[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 5, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 28566-28567] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-14066] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 1997 Economic Census Covering Mining Sector ACTION: Proposed agency information collection activity; comment rquest. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 August 5, 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 instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Patricia L. Horning, Bureau of the Census, Room 2125, Building 4, Washington, DC 20233 on (301) 457-4680. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The Census Bureau is the preeminent collector and provider of timely, relevant and quality data about the people and economy of the United States. Economic data are the Census Bureau's primary program commitment during nondecennial census years. The [[Page 28567]] economic census, conducted under authority of Title 13 U.S.C., is the primary source of facts about the structure and functioning of the Nation's economy and features unique industry and geographic detail. Economic census statistics serve as part of the framework for the national accounts and provide essential information for government, business and the general public. The 1997 Economic Census will cover virtually every sector of the U.S. economy including approximately 30,000 mineral establishments. The information collected from establishments in this sector of the economic census will produce basic statistics for number of establishments, shipments, payroll, employment, detailed supplies and fuels consumed, depreciable assets, and capital expenditures. It also will yield a variety of subject statistics, including shipments by product line, type of operation, and other industry-specific measures. II. Method of Collection We will select establishments in the mining sector of the economic census for inclusion in the mail canvass from a frame given by the Census Bureau's Standard Statistical Establishment List. To be eligible for selection, an establishment will be required to satisfy the following conditions: (i) It must be classified in the mining sector; (ii) it must be an active operating establishment of a multi- establishment firm (including operations under exploration and development), or it must be a single-establishment firm with payroll; and (iii) it must be located in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia. Mail selection procedures will distinguish the following groups of establishments: A. Establishments of Multi-Establishment Firms Selection procedures will assign all active mineral operating establishments of multi-establishment firms to the mail component of the potential respondent universe. We estimate that the census mail canvass for 1997 will include approximately 8,000 establishments of multi-establishment firms. B. Single-Establishment Firms With Payroll As an initial step in the selection process, we will conduct a study of the potential respondent universe for mining. The study of potential respondents will produce a set of industry-specific payroll cutoffs that we will use to distinguish large versus small single- establishment firms within each industry. This payroll size distinction will affect selection as follows: 1. Large Single-Establishment Firms Selection procedures will assign large single-establishment firms having annualized payroll (from Federal administrative records) that equals or exceeds the cutoff for their industry to the mail component of the potential respondent universe. We estimate that the census mail canvass for 1997 will include approximately 7,100 firms in this category. These firms will receive a standard form. 2. Small Single-Establishment Firms Small single-establishment firms in the crushed stone, sand and gravel, and crude petroleum and natural gas industries where application of the cutoff for nonmail establishments results in a large number of small establishments included in the mail canvass will receive a short form. The short form will collect basic statistics and other essential information that is not available from administrative records. The short form will be mailed to approximately 2,900 single- establishment firms in these industries which are larger than the nonmail cutoff for their industry, but which have an annual payroll under a certain criteria. In terms of employment, this criteria will identify establishments with approximately 5 to 19 employees. All remaining single-establishment firms with payroll will be represented in the census by data from Federal administrative records. We will not include approximately 12,000 of these small employers in the census mail canvass. III. Data OMB Number: Not Available. Form Number: The forms used to collect information from establishments in this sector of the economic census are tailored to specific mining operations and are too numerous to list separately in this notice. You can obtain information on the proposed content of the forms by calling Patricia L. Horning on (301) 457-4680. Type of Review: Regular Review. Affected Public: Businesses or Other for Profit, Non-profit Institutions, Small Businesses or Organizations, and State or Local Governments. Estimated Number of Respondents: Standard Form.............................................. 15,100 Short Form................................................. 2,900 ------------ Total.................................................. 18,000 Estimated Time Per Response: Standard Form...................................................4.2 hrs Short Form......................................................2.1 hrs Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: Standard Form.............................................. 63,420 Short Form................................................. 6,090 ------------ Total.................................................. 69,510 Estimated Total Annual Cost: The cost to the government for this work is included in the total cost of the 1997 Economic Census, estimated to be $218 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 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: May 30, 1996. Linda Engelmeier, Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and Organization. [FR Doc. 96-14066 Filed 6-4-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-07-P