[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 230 (Friday, November 29, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65779-65780]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-25864]


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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 28, 2020 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: 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: Aquaculture Surveys.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0150.
    Expiration Date: April 30, 2020.
    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 (Arkansas, California, Colorado, 
Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, 
Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, 
North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, 
Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming) 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 (Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, 
Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, and Texas) 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.

[[Page 65780]]

     The survey conducted in Hawaii is conducted under a 
cooperative agreement with the state.
     Under the previous approval NASS also conducted surveys in 
Florida and Pennsylvania under cooperative agreements. Both of these 
surveys have been discontinued.
     All of the surveys conducted under this approval will have 
a voluntary reporting statement on each questionnaire.
    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 15 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 2,500 per year.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 750 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 13, 2019.
Kevin L. Barnes,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2019-25864 Filed 11-27-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-20-P