80_FR_51359 80 FR 51196 - Notice of Intent To Request an Early Revision and Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

80 FR 51196 - Notice of Intent To Request an Early Revision and Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
National Agricultural Statistics Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 163 (August 24, 2015)

Page Range51196-51197
FR Document2015-20845

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 Bee and Honey Survey. Revision to burden hours will be needed due to a change in the size of the target population, sample design, and the expansion of the questionnaire to accommodate changes to the scope of the survey to include some economic questions.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 163 (Monday, August 24, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 163 (Monday, August 24, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51196-51197]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20845]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 163 / Monday, August 24, 2015 / 
Notices

[[Page 51196]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Request an Early Revision and Extension of a 
Currently Approved 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 request revision and extension of a currently 
approved information collection, the Bee and Honey Survey. Revision to 
burden hours will be needed due to a change in the size of the target 
population, sample design, and the expansion of the questionnaire to 
accommodate changes to the scope of the survey to include some economic 
questions.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 23, 2015 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
0153, by any of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include docket number 
above in the subject line of the message.
     Fax: (202) 720-6396.
     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) 720-4333. 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: Bee and Honey Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0153.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2016.
    Type of Request: Intent 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 (NASS) is to prepare and issue state and national 
estimates of crop and livestock production, livestock products, prices, 
and disposition; as well as economic statistics, environmental 
statistics related to agriculture, and also to conduct the Census of 
Agriculture.This request for renewal of the Bee and Honey Survey (0535-
0153) will expand the historic collection to collect additional data to 
respond to the increased demand for data relating to honey bees.
    As pollinators, honey bees are vital to the agricultural industry 
for producing food for the world's population. Ad hoc surveys showed a 
dramatic rise in the number of disappearances of honey bee colonies in 
North America in late 2006; disappearances ranged from 10-15 percent 
annual colony loss in some areas to greater than 30 percent in other 
areas. Often called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), the condition 
occurs when worker bees from a beehive or a European honey bee colony 
abruptly disappear, with minimal mortality evident near the hive and an 
intact queen and food supply readily available. The cost for 
maintaining and replenishing of honey bee colonies is exacerbated in a 
climate of higher than expected losses. Further data is needed to 
accurately describe the costs associated with pest/disease control, 
wintering fees, and replacement worker and queen bees. The USDA and the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in consultation with other 
relevant Federal partners, are scaling up efforts to address the 
decline of honey bee health with a goal of ensuring the recovery of 
this critical subset of pollinators. NASS supports the Pollinator 
Research Action Plan, published May 19, 2015, which emphasizes the 
importance of coordinated action to identify the extent and causal 
factors in honey bee mortality.
    NASS will collect Colony Loss data under the OMB approval number 
0535-0255. Under the expanded Bee and Honey Survey (0535-0153), NASS 
will collect information on the number of colonies, honey production, 
stocks, prices, and basic economic data from beekeepers in all 50 
States. Findings from the expanded Bee and Honey Survey can be paired 
with results from the Colony Loss program to more wholly describe the 
economics of beekeeping.
    The survey will use two questionnaire versions. Operations with 
five or more colonies will receive the expanded bee and honey 
questionnaire and operations with less than five colonies will receive 
a shorter version of the questionnaire. Collecting data from operations 
with less than five colonies will help better compare their experiences 
to larger operations. These surveys will provide data needed by the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture and other government agencies to 
administer programs. State universities and agriculture departments 
also use the enhanced data from this survey.
    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 20 minutes per

[[Page 51197]]

response for operations with five or more colonies. Operations with 
less than five colonies will receive the shorter questionnaire which is 
estimated to average 10 minutes per response. Publicity materials and 
instruction sheets will account for 5 minutes of additional burden per 
respondent. Respondents who refuse to complete a survey will be 
allotted 2 minutes of burden per attempt to collect the data.
    Respondents: Farmers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 31,500.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: With an estimated 
response rate of approximately 80%, we estimate the total burden to be 
approximately 9,000 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, August 13, 2015.
R. Renee Picanso,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015-20845 Filed 8-21-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-20-P

51196 Notices Federal Register Vol. 80, No. 163 Monday, August 24, 2015 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER National Agricultural Statistics Service, pollinators. NASS supports the contains documents other than rules or U.S. Department of Agriculture, (202) Pollinator Research Action Plan, proposed rules that are applicable to the 720–4333. Copies of this information published May 19, 2015, which public. Notices of hearings and investigations, collection and related instructions can emphasizes the importance of committee meetings, agency decisions and be obtained without charge from David coordinated action to identify the extent rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency Hancock, NASS–OMB Clearance and causal factors in honey bee statements of organization and functions are Officer, at (202) 690–2388 or at mortality. examples of documents appearing in this ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. NASS will collect Colony Loss data section. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: under the OMB approval number 0535– Title: Bee and Honey Survey. 0255. Under the expanded Bee and OMB Control Number: 0535–0153. Honey Survey (0535–0153), NASS will DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, collect information on the number of 2016. colonies, honey production, stocks, National Agricultural Statistics Service Type of Request: Intent to revise and prices, and basic economic data from extend a currently approved beekeepers in all 50 States. Findings Notice of Intent To Request an Early from the expanded Bee and Honey information collection for a period of Revision and Extension of a Currently Survey can be paired with results from three years. Approved Information Collection Abstract: The primary objective of the the Colony Loss program to more AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics National Agricultural Statistics Service wholly describe the economics of Service, USDA. (NASS) is to prepare and issue state and beekeeping. ACTION: Notice and request for national estimates of crop and livestock The survey will use two questionnaire comments. production, livestock products, prices, versions. Operations with five or more and disposition; as well as economic colonies will receive the expanded bee SUMMARY: In accordance with the statistics, environmental statistics and honey questionnaire and operations Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 this related to agriculture, and also to with less than five colonies will receive notice announces the intention of the conduct the Census of Agriculture.This a shorter version of the questionnaire. National Agricultural Statistics Service request for renewal of the Bee and Collecting data from operations with (NASS) to request revision and Honey Survey (0535–0153) will expand less than five colonies will help better extension of a currently approved the historic collection to collect compare their experiences to larger information collection, the Bee and additional data to respond to the operations. These surveys will provide Honey Survey. Revision to burden hours increased demand for data relating to data needed by the U.S. Department of will be needed due to a change in the honey bees. Agriculture and other government size of the target population, sample As pollinators, honey bees are vital to agencies to administer programs. State design, and the expansion of the the agricultural industry for producing universities and agriculture departments questionnaire to accommodate changes food for the world’s population. Ad hoc also use the enhanced data from this to the scope of the survey to include surveys showed a dramatic rise in the survey. some economic questions. number of disappearances of honey bee Authority: These data will be DATES: Comments on this notice must be colonies in North America in late 2006; collected under the authority of 7 U.S.C. received by October 23, 2015 to be disappearances ranged from 10–15 2204(a). Individually identifiable data assured of consideration. percent annual colony loss in some collected under this authority are ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, areas to greater than 30 percent in other governed by Section 1770 of the Food identified by docket number 0535–0153, areas. Often called Colony Collapse Security Act of 1985 as amended, 7 by any of the following methods: Disorder (CCD), the condition occurs U.S.C. 2276, which requires USDA to • Email: ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. when worker bees from a beehive or a afford strict confidentiality to non- Include docket number above in the European honey bee colony abruptly aggregated data provided by subject line of the message. disappear, with minimal mortality respondents. This Notice is submitted in • Fax: (202) 720–6396. evident near the hive and an intact accordance with the Paperwork • Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD– queen and food supply readily Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104– ROM submissions to: David Hancock, available. The cost for maintaining and 13 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.), and Office NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. replenishing of honey bee colonies is of Management and Budget regulations Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 exacerbated in a climate of higher than at 5 CFR part 1320. South Building, 1400 Independence expected losses. Further data is needed NASS also complies with OMB Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250– to accurately describe the costs Implementation Guidance, 2024. associated with pest/disease control, ‘‘Implementation Guidance for Title V • Hand Delivery/Courier: Hand wintering fees, and replacement worker of the E-Government Act, Confidential tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES deliver to: David Hancock, NASS and queen bees. The USDA and the Information Protection and Statistical Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Environmental Protection Agency Efficiency Act of 2002 (CIPSEA),’’ Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, (EPA), in consultation with other Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 115, June 1400 Independence Avenue SW., relevant Federal partners, are scaling up 15, 2007, p. 33362. Washington, DC 20250–2024. efforts to address the decline of honey Estimate of Burden: Public reporting FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: R. bee health with a goal of ensuring the burden for this collection of information Renee Picanso, Associate Administrator, recovery of this critical subset of is estimated to average 20 minutes per VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:48 Aug 21, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\24AUN1.SGM 24AUN1

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 163 / Monday, August 24, 2015 / Notices 51197 response for operations with five or discuss and approve a budget operator will ask callers to provide their more colonies. Operations with less submission for Fiscal Year 2017. The names, their organizational affiliations than five colonies will receive the meeting date had to be changed, and the (if any), and an email address (if shorter questionnaire which is Board will now meet in a special available) prior to placing callers into estimated to average 10 minutes per session, to be conducted telephonically, the conference room. Callers can expect response. Publicity materials and at the date and time listed above. to incur charges for calls they initiate instruction sheets will account for 5 According to Office of Management over wireless lines, and the Commission minutes of additional burden per and Budget (OMB) Circular A–11, will not refund any incurred charges. respondent. Respondents who refuse to section 22.1, all agency budgetary Callers will incur no charge for calls complete a survey will be allotted 2 materials and data are considered they initiate over land-line connections minutes of burden per attempt to collect confidential prior to the President to the toll-free phone number. the data. submitting a budget to Congress. In Persons with hearing impairments Respondents: Farmers. accordance with section 22.5 of Circular may also follow the discussion by first Estimated Number of Respondents: A–11, the BBG has determined that its calling the Federal Relay Service (FRS) 31,500. meeting should be closed to public at 1–800–977–8339 and provide the FRS Estimated Total Annual Burden on observation pursuant to 5 U.S.C. operator with the Conference Call Toll- Respondents: With an estimated 552b(c)(9)(B). In accordance with the Free Number: 1–888–437–9445, response rate of approximately 80%, we Government in the Sunshine Act and Conference ID: 2651219. Members of the estimate the total burden to be BBG policies, the meeting will be public are invited to submit written approximately 9,000 hours. recorded and a transcript of the comments; the comments must be Comments: Comments are invited on: proceedings, subject to the redaction of received in the regional office by (a) Whether the proposed collection of information protected by 5 U.S.C. Monday, October 12, 2015. Written information is necessary for the proper 552b(c)(9)(B), will be made available to comments may be mailed to the Rocky performance of the functions of the the public. The publicly-releasable Mountain Regional Office, U.S. agency, including whether the transcript will be available for Commission on Civil Rights, 1961 Stout information will have practical utility; download at www.bbg.gov within 21 Street, Suite 13–201, Denver, CO 80294, (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate days of the date of the meeting. faxed to (303) 866–1050, or emailed to of the burden of the proposed collection Information regarding member votes Evelyn Bohor at ebohor@usccr.gov. of information including the validity of to close the meeting and expected Persons who desire additional the methodology and assumptions used; attendees can also be found on the information may contact the Rocky (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, Agency’s public Web site. Mountain Regional Office at (303) 866– and clarity of the information to be FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 1040. collected; and (d) ways to minimize the Persons interested in obtaining more Records and documents discussed burden of the collection of information information should contact Oanh Tran during the meeting will be available for on those who are to respond, through at (202) 203–4545. public viewing as they become available the use of appropriate automated, at http://www.facadatabase.gov/ electronic, mechanical, technological or Oanh Tran, committee/meetings.aspx?cid=259 and other forms of information technology Director of Board Operations. clicking on the ‘‘Meeting Details’’ and collection methods. [FR Doc. 2015–21056 Filed 8–20–15; 4:15 pm] ‘‘Documents’’ links. Records generated All responses to this notice will BILLING CODE 8610–01–P from this meeting may also be inspected become a matter of public record and be and reproduced at the Rocky Mountain summarized in the request for OMB Regional Office, as they become approval. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS available, both before and after the Signed at Washington, DC, August 13, meeting. Persons interested in the work 2015. Agenda and Notice of Public Meeting of this advisory committee are advised R. Renee Picanso, of the Montana Advisory Committee to go to the Commission’s Web site, Associate Administrator. AGENCY: Commission on Civil Rights. www.usccr.gov, or to contact the Rocky [FR Doc. 2015–20845 Filed 8–21–15; 8:45 am] Mountain Regional Office at the above ACTION: Announcement of meeting. phone number, email or street address. BILLING CODE 3410–20–P SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, AGENDA: pursuant to the provisions of the rules Welcome and Introductions BROADCASTING BOARD OF and regulations of the U.S. Commission Norma Bixby, Chair GOVERNORS on Civil Rights (Commission), and the Civil Rights Discussion and Select Federal Advisory Committee Act Issues for Further Study Government in the Sunshine Act (FACA), that a planning meeting of the Montana State Advisory Committee Meeting Change Notice Montana Advisory Committee to the Administrative Matters Commission will convene at 1:00 p.m. Malee V. Craft, Designated Federal DATE AND TIME: Monday, August 24, (MDT) on Thursday, September 10, Official (DFO) 2015, 11:15 a.m. EDT. 2015, via teleconference. The purpose of DATES: Thursday, September 10, 2015, PLACE: Cohen Building, Room 3321, the planning meeting is for the Advisory at 1:00 p.m. (MDT) 330 Independence Ave. SW., Committee to finalize its selection of a ADDRESSES: To be held via tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Washington, DC 20237. civil rights issue for further study. teleconference: SUBJECT: Notice of Closed Meeting of Members of the public may listen to Conference Call Toll-Free Number: 1– the Broadcasting Board of Governors. the discussion by dialing the following 888–437–9445, Conference ID: 2651219. SUMMARY: The Broadcasting Board of Conference Call Toll-Free Number: 1– TDD: Dial Federal Relay Service 1– Governors (Board) previously 888–437–9445; Conference ID: 2651219. 800–977–8339 and give the operator the announced a special session, originally Please be advised that before being above conference call number and scheduled for August 19, 2015, to placed into the conference call, the conference ID. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:48 Aug 21, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\24AUN1.SGM 24AUN1


Document Created: 2015-12-15 10:54:34
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 10:54:34
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice and request for comments.
DatesComments on this notice must be received by October 23, 2015 to be assured of consideration.
ContactR. Renee Picanso, 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 charge from David Hancock, NASS-OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 690-2388 or at [email protected]
FR Citation80 FR 51196 
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