[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 127 (Monday, July 2, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30911-30912]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14147]


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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 Mink Survey. The target population 
will be pulled from the NASS List Frame of operations with positive 
historical data. The frame is updated with the names of new operations 
that are found in trade magazines or grower's association's lists. The 
questionnaires that NASS is planning to use are the same as what was 
used in previous years. Any additional changes to the questionnaires 
would result from requests by industry data users.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 31, 2018 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
0212, by any of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include docket number 
above in the subject line of the message.
     Fax: (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:  Kevin L. Barnes, Associate 
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, (202) 720-2707. 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: Mink Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0212.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2018.
    Type of Request: Intent to Seek Approval to Revise and Extend an 
Information Collection for 3 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 Mink 
Survey collects data on the number of mink pelts produced, the number 
of females bred, and the number of mink farms. Mink estimates are used 
by the federal government to calculate total value of sales and total 
cash receipts, by State governments to administer fur farm programs and 
health regulations, and by universities in research projects. The 
current expiration date for this docket is November 30, 2018. NASS 
intends to request that the Mink Survey be approved for another 3 
years.
    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.
    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: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 10 minutes per response for the 
producers and approximately 30 minutes per response for the buyers. 
NASS plans to mail out publicity materials with the questionnaires to 
inform operators of the importance of these surveys. NASS will also use 
multiple mailings, followed up with phone and personal enumeration to 
increase response rates and to minimize data collection costs.
    Respondents: Farmers and ranchers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 300.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 85 hours.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the

[[Page 30912]]

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, June 20, 2018.
Kevin L. Barnes,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018-14147 Filed 6-29-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-20-P