[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 21 (Monday, February 2, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5502-5503]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-01912]
========================================================================
Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 21 / Monday, February 2, 2015 /
Notices
[[Page 5502]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Notice of Intent To Create a New 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 intent of the National Agricultural Statistics
Service (NASS) to seek the approval to conduct a new data collection to
comply with a mandate in the 2014 Farm Bill. (. . . the Secretary of
Agriculture should recognize the threat feral swine pose to the
domestic swine population and the entire agriculture industry . . .).
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 3, 2015 to be
assured of consideration.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
NEW, by any of the following methods:
Email: [email protected]. Include docket number
above in the subject line of the message.
Efax: (855) 838-6382
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: R. Renee Picanso, Associate
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, (202) 720-4333. Copies of this information
collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from
David Hancock, NASS--OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 690-2388 or at
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Feral Swine Survey.
OMB Control Number: 0535-NEW.
Type of Request: Intent to Seek Approval for a 3 Year Period to
Conduct a New Information Collection.
Abstract: On April 2, 2014 the Undersecretary for USDA's Marketing
and Regulatory Programs, Edward Avalos announced that the USDA was
kicking off a national effort to reduce the devastating damage caused
by feral swine. The $20 million program aims to help states deal with a
rapidly expanding population of invasive wild swine. ``Feral swine are
one of the most destructive invaders a state can have,'' said
Undersecretary Avalos. ``They have expanded their range from 17 to 39
states in the last 30 years and cause damage to crops, kill young
livestock, destroy property, harm natural resources, and carry diseases
that threaten other animals as well as people and water supplies. It's
critical that we act now to begin appropriate management of this costly
problem.''
On Feb 3, 1999, Executive Order 13112 was signed by President
Clinton establishing the National Invasive Species Council. The
Executive Order requires that a Council of Departments dealing with
invasive species be created. Currently there are 13 Departments and
Agencies on the Council. (Executive Order 13112 of February 3, 1999--
Invasive Species Federal Register: Feb 8, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 25)).
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Wildlife
Services' (WS) National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) is the only
Federal research organization devoted exclusively to resolving
conflicts between people and wildlife through the development of
effective, selective, and socially responsible methods, tools, and
techniques. As increased urbanization leads to a loss of traditional
wildlife habitat, the potential for conflicts between people and
wildlife increases. Such conflicts can take many forms, including
property and natural resource damage, human health and safety concerns,
and disease transmission among wildlife, livestock, and humans.
The high reproductive rate and adaptability of feral swine has
resulted in populations that have dramatically increased in size and
distribution. This invasive animal now occurs across much of the United
States where it causes a range of agricultural and environmental damage
through depredation, rooting, and wallowing activities. Furthermore,
feral swine compete with native wildlife and livestock for habitats,
are carriers of exotic and endemic diseases, and transmit parasites to
livestock and humans. Feral swine are considered a major emerging
threat to American agriculture (Seward et al. 2004). Recent data shows
that the proportions of U.S. counties with agricultural production that
also have feral swine present are increasing. Over the period of 1998-
2013, the proportion of counties with hog, and crop production that are
affected by feral swine has increased. Feral swine damage crops through
direct consumption of crops and other behaviors, such as rooting,
trampling, and wallowing, which can destroy fields or reduce
productivity. Field crops commonly damaged by feral swine include
soybeans, corn, grain sorghum, wheat, oats, peanuts, and rice, among
others. Rooting can affect the plant composition of a pasture by
promoting the growth of undesirable plants where hogs have destroyed
desirable forage grasses. Once pastures are degraded in this way,
landowners must spend considerable money and time restoring them to
pre-swine conditions (Whitehouse 1999, Mapston 2004).
The benchmark survey will be conducted in 2015 in the 11 States
(Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North
Carolina, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, and Texas) that have
high feral swine densities and a significant presence of corn,
soybeans, wheat, rice, grain sorghum (Texas), and peanuts. The initial
survey will be used to create a benchmark for the following objectives:
1. Describe the monetary loss for all crops caused by feral swine
to producers of corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, peanuts, and grain sorghum
(TX only) in each of the surveyed states.
2. Describe the monetary loss to livestock caused by feral swine
for producers of corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, peanuts, and grain
sorghum (TX only) in each of the surveyed states.
[[Page 5503]]
3. Describe the monetary loss to property caused by feral swine for
producers of corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, grain sorghum (TX only) and
peanuts in each of the surveyed states.
4. Describe feral swine control costs incurred by producers of
corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, peanuts, and grain sorghum (TX only) in
each of the surveyed states. Variables that will be measured include
hunting, trapping, use of fencing, or the use of repellents. No data
will be collected on the use of chemical or physical contraception
usage.
5. Describe the total net income to producers of corn, soybeans,
wheat, rice, peanuts, and grain sorghum (TX only) in each of the
surveyed states for allowing the hunting of feral swine on their
operations.
Based on the results of this survey, Wildlife Service plans to
publish State level data if possible. Also, there may be a follow-up
survey to measure the effectiveness of control measures implemented by
Wildlife Services. This follow-up survey will also be contingent upon
availability of funding.
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, 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: Reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 30 minutes per response. This was
determined by our Survey Methodologists, who compared the length and
difficulty of the questions with similar surveys. They also took into
account the projected number of farmers who will skip some sections of
the questionnaire due to the presence or absence of damage due to feral
swine. Burden is based on an estimated minimum response rate of 80%. On
similar types of surveys and through the use of a mail questionnaire
and telephone follow-up to non-respondents NASS has been able to
contact and collect some data from approximately 80% of the target
sample. After removing the out of business operations and those with no
items of interest we hope to have at least a 65 to 70% usable response
rate.
NASS will be utilizing several pieces of publicity and
informational materials to encourage respondents to participate in this
important survey. NASS will conduct the survey initially by mail with
phone follow-up for non-response.
Respondents: Farm Operators.
Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 10,800.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 5,500 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, January 16, 2015.
R. Renee Picanso,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015-01912 Filed 1-30-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-20-P