[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 125 (Friday, July 2, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35261-35262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-14169]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Request To Conduct a New Information 
Collection

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics 
Service (NASS) to seek approval to conduct a new information collection 
to gather data related to the motivations of targeted operators to 
adopt conservation practices.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 31, 2021 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
NEW, by any of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include docket number 
above in the subject line of the message.
     E-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: National Conservation Practice Adoption Motivations Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-NEW.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to create a new 
information collection for a period of three years.
    Abstract: The purpose of the survey is to target operations who own 
or operate cropland and/or concentrated livestock feeding operations. 
NASS will collect information about these types of operations to 
understand conservation practices within the United States in terms of 
the following: (1) How often are specific conservation practices 
adopted without assistance, with technical assistance and/or financial 
assistance. (2) How does adoption evolve over time? What proportion of 
producers who ``try'' a given practice continue or expand use over 
time? How many discontinue the practice? (3) What motivates farmers to 
initially try a practice and then continue, expand, or discontinue use? 
The questions reflect a range of factors including conservation 
need(s), experience(s) of neighbors, financial benefits or costs, 
producer's time and effort, availability of technical and financial 
assistance, regulation or conservation compliance, and concern about 
the environmental quality. The United States Department of 
Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service has entered into 
an interagency agreement with NASS to conduct this survey.
    Authority: These data will be collected under 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 (Pub. L. 104-113, 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 60 minutes per response. NASS plans 
to mail out publicity materials prior to the questionnaires to inform 
respondents of the importance of this survey. Respondents will be able 
to reply to the mailed questionnaires by either an online link or by 
U.S. Postal Service. After two questionnaire mailings, NASS will mail a 
reminder, pressure sealed postcard to non-respondents with a link to 
the internet data collection tools, followed up with phone and personal 
enumeration of non-respondents to increase response rates and to 
minimize data collection costs.
    Respondents: The 2022 survey will target operations who own or 
operate cropland as well as concentrated livestock feeding operations. 
Operators who have grazing land or forestry land will be done at a 
later date.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 35,200.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 35,614 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, 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

[[Page 35262]]

summarized in the request for OMB approval.

    Signed at Washington, DC, June 28, 2021.
Kevin L. Barnes,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2021-14169 Filed 7-1-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-20-P