06-8428. Notice of Intent To Revise and Extend 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 (Pub. L. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 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 Equine Survey.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by December 4, 2006 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Comments may be mailed to Ginny McBride, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250 or sent electronically to [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Joseph T. Reilly, Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Equine Survey.

OMB Number: 0535-0227.

Expiration Date: 02/28/2007.

Type of Request: Intent to Request Revision and Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection.

Abstract: To improve information regarding the equine industry, several State Departments of Agriculture are expected to contract with the National Agricultural Statistics Service to conduct an Equine Survey in their State within the next 3 years. Equine activities offer unusually varied opportunities for rural development. In addition to providing the livelihood for breeders, trainers, veterinarians, and many others, the horse remains important to recreation. The number of operations, number of animals, and economic information will quantify the importance of the equine industry to State economies. Income data provides a view of the benefits that the industry provides to the State economy and a ranking of its relative importance within both the agricultural sector and the State's total economic sector. The expenditure information provides data regarding the multiplier effect of money from the equine industry, effects of wage rates paid to both permanent and part-time employees, and secondary businesses supported by the industry. NASS intends to request that the survey be approved for 3 years. 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.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 30 minutes per response.

Respondents: Horse owners, breeders, trainers, boarders.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 45,000.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 22,500 hours.

Copies of this information collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from Ginny McBride, NASS Clearance Officer, at [phone].

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, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. 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, September 28, 2006.

R. Ronald Bosecker,

NASS Administrator.