[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 207 (Friday, October 25, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63961-63962]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-25201]


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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 Aquaculture Surveys. Revision to 
burden hours will 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 December 24, 2013 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
0150, 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. Copies of this information 
collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from 
David Hancock, NASS Clearance Officer, at (202) 690-2388.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Aquaculture Surveys.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0150.
    Expiration Date: March 31, 2014.
    Type of Request: To revise and extend a currently approved 
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, prices, and disposition. The 
Aquaculture Surveys collect information on both trout and catfish. The 
trout surveys include: inventory counts, sales (dollars, pounds and 
quantity), percent of product sold by outlet at the point of first 
sale, number of fish raised for release into open waters, and losses. 
The catfish surveys include: inventory counts, water surface acreage 
used for production, sales (dollars, pounds, and quantity), number of 
catfish processed, and amount of catfish feed delivered to catfish 
producers. Survey results are used by government agencies in planning 
farm programs.
     Twenty-five States are in the Trout Production Survey. In 
January, data are collected in the selected states that produce and 
either sell or distribute trout. State, federal, tribal, and other 
facilities where trout are raised for conservation, restoration, or 
recreational purposes are included in the survey.
     Nine States are in the Catfish Production Survey. Data are 
collected from farmers in January for inventory, water surface acreage, 
and previous year sales. In addition, farmers in the three major 
catfish producing States are surveyed in July for mid-year inventory 
and water surface acreage.
     All catfish processing plants, with the capacity to 
process 2,000 pounds of live weight per 8 hour shift are in the Catfish 
Processing Survey. Plants are surveyed monthly for amount purchased, 
prices paid, amount sold,

[[Page 63962]]

prices received, and end-of-month inventories.
     Nine catfish millers are surveyed monthly for the amount 
of feed delivered for foodsize fish, fingerlings, and broodfish.

    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 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, Public Law 104-13 (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),'' Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 115, June 15, 2007, p. 
33362.
    Estimate of Burden: Individual questionnaire burden ranges from 10 
minutes to 15 minutes per response. Public reporting burden for this 
collection of information is estimated to average less than 15 minutes 
per response with 1.5 responses per grower and 12 responses each for 
feed mills and processors. Pre-survey publicity or cover letters will 
also be included to encourage respondents to complete and return the 
surveys and to provide the respondents with information on how to 
complete the surveys using the internet.
    Respondents: Farms, feed mills and processors.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Approximately 2,500 per year.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 650 hours.
    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 26, 2013.
Joseph T. Reilly,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2013-25201 Filed 10-24-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-20-P