[Federal Register: June 21, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 118)]
[Notices]               
[Page 33044-33045]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21jn99-24]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service

 
Notice of Intent To Request a Revision of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 
L. No. 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 a revision to a currently approved information collection, the 
Agricultural Resources Management Study and Chemical Use Survey.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 25, 1999, to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Rich Allen, Associate

[[Page 33045]]

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: Agricultural Resources Management Study and Chemical Use 
Survey.
    OMB Number: 0535-0218.
    Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 2000.
    Type of Request: To revise a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: One of the primary objectives of the National 
Agricultural Statistics Service is to provide high quality and timely 
estimates about the nation's food supply and environment. Data will be 
collected regarding chemical uses on field crop, fruit, nut, and 
vegetable crops; the types and amounts of pesticides used on selected 
commodities after harvest and before being shipped to the consumer; and 
production expenses and income sources for farm operations. Information 
from these data collection efforts is used by government agencies in 
planning, farm policy analysis, scientific research, and program 
administration. During calendar year 2000, a one-time collection of 
information on the land ownership of farm operations and farm 
households will be included in this information collection. Selected 
economic and land ownership information gathered will be combined with 
data collected on the Agricultural Economics Land Ownership Survey 
(AELOS). The last AELOS covered the 1988 calendar year. Annual costs of 
production data for specific commodities normally collected in this 
information collection will not be collected in calendar year 2000 to 
reduce response burden on farm and ranch operators and owners and to 
avoid duplication. NASS plans to ask for a 3-year approval. 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 26 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Farms, Packers/Shippers, Warehouses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 85,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 37,400 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, such as through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques. 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, 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, DC, June 14, 1999.
Rich Allen,
Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
[FR Doc. 99-15705 Filed 6-18-99; 8:45 am]
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