[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 165 (Friday, August 24, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42863-42864]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18316]


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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 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 23, 2018 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: 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: 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 Feb 3, 1999, Executive Order 13112 was signed, 
establishing the National Invasive Species Council. This Executive 
Order requires that a Council of Departments dealing with invasive 
species be created. This Order was enhanced by Executive Order 13751 
which was signed on Dec. 5, 2016. Currently there are 16 Departments 
and Agencies on the Council. https://www.doi.gov/invasivespecies/about-nisc.
    On April 2, 2014 the USDA kicked 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 specific crops in these states. The target population within 
these states consisted of farm operations who have historically 
produced one or

[[Page 42864]]

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 was 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 were chosen 
because they had high feral swine densities and a significant presence 
of cattle, hogs, sheep and/or goats. The findings from this survey are 
scheduled to be submitted for publication around the end of September 
2018.
    In 2019, the survey will be conducted in 12 States: Alabama, 
Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas. The 
operators in 11 of the States will be selected from operations that 
recently produced hay/haylage, tree nuts, melons, sugar cane, sweet 
potatoes, or cotton. In California, operators will be selected from 
operations that produced hay/haylage, tree nuts, grapes, sod, carrots, 
lettuce, or strawberries.
    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.
    Free-ranging populations of feral swine exist in at least 35 
states, and the nationwide population is estimated at approximately 5 
million animals. Feral swine damage pastures, agricultural crops, 
lawns, landscaping, and natural areas due to feeding, rooting, 
wallowing, grazing, and trampling activities. Feral swine are 
reservoirs of many diseases and act as a host to parasites that can 
negatively impact agricultural animals, especially swine.
    Authority: These data will be collected under the authority of 7 
U.S.C. 2204(a). The eradication of feral swine 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 feral swine.
    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: 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: 15,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 11,600 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 8, 2018.
Kevin L. Barnes,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018-18316 Filed 8-23-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-20-P