98-20561. Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Conduct an Information Collection

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 148 (Monday, August 3, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 41225]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20561]


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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. No. 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 intent of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to 
request approval for a new information collection, the Wildlife Damage 
Survey.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 7, 1998 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Rich Allen, Associate 
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 4117 
South Building, Washington, DC 20250-2000, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Wildlife Damage Survey.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek Approval to Conduct an Information 
Collection.
    Abstract: The Animal Health Plant Inspection Service has contracted 
with NASS to survey a sample of U.S. producers of selected agricultural 
commodities. The primary goal of the survey is the collection and 
development of valid statistical data reflecting the percentage of U.S. 
producers experiencing loss of product or resources caused by 
vertebrate wildlife. An accurate measurement of dollar losses to 
vertebrate wildlife will be obtained. Additional goals are to evaluate 
the Wildlife Services Program name recognition and test the efficacy of 
the Program in reducing crop and livestock losses. NASS intends to 
request that the survey be approved for a 3 year period. 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 13 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Agricultural Commodity Growers.
    Estimated number of Respondents: 32,000.
    Estimated total Annual Burden on Respondents: 6,933 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, 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 4162 South Building, Washington, DC 
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, DC, July 16, 1998.
Rich Allen,
Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
[FR Doc. 98-20561 Filed 7-31-98; 8:45 am]
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