[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 169 (Wednesday, August 31, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59978-59980]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20900]


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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 intent of the National Agricultural Statistics 
Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently 
approved information collection to comply with a

[[Page 59979]]

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 October 31, 2016 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
0256, 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: 0535-0256.
    Type of Request: Intent to Seek Approval to Revise and Extend an 
Information Collection for three Years.
    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. In 2015 the benchmark survey was conducted in 11 States 
(Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, 
Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas) to 
measure the amount of damage, feral hogs caused to crops in these 
states. The target population within these states consisted of farm 
operations who have historically produced one or more of the following 
crops: Corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, peanuts, or sorghum (Texas only). 
The results of this benchmark survey shows that in the 11 surveyed 
States, there was damage to an estimated $190 million in crops for the 
six target crops. The published findings from this benchmark survey can 
be found at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261219416301557.
    In 2017, this survey will be conducted in the following 13 States: 
Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, 
Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, 
Tennessee, and Texas, to measure the damage to livestock that is 
associated with the presence of feral swine. These States have high 
feral swine densities and a significant presence of cattle, hogs, sheep 
and/or goats. The eradication of feral swine is a high priority of the 
Secretary and is authorized by the Animal Health Protection Act (Title 
7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.) and the 2014 Farmbill.
    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 show 
that the proportions of U.S. counties with agricultural production that 
also have feral swine present are increasing.
    This initial livestock survey will be used to create a benchmark 
for the following objectives:

1. Describe the monetary loss for livestock caused by feral swine to 
producers of cattle, hogs, sheep and/or goats in each of the 
surveyed states due to predation by feral swine.
2. Describe the monetary loss for livestock caused by feral swine to 
producers of cattle, hogs, sheep and/or goats in each of the 
surveyed states due to diseases carried by feral swine.
3. Describe the monetary costs for any medical treatments on 
livestock due to the presence of, or contact with, feral swine.
4. Describe the monetary loss to livestock farmers caused by feral 
swine to the total crops produced on farms in each of the surveyed 
states.
5. Describe the monetary loss to property caused by feral swine for 
producers of cattle, hogs, sheep, and/or goats in each of the 
surveyed states.
6. Describe feral swine control costs incurred by producers of 
cattle, hogs, sheep, and/or goats 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.
7. Describe the total net income to producers of cattle, hogs, 
sheep, and/or goats in each of the surveyed states for allowing the 
hunting or trapping 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, 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.


[[Page 59980]]


    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 45 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: 12,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 9,300 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, August 22, 2016.
R. Renee Picanso,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2016-20900 Filed 8-30-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-20-P