80 FR 14358 - Notice of Intent To Reinstate an Information Collection
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
National Agricultural Statistics Service Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 53 (March 19, 2015)
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 53 (March 19, 2015)
| Page Range | 14358-14359 | |
| FR Document | 2015-06324 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 53 (Thursday, March 19, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 14358-14359] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-06324] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE National Agricultural Statistics Service Notice of Intent To Reinstate an Information Collection AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service, 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 reinstatement of an information collection, the Census of Agriculture Content Test. Response to this survey will be voluntary. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 18, 2015 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535- 0243, by any of the following methods:Email: ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. 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: R. Renee Picanso, 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 ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Census of Agriculture Content Test. OMB Control Number: 0535-0243. Type of Request: Intent to Seek Reinstatement of an Information Collection. Abstract: The Census of Agriculture, conducted every five years, is the primary source of statistics concerning the Nation's agricultural industry and provides the basis for the Nation's comparable and robust agricultural data. Results of the 2012 Census of Agriculture are available on the Web at http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/. This Information Collection activity will reinstate the Census of Agriculture Content Test. The purpose of this Content Test is to evaluate proposed changes to the survey methodology and content to reduce respondent burden and maintain the relevance of quality of statistics produced using the Census of Agriculture: Questionnaire format and design, new questions, changes to question wording and location, overall respondent burden, ease of completion, and processing methodology (such as editing and data summary). Results of this test will be studied in preparation for the 2017 Census of Agriculture. Development of the test questionnaire version will come from evaluation of the 2012 Census of Agriculture, testing panels, and cognitive interviews. NASS will also meet with other USDA and Federal agencies and selected State Departments of Agriculture to gather information on data uses and, in some cases, justifications for county-level data. The test will be nation-wide, excluding Alaska and Hawaii, and will be conducted in three phases. For Phase One, a stratified random sample of approximately 50,000 farm and ranch operators will be mailed questionnaires; stratification will be used to ensure sufficient coverage of various sizes, locations and types of agricultural operations. The sample will be divided into control and treatment groups to test alternative versions of the questionnaires. Non-respondents will receive follow-up contact by first mail, then telephone. Phase Two will consist of up to 400 randomly selected agricultural operations that will be asked to participate in cognitive interviews. The sample will consist of some agricultural operations that completed the questionnaire in Phase One, as well as some additional operations selected to ensure sufficient size of comparison groups. The cognitive interviews conducted with Phase One respondents will be used to improve the overall 2017 Census of Agriculture questionnaire by allowing NASS to follow-up with respondents to better understand unusual responses and to ascertain question comprehension. The remainder of the cognitive interview sample will be randomly selected from operations to meet size and type criteria to ensure sufficient cases for quantitative comparisons. The cognitive interviews of this group will test further 2017 Census of Agriculture questionnaire variations, including the Internet version. For Phase Three a stratified random sample of approximately 15,000 will be mailed letters asking them to go to a supplied Internet address to complete the survey. Stratification will be used to ensure sufficient coverage of various sizes and types of agricultural operations. The sample will be divided into control and treatment groups to test alternative versions of the on-line questionnaires and methods to increase [[Page 14359]] on-line response. Non-respondents will receive follow-up contact by mail. Response to all phases of the Census of Agriculture Content Test are voluntary. Authority: Although the Census of Agriculture is required by law (``Census of Agriculture Act of 1997,'' Public Law 105-113, 7 U.S.C. 2204(g) as amended), this Content Test is voluntary. 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: Reporting burden for Phase One, (mailout survey) of this collection of information is estimated to average 50 minutes per completed response and two (2) minutes per refusal. This was determined by our experience from past Censuses of Agriculture and by our survey methodologists, based on the length and difficulty of similar surveys. Burden is based on an estimated minimum response rate of 58%. This anticipated response rate is based on similar types of voluntary mail surveys and through the use of a mail questionnaire and (limited) telephone follow-up to non-respondents. After removing ineligible cases (those operations out of business or similar), we anticipate a 50% response rate. Reporting burden for Phase Two, (cognitive interviews) of this collection of information is estimated to average 120 minutes per completed response and five (5) minutes per refusal. This was determined by our survey methodologists who compared the questionnaire length and difficulty with previous cognitive pretests NASS has conducted. Reporting burden for Phase Three, (internet test) of this collection of information is estimated to average 40 minutes per completed response and two (2) minutes per refusal. This was determined by our experience from past Censuses of Agriculture and by our survey methodologists, who compared the questionnaire length and difficulty with similar surveys. Since Phase Three is Internet only, the average time to complete the questionnaire is less than for Phase One (paper questionnaire and phone follow-up responses only) since the Internet version is faster due to automated routing. Burden is based on an estimated minimum response rate of 53%, which is similar to response rates observed for voluntary Internet based surveys of a similar nature. Respondents: Potential farm and ranch operators. Estimated Number of Respondents: 65,400 farmers and/or ranchers. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 42,000 hours (This is based on the expected response rates explained above.) 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, February 18, 2015. R. Renee Picanso, Associate Administrator. [FR Doc. 2015-06324 Filed 3-18-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-20-P
![14358 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 53 / Thursday, March 19, 2015 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Notice and request for
ACTION: design, new questions, changes to
comments. question wording and location, overall
Agricultural Research Service respondent burden, ease of completion,
SUMMARY: In accordance with the and processing methodology (such as
Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this editing and data summary). Results of
License notice announces the intention of the this test will be studied in preparation
National Agricultural Statistics Service for the 2017 Census of Agriculture.
AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service,
(NASS) to seek reinstatement of an Development of the test questionnaire
USDA.
information collection, the Census of version will come from evaluation of the
ACTION: Notice of intent.
Agriculture Content Test. Response to 2012 Census of Agriculture, testing
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that this survey will be voluntary. panels, and cognitive interviews. NASS
the U.S. Department of Agriculture, DATES: Comments on this notice must be will also meet with other USDA and
Agricultural Research Service, intends received by May 18, 2015 to be assured Federal agencies and selected State
to grant to RENEWABLE NUTRIENTS, of consideration. Departments of Agriculture to gather
LLC. of PINEHURST, NORTH ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, information on data uses and, in some
CAROLINA, an exclusive license to U.S. identified by docket number 0535–0243, cases, justifications for county-level
Patent No. 8,574,885, ‘‘ANAMMOX by any of the following methods: data. The test will be nation-wide,
BACTERIUM ISOLATE,’’ issued on • Email: ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. excluding Alaska and Hawaii, and will
NOVEMBER 5, 2013. Include docket number above in the be conducted in three phases. For Phase
DATES: Comments must be received on subject line of the message. One, a stratified random sample of
or before April 20, 2015. • eFax: (855) 838–6382 approximately 50,000 farm and ranch
ADDRESSES: Send comments to: USDA, • Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD– operators will be mailed questionnaires;
ARS, Office of Technology Transfer, ROM submissions to: David Hancock, stratification will be used to ensure
5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Rm. 4–1174, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. sufficient coverage of various sizes,
Beltsville, Maryland 20705–5131. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 locations and types of agricultural
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
South Building, 1400 Independence operations. The sample will be divided
Mojdeh Bahar of the Office of Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250– into control and treatment groups to test
Technology Transfer at the Beltsville 2024. alternative versions of the
address given above; telephone: 301– • Hand Delivery/Courier: Hand questionnaires. Non-respondents will
504–5989. deliver to: David Hancock, NASS receive follow-up contact by first mail,
Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of then telephone.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, Phase Two will consist of up to 400
Federal Government’s patent rights in
1400 Independence Avenue SW., randomly selected agricultural
this invention are assigned to the United
Washington, DC 20250–2024. operations that will be asked to
States of America, as represented by the
Secretary of Agriculture. It is in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: R. participate in cognitive interviews. The
public interest to so license this Renee Picanso, Associate Administrator, sample will consist of some agricultural
invention as RENEWABLE National Agricultural Statistics Service, operations that completed the
NUTRIENTS, LLC. of PINEHURST, U.S. Department of Agriculture, (202) questionnaire in Phase One, as well as
NORTH CAROLINA has submitted a 720–2707. Copies of this information some additional operations selected to
complete and sufficient application for collection and related instructions can ensure sufficient size of comparison
a license. The prospective exclusive be obtained without charge from David groups. The cognitive interviews
license will be royalty-bearing and will Hancock, NASS–OMB Clearance conducted with Phase One respondents
comply with the terms and conditions Officer, at (202) 690–2388 or at will be used to improve the overall 2017
of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR 404.7. The ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. Census of Agriculture questionnaire by
prospective exclusive license may be SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: allowing NASS to follow-up with
granted unless, within thirty (30) days Census of Agriculture Content Test. respondents to better understand
from the date of this published Notice, OMB Control Number: 0535–0243. unusual responses and to ascertain
the Agricultural Research Service Type of Request: Intent to Seek question comprehension. The remainder
receives written evidence and argument Reinstatement of an Information of the cognitive interview sample will
which establishes that the grant of the Collection. be randomly selected from operations to
license would not be consistent with the Abstract: The Census of Agriculture, meet size and type criteria to ensure
requirements of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 conducted every five years, is the sufficient cases for quantitative
CFR 404.7. primary source of statistics concerning comparisons. The cognitive interviews
the Nation’s agricultural industry and of this group will test further 2017
Mojdeh Bahar, provides the basis for the Nation’s Census of Agriculture questionnaire
Assistant Administrator. comparable and robust agricultural data. variations, including the Internet
[FR Doc. 2015–06318 Filed 3–18–15; 8:45 am] Results of the 2012 Census of version.
BILLING CODE 3410–03–P Agriculture are available on the Web at For Phase Three a stratified random
http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/. This sample of approximately 15,000 will be
Information Collection activity will mailed letters asking them to go to a
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE reinstate the Census of Agriculture supplied Internet address to complete
Rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Content Test. The purpose of this the survey. Stratification will be used to
National Agricultural Statistics Service Content Test is to evaluate proposed ensure sufficient coverage of various
changes to the survey methodology and sizes and types of agricultural
Notice of Intent To Reinstate an
content to reduce respondent burden operations. The sample will be divided
Information Collection
and maintain the relevance of quality of into control and treatment groups to test
AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics statistics produced using the Census of alternative versions of the on-line
Service, USDA. Agriculture: Questionnaire format and questionnaires and methods to increase
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 53 / Thursday, March 19, 2015 / Notices 14359
on-line response. Non-respondents will survey methodologists, who compared CAROLINA, an exclusive license to U.S.
receive follow-up contact by mail. the questionnaire length and difficulty Patent No. 8,906,332, ‘‘GASEOUS
Response to all phases of the Census with similar surveys. Since Phase Three AMMONIA REMOVAL SYSTEM,’’
of Agriculture Content Test are is Internet only, the average time to issued on DECEMBER 9, 2014 and U.S.
voluntary. complete the questionnaire is less than Patent Application Serial No. 14/
Authority: Although the Census of for Phase One (paper questionnaire and 528,614, ‘‘GASEOUS AMMONIA
Agriculture is required by law (‘‘Census phone follow-up responses only) since REMOVAL SYSTEM,’’ filed on
of Agriculture Act of 1997,’’ Public Law the Internet version is faster due to OCTOBER 30, 2014.
105–113, 7 U.S.C. 2204(g) as amended), automated routing. Burden is based on DATES: Comments must be received on
this Content Test is voluntary. These an estimated minimum response rate of or before April 20, 2015.
data will be collected under the 53%, which is similar to response rates
authority of 7 U.S.C. 2204(a). ADDRESSES: Send comments to: USDA,
observed for voluntary Internet based ARS, Office of Technology Transfer,
Individually identifiable data collected surveys of a similar nature.
under this authority are governed by 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Rm. 4–1174,
Respondents: Potential farm and Beltsville, Maryland 20705–5131.
Section 1770 of the Food Security Act ranch operators.
of 1985 as amended, 7 U.S.C. 2276, Estimated Number of Respondents: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
which requires USDA to afford strict 65,400 farmers and/or ranchers. Mojdeh Bahar of the Office of
confidentiality to non-aggregated data Estimated Total Annual Burden on Technology Transfer at the Beltsville
provided by respondents. This Notice is Respondents: 42,000 hours (This is address given above; telephone: 301–
submitted in accordance with the based on the expected response rates 504–5989.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, explained above.) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Public Law 104–13 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et Comments: Comments are invited on: Federal Government’s patent rights in
seq.) and Office of Management and (a) Whether the proposed collection of these inventions are assigned to the
Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320. information is necessary for the proper United States of America, as represented
NASS also complies with OMB performance of the functions of the by the Secretary of Agriculture. It is in
Implementation Guidance, agency, including whether the the public interest to so license these
‘‘Implementation Guidance for Title V information will have practical utility; inventions as RENEWABLE
of the E-Government Act, Confidential (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate NUTRIENTS, LLC. of PINEHURST,
Information Protection and Statistical of the burden of the proposed collection NORTH CAROLINA has submitted a
Efficiency Act of 2002 (CIPSEA),’’ of information including the validity of complete and sufficient application for
Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 115, June the methodology and assumptions used; a license. The prospective exclusive
15, 2007, p. 33362. (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, license will be royalty-bearing and will
Estimate of Burden: Reporting burden and clarity of the information to be comply with the terms and conditions
for Phase One, (mailout survey) of this collected; and (d) ways to minimize the of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR 404.7. The
collection of information is estimated to burden of the collection of information prospective exclusive license may be
average 50 minutes per completed on those who are to respond, including granted unless, within thirty (30) days
response and two (2) minutes per through the use of appropriate from the date of this published Notice,
refusal. This was determined by our automated, electronic, mechanical, the Agricultural Research Service
experience from past Censuses of technological or other forms of receives written evidence and argument
Agriculture and by our survey information technology collection which establishes that the grant of the
methodologists, based on the length and methods. license would not be consistent with the
difficulty of similar surveys. Burden is All responses to this notice will requirements of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37
based on an estimated minimum become a matter of public record and be CFR 404.7.
response rate of 58%. This anticipated summarized in the request for OMB
response rate is based on similar types Mojdeh Bahar,
approval.
of voluntary mail surveys and through Assistant Administrator.
the use of a mail questionnaire and Signed at Washington, DC, February 18,
[FR Doc. 2015–06312 Filed 3–18–15; 8:45 am]
(limited) telephone follow-up to non- 2015.
BILLING CODE 3410–03–P
respondents. After removing ineligible R. Renee Picanso,
cases (those operations out of business Associate Administrator.
or similar), we anticipate a 50% [FR Doc. 2015–06324 Filed 3–18–15; 8:45 am]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
response rate. BILLING CODE 3410–20–P
Reporting burden for Phase Two, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
(cognitive interviews) of this collection Administration
of information is estimated to average DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
120 minutes per completed response RIN 0648–XD832
and five (5) minutes per refusal. This Agricultural Research Service
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management
was determined by our survey Council (MAFMC); Public Meetings
Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive
methodologists who compared the
License
questionnaire length and difficulty with AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
previous cognitive pretests NASS has AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
conducted. USDA. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Reporting burden for Phase Three, ACTION: Notice of intent. Commerce.
(internet test) of this collection of ACTION: Notice of a public meeting.
information is estimated to average 40 SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
minutes per completed response and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SUMMARY: The Mid-Atlantic Fishery
two (2) minutes per refusal. This was Agricultural Research Service, intends Management Council’s (Council)
determined by our experience from past to grant to RENEWABLE NUTRIENTS, Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Advisory
Censuses of Agriculture and by our LLC. of PINEHURST, NORTH Panel will hold a public meeting.
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Document Created: 2018-02-21 09:42:05
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 09:42:05
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice and request for comments. | |
| Dates | Comments on this notice must be received by May 18, 2015 to be assured of consideration. | |
| Contact | R. Renee Picanso, 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] | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 14358 |
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