the research is 
Test 22, a test that will mainly involve the newly developed MAF error 
model. The goal of the MAF error project is to determine the components 
of MAF error and to develop an error model for use in measuring MAF 
quality. The MAF error project will use data from existing programs as 
well as data from Test 22 to validate the recommended solution. Test 22 
is currently scheduled to be conducted in fiscal year 2013.
    The MAF error project is a cooperative effort among many divisions 
at the Census Bureau; it includes automated software, systems, and 
procedures that will allow us to measure the quality of the MAF. Test 
22 is currently a one-time project scheduled for fiscal year 2013. 
Enumerators (Listers) will canvass blocks to provide complete list of 
residential addresses. Listers 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 Lister is adding a unit to the address list, and/or the 
individual's address is not posted or visible to the Lister. Subsequent 
analysis will determine the coverage of the address files, which will 
allow for the creation of coverage measures.
    The listed activities are not exhaustive of all activities that 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 observation or personal interview by 
Census Listers, Verifiers, Enumerators or Field Representatives using 
the operation/evaluation's listing form or questionnaire. In some 
cases, the interview could be by telephone callback if no one was home 
during the initial visit.

III. Data

    OMB Control 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:
FY13: 73,177 HH
    2,752 GQs
FY14: 13,177 HH
    1,535 GQs
FY15: 70,777 HH
    2,111 GQs
    Estimated Time per Response: 3 min/HH; 10 min/GQ.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:
FY13: 4,118
FY14: 915
FY15: 3,891
    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.

[[Page 66796]]

    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 2, 2012.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-27183 Filed 11-6-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P