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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 230 (Friday, November 29, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 94702-94703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28049]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2024-0052]

Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection; 
Study of Human Behavior and Attitudes Linked to Human-Deer Transmission 
of SARS-CoV-2

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: New information collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's 
intention to request an approval of a new information collection 
associated with a study to understand human behavior and attitudes 
linked to human-deer transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
January 28, 2025.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov. 
Enter APHIS-2024-0052 in the Search field. Select the Documents tab, 
then select the Comment button in the list of documents.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2024-0052, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 2C-10.16, 4700 River Road, Unit 25, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.
    Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may 
be viewed at regulations.gov or in our reading room, which is located 
in Room 1620 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence 
Avenue SW, Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is 
there to help you, please call (202) 799-7039 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on this human-deer 
transmission of SARS-CoV-2 study, contact Dr. Keith Carlisle, 
Supervisory Social Scientist/Human Dimensions Unit Leader, National 
Wildlife Research Center, WS, APHIS, 4101 La Porte Ave, Fort Collins, 
CO 80521; (970) 266-6047; email: [email protected]. For more 
information on the information collection process, contact Mr. Joseph 
Moxey, APHIS' Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator; (301) 851-2533; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Study of Human Behavior and Attitudes Linked to Human-Deer 
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
    OMB Control Number: 0579-XXXX.
    Type of Request: Approval of a new information collection.
    Abstract: Under the Act of March 2, 1931 (7 U.S.C. 8351), the 
Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to conduct a program of wildlife 
services with respect to injurious animal species and take any action 
the Secretary considers necessary in conducting the program. 
Additionally, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to conduct 
activities to control nuisance mammals and birds (except for urban 
rodent control) and those mammals and bird species that are reservoirs 
for zoonotic disease. This authority has been delegated to the Animal 
and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS') Wildlife Services (WS). 
Two responsibilities of the Deputy Administrator of WS are to assist 
Federal, State, local, and foreign agencies and individuals with regard 
to wildlife damage and control and conduct research to develop wildlife 
damage management methods (7 CFR 371.6).
    There has been spillover and sustained transmission of SARS-CoV-2 
(SCV2) among animal populations, and this has raised significant 
questions regarding the potential establishment of disease reservoirs 
among wildlife species. SCV2 infection has been observed in white-
tailed deer (WTD) populations across much of the United States, 
suggesting that deer may serve as a vector and potential reservoir for 
the disease. While experts suggest human-to-deer transmission is 
likely, the activities or factors that facilitate transmission have yet 
to be identified.
    Experts suggest that human behaviors likely contribute to the 
direct and indirect transmission pathways between humans and WTD. 
Previous research highlights direct contact (feeding or touching) or 
aerosol transmission (interacting in close proximity) as likely routes 
of spillover. However, indirect transmission through fomites (use of 
attractants, leaving out feed for wildlife, trash/refuse) or 
environmental contamination (waste, septic or wastewater overflow) 
cannot be dismissed.
    Little research has been done to explore the nuances of human-deer 
interactions relevant to SCV2 transmission. Understanding the 
perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of community groups relevant to 
SCV2 spillover and spillback is a pivotal aspect of managing and 
mitigating current and future threats. While previous research has 
explored human dimensions aspects related to deer management, it is 
often done in the context of rural communities or through the lens of 
consumptive use, such as hunting. Further exploration of human-deer 
interactions among a larger diversity of stakeholders and within the 
specific context of disease management is needed.
    For this study, APHIS has established a cooperative agreement with 
the University of Minnesota to administer quantitative surveys among 
members of the public in five States (Illinois, Minnesota, New York, 
Pennsylvania, and Tennessee). The survey will collect data concerning 
the values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors associated with humans' 
interactions with WTD. This information will provide critical data to 
inform future disease surveillance, mitigation strategies, and policies 
aimed at curtailing SCV2 transmission between humans and WTD. This 
information will be useful for informing future disease surveillance 
and management efforts by providing in-depth analysis of the social and 
cognitive drivers of human-deer interactions.
    The information collection activity associated with this study 
consists of a multi-item questionnaire administered to members of the 
public with primary residence in the States of Illinois, Minnesota, New 
York, Pennsylvania, or Tennessee.
    We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
our use of this information collection activity for 3 years.
    The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public 
(as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. 
These comments will help us:
    (1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the 
collection

[[Page 94703]]

of information, including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, 
electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies; e.g., 
permitting electronic submission of responses.
    Estimate of burden: The public burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.075 hours per response.
    Respondents: Members of the public whose primary residence is in 
the States of Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, or 
Tennessee.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 60,000.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 2.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 105,000.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 7,868 hours. (Due to 
averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of 
the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per 
response.)
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 22nd day of November 2024.
Michael Watson,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-28049 Filed 11-27-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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