82 FR 33042 - Notice of Intent To Request an Early Revision and Merger of Two Currently Approved Information Collections

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
National Agricultural Statistics Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 137 (July 19, 2017)

Page Range		33042-33043
FR Document		2017-15156

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to request revision to the currently approved information collection, the Bee and Honey survey docket (0535-0153). In addition NASS plans to merge this docket with the currently approved Colony Loss survey docket (0535-0255). Revision to burden hours will be needed due to a changes in the size of the target population, sample design, and the inclusion of the Colony Loss surveys.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 137 (Wednesday, July 19, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 137 (Wednesday, July 19, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33042-33043]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-15156]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Request an Early Revision and Merger of Two 
Currently Approved Information Collections

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 to the currently approved 
information collection, the Bee and Honey survey docket (0535-0153). In 
addition NASS plans to merge this docket with the currently approved 
Colony Loss survey docket (0535-0255). Revision to burden hours will be 
needed due to a changes in the size of the target population, sample 
design, and the inclusion of the Colony Loss surveys.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by September 18, 2017 
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.
     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) 720-4333. 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: Honey and Honey Bee Surveys.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0153.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 2018.
    Type of Request: Intent to revise and extend a currently approved 
information collection for a period of three years and to merge another 
approved group of surveys (Colony Loss Surveys) into this request.
    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.
    In this request for renewal of the Bee and Honey (0535-0153) 
docket, NASS will incorporate the two surveys (operations with fewer 
than 5 colonies and operations with 5 or more colonies) conducted under 
the Colony Loss (0535-0255) docket with the honey production surveys 
included in this docket. The operations with 5 or more colonies will 
continue to receive quarterly loss questionnaires and an annual honey 
production survey. The

[[Page 33043]]

operations with less than 5 colonies will receive one combined, annual 
questionnaire that contains the same questions as asked under the 
currently approved dockets. The sample is adjusted so that the same 
group of operators who qualify for the honey survey also qualify for 
the loss survey.
    The title of this revised docket will now be Honey and Honey Bee 
Surveys. As pollinators, honey bees are vital to the agricultural 
industry for producing food for the world's population. USDA, NASS has 
found that during 2015, colonies losses by quarter ranged from 12 to 18 
percent. Overall, from January 1, 2015 to January 1, 2016, the total 
number of colonies in the United States decreased by 8 percent.
    Additional data is needed to accurately describe the costs 
associated with pest/disease control, wintering fees, and replacement 
worker and queen bees. 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.
    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, 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 for operations with five or more colonies is estimated to 
average 20 minutes per response for the annual Bee and Honey survey and 
10 minutes per respondent for the quarterly Colony Loss Survey. 
Operations with less than five colonies will receive the newly combined 
questionnaire (Bee and Honey and Colony Loss) which is estimated to 
average 20 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: 22,500.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: With an estimated 
response rate of approximately 80%, we estimate the total burden to be 
approximately 9,200 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, July 5, 2017.
Hubert Hamer,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2017-15156 Filed 7-18-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-20-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 137 / Wednesday, July 19, 2017 / Notices 33043

operations with less than 5 colonies will average 20 minutes per response. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments
receive one combined, annual Publicity materials and instruction to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental
questionnaire that contains the same sheets will account for 5 minutes of Paperwork Clearance Officer,
questions as asked under the currently additional burden per respondent. Department of Commerce, Room 6616,
approved dockets. The sample is Respondents who refuse to complete a 14th and Constitution Avenue NW.,
adjusted so that the same group of survey will be allotted 2 minutes of Washington, DC 20230 (or via the
operators who qualify for the honey burden per attempt to collect the data. Internet at PRAcomments@doc.gov).
survey also qualify for the loss survey. Respondents: Farmers. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
The title of this revised docket will Estimated Number of Respondents: Requests for additional information or
now be Honey and Honey Bee Surveys. 22,500. copies of the information collection
As pollinators, honey bees are vital to Estimated Total Annual Burden on
instrument(s) and instructions should
the agricultural industry for producing Respondents: With an estimated
be directed to Chris Savage, U.S. Census
food for the world’s population. USDA, response rate of approximately 80%, we
Bureau, Economy Wide-Statistics
NASS has found that during 2015, estimate the total burden to be
Division, Room 8K045, 4600 Silver Hill
colonies losses by quarter ranged from approximately 9,200 hours.
Road, Washington, DC 20233–6500,
12 to 18 percent. Overall, from January Comments: Comments are invited on:
(301) 763–4834, (or via Email at
1, 2015 to January 1, 2016, the total (a) Whether the proposed collection of
john.c.savage@census.gov).
number of colonies in the United States information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
decreased by 8 percent.
Additional data is needed to agency, including whether the I. Abstract
accurately describe the costs associated information will have practical utility;
with pest/disease control, wintering (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate The Annual Retail Trade Survey
fees, and replacement worker and queen of the burden of the proposed collection (ARTS) covers employer firms with
bees. USDA and the Environmental of information including the validity of establishments located in the United
Protection Agency (EPA), in the methodology and assumptions used; States and classified in the Retail Trade
consultation with other relevant Federal (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, sector as defined by the 2012 North
partners, are scaling up efforts to and clarity of the information to be American Industry Classification
address the decline of honey bee health collected; and (d) ways to minimize the System (NAICS).
with a goal of ensuring the recovery of burden of the collection of information The Census Bureau selects firms for
this critical subset of pollinators. NASS on those who are to respond, through this survey from the Business Register
supports the Pollinator Research Action the use of appropriate automated, (BR) using a stratified random sample
Plan, published May 19, 2015, which electronic, mechanical, technological or where strata are defined by industry and
emphasizes the importance of other forms of information technology annual sales. The BR is the Census
coordinated action to identify the extent collection methods. Bureau’s master business list and
and causal factors in honey bee All responses to this notice will contains basic economic information for
mortality. become a matter of public record and be more than 7.4 million employer
Authority: These data will be summarized in the request for OMB business and over 22.5 million non-
collected under the authority of 7 U.S.C. approval. employer businesses. The BR contains
2204(a). Individually identifiable data information collected through direct
Signed at Washington, DC, July 5, 2017. data collections as well as
collected under this authority are
Hubert Hamer, administrative record information from
governed by Section 1770 of the Food
Security Act of 1985, 7 U.S.C. 2276, Administrator. other federal agencies. The Census
which requires USDA to afford strict [FR Doc. 2017–15156 Filed 7–18–17; 8:45 am] Bureau updates the ARTS sample
confidentiality to non-aggregated data BILLING CODE 3410–20–P quarterly to reflect employer business
provided by respondents. This notice is ‘‘births’’ and ‘‘deaths.’’ The births reflect
submitted in accordance with the new employer businesses identified in
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE the Business and Professional
Public Law 104–13 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et Classification Survey; deaths involve
seq.) and Office of Management and Census Bureau deleting firms and subunits of firms
Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320. identified by their Employer
Proposed Information Collection; Identification Numbers (EINs) when it is
NASS also complies with OMB
Comment Request; Annual Retail determined they are no longer active.
Implementation Guidance,
Trade Survey Through the ARTS survey, the Census
‘‘Implementation Guidance for Title V
of the E-Government Act, Confidential AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau asks firms to provide annual
Information Protection and Statistical Commerce. sales, annual e-commerce sales, year-
Efficiency Act of 2002 (CIPSEA),’’ ACTION: Notice. end inventories held inside and outside
Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 115, June the United States, sales taxes, total
15, 2007, p. 33362. SUMMARY: The Department of operating expenses, purchases, accounts
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting Commerce, as part of its continuing receivables, and, for selected industries,
burden for this collection of information effort to reduce paperwork and sales by merchandise line. These data
respondent burden, invites the general
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES

for operations with five or more are used to satisfy a variety of public
colonies is estimated to average 20 public and other Federal agencies to and business needs such as conducting
minutes per response for the annual Bee take this opportunity to comment on economic market analyses, assessing
and Honey survey and 10 minutes per proposed and/or continuing information company performance, and forecasting
respondent for the quarterly Colony collections, as required by the future demands. The Census Bureau
Loss Survey. Operations with less than Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. publishes national data from the survey
five colonies will receive the newly DATES: To ensure consideration, written for selected retail trade industries
combined questionnaire (Bee and Honey comments must be submitted on or approximately fifteen months after the
and Colony Loss) which is estimated to before September 18, 2017. end of the reference year.

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Document Created: 2017-07-19 06:17:30
Document Modified: 2017-07-19 06:17:30

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 September 18, 2017 to be assured of consideration.
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]
FR Citation		82 FR 33042

82 FR 33042 - Notice of Intent To Request an Early Revision and Merger of Two Currently Approved Information Collections

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURENational Agricultural Statistics Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 137 (July 19, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
National Agricultural Statistics Service