Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of 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, this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently approved information collection, the Aquaculture Surveys. Revision to burden hours will be needed due to changes in NASS estimates programs, target population sizes, sampling designs, and/or content of questionnaires.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by January 27, 2017 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-0150, by any of the following methods:

• Email: ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. Include the docket number above in the subject line of the message.
• Efax: (855) 838-6382.
• Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions to: David Hancock, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-2024.
• Hand Delivery/Courier: Hand deliver to: David Hancock, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

R. Renee Picanso, Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, (202) 720-4333. Copies of this information collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from David Hancock, NASS—OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 690-2388 or at ombofficer@nass.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Aquaculture Surveys.

OMB Control Number: 0535-0150.

Expiration Date: June 30, 2017.

Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to revise and extend a currently approved information collection for a period of three years.

Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural Statistics Service is to prepare and issue state and national estimates of crop and livestock production, prices, and disposition. The Aquaculture Surveys program produces estimates at the national level on both trout and catfish. Survey results are used by government agencies and others in planning farm programs.

The trout survey includes inventory counts, sales (dollars, pounds, and quantities), percent of product sold by outlet at the point of first sale, number of fish raised for release into open waters, and losses. The catfish surveys include inventory counts, water surface acreage used for production, sales (dollars, pounds, and quantities), and losses.

• Twenty-five states are in the Trout Production Survey. In January, data are collected in the selected states that produce and either sell or distribute trout. State, federal, tribal, and other facilities where trout are raised for conservation, restoration, or recreational purposes are included in the survey.
• Nine states are in the Catfish Production Survey. Data are collected from farmers in January for inventory, water surface acreage, and previous year sales. In addition, farmers in the three major catfish producing states are surveyed in July for mid-year inventory and water surface acreage.
• The surveys conducted in Florida, Hawaii, and Pennsylvania are conducted under cooperative agreements with each of these states.
• All of the surveys conducted under this approval will have voluntary reporting, with the exception of the Pennsylvania survey. The Pennsylvania State Government requires producers to respond to this survey.

The Catfish Feed Deliveries and Catfish Processing surveys that are present in the current information collection were discontinued due to budget sequestration in 2013. The information that was collected by these two surveys is now being collected and published by the Catfish Institute in their bimonthly publication Catfish Journal.

Authority: 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, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 2276, which requires USDA to afford strict confidentiality to non-aggregated data provided by respondents. This Notice is submitted in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) and Office of Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320. NASS also complies with OMB Implementation Guidance, “Implementation Guidance for Title V of the E-Government Act, Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (CIPSEA),” Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 115, June 15, 2007, p. 33362.

The Pennsylvania aquaculture census is being conducted to obtain basic data on aquaculture production per Section 4217 of the Pennsylvania Agriculture Act of 1998, which states that, “Persons licensed shall submit annually a summary report of sales specifying the amount or weight of each species sold and gross receipts.”

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 15 to 20 minutes per response. Pre-survey publicity or cover letters will also be included to encourage respondents to complete and return the surveys and to provide the respondents with information on how to complete the surveys using the internet.

Respondents: Farms and aquaculture facilities.

Estimated Number of Respondents: Approximately 3,700 per year.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,100 hours.

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, technological or other forms of information technology collection methods. All responses to this notice will become a matter of public record and be summarized in the request for OMB approval.