In accordance with 5 CFR 1320.13, this information collection is approved for 6 months as an emergency clearance. If the Agency decides to continue use of the collection past the approved emergency clearance time period, it must resubmit an ICR to OMB under the normal PRA clearance process.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
12/31/2018
6 Months From Approved
220
0
0
340
0
0
0
0
0
The U. S. Caribbean and many other island nations throughout the region suffered catastrophic damage to communities, infrastructure, farms, and forests during September 2017 hurricane events. To better understand the effects of Hurricanes Irma and Maria on agriculture, forestry, and rural communities in the U.S. Caribbean and the internal and external factors that affected their vulnerabilities or resilience, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) â Forest Service and Caribbean Climate Hub (CCH), request permission to conduct focus groups and in-depth interviews to collect information from farmers, forest owners, and other agriculture and forestry community members about their experiences with, preparations for, responses to, and recovery from these storms. To ensure this research is completed prior to the fall 2018 hurricane season, this information collection request is being submitted on an emergency basis.
Results from the proposed research will inform natural disaster and disturbance prediction, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts by USDA, Forest Service, and other Federal agencies, as well as related local government, civil society, private sector, and community efforts. In the short term, results from this information collection will be critical in informing ongoing post-hurricane response and recovery efforts by USDA and its partners. In the long term, knowledge generated will contribute to reducing societal costs from disturbance processes, increasing cost-effective management, mitigation, and adaptation efforts, and supporting more resilient communities and economies in the U.S. Caribbean and broader contexts.
In September 2017, two major hurricanes passed through the Caribbean, causing catastrophic damage to communities, infrastructure, farms, and forests across Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and many other island nations throughout the region. To better understand the effects of Hurricanes Irma and Maria on agriculture, forestry, and rural communities in the U.S. Caribbean and the internal and external factors that affected their vulnerabilities or resilience, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) â Forest Service and Caribbean Climate Hub (CCH), request permission to conduct focus groups and in-depth interviews to collect information from farmers, forest owners, and other agriculture and forestry community members about their experiences with, preparations for, responses to, and recovery from these storms. To ensure this research is completed prior to the fall 2018 hurricane season, this information collection request is being submitted on an emergency basis.
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:
(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;
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.
USDA CCH IC Emergency Review - Supp Stmt B.docx
USDA CCH IC Emergency Review - Justification Memo.pdf
In-person Interview Guide