[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 21, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3080-3081]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1302]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Request an Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 
L. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 
CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the 
National Agricultural Statistics Service's (NASS) intention to request 
an extension of a currently approved information collection, the 
Fruits, Nuts, and Specialty Crops that expires May 31, 1998.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by March 27, 1998 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Rich Allen, Associate 
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 4117, 
South Building, Washington, D.C. 20250-2000, (202) 720-4333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Fruits, Nuts, and Specialty Crops.
    OMB Number: 0535-0039.
    Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 1998.
    Type of Request: To extend a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural 
Statistics Service is to prepare and issue state and national estimates 
of crop and livestock production. The Fruits, Nuts, and Specialty Crops 
survey program collects information on acreage, yield, production, and 
value of non-citrus fruits and nuts and other specialty crops in states 
with significant commercial production. The program provides data 
needed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other government 
agencies to administer programs and to

[[Page 3081]]

set trade quotas and tariffs. State universities and agriculture 
departments also use data from this survey. The Fruits, Nuts, and 
Specialty Crops program has approval from OMB for a 3-year period. NASS 
intends to request that the survey be approved for another 3 years.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 17 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Individual Job Applicants.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 53,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 15,000 hours.
    Copies of this information collection and related instructions can 
be obtained without charge from Larry Gambrell, the Agency OMB 
Clearance Officer, at (202) 720-5778.

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, such as through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Larry 
Gambrell, Agency OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
1400 Independence Ave. SW, Room 4162 South Building, Washington, DC 
20250-2000. 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.

    Signed at Washington, DC, January 14, 1998.
Rich Allen,
Acting Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
[FR Doc. 98-1302 Filed 1-20-98; 8:45 am]
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