This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains documents other than rules or

proposed rules that are applicable to the

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Notices Federal Register

53397 

Vol. 76, No. 166 

Friday, August 26, 2011 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Agricultural Research Service 

Notice of Intent To Renew Information 

Collection 

AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, 

USDA. 

ACTION: Notice and Request for 

Comment. 

SUMMARY: The United States Department 

of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural 

Research Service (ARS) seeks comments 

on the intent of the United States 

National Arboretum (USNA) to renew 

an information collection that expires 

December 31, 2011. The information 

collection serves as a means to collect 

fees for certain uses of the facilities and 

grounds, and for programs and services. 

This includes fees for use of the grounds 

and facilities, as well as for commercial 

photography and cinematography. Fees 

generated will be used to defray USNA 

expenses or to promote the missions of 

the USNA. 

DATES: Comments on this notice must be 

received by October 25, 2011 to be 

assured of consideration. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments 

by any of the following methods: 

• E-mail: 

colien.hefferan@ars.usda.gov. 

• Fax: 202–245–4514. 

• Mail: Director, U.S. National 

Arboretum, Beltsville Area, Agricultural 

Research Service, 3501 New York 

Avenue, NE., Washington, DC 20002. 

• Hand Delivery/Courier: Director, 

U.S. National Arboretum, Beltsville 

Area, Agricultural Research Service, 

3501 New York Avenue, NE., 

Washington, DC 20002. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Title: Use of Grounds and Facilities as 

well as Commercial Photography and 

Cinematography. 

OMB Number: 0518–0032. 

Expiration Date: 3 years from date of 

approval. 

Type of Request: Renewal of approved 

information collection. 

Abstract: The mission of the U.S 

National Arboretum (USNA) is to serve 

the public need for scientific research, 

education, and gardens that conserve 

and showcase plants to enhance the 

environment. The USNA is a 446-acre 

facility, open to the general public for 

purposes of education and passive 

recreation. The USNA receives 

approximately 550,000 visitors on the 

ground each year. Many garden clubs 

and societies utilize the USNA grounds 

to showcase their activities. The USNA 

is a national center for public education 

that welcomes visitors in a stimulating 

and aesthetically pleasing environment. 

Section 890(b) of the Federal 

Agriculture Improvement and Reform 

Act of 1996, Public Law 104–127 (20 

U.S.C. 196), expanded the authorities of 

the Secretary of Agriculture to charge 

reasonable fees for the use of USNA 

facilities and grounds. These authorities 

include the ability to charge reasonable 

fees for temporary use by individuals or 

groups of USNA facilities and grounds 

for any purpose consistent with the 

mission of the USNA. The Secretary 

also has the authority to charge 

reasonable fees for tram tours and for 

the use of the USNA for commercial 

photography and cinematography. All 

rules and regulations noted in 7 CFR 

500, subpart 2A, will apply to 

individuals or groups granted approval 

to use the facilities and grounds. In 

order to administer the use of the USNA 

facilities and to determine if the 

requested use is consistent with the 

mission of the USNA, it is necessary for 

the USNA to obtain information from 

the requestor. 

Each request will require the 

completion of an application and 

submission of an application fee. The 

application is simple and requires only 

information readily available to the 

requestor. The requestor is asked to 

indicate by whom and for what the 

purpose the USNA facilities are to be 

used. Applications are available in hard 

copy format as well as electronic format 

on the USNA Web site http:// 

www.usna.usda.gov. Completed permit 

requests are received in person, by mail, 

and by facsimile. 

Paperwork Reduction Act: In 

accordance with the Office of 

Management and Budget (OMB) 

Regulations (5 CFR part 1320) 

implementing the Paperwork Reduction 

Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the 

information collection and 

recordkeeping requirements that will be 

imposed will be submitted to OMB for 

approval. These requirements will not 

become effective prior to OMB approval. 

Estimate of Burden 

Estimated Number of Responses: The 

USNA estimates 420 requests for the use 

of facilities and 25 requests for 

photography and cinematography. For 

each request, an e-mail is forwarded to 

the curator asking permission to use the 

facility. Once confirmation is received 

from the curator a reservation is placed 

on the calendar. A letter is written to the 

requestor confirming the use of the 

facility. There are times when a form is 

returned to the requestor and/or a 

follow-up telephone conversation may 

be necessary to request additional 

information. Each request takes 

approximately 30 minutes to process. 

Estimated Total Annual Burden on 

Respondents: The total cost for 

responding is approximately $5,146 for 

222.5 hours of time at $23 per hour. 

Obtaining Permit Requests: In 

addition to the current process of 

obtaining and submitting the permit 

requests in person, by mail, and by 

facsimile, the application for 

photography and cinematography is 

available on the USNA Web site: 

http://www.usna.usda.gov/Information/

facilities/photographyapp.pdf. The 

application for the use of facilities will 

be available on the Web site by the end 

of the calendar year. Completed permit 

requests can be submitted in person or 

by mail to the Administrative Office, 

USDA, ARS, U.S. National Arboretum, 

3501 New York Avenue, NE., 

Washington, DC 20002. Permit requests 

can also be faxed to 202–447–2811. 

Comments: Comments are invited on 

whether the proposed collection is 

necessary for the proper performance of 

the functions of the agency, including 

whether the information will have 

practical utility; 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; 

ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 

clarity of the information to be 

collected; and ways to minimize the 

burden of the collection on those who 

are to respond, including through the 

use of appropriate automated, 


emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES
53398 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 166 / Friday, August 26, 2011 / Notices 

electronic, mechanical, or other 

technical collection techniques or other 

forms of information technology, e.g., 

permitting electronic submission of 

responses. 

Dated: August 8, 2011. 

Edward Knipling, 

Administrator, ARS. 

[FR Doc. 2011–21847 Filed 8–25–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–03–P 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Economic Research Service 

Notice of Intent To Request New 

Information Collection 

AGENCY: Economic Research Service, 

USDA. 

ACTION: Notice and request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: In accordance with the 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 

notice invites the general public and 

other public agencies to send comments 

regarding any aspect of this proposed 

information collection. This is a new 

collection for the Rural Establishment 

Innovation Survey. 

DATES: Written comments on this notice 

must be received on or before October 

25, 2011 to be assured of consideration. 

ADDRESSES: Address all comments 

concerning this notice to Tim Wojan, 

Resource and Rural Economics Division, 

Economic Research Service, U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, 1800 M St., 

NW., Room N4110, Washington, DC 

20036–5801. Comments may also be 

submitted via fax to the attention of Tim 

Wojan at 202–694–5756 or via e-mail to 

twojan@ers.usda.gov. Comments will 

also be accepted through the Federal 

eRulemaking Portal. Go to http:// 

www.regulations.gov, and follow the 

online instructions for submitting 

comments electronically. 

All written comments will be open for 

public inspection at the office of the 

Economic Research Service during 

regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday) at 1800 

M St., NW., Room N4110, Washington, 

DC 20036–5801. 

All responses to this notice will be 

summarized and included in the request 

for Office of Management and Budget 

approval. All comments and replies will 

be a matter of public record. 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 shall 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 

use of appropriate automated, 

electronic, mechanical, or other 

technological collection techniques or 

other forms of information technology. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For 

further information contact Tim Wojan 

at the address in the preamble. Tel. 202– 

694–5419. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Title: Rural Establishment Innovation 

Survey. 

OMB Number: 0536–XXXX. 

Expiration Date: Three years from the 

date of approval. 

Type of Request: New collection. 

Abstract: This survey of business 

establishments, funded through USDA’s 

Rural Development Mission Area, will 

be conducted over a 6-month period 

with up to 30,000 respondents to collect 

information on rural tradable business 

sectors such as manufacturing and 

professional services. This information 

will contribute to a better understanding 

of how rural businesses and their 

communities are dealing with the 

increasing competitive pressures and 

opportunities associated with the spread 

of new information technologies 

through our economy and the business 

and community characteristics 

associated with effective response to 

these pressures and opportunities. This 

information is critical to the Rural 

Development Mission Area’s aim of 

creating jobs, developing new markets 

and increasing competitiveness for rural 

businesses and communities. 

The information to be collected by the 

Rural Establishment Innovation Survey 

is necessary to understand: (1) The 

adoption of innovative practices and 

their contribution to firm productivity; 

(2) the availability and use of local and 

regional assets (such as workforce 

education, local financial institutions, 

strong local business and other 

economic associations, and 

transportation infrastructure) and the 

association of these assets with 

successful adjustment; and (3) the 

extent and importance of participation 

in Federal, State and local programs 

designed to promote rural business 

vitality and growth. This need is made 

more urgent by increased international 

competition in goods and some service 

markets, particularly from low labor 

cost countries. The traditional cost 

advantage of domestic rural 

establishments has been significantly 

eroded by these developments, 

requiring emphasis on new products, 

new processes, new marketing channels 

and improved customer service. A 

thorough understanding of the viability 

of the rural business sector requires 

collecting information on the capability 

for innovation. 

As the first collection of information 

devoted specifically to innovation in 

rural business establishments, the 

proposed survey will complement other 

Federal efforts in gauging innovative 

activity in the private sector. 

Information on formal research and 

development (R&D) activities is 

collected by the National Science 

Foundation using the Business R&D and 

Innovation Survey. While some of this 

formal research and development 

activity takes place in nonmetropolitan 

counties, it is anticipated that the great 

majority of rural innovation occurs less 

through the creation of new patentable 

products than through the adoption of 

new practices and niche marketing. The 

emphasis of the proposed collection 

will be on understanding the process of 

innovation in business establishments 

as opposed to measuring R&D inputs. 

Another difference between this and 

other Federal surveys on innovative 

activity will be the focus on constraints 

to innovation stemming from 

nonmetropolitan locations. Information 

on the availability of skilled workers 

and the ability to recruit managers and 

professionals will inform possible 

human capital impediments to 

innovation. Information on access to 

credit needed for business formation 

and development will allow for 

assessing financing impediments to 

innovation. Information on the 

availability of broadband Internet 

service and how this capability affects 

business strategy will allow assessing 

infrastructure impediments to 

innovation. Information on interaction 

with suppliers, customers, competitors, 

business associations and other local 

institutions providing real services to 

the establishment will inform the 

importance of regional clusters to 

innovation. 

The survey will collect data from 

about 30,000 business establishments in 

tradable sectors that will include 

mining, manufacturing, wholesale trade, 

transportation and warehousing, 

information, finance and insurance, 

professional/scientific/technical 

services, arts, and management of 

businesses. Only businesses with 5 or 

more employees will be included in the 

sample. While the focus of the survey 

will be on establishments in 

nonmetropolitan counties, 


emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES