[Federal Register: July 6, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 128)] [Notices] [Page 36327] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr06jy99-40] ======================================================================== Notices Federal Register ________________________________________________________________________ This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. ======================================================================== [[Page 36327]] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. 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 intent of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to request approval for a new information collection, the Agricultural Economics and Land Ownership Survey. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by September 9, 1999 to be assured of consideration. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: 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: 1999 Agricultural Economics and Land Ownership Survey. Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to conduct an information collection. Abstract: The 1999 Agricultural Economics and Land Ownership Survey (AELOS) will be conducted by the National Agricultural Statistics Service. This national survey will obtain data to describe the economic status of the U.S. farm operations and farm households. Data collected will provide information on agricultural land ownership, financing, and inputs by farm operators and landlords. The AELOS is designed to provide data that are valid for each state and the U.S. as a whole. The AELOS will be conducted in 2000 for the 1999 calendar year. The last AELOS covered the 1988 calendar year. The respondent universe consists of two populations. First, is the official USDA farm population which is defined as ``all establishments that sold or would have normally sold at least $1,000 of agricultural products during the year.'' Second are the landlords of farm operators selected for the survey. 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 51 minutes per response. Estimated Number of Respondents: 65,000. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 55,250 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, June 14, 1999. Rich Allen, Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service. [FR Doc. 99-16948 Filed 7-2-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-20-P