[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 203 (Tuesday, October 21, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 54603-54604] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-27748] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 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 National Agricultural Statistics Service's (NASS) intention to request approval for a new information collection, the Respondent Information Evaluation. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 26, 1997 to be assured of consideration. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Contact Rich Allen, Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 4117 South Building, Washington, D.C. 20250-2000, (202) 720-4333. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Respondent Information Evaluation. Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to conduct an information collection. Abstract: The NASS is initiating a coordinated effort to increase survey cooperation. This effort will include the development of a program to educate producers about the functions of NASS and the uses of survey data. The importance of unbiased NASS estimates and the potential consequences of estimates being unavailable are expected to be a major part of the program. Ways to disseminate this message will also be investigated. Data users will be surveyed to gain insight into uses of NASS data. Data providers will be surveyed to obtain their opinions of how NASS survey data are used. 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 10 minutes per response. Respondents: Subscribers to National Agricultural Statistics Service commodity reports and producers (data providers to NASS commodity reports). Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000 report subscribers and 4,000 producers. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 833 hours. Copies of this information collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from Larry Gambrell, the Agency OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 720-5778. 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, [[Page 54604]] 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 4162 South Building, Washington, D.C. 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, D.C., October 3, 1997. Rich Allen, Acting Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service. [FR Doc. 97-27748 Filed 10-20-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-20-P