83_FR_43028 83 FR 42863 - Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

83 FR 42863 - Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
National Agricultural Statistics Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 165 (August 24, 2018)

Page Range42863-42864
FR Document2018-18316

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intent of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently approved information collection to comply with a mandate in the 2014 Farm Bill. (. . . the Secretary of Agriculture should recognize the threat feral swine pose to the domestic swine population and the entire agriculture industry . . .).

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 165 (Friday, August 24, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 165 (Friday, August 24, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42863-42864]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18316]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of 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 intent of the National Agricultural Statistics 
Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently 
approved information collection to comply with a mandate in the 2014 
Farm Bill. (. . . the Secretary of Agriculture should recognize the 
threat feral swine pose to the domestic swine population and the entire 
agriculture industry . . .).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 23, 2018 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
0256, 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: Kevin L. Barnes, 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].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Feral Swine Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0256.
    Type of Request: Intent to Seek Approval to Revise and Extend an 
Information Collection for three Years.
    Abstract: On Feb 3, 1999, Executive Order 13112 was signed, 
establishing the National Invasive Species Council. This Executive 
Order requires that a Council of Departments dealing with invasive 
species be created. This Order was enhanced by Executive Order 13751 
which was signed on Dec. 5, 2016. Currently there are 16 Departments 
and Agencies on the Council. https://www.doi.gov/invasivespecies/about-nisc.
    On April 2, 2014 the USDA kicked off a national effort to reduce 
the devastating damage caused by feral swine. In 2015, the benchmark 
survey was conducted in 11 States (Alabama, Arkansas, California, 
Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, 
South Carolina, and Texas) to measure the amount of damage feral hogs 
caused to specific crops in these states. The target population within 
these states consisted of farm operations who have historically 
produced one or

[[Page 42864]]

more of the following crops: corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, peanuts, or 
sorghum (Texas only). The results of this benchmark survey shows that 
in the 11 surveyed States, there was damage to an estimated $190 
million in crops for the six target crops. The published findings from 
this benchmark survey can be found at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261219416301557.
    In 2017, this survey was conducted in the following 13 States: 
Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, 
Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, 
Tennessee, and Texas, to measure the damage to livestock that is 
associated with the presence of feral swine. These States were chosen 
because they had high feral swine densities and a significant presence 
of cattle, hogs, sheep and/or goats. The findings from this survey are 
scheduled to be submitted for publication around the end of September 
2018.
    In 2019, the survey will be conducted in 12 States: Alabama, 
Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas. The 
operators in 11 of the States will be selected from operations that 
recently produced hay/haylage, tree nuts, melons, sugar cane, sweet 
potatoes, or cotton. In California, operators will be selected from 
operations that produced hay/haylage, tree nuts, grapes, sod, carrots, 
lettuce, or strawberries.
    The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Wildlife 
Services' (WS) National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) is the only 
Federal research organization devoted exclusively to resolving 
conflicts between people and wildlife through the development of 
effective, selective, and socially responsible methods, tools, and 
techniques. As increased urbanization leads to a loss of traditional 
wildlife habitat, the potential for conflicts between people and 
wildlife increases. Such conflicts can take many forms, including 
property and natural resource damage, human health and safety concerns, 
and disease transmission among wildlife, livestock, and humans.
    Free-ranging populations of feral swine exist in at least 35 
states, and the nationwide population is estimated at approximately 5 
million animals. Feral swine damage pastures, agricultural crops, 
lawns, landscaping, and natural areas due to feeding, rooting, 
wallowing, grazing, and trampling activities. Feral swine are 
reservoirs of many diseases and act as a host to parasites that can 
negatively impact agricultural animals, especially swine.
    Authority: These data will be collected under the authority of 7 
U.S.C. 2204(a). The eradication of feral swine is authorized by the 
Animal Health Protection Act (Title 7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.) and the 2014 
Farmbill. The $20 million program aims to help states deal with a 
rapidly expanding population of invasive feral swine.
    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 this collection of 
information is estimated to average 45 minutes per response. This was 
determined by our Survey Methodologists, who compared the length and 
difficulty of the questions with similar surveys. They also took into 
account the projected number of farmers who will skip some sections of 
the questionnaire due to the presence or absence of damage due to feral 
swine. Burden is based on an estimated minimum response rate of 80%. On 
similar types of surveys and through the use of a mail questionnaire 
and telephone follow-up to non-respondents NASS has been able to 
contact and collect some data from approximately 80% of the target 
sample. After removing the out of business operations and those with no 
items of interest we hope to have at least a 65 to 70% usable response 
rate.
    NASS will be utilizing several pieces of publicity and 
informational materials to encourage respondents to participate in this 
important survey. NASS will conduct the survey initially by mail with 
phone follow-up for non-response.
    Respondents: Farm Operators.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 15,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 11,600 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, 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, August 8, 2018.
Kevin L. Barnes,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018-18316 Filed 8-23-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-20-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 165 / Friday, August 24, 2018 / Notices 42863 comments during opportunities for (6) A concise statement explaining the Secretary of Agriculture should public comment during the planning objection and suggesting how the recognize the threat feral swine pose to process are eligible to file an objection. proposed plan decision may be the domestic swine population and the Regulations at 36 CFR 219.62 define improved. If the objector believes that entire agriculture industry . . .). substantive formal comments as: the plan revision is inconsistent with DATES: Comments on this notice must be Written comments submitted to, or oral law, regulation, or policy, an received by October 23, 2018 to be comments recorded by, the responsible explanation should be included; assured of consideration. official or his designee during an opportunity (7) A statement that demonstrates the ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, for public participation provided during the link between the objector’s prior identified by docket number 0535–0256, planning process, and attributed to the substantive formal comments and the individual or entity providing them. by any of the following methods: content of the objection, unless the • Email: ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. Comments are considered substantive when objection concerns an issue that arose Include docket number above in the they are within the scope of the proposal, are specific to the proposal, have a direct after the opportunities for formal subject line of the message. relationship to the proposal, and include comment; and • Efax: (855) 838–6382. supporting reasons for the responsible (8) All documents referenced in the • Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD– official to consider. objection (a bibliography is not ROM submissions to: David Hancock, sufficient), except that the following NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. How To File an Objection need not be provided: Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 The Forest Service will accept mailed, a. All or any part of a Federal law or South Building, 1400 Independence emailed, faxed, and hand-delivered regulation, Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250– objections concerning the Revised Land b. Forest Service Directive System 2024. Management Plan and associated FEIS documents and land management plans • Hand Delivery/Courier: Hand for 60 calendar days following the date or other published Forest Service deliver to: David Hancock, NASS of the publication of the legal notice of documents, Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of this objection period in the newspaper c. Documents referenced by the Forest Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, of record, El Nuevo Dia. It is the Service in the planning documentation 1400 Independence Avenue SW, responsibility of the objector to ensure related to the proposal subject to Washington, DC 20250–2024. that the Reviewing Officer receives the objection, and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: objection in a timely manner. The d. Formal comments previously Kevin L. Barnes, Associate regulations prohibit extending the provided to the Forest Service by the Administrator, National Agricultural length of the objection filing period. objector during the plan revision Objections must be submitted to the Statistics Service, U.S. Department of comment period. Agriculture, (202) 720–2707. Copies of Reviewing Officer, who will be the Regional Forester for the Southern Responsible Official this information collection and related Region, at the address shown in the The responsible official for the instructions can be obtained without ADDRESSES section of this notice. revision of the Land Management Plan charge from David Hancock, NASS— Objections or objection content specific for El Yunque National Forest is Sharon OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 690– to the identification of species of Wallace, Forest Supervisor, El Yunque 2388 or at ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. conservation concern will be forwarded National Forest, HC 01 Box 13490, Rio SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: to Glenn Casamassa, Associate Deputy Grande, PR 00745. Title: Feral Swine Survey. Chief, delegated Reviewing Officer for OMB Control Number: 0535–0256. Dated: July 9, 2018. Type of Request: Intent to Seek the Chief of the Forest Service. Chris French, An objection must include the Approval to Revise and Extend an following (36 CFR 219.54(c)): Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest Information Collection for three Years. System. Abstract: On Feb 3, 1999, Executive (1) The objector’s name and address along with a telephone number or email [FR Doc. 2018–18353 Filed 8–23–18; 8:45 am] Order 13112 was signed, establishing address, if available. In cases where no BILLING CODE 3411–15–P the National Invasive Species Council. identifiable name is attached to an This Executive Order requires that a objection, the Forest Service will Council of Departments dealing with attempt to verify the identity of the DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE invasive species be created. This Order objector to confirm objection eligibility; was enhanced by Executive Order 13751 National Agricultural Statistics Service which was signed on Dec. 5, 2016. (2) Signature or other verification of authorship upon request (a scanned Currently there are 16 Departments and Notice of Intent To Request Revision signature for electronic mail may be Agencies on the Council. https:// and Extension of a Currently Approved filed with the objection); www.doi.gov/invasivespecies/about- Information Collection (3) Identification of the lead objector, nisc. when multiple names are listed on an AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics On April 2, 2014 the USDA kicked off objection. The Forest Service will Service, USDA. a national effort to reduce the communicate to all parties to an ACTION: Notice and request for devastating damage caused by feral objection through the lead objector. comments. swine. In 2015, the benchmark survey Verification of the identity of the lead was conducted in 11 States (Alabama, objector must also be provided if SUMMARY: In accordance with the Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES requested; Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North (4) The name of the plan revision notice announces the intent of the Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas) to being objected to, and the name and title National Agricultural Statistics Service measure the amount of damage feral of the Responsible Official; (NASS) to request revision and hogs caused to specific crops in these (5) A statement of the issues and/or extension of a currently approved states. The target population within parts of the plan revision to which the information collection to comply with a these states consisted of farm operations objection applies; mandate in the 2014 Farm Bill. (. . . the who have historically produced one or VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Aug 23, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\24AUN1.SGM 24AUN1

42864 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 165 / Friday, August 24, 2018 / Notices more of the following crops: corn, negatively impact agricultural animals, performance of the functions of the soybeans, wheat, rice, peanuts, or especially swine. agency, including whether the sorghum (Texas only). The results of Authority: These data will be information will have practical utility; this benchmark survey shows that in the collected under the authority of 7 U.S.C. (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate 11 surveyed States, there was damage to 2204(a). The eradication of feral swine of the burden of the proposed collection an estimated $190 million in crops for is authorized by the Animal Health of information including the validity of the six target crops. The published Protection Act (Title 7 U.S.C. 8301 et the methodology and assumptions used; findings from this benchmark survey seq.) and the 2014 Farmbill. The $20 (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, can be found at http:// million program aims to help states deal and clarity of the information to be www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/ with a rapidly expanding population of collected; and (d) ways to minimize the pii/S0261219416301557. invasive feral swine. burden of the collection of information In 2017, this survey was conducted in Individually identifiable data on those who are to respond, including the following 13 States: Alabama, collected under this authority are through the use of appropriate Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, governed by Section 1770 of the Food automated, electronic, mechanical, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Security Act of 1985, as amended, 7 technological or other forms of Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, U.S.C. 2276, which requires USDA to information technology collection Tennessee, and Texas, to measure the afford strict confidentiality to non- methods. damage to livestock that is associated aggregated data provided by All responses to this notice will with the presence of feral swine. These respondents. This Notice is submitted in become a matter of public record and be States were chosen because they had accordance with the Paperwork summarized in the request for OMB high feral swine densities and a Reduction Act of 1995 Public Law 104– approval. significant presence of cattle, hogs, 13 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) and Office Signed at Washington, DC, August 8, 2018. sheep and/or goats. The findings from of Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320. Kevin L. Barnes, this survey are scheduled to be NASS also complies with OMB Associate Administrator. submitted for publication around the end of September 2018. Implementation Guidance, [FR Doc. 2018–18316 Filed 8–23–18; 8:45 am] In 2019, the survey will be conducted ‘‘Implementation Guidance for Title V BILLING CODE 3410–20–P in 12 States: Alabama, Arkansas, of the E-Government Act, Confidential California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (CIPSEA),’’ DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas. Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 115, June 15, 2007, p. 33362. Natural Resources Conservation The operators in 11 of the States will be Service Estimate of Burden: Reporting burden selected from operations that recently for this collection of information is [Docket No. NRCS–2018–0005] produced hay/haylage, tree nuts, estimated to average 45 minutes per melons, sugar cane, sweet potatoes, or response. This was determined by our Notice of Proposed Changes to the cotton. In California, operators will be Survey Methodologists, who compared National Handbook of Conservation selected from operations that produced the length and difficulty of the Practices for the Natural Resources hay/haylage, tree nuts, grapes, sod, questions with similar surveys. They Conservation Service carrots, lettuce, or strawberries. also took into account the projected The Animal and Plant Health number of farmers who will skip some AGENCY: Natural Resources Inspection Service (APHIS), Wildlife sections of the questionnaire due to the Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Services’ (WS) National Wildlife presence or absence of damage due to Department of Agriculture (USDA). Research Center (NWRC) is the only feral swine. Burden is based on an ACTION: Notice of availability of Federal research organization devoted estimated minimum response rate of proposed changes to the National exclusively to resolving conflicts 80%. On similar types of surveys and Handbook of Conservation Practices between people and wildlife through through the use of a mail questionnaire (NHCP) for public review and comment. the development of effective, selective, and telephone follow-up to non- and socially responsible methods, tools, respondents NASS has been able to SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the and techniques. As increased contact and collect some data from intention of NRCS to issue a series of urbanization leads to a loss of approximately 80% of the target sample. revised conservation practice standards traditional wildlife habitat, the potential After removing the out of business in the NHCP. These standards include for conflicts between people and operations and those with no items of Combustion System Improvement (Code wildlife increases. Such conflicts can interest we hope to have at least a 65 to 372), Dust Control on Unpaved Roads take many forms, including property 70% usable response rate. and Surfaces (Code 373), Integrated Pest and natural resource damage, human NASS will be utilizing several pieces Management (Code 595), Nutrient health and safety concerns, and disease of publicity and informational materials Management (Code 590), Pesticide transmission among wildlife, livestock, to encourage respondents to participate Mitigation (Code 594), Subsurface Drain and humans. in this important survey. NASS will (Code 606), Waste Facility Closure Free-ranging populations of feral conduct the survey initially by mail (Code 360), and Wildlife Habitat swine exist in at least 35 states, and the with phone follow-up for non-response. Planting (Code 420). nationwide population is estimated at Respondents: Farm Operators. NRCS State Conservationists who daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES approximately 5 million animals. Feral Estimated Annual Number of choose to adopt these practices in their swine damage pastures, agricultural Respondents: 15,000. States will incorporate them into crops, lawns, landscaping, and natural Estimated Total Annual Burden on Section IV of their respective electronic areas due to feeding, rooting, wallowing, Respondents: 11,600 hours. Field Office Technical Guide. These grazing, and trampling activities. Feral Comments: Comments are invited on: practices may be used in conservation swine are reservoirs of many diseases (a) Whether the proposed collection of systems that treat highly erodible land and act as a host to parasites that can information is necessary for the proper (HEL) or on land determined to be a VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Aug 23, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\24AUN1.SGM 24AUN1


Document Created: 2018-08-24 04:14:05
Document Modified: 2018-08-24 04:14:05
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, 2018 to be assured of consideration.
ContactKevin L. Barnes, 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 Citation83 FR 42863 
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