[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 228 (Monday, November 28, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 85509-85510]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-28419]


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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 NASS estimates programs, 
target population sizes, sampling designs, and/or content of 
questionnaires.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 27, 2017 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 the 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: Aquaculture Surveys.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0150.
    Expiration Date: June 30, 2017.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval 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 program produces estimates at the national level on 
both trout and catfish. Survey results are used by government agencies 
and others in planning farm programs.
    The trout survey includes inventory counts, sales (dollars, pounds, 
and quantities), 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 quantities), 
and losses.
     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.
     The surveys conducted in Florida, Hawaii, and Pennsylvania 
are conducted under cooperative agreements with each of these states.
     All of the surveys conducted under this approval will have 
voluntary reporting, with the exception of the Pennsylvania survey. The 
Pennsylvania State Government requires producers to respond to this 
survey.
    The Catfish Feed Deliveries and Catfish Processing surveys that are 
present in the current information collection were discontinued due to 
budget sequestration in 2013. The information that was collected by 
these two surveys is now being collected and published by the Catfish 
Institute in their bimonthly publication Catfish Journal.
    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

[[Page 85510]]

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.
    The Pennsylvania aquaculture census is being conducted to obtain 
basic data on aquaculture production per Section 4217 of the 
Pennsylvania Agriculture Act of 1998, which states that, ``Persons 
licensed shall submit annually a summary report of sales specifying the 
amount or weight of each species sold and gross receipts.''
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 15 to 20 minutes per response. 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 and aquaculture facilities.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Approximately 3,700 per year.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,100 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, November 9, 2016.
R. Renee Picanso,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2016-28419 Filed 11-25-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-20-P