[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 21, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25478-25479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12667]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of the Census
The American Community Survey (ACS)
ACTION: Proposed agency information collection activity; comment
request.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort
to reduce paper work 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 July 22, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Acting
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instruments(s) and instructions
should be directed to Lawrence S. McGinn, Bureau of the Census, Room
2A, Silver Hill Executive Plaza, Washington, DC 20233-8400, (301) 763-
8327.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The Census Bureau is authorized to conduct surveys necessary to
furnish current data on subjects covered by the major census authorized
by Title 13, United States Code. The data from the ACS will determine
the feasibility of a continuous measurement system that provides
socioeconomic data on a continual basis throughout the decade for small
areas and small subpopulations.
The American Community Survey, implemented in November 1995, is a
continuing full-scale operation of a continuous measurement system in
four survey sites--Fulton County, Pennsylvania; Rockland County, New
York; Brevard County, Florida; and Multnomah County, Oregon, including
the city of Portland. The survey also includes a national sample to
test response rates and our ability to obtain telephone numbers for
nonresponse households. The data collected in this survey will be
within the general scope and nature of those inquiries covered in the
decennial census every ten years.
We plan to continue sampling and enumeration in the American
[[Page 25479]]
Community Survey in 1997 and 1998. We also plan to add testing of
procedures for identification, sampling, and data collection for
special populations, i.e. American Indian reservations, military bases,
college dormitories, and institutional group quarters such as
hospitals.
The American Community Survey will include a national sample, the
present survey sites, and additional sites in Douglas County, Nebraska;
Otero County, New Mexico; Harris and Fort Bend Counties, Texas; and
Franklin County, Ohio, including the entire city of Columbus.
II. Method of Collection
In the urban areas, the Census Bureau will mail questionnaires to
the households covered by the American Community Survey and request a
response as soon as possible after receipt. In the rural sites where
city-style addresses are not available, Field Representatives will
deliver the questionnaires to the household. For those households not
returning the questionnaire, we will collect household information by
both telephone interview and personal visit. Participation of the
selected households will be mandatory in accordance with the provisions
of Title 13.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0607-0810.
Form Number: TACS-1/1A, TACS-10/10A, TACS-12(L)/12A(L), TACS-13(L)/
13A(L), TACS-14(L)/14A(L), TACS-15(L), TACS-16(L), TACS-20/20A, TACS-
30/30A.
Type of Review: Regular.
Affected Public: Individuals or households.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 135,000.
Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 67,500 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: $19.5 million.
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
collections techniques or others 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: May 15, 1996.
Linda Engelmeier,
Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and
Organization.
(FR Doc. 96-12667 Filed 5-20-96; 8:45 a.m.)
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
