2018-03142. Notice of Intent To Seek Reinstatement of an Information Collection

AGENCY:

National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to seek reinstatement of an information collection, the 2018 Census of Aquaculture. Revision to previous burden hours may be needed due to changes in the size of the target population, sampling design, and/or questionnaire length.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by April 16, 2018 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-0237, by any of the following methods:

• Email: [e-mail]. Include the docket number above in the subject line of the message.
• E-fax: [phone].
• 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, [phone]. Copies of this information collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from David Hancock, NASS—OMB Clearance Officer, at [phone] or at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: 2018 Census of Aquaculture.

OMB Control Number: 0535-0237.

Type of Request: Statement to Seek Reinstatement of an Information Collection.

Abstract: The population for the 2018 Census of Aquaculture will include all operations in each State that produced and sold or had the potential to sell $1,000 or more of aquaculture or aquaculture products during 2018. The aquaculture census will provide data on the number of farms, acreage, method of production, production and sales by aquaculture species, and sales outlets. Census data are used by the farmers, their representatives, the government, and many other groups of people concerned with the aquaculture industry. The census will provide a comprehensive inventory of aquaculture farms and their production. Results from the census will be used to evaluate new programs, disburse Federal funds, analyze market trends, and help determine the economic impact aquaculture has on the economy. The aquaculture census will provide the only source of dependable, comparable data by State.

Authority: The census of agriculture and subsequent follow-on censuses are required by law under the “Census of Agriculture Act of 1997,” Public Law 105-113, 7 U.S.C. 2204(g). 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. The law guarantees farm operators that their individual information will be kept confidential. NASS uses the information only for statistical purposes and publishes only tabulated total data.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 30 minutes per positive response, 2 minutes per screen-out, and 2 minutes per refusal. The sample will equal the number of respondents who reported positive aquaculture data in the 2017 Census of Agriculture.

Respondents: Farmers and Farm Managers.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,000.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 3,000 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, 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, February 2, 2018.

Kevin L. Barnes,

Associate Administrator.