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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 110 (Wednesday, June 8, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 33398]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14176]

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 7497]

60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection; Passport Demand 
Forecasting Study Phase III, 1405-0177

ACTION: Notice of request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. 
The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment in 
the Federal Register preceding submission to OMB. We are conducting 
this process in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
     Title of Information Collection: Passport Demand 
Forecasting Study Phase III.
     OMB Control Number: OMB No. 1405-0177.
     Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved 
Collection.
     Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Passport 
Services Office: CA/PPT.
     Form Number: n/a.
     Respondents: A nationally representative sample of United 
States citizens and other categories of individuals entitled to a U.S. 
Passport.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,000 respondents monthly 
per survey.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 48,000 annually.
     Average Hours Per Response: 10 minutes.
     Total Estimated Burden: 8,000 hours annually.
     Frequency: Monthly.
     Obligation to Respond: Voluntary.

DATE(S): The Department will accept comments from the public up to 60 
days from June 8, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Direct comments and questions to Rachel Arndt. You may 
submit comments by any of the following methods:
     E-mail: ArndtRM@state.gov.
     Mail (paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions): Rachel Arndt, 
2100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., SA-29, Room 3006, Washington, DC 20520.
     Fax: 202-736-9272.
You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information 
collection title, and OMB control number in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional 
information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including 
requests for copies of the proposed information collection and 
supporting documents, to Rachel Arndt, 2100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW,, SA-
29, Room 3006, Washington, DC 20520, who may be reached on 202-663-2647 
or at ArndtRM@state.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:
     Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper performance of our functions.
     Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used.
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected.
     Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
technology.

Abstract of Proposed Collection

    Section 7209 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention 
Act (IRTPA), enacted on December 17, 2004, requires the Secretary of 
the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the 
Secretary of State, to develop expeditiously, and implement a plan to 
require U.S. citizens and certain other categories of individuals to 
present a passport or sufficient documentation of the identity and 
citizenship when entering the U.S. This law has had significant effect 
on travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
    CA/PPT has urgent and pressing data requirements and needs to 
obtain and regular statistical data on issues that focus on, and are 
related to, travel and passport applications that can be used to 
monitor, assess, and forecast passport demand on a continuous basis for 
the U.S. population including critical population segments near the 
Canadian and Mexican borders. In support of these efforts, CA/PPT plans 
to conduct monthly and incremental forecasts of passport demand 
nationally. This gathering of data will provide the opportunity to 
refine volume and timing estimates on demand, and will gauge public 
reaction to economic and socio-demographic changes.

Methodology

    CA/PPT will conduct monthly panel studies that will be conducted 
using multiple methodologies. Methodologies can include telephone, Web/
Internet, mail, and mixed mode surveys to ensure the survey reaches the 
appropriate audience and leverages the best research method to obtain 
responses given the survey topic and panel member preference. The panel 
data will cover an estimated 48,000 respondents and include variables 
covering passport, travel, and socio-demographic variables of interest 
to CA/PPT.

     Date:June 2, 2011.
Barry J. Conway,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Passport Services, Bureau of 
Consular Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2011-14176 Filed 6-7-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4170-06-P
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