[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 7, 2012)] [Notices] [Pages 66794-66796] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2012-27183] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Census Bureau Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Generic Clearance for Master Address File (MAF) and Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (TIGER) Update Activities AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on or before January 7, 2013. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via email at [email protected]). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Patricia Williams, U.S. Census Bureau, 5H020E, Washington DC 20233, 301-763-3036 (or via email at [email protected]). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The Census Bureau presently operates a generic clearance covering activities involving respondent burden associated with updating our Master Address File (MAF) and Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (TIGER) Database (MTdb). The MTdb is the Census Bureau's integrated address geographic database. We now propose to extend the generic clearance to cover update activities we will undertake during the next three fiscal years. Under the terms of the generic clearance, we plan to submit a request for OMB approval that will describe, in general terms, all planned activities for the entire period. We will provide information to OMB at least two weeks before the planned start of each activity giving more exact details, examples of forms, and final estimates of respondent burden. We also will file a year-end summary with OMB after the close of each fiscal year giving results of each activity conducted. The generic clearance enables OMB to review our overall strategy for MTdb updating in advance, instead of reviewing each activity in isolation shortly before the planned start. The Census Bureau used the addresses in the MTdb for mailing and delivering questionnaires to households during the 2010 Census and will do so for the 2020 Census. These addresses are also used as a sampling frame for our demographic current surveys. Prior to Census 2000, the Census Bureau built a new address list for each decennial census. The MTdb built for the 2010 Census is designed to be kept up-to-date, thereby eliminating the need to develop a completely new address list for future censuses and surveys. The Census Bureau plans to use the MTdb [[Page 66795]] for post-Census 2010 evaluations and as a sampling frame for the American Community Survey and our other demographic current surveys. The TIGER component of the MTdb is a geographic system that maps the entire country in Census Blocks with applicable address ranges or living quarter location information. The MTdb allows us to assign each address to the appropriate Census Block, produce maps as needed and publish results at the appropriate level of geographic detail. The following are descriptions of activities we plan to conduct under the clearance for the next three fiscal years. The Census Bureau has conducted these activities (or similar ones) previously and the respondent burden remains relatively unchanged from one time to another. Demographic Area Address Listing (DAAL) The Demographic Area Address Listing (DAAL) program encompasses the geographic area updates for the Community Address Updating System (CAUS), the area and group quarters frame listings for many ongoing demographic surveys (the Current Population Survey, the Consumer Expenditures Survey, etc.), and any other operations which choose to use the Automated Listing and Mapping System (ALMI) for evaluations, assessments, or to collect updates for the MTdb. The CAUS program was designed to address quality concerns relating to areas with high concentrations of noncity-style addresses, and to provide a rural counterpart to the update of city-style addresses the Census Bureau will receive from the U.S. Postal Services's Delivery Sequence File. The ongoing demographic surveys, as part of the 2000 Sample Redesign Program, use the MTdb as one of several sources of addresses from which they select their samples. The DAAL program is a cooperative effort among many divisions at the Census Bureau; it includes automated listing software, systems, and procedures that will allow us to conduct listing operations in a dependent manner based on information contained in the MTdb. The DAAL operations will be conducted on an ongoing basis in potentially any county across the country. Field Representatives (FRs) will canvass selected 2010 Census tabulation blocks in an effort to improve the address list in areas where substantial address changes may have occurred that have not been added to the MTdb through regular update operations, and/or in blocks in the area or group quarters frame sample for the demographic surveys. FRs will update existing address information and, when necessary, contact individuals to collect accurate location and mailing address information. In general, contact will occur only when the FR is adding a unit to the address list, and/ or the individual's address is not posted or visible to the FR. There is no pre-determined or scripted list of questions asked as part of this listing operation. If an address is not posted or visible to the FR, the FR will ask about the address of the structure, the mailing address, and, in some instances, the year the structure was built. If the occupants of these households are not at home, the FR may attempt to contact a neighbor to determine the best time to find the occupants at home and/or to obtain the correct address information. DAAL is an ongoing operation. Listing assignments are distributed quarterly with the work conducted throughout the time period. We expect the DAAL listing operation will be conducted throughout the entire time period of the extension. 2020 Census Research and Testing Program The 2020 Census Research and Testing program will conduct tests from FY13 through FY15 to research methodologies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the 2020 Census. Among the research is Test 22, a test that will mainly involve the newly developed MAF error model. The goal of the MAF error project is to determine the components of MAF error and to develop an error model for use in measuring MAF quality. The MAF error project will use data from existing programs as well as data from Test 22 to validate the recommended solution. Test 22 is currently scheduled to be conducted in fiscal year 2013. The MAF error project is a cooperative effort among many divisions at the Census Bureau; it includes automated software, systems, and procedures that will allow us to measure the quality of the MAF. Test 22 is currently a one-time project scheduled for fiscal year 2013. Enumerators (Listers) will canvass blocks to provide complete list of residential addresses. Listers will update existing address information and, when necessary, contact individuals to collect accurate location and mailing address information. In general, contact will occur only when the Lister is adding a unit to the address list, and/or the individual's address is not posted or visible to the Lister. Subsequent analysis will determine the coverage of the address files, which will allow for the creation of coverage measures. The listed activities are not exhaustive of all activities that may be performed under this generic clearance. We will follow the approved procedure when submitting any additional activities not specifically listed here. II. Method of Collection The primary method of data collection for most operations/ evaluations will be personal observation or personal interview by Census Listers, Verifiers, Enumerators or Field Representatives using the operation/evaluation's listing form or questionnaire. In some cases, the interview could be by telephone callback if no one was home during the initial visit. III. Data OMB Control Number: 0607-0809. Form Number: Some form numbers for activities have not yet been assigned. Type of Review: Regular submission. Affected Public: Individuals or households. Estimated Number of Respondents: FY13: 73,177 HH 2,752 GQs FY14: 13,177 HH 1,535 GQs FY15: 70,777 HH 2,111 GQs Estimated Time per Response: 3 min/HH; 10 min/GQ. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: FY13: 4,118 FY14: 915 FY15: 3,891 Estimated Total Annual Cost: The only cost to respondents is that of their time to respond. Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory. Legal Authority: Title 13 United States Code, Sections 141 and 193. 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. [[Page 66796]] 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: November 2, 2012. Glenna Mickelson, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 2012-27183 Filed 11-6-12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-07-P