96-28948. Notice of Intent to Seek Approval to Conduct an Information Collection

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 220 (Wednesday, November 13, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 58166]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28948]


      
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Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 220 / Wednesday, November 13, 1996 / 
Notices

[[Page 58166]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent to Seek Approval to Conduct an 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 (Pub. 
L. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 
CFR Part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the 
National Agricultural Statistics Service's (NASS) intention to request 
approval for a new information collection, the Equine Survey.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 21, 1997 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Rich Allen, Associate 
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, 
Washington, D.C. 20250-2000, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

    Title: Equine Survey.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to conduct an 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 2 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. Equine survey 
data will quantify the importance of the industry in the state. The 
number of operations, number of animals, and economic information will 
provide a focus on 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 in terms 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. 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 45 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Horse owners, breeders, trainers, boarders.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 54,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 40,500 hours.
    Copies of this information collection and related instructions can 
be obtained without charge from Larry Gambrell, the Agency OMB 
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. Comments may be 
sent to: Larry Gambrell, Agency OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, 14th and Independence Ave., SW, Room 4162 South 
Building, Washington, D.C. 20250-2000. 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.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., October 25th, 1996.
Rich Allen,
Acting Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
[FR Doc. 96-28948 Filed 11-12-96; 8:45 am]
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