[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 224 (Friday, November 20, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 72681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-29666]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Economic Research Service


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

November 16, 2015.
    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: Generic Clearance for Survey Research Studies.
    OMB Control Number: 0536--NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Economic Research Service (ERS) of the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture is requesting approval for a generic 
clearance that will allow them to conduct research to improve the 
quality of data collection by developing, testing, and evaluating its 
survey instruments, methodologies, technology, interview processes, and 
respondent recruitment protocols. The primary objective of ERS is 
providing timely research and analysis to public and private decision 
makers on topics related to agriculture, food, the environment, and 
rural America. Data collection for this collection is authorized by the 
7 U.S.C. 2204(a).
    Need and use of the Information: The information collected will be 
used by staff from the ERS and sponsoring agencies to evaluate and 
improve the quality of the data in the surveys and censuses that are 
ultimately conducted. Specifically, the information will be used to 
reduce respondent burden while simultaneously improving the quality of 
the data collected in these surveys.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or 
other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Farms; State, Local or 
Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 10,500.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 16,800.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-29666 Filed 11-19-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-18-P