[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 21 (Monday, February 2, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5502-5503]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-01912]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 21 / Monday, February 2, 2015 / 
Notices  

[[Page 5502]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Create a New 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 intent of the National Agricultural Statistics 
Service (NASS) to seek the approval to conduct a new data collection to 
comply with a mandate in the 2014 Farm Bill. (. . . the Secretary of 
Agriculture should recognize the threat feral swine pose to the 
domestic swine population and the entire agriculture industry . . .).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 3, 2015 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
NEW, by any of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include docket number 
above in the subject line of the message.
     Efax: (855) 838-6382
     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: R. Renee Picanso, 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--OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 690-2388 or at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Feral Swine Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-NEW.
    Type of Request: Intent to Seek Approval for a 3 Year Period to 
Conduct a New Information Collection.
    Abstract: On April 2, 2014 the Undersecretary for USDA's Marketing 
and Regulatory Programs, Edward Avalos announced that the USDA was 
kicking off a national effort to reduce the devastating damage caused 
by feral swine. The $20 million program aims to help states deal with a 
rapidly expanding population of invasive wild swine. ``Feral swine are 
one of the most destructive invaders a state can have,'' said 
Undersecretary Avalos. ``They have expanded their range from 17 to 39 
states in the last 30 years and cause damage to crops, kill young 
livestock, destroy property, harm natural resources, and carry diseases 
that threaten other animals as well as people and water supplies. It's 
critical that we act now to begin appropriate management of this costly 
problem.''
    On Feb 3, 1999, Executive Order 13112 was signed by President 
Clinton establishing the National Invasive Species Council. The 
Executive Order requires that a Council of Departments dealing with 
invasive species be created. Currently there are 13 Departments and 
Agencies on the Council. (Executive Order 13112 of February 3, 1999--
Invasive Species Federal Register: Feb 8, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 25)).
    The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Wildlife 
Services' (WS) National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) is the only 
Federal research organization devoted exclusively to resolving 
conflicts between people and wildlife through the development of 
effective, selective, and socially responsible methods, tools, and 
techniques. As increased urbanization leads to a loss of traditional 
wildlife habitat, the potential for conflicts between people and 
wildlife increases. Such conflicts can take many forms, including 
property and natural resource damage, human health and safety concerns, 
and disease transmission among wildlife, livestock, and humans.
    The high reproductive rate and adaptability of feral swine has 
resulted in populations that have dramatically increased in size and 
distribution. This invasive animal now occurs across much of the United 
States where it causes a range of agricultural and environmental damage 
through depredation, rooting, and wallowing activities. Furthermore, 
feral swine compete with native wildlife and livestock for habitats, 
are carriers of exotic and endemic diseases, and transmit parasites to 
livestock and humans. Feral swine are considered a major emerging 
threat to American agriculture (Seward et al. 2004). Recent data shows 
that the proportions of U.S. counties with agricultural production that 
also have feral swine present are increasing. Over the period of 1998-
2013, the proportion of counties with hog, and crop production that are 
affected by feral swine has increased. Feral swine damage crops through 
direct consumption of crops and other behaviors, such as rooting, 
trampling, and wallowing, which can destroy fields or reduce 
productivity. Field crops commonly damaged by feral swine include 
soybeans, corn, grain sorghum, wheat, oats, peanuts, and rice, among 
others. Rooting can affect the plant composition of a pasture by 
promoting the growth of undesirable plants where hogs have destroyed 
desirable forage grasses. Once pastures are degraded in this way, 
landowners must spend considerable money and time restoring them to 
pre-swine conditions (Whitehouse 1999, Mapston 2004).
    The benchmark survey will be conducted in 2015 in the 11 States 
(Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North 
Carolina, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, and Texas) that have 
high feral swine densities and a significant presence of corn, 
soybeans, wheat, rice, grain sorghum (Texas), and peanuts. The initial 
survey will be used to create a benchmark for the following objectives:
    1. Describe the monetary loss for all crops caused by feral swine 
to producers of corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, peanuts, and grain sorghum 
(TX only) in each of the surveyed states.
    2. Describe the monetary loss to livestock caused by feral swine 
for producers of corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, peanuts, and grain 
sorghum (TX only) in each of the surveyed states.

[[Page 5503]]

    3. Describe the monetary loss to property caused by feral swine for 
producers of corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, grain sorghum (TX only) and 
peanuts in each of the surveyed states.
    4. Describe feral swine control costs incurred by producers of 
corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, peanuts, and grain sorghum (TX only) in 
each of the surveyed states. Variables that will be measured include 
hunting, trapping, use of fencing, or the use of repellents. No data 
will be collected on the use of chemical or physical contraception 
usage.
    5. Describe the total net income to producers of corn, soybeans, 
wheat, rice, peanuts, and grain sorghum (TX only) in each of the 
surveyed states for allowing the hunting of feral swine on their 
operations.
    Based on the results of this survey, Wildlife Service plans to 
publish State level data if possible. Also, there may be a follow-up 
survey to measure the effectiveness of control measures implemented by 
Wildlife Services. This follow-up survey will also be contingent upon 
availability of funding.

    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, 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: Reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 30 minutes per response. This was 
determined by our Survey Methodologists, who compared the length and 
difficulty of the questions with similar surveys. They also took into 
account the projected number of farmers who will skip some sections of 
the questionnaire due to the presence or absence of damage due to feral 
swine. Burden is based on an estimated minimum response rate of 80%. On 
similar types of surveys and through the use of a mail questionnaire 
and telephone follow-up to non-respondents NASS has been able to 
contact and collect some data from approximately 80% of the target 
sample. After removing the out of business operations and those with no 
items of interest we hope to have at least a 65 to 70% usable response 
rate.
    NASS will be utilizing several pieces of publicity and 
informational materials to encourage respondents to participate in this 
important survey. NASS will conduct the survey initially by mail with 
phone follow-up for non-response.
    Respondents: Farm Operators.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 10,800.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 5,500 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, including 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, January 16, 2015.
R. Renee Picanso,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015-01912 Filed 1-30-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-20-P