[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 79 (Wednesday, April 24, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 24152]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09570]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

April 18, 2013.

    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) whether the 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 burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [email protected] or 
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these 
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if 
received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the 
submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8958.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Economic Research Service

    Title: Rural Establishment Innovation Survey (REIS).
    OMB Control Number: 0536-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Economic Research Service (ERS) plans to 
conduct the Rural Establishment Innovation Survey (REIS) as a one-time 
inquiry. The proposed collection will contribute to a better 
understanding of how international competition and the increasing 
knowledge intensity of economic activity in the U.S. are affecting the 
vitality of rural areas and effective adjustment of these pressures. 
Data obtain from the survey will allow ERS to examine the prevalence of 
innovation activity in nonmetropolitan businesses and those 
establishment and community-level characteristics associated with 
innovation. Information will be collected using a multi-mode survey 
where respondents will be able to complete the survey via telephone 
interview or by either completing a questionnaire sent via mail or 
available electronically through a secure web link. The legal authority 
for collecting this information is the Rural Development Act of 1972 
U.S.C. 2662(b).
    Need and Use of the Information: The data collected through the 
survey will help fill serious gaps in ERS understanding of what rural 
establishments need to be competitive in the national and global 
economics and provide USDA and other policymakers with sound 
information so they can craft more effective rural development 
policies. The results will inform the degree to which human capital 
endowments; access to credit; access to infrastructure; and potentially 
more limited interaction with suppliers, customers, and peer firms 
impedes processes of rural innovation. Failure to collect this 
information will severely limit the evidentiary basis for improving the 
innovative capacity of business establishments located in less 
favorable areas.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 34,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 15,369.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-09570 Filed 4-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-18-P