[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 71 (Thursday, April 11, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25559-25560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-07690]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Revise and Extend 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. A revision to burden 
hours will be needed due to changes in the size of the target 
population, sampling design, and/or questionnaire length.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 10, 2024 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.
     eFax: (855) 838-6382
     Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions to: 
Richard Hopper, 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: Richard Hopper, 
NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336, 
South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph L. Parsons, 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

[[Page 25560]]

charge from Richard Hopper, NASS--OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 720-
2206 or at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Mink Survey.
    OMB Number: 0535-0212.
    Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 2025.
    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, the value of pelts produced, 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. States included in this survey are 
California, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New 
Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South 
Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
    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.
    All NASS employees and NASS contractors must also fully comply with 
all provisions of the Confidential Information Protection and 
Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA) of 2018, title III of Public Law 
115-435, codified in 44 U.S.C. ch. 35. CIPSEA supports NASS's pledge of 
confidentiality to all respondents and facilitates the agency's efforts 
to reduce burden by supporting statistical activities of collaborative 
agencies through designation of NASS agents, subject to the limitations 
and penalties described in CIPSEA. NASS uses the information only for 
statistical purposes and publishes only tabulated total data.
    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: 160.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 50 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 summarized in the request for OMB approval.

    Signed at Washington, DC, March 22, 2024.
Joseph L. Parsons,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2024-07690 Filed 4-10-24; 8:45 am]
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