[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 3, 1999)] [Notices] [Page 10271] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-5227] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE National Agricultural Statistics Service Notice of Intent to Extend and Revise 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 (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 an extension for and revision to a currently approved information collection, the Agricultural Labor Survey. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 7, 1999 to be assured of consideration. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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, (202) 720-4333. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Agricultural Labor Survey. OMB Number: 0535-0109. Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 1999. Type of Request: Intent to extend and revise a currently approved information collection. Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural Statistics Service is to prepare and issue State and national estimates of crop and livestock production. The Agricultural Labor Survey provides statistics on the number of agricultural workers, hours worked, and wage rates. Number of workers and hours worked are used to estimate agricultural productivity. Wage rates are used in the administration of the ``H-2A'' Program and for setting Adverse Effect Wage Rates. Agricultural Labor Survey data are also used to carry out provisions of the Agricultural Adjustment Act. The Agricultural Labor Surveys has approval from OMB for a 3-year period. NASS intends to request that the survey be approved for another 3 years. 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 15 minutes per response. Respondents: Farms and businesses. Estimated Number of Respondents: 12,900. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 11,000 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, 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, January 27, 1999. Rich Allen, Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service. [FR Doc. 99-5227 Filed 3-2-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-20-M