Generic Clearance of Survey Improvement Projects

OMB Control No: 0535-0248	ICR Reference No: 201303-0535-005
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201209-0535-001
Agency/Subagency: USDA/NASS	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Generic Clearance of Survey Improvement Projects
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 04/29/2013
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 03/18/2013
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	04/30/2016	36 Months From Approved	08/31/2014
Responses	25,000	0	7,000
Time Burden (Hours)	15,000	0	4,950
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: The primary objectives of the National Agricultural Statistics Service are to prepare and issue State and National estimates of crop production, livestock production, economic statistics, and environmental statistics related to agriculture and also to conduct the Census of Agriculture. This request will allow NASS to rigorously develop, test, and evaluate its survey instruments and methodologies as part of an on-going initiative to improve NASS surveys as recommended by both its own guidelines and those of OMB.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 7 USC 2276 Name of Law: Confidentiality    US Code: 18 USC 1905 Name of Law: Disclosure    PL: Pub.L. 107 - 347 503(a) Name of Law: CIPSEA    US Code: 7 USC 2204 Name of Law: General Authority    US Code: 7 USC 3601.1 Name of Law: General Statement of Public Information

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	77 FR 244	12/19/2012
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	78 FR 16647	03/18/2013
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 8

IC Title Form No. Form Name Mini Supporting Statement for Generic Testing of 2017 Census of Agriculture QID US 2014 Census of Agriculture Test Generic Testing for Ag Labor QID 150028 Agricultural Labor Survey - October, 2015 Baltimore Urban Agriculture Study QID-R 2015 Urban Agriculture Pilot Study-Revised Census of Aquaculture Cognitive Testing QID 2013 Census of Aquaculture TEST Census of Agriculture - Generic Testing Version 1 Census of Agriculture Generic Testing of CAIR QID, QID, QID, QID, QID, QID, QID, QID, QID, QID, QID, QID, QID, QID, QID, QID, QID, QID Flour Milling Products - September 2014 ,   Animal and Vegetable Fats and Oils Operation Profile ,   Cotton in Public Storage Operation Profile ,   Cotton Manmade Fiber Staple and Raw Linters Operation Profile ,   Flour Milling Products Operation Profile ,   Oilseeds, Beans and Nuts Operation Profile ,   Wet and Dry Mill Producers of Ethanol Operation Profile ,   Cotton in Public Storage - September 2014 ,   Cotton Manmade Fiber and Raw Linters - September 2014 ,   Dry Mill Producers of Ethanol - September 2014 ,   Wet Mill Producers of Ehanol - September 2014 ,   Animal and Vegetable Fats and Oils Stocks - September 2014 ,   Oilseeds Beans and Nuts - September 2014 ,   Fats and Oils Renderers - September 2014 ,   Animal and Vegetable Fats and Oils (Consumption and Stocks) - September 2014 ,   Animal and Vegetable Fats and Oils (Production, Consumption, and Stocks) - September 2014 ,   Cotton in Public Storage - July 2015 ,   Cotton Manmade Fiber and Raw Linters - July 2015 Prices Paid - Generic Testing Generic Testing of June Area Survey QID 090501 2014 June Agricultural Survey - PA

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	25,000	7,000	0	18,000	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	15,000	4,950	0	10,050	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The increase in burden hours and number of respondents are both due to program changes. NASS plans to conduct many more tests in the upcoming years to find ways to improve questionnaires along with ways to reduce sampling and potential sampling errors.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $1,000,000

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? Yes Part B of Supporting Statement

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

Agency Contact: David Hancock 202-690-2388 [email protected]

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(i) Why the information is being collected;
			(ii) Use of information;
			(iii) Burden estimate;
			(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
			(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
			(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Certification Date: 03/18/2013

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