E6-6229. 2007 Commodity Flow Survey

ACTION:

Proposed collection; comment request.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before June 26, 2006.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at [e-mail]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to John Fowler, U.S. Census Bureau, Room G-023, FOB 3, Washington, DC 20233, [phone] (or via the Internet at [e-mail]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The Commodity Flow Survey, a component of the Economic Census, is the only comprehensive source of multi-modal, system-wide data on the volume and pattern of goods movement in the United States. These data are used by government transportation analysts at the Federal, state and local levels to estimate the future demand for transportation services and facilities; assess the adequacy of our current transportation infrastructure to accommodate the future demand; and to evaluate the economic, social and environmental impacts of transportation flows. The data also are used extensively by academics, researchers, economic planning organizations, and the business community.

The Commodity Flow Survey is co-sponsored by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation. The survey provides data on the movement of commodities in the United States from their origin to destination. The survey produces summary statistics on value, tons, ton-miles, average miles per shipment, commodity shipped, and modes of transportation used. The Census Bureau will publish shipment characteristics at the national, census regions and divisions, state, and Metropolitan Areas levels. Reports are also planned for estimates of hazardous material shipments and exports.

Primary strategies for reducing respondent burden in the Commodity Flow Survey include employing a stratified random sample of business establishments, requesting data on a limited sample of shipment records from each establishment, and accepting estimates.

II. Method of Collection

The Commodity Flow Survey will survey a sample of business establishments in mining, manufacturing, wholesale, and selected retail industries. The survey also covers auxiliary establishments of multi-establishment companies, which have non-auxiliary establishments that are in-scope to the CFS or classified in retail trade. Each selected establishment will receive, by mail, four questionnaires—one during each quarter of 2007. On each form an establishment will be asked to report data for an average of 25 shipments selected during a designated one-week reporting period. Upon request by the respondent electronic reporting options will be made available.

III. Data

OMB Number: Not Available.

Form Number: CFS-1000.

Type of Review: Regular review.

Affected Public: Business and other for-profit, small businesses or organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 100,000.

Estimated Time Per Response: 2 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 800,000.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: $21,600,000.

Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.

Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. 131.

IV. Request for 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 shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (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 respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Dated: April 20, 2006.

Madeleine Clayton,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.