[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