2018-14147. Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of 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, this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently approved information collection, the Mink Survey. The target population will be pulled from the NASS List Frame of operations with positive historical data. The frame is updated with the names of new operations that are found in trade magazines or grower's association's lists. The questionnaires that NASS is planning to use are the same as what was used in previous years. Any additional changes to the questionnaires would result from requests by industry data users.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by August 31, 2018 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-0212, by any of the following methods:

• Email: [e-mail]. Include docket number above in the subject line of the message.
• 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: Mink Survey.

OMB Control Number: 0535-0212.

Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2018.

T ype of Request: Intent to Seek Approval to Revise and Extend an Information Collection for 3 years.

Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural Statistics Service is to prepare and issue State and national estimates of crop and livestock production, prices, and disposition. The Mink Survey collects data on the number of mink pelts produced, the number of females bred, and the number of mink farms. Mink estimates are used by the federal government to calculate total value of sales and total cash receipts, by State governments to administer fur farm programs and health regulations, and by universities in research projects. The current expiration date for this docket is November 30, 2018. NASS intends to request that the Mink Survey be approved for another 3 years.

Authority: 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 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.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 10 minutes per response for the producers and approximately 30 minutes per response for the buyers. NASS plans to mail out publicity materials with the questionnaires to inform operators of the importance of these surveys. NASS will also use multiple mailings, followed up with phone and personal enumeration to increase response rates and to minimize data collection costs.

Respondents: Farmers and ranchers.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 300.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 85 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, 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, June 20, 2018.

Kevin L. Barnes,

Associate Administrator.