83_FR_57621 83 FR 57400 - Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

83 FR 57400 - 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 221 (November 15, 2018)

Page Range57400-57401
FR Document2018-24917

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 Generic Clearance for Survey Research Studies. Burden hours and number of contacts will be increased to accommodate the proposed testing for the upcoming three year period.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 221 (Thursday, November 15, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 221 (Thursday, November 15, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57400-57401]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24917]



[[Page 57400]]

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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 intention of the National Agricultural Statistics 
Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently 
approved information collection, the Generic Clearance for Survey 
Research Studies. Burden hours and number of contacts will be increased 
to accommodate the proposed testing for the upcoming three year period.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 14, 2019 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
0248, by any of the following methods:
     Email: ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. Include docket number 
above in the subject line of the message.
     E-fax: (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 
ombofficer@nass.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Generic Clearance to Conduct Survey Research Studies.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0248.
    Type of Request: To revise and extend a currently approved 
information collection for a period of three years.
    Abstract: The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) of 
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will request 
approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a generic 
clearance that will allow NASS to rigorously develop, test, and 
evaluate its survey instruments and methodologies. The primary 
objectives of the National Agricultural Statistics Service are to 
prepare and issue State and national estimates of crop production, 
livestock production, economic statistics, and environmental statistics 
related to agriculture and to conduct the Census of Agriculture. This 
request is part of an on-going initiative to improve NASS surveys, as 
recommended by both its own guidelines and those of OMB.
    In the last decade, state-of-the art techniques have been 
increasingly instituted by NASS and other Federal agencies and are now 
routinely used to improve the quality and timeliness of survey data and 
analyses, while simultaneously reducing respondents' cognitive workload 
and burden. The purpose of this generic clearance is to allow NASS to 
continue to adopt and use these state-of-the-art techniques to improve 
its current data collections efforts. These tests will also be used to 
aid in the development of new surveys.
    NASS envisions using a variety of survey improvement techniques, as 
appropriate to the individual project under investigation. These 
include focus groups, cognitive and usability laboratory and field 
techniques, exploratory interviews, behavior coding, respondent 
debriefing, pilot surveys, and split-panel tests. After obtaining 
participants' permission, NASS plans to audio-record some cognitive 
interviews and usability interviews, in order to allow for more 
complete and accurate summaries of these qualitative interviews. This 
is a standard procedure for cognitive interviews and usability 
interviews at many other survey organizations, including Federal 
agencies. The consent form would be used for audio recording some 
cognitive interviews and usability interviews for research purposes. 
For these types of interviews, there will be no collection of 
Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or any identifying 
information about the operator or operation.
    In addition to the testing techniques listed above NASS will be 
including parallel testing with this renewal request. NASS is 
investigating methodologies using additional sources of farm operators 
(including web scraping). These methodologies will be tested against 
the NASS's current multi-frame methodology.
    Following standard OMB requirements NASS will submit a change 
request to OMB individually for each survey improvement project it 
undertakes under this generic clearance and provide OMB with a copy of 
the questionnaire (if one is used), and all other materials describing 
the project.
    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 (Pub. L. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget regulations 
at 5 CFR part 1320. Participation in all surveys and studies conducted 
under this approval will be voluntary.
    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 these collections 
of information is estimated to average from 15 minutes to 1.5 hours per 
respondent, dependant upon the survey and the technique used to test 
for that particular survey. The overall average is estimated to be 0.45 
hours per response.
    Respondents: Farmers, ranchers, farm managers, farm contractors, 
agri-businesses, and households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 50,000.
    Frequency of Responses: On occasion.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 22,000 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.


[[Page 57401]]


    Signed at Washington, DC, November 1, 2018.
Kevin L. Barnes,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018-24917 Filed 11-14-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-20-P

57400 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 221 / Thursday, November 15, 2018 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Office of Management and Budget undertakes under this generic clearance (OMB) for a generic clearance that will and provide OMB with a copy of the National Agricultural Statistics Service allow NASS to rigorously develop, test, questionnaire (if one is used), and all and evaluate its survey instruments and other materials describing the project. Notice of Intent To Request Revision methodologies. The primary objectives Authority: These data will be and Extension of a Currently Approved of the National Agricultural Statistics collected under the authority of 7 U.S.C. Information Collection Service are to prepare and issue State 2204(a). Individually identifiable data AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics and national estimates of crop collected under this authority are Service, USDA. production, livestock production, governed by Section 1770 of the Food economic statistics, and environmental Security Act of 1985, 7 U.S.C. 2276, ACTION: Notice and request for statistics related to agriculture and to which requires USDA to afford strict comments. conduct the Census of Agriculture. This confidentiality to non-aggregated data SUMMARY: In accordance with the request is part of an on-going initiative provided by respondents. This Notice is Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this to improve NASS surveys, as submitted in accordance with the notice announces the intention of the recommended by both its own Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. National Agricultural Statistics Service guidelines and those of OMB. L. 104–13) and Office of Management (NASS) to request revision and In the last decade, state-of-the art and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part extension of a currently approved techniques have been increasingly 1320. Participation in all surveys and information collection, the Generic instituted by NASS and other Federal studies conducted under this approval Clearance for Survey Research Studies. agencies and are now routinely used to will be voluntary. Burden hours and number of contacts improve the quality and timeliness of survey data and analyses, while NASS also complies with OMB will be increased to accommodate the Implementation Guidance, proposed testing for the upcoming three simultaneously reducing respondents’ cognitive workload and burden. The ‘‘Implementation Guidance for Title V year period. of the E-Government Act, Confidential purpose of this generic clearance is to DATES: Comments on this notice must be Information Protection and Statistical allow NASS to continue to adopt and received by January 14, 2019 to be Efficiency Act of 2002 (CIPSEA),’’ use these state-of-the-art techniques to assured of consideration. Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 115, June improve its current data collections ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, efforts. These tests will also be used to 15, 2007, p. 33362. identified by docket number 0535–0248, aid in the development of new surveys. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting by any of the following methods: NASS envisions using a variety of burden for these collections of • Email: ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. survey improvement techniques, as information is estimated to average from Include docket number above in the appropriate to the individual project 15 minutes to 1.5 hours per respondent, subject line of the message. under investigation. These include dependant upon the survey and the • E-fax: (855) 838–6382. focus groups, cognitive and usability technique used to test for that particular • Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD– laboratory and field techniques, survey. The overall average is estimated ROM submissions to: David Hancock, exploratory interviews, behavior coding, to be 0.45 hours per response. NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. respondent debriefing, pilot surveys, Respondents: Farmers, ranchers, farm Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 and split-panel tests. After obtaining managers, farm contractors, agri- South Building, 1400 Independence participants’ permission, NASS plans to businesses, and households. Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250– audio-record some cognitive interviews Estimated Number of Respondents: 2024. and usability interviews, in order to • Hand Delivery/Courier: Hand 50,000. allow for more complete and accurate Frequency of Responses: On occasion. deliver to: David Hancock, NASS summaries of these qualitative Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Estimated Total Annual Burden: interviews. This is a standard procedure Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, 22,000 hours. for cognitive interviews and usability 1400 Independence Avenue SW, interviews at many other survey Comments: Comments are invited on: Washington, DC 20250–2024. organizations, including Federal (a) Whether the proposed collection of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: agencies. The consent form would be information is necessary for the proper Kevin L. Barnes, Associate used for audio recording some cognitive performance of the functions of the Administrator, National Agricultural interviews and usability interviews for agency, including whether the Statistics Service, U.S. Department of research purposes. For these types of information will have practical utility; Agriculture, (202) 720–2707. Copies of interviews, there will be no collection of (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate this information collection and related Personally Identifiable Information (PII) of the burden of the proposed collection instructions can be obtained without or any identifying information about the of information including the validity of charge from David Hancock, NASS— operator or operation. the methodology and assumptions used; OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 690– In addition to the testing techniques (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, 2388 or at ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. listed above NASS will be including and clarity of the information to be SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: parallel testing with this renewal collected; and (d) ways to minimize the Title: Generic Clearance to Conduct request. NASS is investigating burden of the collection of information Survey Research Studies. methodologies using additional sources on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate automated, khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES OMB Control Number: 0535–0248. of farm operators (including web Type of Request: To revise and extend scraping). These methodologies will be electronic, mechanical, technological or a currently approved information tested against the NASS’s current multi- other forms of information technology collection for a period of three years. frame methodology. collection methods. Abstract: The National Agricultural Following standard OMB All responses to this notice will Statistics Service (NASS) of the United requirements NASS will submit a become a matter of public record and be States Department of Agriculture change request to OMB individually for summarized in the request for OMB (USDA) will request approval from the each survey improvement project it approval. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:53 Nov 14, 2018 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\15NON1.SGM 15NON1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 221 / Thursday, November 15, 2018 / Notices 57401 Signed at Washington, DC, November 1, loan complies with all applicable DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 2018. statutes and regulations. Phase 2 Kevin L. Barnes, applications are required for Phase I Rural Business-Cooperative Service Associate Administrator. applicants who score favorable and are [FR Doc. 2018–24917 Filed 11–14–18; 8:45 am] invited to submit a Phase 2 application. Notice of Solicitation of Applications The Agency anticipates the number of for Inviting Applications for the Rural BILLING CODE 3410–20–P respondents to fluctuate based on Economic Development Loan and funding levels. Grant Programs for Fiscal Year 2019 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Respondents: Respondents for this AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative data are lending institutions and for- Service, USDA. Rural Business-Cooperative Service profit businesses but also include ACTION: Notice. Notice of Revision of a Currently individuals and corporations. The annual estimates below are for both SUMMARY: This notice is to invite Approved Information Collection applications for loans and grants under subparts associated with this rule. AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative the Rural Economic Development Loan Service, USDA. Estimated Number of Respondents: and Grant (REDLG) Programs for fiscal 11. year (FY) 2019, subject to the ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested. Estimated Number of Responses per availability of funding. This notice is Respondent: 17.7. being issued in order to allow SUMMARY: In accordance with the Estimated Number of Responses: 195. applicants sufficient time to leverage Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this financing, prepare and submit their notice announces the Rural Business- Estimated Total Annual Burden on applications, and give the Agency time Cooperative Service’s intention to Respondents: 3,631 hours. to process applications within FY 2019. request an extension for a currently Comments: Comments are invited on: Successful applications will be selected approved information collection. (a) Whether the proposed collection of by the Agency for funding and DATES: Comments on this notice must be information is necessary for the proper subsequently awarded to the extent that received by January 14, 2019 to be performance of the functions of the funding may ultimately be made assured of consideration. Rural Business-Cooperative Service, available through appropriations. An FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: including whether the information will announcement on the website at http:// Thomas Dickson, Rural Development have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices- Innovation Center—Regulatory Team, the Rural Business-Cooperative solicitation-applications-nosas will U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Service’s estimate of the burden of the identify the amount received in the Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1522, proposed collection of information appropriations. Washington, DC 20250, Telephone: including validity of the methodology All applicants are responsible for any 202–690–4492, email: Thomas and assumptions used; (c) ways to expenses incurred in developing their Dickson@wdc.usda.gov. enhance the quality, utility and clarity applications. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: of the information to be collected; and DATES: See under SUPPLEMENTARY Title: Biorefinery, Renewable (d) ways to minimize the burden of the INFORMATION section. Chemical, and Biobased Product collection of information on those who ADDRESSES: Submit applications in Manufacturing Assistance Program are to respond, including through the paper format to the USDA Rural (Section 9003) use of appropriate automated, Development State Office for the State OMB Number: 0570–0065. electronic, mechanical, or other where the Project is located. A list of the Expiration Date of Approval: March technological collection techniques or USDA Rural Development State Office 31, 2019. other forms of information technology. contacts can be found at: http:// Type of Request: Revision of a Comments may be sent to Thomas www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state- currently approved information Dickson, Rural Development Innovation offices. collection. Center—Regulatory Team, U.S. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Abstract: The purpose of this Department of Agriculture, Rural information collection is to obtain Cindy Mason at (202) 690–1433, Development, STOP 1522, 1400 cindy.mason@wdc.usda.gov, and Sami information necessary to evaluate loan Independence Avenue SW, Washington, applications to determine the eligibility Zarour at (202) 720–9549, sami.zarour@ DC 20250–1522. wdc.usda.gov, Specialty Programs of the applicant and the project for the program and to qualitatively assess the Copies of this information collection Division, Business Programs, Rural project’s technical and financial merit to can be obtained from Kimble Brown, Business-Cooperative Service, U.S. determine which projects should be Rural Development Innovation Center, Department of Agriculture, 1400 funded. Regulations Team, at (202) 692–0043 or Independence Avenue SW, MS 3226, Estimate of Burden: The following email: Kimble.Brown@wdc.usda.gov. Room 4204–South, Washington, DC annual estimates are based on an All responses to this notice will be 20250–3226, or call 202–720–1400. For average volume of activity which summarized and included in the request further information on this notice, includes; 10 Phase 1 applications, 8 for OMB approval. All comments will please contact the USDA Rural Phase 2 applications, and 1 new loan Development State Office in the State in khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES also become a matter of public record. guarantees. Phase 1 applications are which the applicant’s headquarters is Dated: November 1, 2018. located. evaluated by the Agency to determine whether the Borrower is eligible, the Bette B. Brand, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed loan is for an eligible purpose, Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Agency encourages applications that there is reasonable assurance of Service. will support recommendations made in repayment ability, there is sufficient [FR Doc. 2018–24929 Filed 11–14–18; 8:45 am] the Rural Prosperity Task Force report Collateral and equity, and the proposed BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P to help improve life in rural America, VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:53 Nov 14, 2018 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\15NON1.SGM 15NON1


Document Created: 2018-11-15 04:00:20
Document Modified: 2018-11-15 04:00:20
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 January 14, 2019 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 57400 
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