81 FR 63736 - Notice of Intent To Request New Information Collection

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Economic Research Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 180 (September 16, 2016)

Page Range		63736-63738
FR Document		2016-22244

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) implementing regulations, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service (ERS) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on a proposed new information collection for a study of ``Risk Preferences and Demand for Crop Insurance and Cover Crop Programs.''

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 180 (Friday, September 16, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 180 (Friday, September 16, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63736-63738]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22244]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Economic Research Service


Notice of Intent To Request New Information Collection

AGENCY: Economic Research Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) implementing regulations, the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service (ERS) invites 
the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity 
to comment on a proposed new information collection for a study of 
``Risk Preferences and Demand for Crop Insurance and Cover Crop 
Programs.''

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received on or before 
November 15, 2016 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning this notice to Stephanie 
Rosch, Market and Trade Economics Division, Economic Research Service,

[[Page 63737]]

U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Mail Stop 
1800, Washington, DC 20250-0002. Submit electronic comments to 
[email protected].
    All written comments will be open for public inspection at the 
office of the Economic Research Service during regular business hours 
(8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday) at 355 E St. SW., Room 
5-149B, Washington, DC 20024-3221.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments and 
replies will be a matter of public record. 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 shall 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 use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact 
Stephanie Rosch at the mailing address in the preamble. Tel. 202-694-
5049.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Risk Preferences and Demand for Crop Insurance and Cover 
Crop Programs.
    OMB Number: To be assigned by OMB.
    Expiration Date: Three years from approval date.
    Type of Request: New information collection.
    Abstract: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(Pub. L. 104-12) and OMB regulations at 5 CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, 
August 29, 1995), this notice announces USDA Economic Research 
Services' intention to request approval from the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for a new data collection effort. This data collection 
will use an experiment with university students to (1) characterize the 
relationship between cover crop usage and crop insurance purchases, and 
(2) explore how this relationship depends on individuals' risk 
preferences and demographic characteristics. Outputs from the proposed 
experiment will be used to inform future risk management experiments 
with farmer participants.
    Commodity support programs, including crop insurance, and programs 
to promote use of cover crops all significantly alter the farm revenue 
risk profile for the farmers who adopt them. Whether farmers will 
choose to adopt insurance and/or soil conversation programs depends on 
the individual risks faced by each farmer, which can vary across 
different regions, crops, and time periods, as well as how farmers 
assess the costs of the risks that they face. ERS currently models the 
demand for commodity support programs, federal crop insurance, and 
cover crop promotion programs as part of multiple research objectives. 
These economic models rely on traditional theories of farmer decision-
making under risk, and over-predict participation rates for all crop 
insurance and cover crop programs.
    The information to be collected in this proposed initiative is 
necessary to test alternate theories of decision-making under risk. 
This research is difficult to conduct without experiments and relying 
only on observational or administrative data due to the variety of U.S. 
farms and production practices, the variety and complexity of real-
world programs, and the limited variation in premium subsidies across 
the U.S. farming population. By using experiments, we will be able 
identify alternate theories of decision-making under risk that provide 
more accurate predictions of crop insurance enrollments for student 
subjects. We plan to use these experiments to develop future follow-on 
experiments with farmer subjects--the results of which will be used to 
update existing ERS models to provide better estimates of the impact of 
subsidies on key subpopulations such as producers with marginal lands 
and producers of high value crops.
    This experiment will be conducted with student subjects from the 
University of Rhode Island. Participation will be voluntary, and 
subjects will be recruited using email communications and classroom 
solicitations. During each session, subjects will perform three simple 
tasks involving risky decisions and complete a brief demographic 
questionnaire. Sessions will be conducted at the Department of 
Environmental and Natural Resource Economics' Policy Simulation 
Laboratory (SimLab) at the University of Rhode Island. All experimental 
tasks will conducted using SimLab computers and custom-designed 
software.
    Each session will last for a maximum of 90 minutes. Subjects will 
receive a show-up fee of $10 as is consistent with standard practice at 
SimLab. They will receive this payment even if they decline to 
participate in the experiment. In addition to the show-up fee, subjects 
will receive compensation based on the decisions they make during the 
course of the experiment. We expect to pay subjects, on average, 
between $20-25 per person, including the show-up fee. In designing our 
experimental procedures and payment levels, we took into consideration 
academic standards, statistical power considerations, budgetary 
limitations, and discussions between OMB and ERS regarding this and 
other approved experimental research.

    Authority: These data will be collected under the legal 
authority of 7 U.S.C. 2204(a).

    ERS intends to protect respondent information under the Privacy Act 
of 1974 and 7 U.S.C. 2276. ERS has decided not to invoke the 
Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 
2002 (CIPSEA). The complexity and cost necessary to invoke CIPSEA is 
not justified given the nature of the collection; the collection will 
be conducted by the University of Rhode Island and hosted in non-
government owned computer systems, where CIPSEA compliance cannot be 
assured.
    Affected Public: All respondents will be students at the University 
of Rhode Island.
    Estimated Number of Respondents and Respondent Burden: Public 
reporting burden for this information collection of information is 
estimated to be 861 hours. We anticipate 750 burden hours will be 
needed to complete the experiment (500 subjects total, 1.5 hours per 
subject) and 111 burden hours for subject recruitment (2000 potential 
subjects, 2-5 minutes per potential subject).
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from 
Stephanie Rosch at the address in the preamble.
    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; 
(d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of

[[Page 63738]]

appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology. 
Comments should be sent to the address in the preamble. All responses 
to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB 
approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

    Date: September 6, 2016.
Mary Bohman,
Administrator, Economic Research Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-22244 Filed 9-15-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-18-P

63736 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 180 / Friday, September 16, 2016 / Notices

schedule T107–d–3 in the Plant Quarantine (PPQ) Treatment Manual.1 You may also request paper copies of
Protection and Quarantine Treatment Section 305.3 sets out the processes for the TED by calling or writing to the
Manual to extend the applicability of adding, revising, or removing treatment person listed under FOR FURTHER
the treatment to grapefruit from schedules in the PPQ Treatment INFORMATION CONTACT. Please refer to the
Australia. We have prepared a treatment Manual. In that section, paragraph (a) subject of the TED when requesting
evaluation document that describes the sets out the normal process for adding, copies.
amended treatment schedule and revising, or removing treatment After reviewing the comments we
explains why we have determined that schedules. receive, we will announce our decision
it is effective at neutralizing certain Currently, grapefruit is authorized for regarding the revised treatment
target pests. We are making this importation from Australia into the schedule described in the TED in a
treatment evaluation document United States if it was produced in fruit subsequent notice, in accordance with
available to the public for review and fly free areas in Riverina, Riverland, or paragraph (a)(2) of § 305.3. If we do not
comment. Sunraysia, or if the fruit has been receive any comments, or the comments
subjected to cold treatment to mitigate we receive do not change our
DATES: We will consider all comments the risks from Mediterranean fruit fly determination that the proposed
that we receive on or before November (Medfly, Ceratitis capitata changes are effective, we will affirm
15, 2016. (Wiedemann)) and Queensland fruit fly these changes to the PPQ Treatment
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments (Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt)). Manual and make available a new
by either of the following methods: The cold treatment currently used, version of the PPQ Treatment Manual
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to T107–d, requires fruit to be subject to reflecting these changes. If we receive
http://www.regulations.gov/#!docket refrigeration at or below 2.22 °C for up comments that cause us to determine
Detail;D=APHIS-2016-0049. to 22 days with no option to treat at 3 that the changes described in this notice
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: °C. We are proposing to amend the are not appropriate, we will issue
Send your comment to Docket No. treatment schedule T107–d–3 to add another notice informing the public of
APHIS–2016–0049, Regulatory Analysis grapefruit to the schedule. With this our determination.
and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station change, exporters would have the Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7701–7772 and 7781–
3A–03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, option to have grapefruit cold-treated at 7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 7 CFR 2.22,
Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. up to 3 °C for no more than 14 days to 2.80, and 371.3.
Supporting documents and any meet U.S. entry requirements. Done in Washington, DC, this 12th day of
comments we receive on this docket In March 2011, APHIS approved cold September 2016.
may be viewed at http:// treatment at or below 3 °C for lemons, Kevin Shea,
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D= oranges, tangerines, and tangors from Administrator, Animal and Plant Health
APHIS-2016-0049 or in our reading Australia to meet U.S. entry Inspection Service.
room, which is located in room 1141 of requirements. [FR Doc. 2016–22327 Filed 9–15–16; 8:45 am]
the USDA South Building, 14th Street PPQ’s Center for Plant Health Science BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
and Independence Avenue SW., and Technology (CPHST) reviewed a
Washington, DC. Normal reading room research study conducted in New South
hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday Wales for Queensland fruit fly in DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
through Friday, except holidays. To be grapefruit.
After the review, CPHST found that Economic Research Service
sure someone is there to help you,
during the most tolerant stage testing
please call (202) 799–7039 before Notice of Intent To Request New
(small scale), no insects were found
coming.
alive after 10 days at either 2 °C or 3 °C Information Collection
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. and that the most tolerant life stage was AGENCY: Economic Research Service,
Dorothy C. Wayson, Senior Regulatory determined to be the larval stage, first USDA.
Policy Specialist, Imports, Regulations instar. Additionally, in the confirmatory
ACTION: Notice and request for
and Manuals, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River stage testing (large scale), no insects
comments.
Road, Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737– were found alive after 14 days at either
1231; (301) 851–2036. 2 °C or 3 °C. SUMMARY: In accordance with the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
We believe, therefore, that it is Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and
regulations in 7 CFR chapter III are appropriate to amend T107–d–3 to add Office of Management and Budget
intended, among other things, to grapefruit from Australia. (OMB) implementing regulations, the
The reasons for this change to the U.S. Department of Agriculture
prevent the introduction or
treatment manual are described in detail Economic Research Service (ERS)
dissemination of plant pests and
in the treatment evaluation document invites the general public and other
noxious weeds into or within the United
(TED) we have prepared to support this Federal agencies to take this
States. Under the regulations, certain
action. The TED may be viewed on the opportunity to comment on a proposed
plants, fruits, vegetables, and other
Regulations.gov Web site or in our new information collection for a study
articles must be treated before they may
reading room (see ADDRESSES above for of ‘‘Risk Preferences and Demand for
be moved into the United States or
interstate. The phytosanitary treatments instructions for accessing Crop Insurance and Cover Crop
regulations contained in 7 CFR part 305 Regulations.gov and information on the Programs.’’
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

(referred to below as the regulations) set location and hours of the reading room).
DATES: Written comments on this notice
out standards for treatments required in 1 The PPQ Treatment Manual is available at must be received on or before November
7 CFR parts 301, 318, and 319 for fruits, http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/ 15, 2016 to be assured of consideration.
vegetables, and other articles. manuals/index.shtml or by contacting the Animal ADDRESSES: Address all comments
In § 305.2, paragraph (b) states that and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant
Protection and Quarantine, Manuals Unit, 92
concerning this notice to Stephanie
approved treatment schedules are set Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 200, Frederick, MD Rosch, Market and Trade Economics
out in the Plant Protection and 21702. Division, Economic Research Service,

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63738 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 180 / Friday, September 16, 2016 / Notices

appropriate automated, electronic, new ROD will be provided, consistent functions of the agency, including
mechanical, or other technological with 36 CFR part 218. whether the information will have
collection techniques or other forms of Authority: This NOI is being practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the
information technology. Comments published pursuant to regulations (40 agency’s estimate of burden including
should be sent to the address in the CFR 1508.22) implementing the the validity of the methodology and
preamble. All responses to this notice procedural provisions of the National assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance
will be summarized and included in the Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of the quality, utility and clarity of the
request for OMB approval. All 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et information to be collected; and (4)
comments will also become a matter of seq.). ways to minimize the burden of the
public record. Scoping: A NOI published on 24 collection of information on those who
October 2014 initiated the scoping are to respond, including through the
Date: September 6, 2016.
period for the Johnson Bar Salvage use of appropriate automated,
Mary Bohman,
project. A legal notice advertising the electronic, mechanical, or other
Administrator, Economic Research Service. start of a 30-day scoping period was technological collection techniques or
[FR Doc. 2016–22244 Filed 9–15–16; 8:45 am] advertised in the Lewiston, Idaho other forms of information technology.
BILLING CODE 3410–18–P Lewiston Tribune on 29 October 2014. Comments regarding this information
In accordance with 40 CFR 1502.9(c)(4), collection received by October 17, 2016
there will be no scoping conducted for will be considered. Written comments
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE this SEIS. The scope of the Final should be addressed to: Desk Officer for
Johnson Bar Fire Salvage EIS and the Agriculture, Office of Information and
U.S. Forest Service Regulatory Affairs, Office of
Preliminary Injunction decision by the
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests; District Court of the Ninth Circuit Management and Budget (OMB), New
Idaho; Johnson Bar Fire Salvage establish the scope for this SEIS. Executive Office Building, 725 17th
Project The SEIS will be advertised for public Street NW., Washington, DC 20502.
comment as required by 40 CFR 1503.1. Commenters are encouraged to submit
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. The Draft SEIS will be announced for their comments to OMB via email to:
ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare public review and comment in the OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or
a Supplemental Environmental Impact Federal Register, on the Nez Perce- fax (202) 395–5806 and to Departmental
Statement (SEIS) for the Johnson Bar Clearwater National Forests’ project Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail
Fire Salvage Project. Web site (http://data.ecosystem- Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250–
management.org/nepaweb/nepa_ 7602. Copies of the submission(s) may
SUMMARY: The U.S. Forest Service is project_exp.php?project=45214), and in be obtained by calling (202) 720–8958.
giving notice of its intent to prepare a the Lewiston, Idaho Lewiston Tribune, An agency may not conduct or
SEIS for the Johnson Bar Fire Salvage as well as other local media. sponsor a collection of information
Project on the Nez Perce-Clearwater unless the collection of information
Responsible Official and Lead Agency displays a currently valid OMB control
National Forests, Moose Creek Ranger
District, Idaho. A complaint was filed The USDA Forest Service is the lead number and the agency informs
on 11 March 2016 against the February agency for this proposal. The Nez potential persons who are to respond to
2016 Johnson Bar Salvage Record of Perce—Clearwater Forest Supervisor is the collection of information that such
Decision (ROD) and a Preliminary the responsible official. persons are not required to respond to
Injunction was granted by the United Decision to Be Made is whether to the collection of information unless it
States District Court for the State of adopt the proposed action, in whole or displays a currently valid OMB control
Idaho on 12 May 2016. This SEIS will in part, or another alternative; and what number.
provide additional analysis in response mitigation measures and management
requirements will be implemented. Rural Housing Service
to the Preliminary Injunction.
Dated: September 7, 2016.
Title: 7 CFR 1956–C, Debt
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Settlement—Community and Business
Sheila D. Lehman, NEPA Planner/ Cheryl F. Probert,
Programs.
Interdisciplinary Team Leader, (208) Forest Supervisor. OMB Control Number: 0575–0124.
935–4256. [FR Doc. 2016–22318 Filed 9–15–16; 8:45 am] Summary of Collection: The
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. BILLING CODE 3411–15–P Community and Direct Business
Forest Service is announcing its intent Programs loans and grants are
to prepare a SEIS for the Johnson Bar authorized by the Consolidated Farm
Fire Salvage Project. The SEIS will DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE and Rural Development Act. Rural
supplement the analysis from the Housing Service (RHS) is a credit
Johnson Bar Fire Salvage EIS by Rural Housing Service agency for agricultural and rural
providing an updated analysis of the Submission for OMB Review; development for the United States
environmental effects. The Johnson Bar Comment Request Department of Agriculture and offers
Fire Salvage Final EIS evaluated the supervised credit to develop, improve
potential effects of four alternatives, September 12, 2016. and operate family farms, modest
which included the No Action, The Department of Agriculture has housing, essential community facilities,
Proposed Action, and two additional submitted the following information and business and industry across rural
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

alternatives. The units possessing viable collection requirement(s) to OMB for America. 7 CFR 1956–C, Debt
harvest potential will be carried forward review and clearance under the Settlement—Community and Business
for analysis in this SEIS. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Programs provides policies and
The Nez Perce-Clearwater Forest Public Law 104–13. Comments are procedures as well as a mechanism for
Supervisor will issue a new ROD after requested regarding (1) whether the debt settlement in connection with
evaluating the SEIS and public collection of information is necessary Community Facilities loans and grants,
comments. An objection period for the for the proper performance of the direct Business and Industry loans,

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Document Created: 2016-09-16 00:24:42
Document Modified: 2016-09-16 00:24:42

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		Written comments on this notice must be received on or before November 15, 2016 to be assured of consideration.
Contact		For further information contact
FR Citation		81 FR 63736

81 FR 63736 - Notice of Intent To Request New Information Collection

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREEconomic Research Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 180 (September 16, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Economic Research Service