This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains documents other than rules or

proposed rules that are applicable to the

public. Notices of hearings and investigations,

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examples of documents appearing in this

section.

Notices Federal Register

5502 

Vol. 80, No. 21 

Monday, February 2, 2015 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

National Agricultural Statistics Service 

Notice of Intent To Create a New 

Information Collection 

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics 

Service, USDA. 

ACTION: Notice and request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: In accordance with the 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 

notice announces the intent of the 

National Agricultural Statistics Service 

(NASS) to seek the approval to conduct 

a new data collection to comply with a 

mandate in the 2014 Farm Bill. (. . . the 

Secretary of Agriculture should 

recognize the threat feral swine pose to 

the domestic swine population and the 

entire agriculture industry . . .). 

DATES: Comments on this notice must be 

received by April 3, 2015 to be assured 

of consideration. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, 

identified by docket number 0535– 

NEW, by any of the following methods: 

• Email: ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. 

Include docket number above in the 

subject line of the message. 

• Efax: (855) 838–6382 

• Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD– 

ROM submissions to: David Hancock, 

NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 

South Building, 1400 Independence 

Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250– 

2024. 

• Hand Delivery/Courier: Hand 

deliver to: David Hancock, NASS 

Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, 

1400 Independence Avenue SW., 

Washington, DC 20250–2024. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: R. 

Renee Picanso, Associate Administrator, 

National Agricultural Statistics Service, 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, (202) 

720–4333. Copies of this information 

collection and related instructions can 

be obtained without charge from David 

Hancock, NASS—OMB Clearance 

Officer, at (202) 690–2388 or at 

ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Title: Feral Swine Survey. 

OMB Control Number: 0535–NEW. 

Type of Request: Intent to Seek 

Approval for a 3 Year Period to Conduct 

a New Information Collection. 

Abstract: On April 2, 2014 the 

Undersecretary for USDA’s Marketing 

and Regulatory Programs, Edward 

Avalos announced that the USDA was 

kicking off a national effort to reduce 

the devastating damage caused by feral 

swine. The $20 million program aims to 

help states deal with a rapidly 

expanding population of invasive wild 

swine. ‘‘Feral swine are one of the most 

destructive invaders a state can have,’’ 

said Undersecretary Avalos. ‘‘They have 

expanded their range from 17 to 39 

states in the last 30 years and cause 

damage to crops, kill young livestock, 

destroy property, harm natural 

resources, and carry diseases that 

threaten other animals as well as people 

and water supplies. It’s critical that we 

act now to begin appropriate 

management of this costly problem.’’ 

On Feb 3, 1999, Executive Order 

13112 was signed by President Clinton 

establishing the National Invasive 

Species Council. The Executive Order 

requires that a Council of Departments 

dealing with invasive species be 

created. Currently there are 13 

Departments and Agencies on the 

Council. (Executive Order 13112 of 

February 3, 1999—Invasive Species 

Federal Register: Feb 8, 1999 (Volume 

64, Number 25)). 

The Animal and Plant Health 

Inspection Service (APHIS), Wildlife 

Services’ (WS) National Wildlife 

Research Center (NWRC) is the only 

Federal research organization devoted 

exclusively to resolving conflicts 

between people and wildlife through 

the development of effective, selective, 

and socially responsible methods, tools, 

and techniques. As increased 

urbanization leads to a loss of 

traditional wildlife habitat, the potential 

for conflicts between people and 

wildlife increases. Such conflicts can 

take many forms, including property 

and natural resource damage, human 

health and safety concerns, and disease 

transmission among wildlife, livestock, 

and humans. 

The high reproductive rate and 

adaptability of feral swine has resulted 

in populations that have dramatically 

increased in size and distribution. This 

invasive animal now occurs across 

much of the United States where it 

causes a range of agricultural and 

environmental damage through 

depredation, rooting, and wallowing 

activities. Furthermore, feral swine 

compete with native wildlife and 

livestock for habitats, are carriers of 

exotic and endemic diseases, and 

transmit parasites to livestock and 

humans. Feral swine are considered a 

major emerging threat to American 

agriculture (Seward et al. 2004). Recent 

data shows that the proportions of U.S. 

counties with agricultural production 

that also have feral swine present are 

increasing. Over the period of 1998– 

2013, the proportion of counties with 

hog, and crop production that are 

affected by feral swine has increased. 

Feral swine damage crops through 

direct consumption of crops and other 

behaviors, such as rooting, trampling, 

and wallowing, which can destroy fields 

or reduce productivity. Field crops 

commonly damaged by feral swine 

include soybeans, corn, grain sorghum, 

wheat, oats, peanuts, and rice, among 

others. Rooting can affect the plant 

composition of a pasture by promoting 

the growth of undesirable plants where 

hogs have destroyed desirable forage 

grasses. Once pastures are degraded in 

this way, landowners must spend 

considerable money and time restoring 

them to pre-swine conditions 

(Whitehouse 1999, Mapston 2004). 

The benchmark survey will be 

conducted in 2015 in the 11 States 

(Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, 

Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, 

Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, 

and Texas) that have high feral swine 

densities and a significant presence of 

corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, grain 

sorghum (Texas), and peanuts. The 

initial survey will be used to create a 

benchmark for the following objectives: 

1. Describe the monetary loss for all 

crops caused by feral swine to 

producers of corn, soybeans, wheat, 

rice, peanuts, and grain sorghum (TX 

only) in each of the surveyed states. 

2. Describe the monetary loss to 

livestock caused by feral swine for 

producers of corn, soybeans, wheat, 

rice, peanuts, and grain sorghum (TX 

only) in each of the surveyed states. 

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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 21 / Monday, February 2, 2015 / Notices 5503 

3. Describe the monetary loss to 

property caused by feral swine for 

producers of corn, soybeans, wheat, 

rice, grain sorghum (TX only) and 

peanuts in each of the surveyed states. 

4. Describe feral swine control costs 

incurred by producers of corn, 

soybeans, wheat, rice, peanuts, and 

grain sorghum (TX only) in each of the 

surveyed states. Variables that will be 

measured include hunting, trapping, use 

of fencing, or the use of repellents. No 

data will be collected on the use of 

chemical or physical contraception 

usage. 

5. Describe the total net income to 

producers of corn, soybeans, wheat, 

rice, peanuts, and grain sorghum (TX 

only) in each of the surveyed states for 

allowing the hunting of feral swine on 

their operations. 

Based on the results of this survey, 

Wildlife Service plans to publish State 

level data if possible. Also, there may be 

a follow-up survey to measure the 

effectiveness of control measures 

implemented by Wildlife Services. This 

follow-up survey will also be contingent 

upon availability of funding. 

Authority: These data will be collected 

under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 2204(a). 

Individually identifiable data collected under 

this authority are governed by Section 1770 

of the Food Security Act of 1985, 7 U.S.C. 

2276, which requires USDA to afford strict 

confidentiality to non-aggregated data 

provided by respondents. This Notice is 

submitted in accordance with the Paperwork 

Reduction Act of 1995 Public Law 104–13 

(44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) and Office of 

Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR 

part 1320. 

NASS also complies with OMB 

Implementation Guidance, 

‘‘Implementation Guidance for Title V 

of the E-Government Act, Confidential 

Information Protection and Statistical 

Efficiency Act of 2002 (CIPSEA),’’ 

Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 115, June 

15, 2007, p. 33362. 

Estimate of Burden: Reporting burden 

for this collection of information is 

estimated to average 30 minutes per 

response. This was determined by our 

Survey Methodologists, who compared 

the length and difficulty of the 

questions with similar surveys. They 

also took into account the projected 

number of farmers who will skip some 

sections of the questionnaire due to the 

presence or absence of damage due to 

feral swine. Burden is based on an 

estimated minimum response rate of 

80%. On similar types of surveys and 

through the use of a mail questionnaire 

and telephone follow-up to nonrespondents NASS has been able to 

contact and collect some data from 

approximately 80% of the target sample. 

After removing the out of business 

operations and those with no items of 

interest we hope to have at least a 65 to 

70% usable response rate. 

NASS will be utilizing several pieces 

of publicity and informational materials 

to encourage respondents to participate 

in this important survey. NASS will 

conduct the survey initially by mail 

with phone follow-up for non-response. 

Respondents: Farm Operators. 

Estimated Annual Number of 

Respondents: 10,800. 

Estimated Total Annual Burden on 

Respondents: 5,500 hours. 

Comments: 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 will 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 

through the use of appropriate 

automated, electronic, mechanical, 

technological or other forms of 

information technology collection 

methods. 

All responses to this notice will 

become a matter of public record and be 

summarized in the request for OMB 

approval. 

Signed at Washington, DC, January 16, 

2015. 

R. Renee Picanso, 

Associate Administrator. 

[FR Doc. 2015–01912 Filed 1–30–15; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–20–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

Submission for OMB Review; 

Comment Request 

The Department of Commerce will 

submit to the Office of Management and 

Budget (OMB) for clearance the 

following proposal for collection of 

information under the provisions of the 

Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 

Chapter 35). 

Agency: National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 

Title: Alaska Pacific Halibut and 

Sablefish Fisheries: Individual Fishing 

Quota (IFQ). 

OMB Control Number: 0648–0272. 

Form Number(s): None. 

Type of Request: Regular (revision 

and extension of a currently approved 

information collection). 

Number of Respondents: 1,639. 

Average Hours Per Response: 

Application for Eligibility to receive 

QS/IFQ (TEC) and QS holder form, 

Application for Transfer of QS/IFQ to or 

from a CQE, Application for Transfer of 

QS/IFQ (includes sweep-up); 

Application for Military Transfer, 

Application for Emergency Medical 

Transfer; 2 hours each; Identification of 

Ownership Interest, Application for 

IFQ/CDQ Hired Master Permit, 

Application for Registered Buyer permit 

and QS/IFQ Designated Beneficiary 

Form, Application for replacement of 

certificates, permits, or licenses, 30 

minutes each; 18 minutes for Registered 

Buyer landing report; 6 minutes for IFQ 

Administrative Waiver; 12 minutes each 

for Prior Notice of Landing (PNOL); 15 

minutes for IFQ Departure Report and 

Transshipment Authorization; and 6 

minutes for Dockside Sales Receipt. 

Burden Hours: 3,112. 

Needs and Uses: This request is for 

revision and extension of a currently 

approved information collection. Forms 

that are no longer applicable have been 

removed. 

The National Marine Fisheries Service 

(NMFS) established the Individual 

Fishing Quotas (IFQs) Program to 

improve the long-term productivity of 

the sablefish and Pacific halibut 

fisheries by further promoting the 

conservation and management 

objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens 

Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 1801 et 

seq., as amended in 2006 (MagnusonStevens Act) (with respect to sablefish) 

and the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 

1982 (with respect to Pacific halibut) 

while retaining the character and 

distribution of the fishing fleets as much 

as possible. The IFQ Program includes 

several provisions, such as ownership 

caps and vessel use caps that protect 

small producers, part-time participants, 

and entry-level participants that 

otherwise could be adversely affected by 

excessive consolidation. 

The IFQ Program also includes other 

restrictions to prevent the halibut and 

sablefish fisheries from domination by 

large boats or by any particular vessel 

class. NMFS designed the requirements 

to maintain a predominantly owneroperated fishery, which was a key 

characteristic of the halibut and 

sablefish fisheries prior to the 

implementation of the IFQ Program. The 

IFQ Program provides each fisherman 

an IFQ that can be used any time during 

the open season to allow each fisherman 

to set his/her own pace and fishing 

effort. 

Under the IFQ Program, quota share 

(QS) represents a harvesting privilege 

for a person. Annually, NMFS issues 

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