Notices. Notice and request for comments
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BILLING CODE 3410-10-M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE National Agricultural Statistics Service Notice of Intent To Reinstate a Previously Approved Information Collection AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-113) and Office of Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS)to request reinstatement with change of a previously approved information collection, the Census of Agriculture. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 11, 2006 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to Ginny McBride, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-2024 or *gmcbride@nass.usda.gov* or faxed to
(202)720-6396. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph T. Reilly, Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
(202)720-4333. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Title:* The 2007 Census of Agriculture. *OMB Control Number:* 0535-0226. *Type of Request:* Intent to Request Reinstatement of a Previously Approved Information Collection. *Abstract:* The census of agriculture, conducted every 5 years, is the primary source of statistics concerning the nation's agricultural industry. It provides the only basis of consistent, comparable data for each county, county equivalent, and State in the United States and its outlying insular areas. The census of agriculture is required by law under the Census of Agriculture Act of 1997, Pub. L. 105-113, 7 U.S.C. 2204(g). The 2007 census of agriculture will cover all agricultural operations in the 50 States, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and American Samoa (AS), which meet the census definition for a farm. For the States, Guam, and CNMI, a farm is any place that produced and sold, or normally would produce and sell, $1,000 or more of agricultural products during the census year. For Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands it is any place with $500 in sales. American Samoa defines a farm without using a specific dollar value of sales. Data collection for the censuses of agriculture for the 50 States and Puerto Rico will be conducted primarily by mail-out/mail-back procedures. Data collection for Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, CNMI, and AS, will be conducted using direct enumeration methods. NASS conducted a census survey form content test (OMB No. 5035-0243) during the winter of 2005-2006 to evaluate new content items, report form design and format, and processing procedures for the 50 States. To minimize response burden NASS is introducing a new short form which is targeted to farm operators who have a history of only raising a few commodities. This history is determined by administrative data collected over multiple years from surveys and censuses. The short form allows a respondent to report virtually every question contained in the long form but with a streamlined approach. With fewer pages to review, respondents will be able to report their commodities more quickly. This also eliminates the need for sample data, used since the 1978 Census of Agriculture, which has increasingly caused confusion on the part of data users. A long form will be tailored to various regions of the country, as in past censuses, and used to collect data from operators with several crop and/or livestock commodities or unknown agricultural production. A screening survey conducted prior to the census will again be used to eliminate non-farm operations from the census mail list. The Census of Agriculture Act guarantees farm operators that their individual information will be kept confidential. NASS uses the information only for statistical purposes and publishes only summarized data. These data are used by Congress when developing or changing farm programs. Many national and State programs are designed or allocated based on census data, such as soil conservation projects, funds for cooperative extension programs, and research funding. Private industry uses the data to provide more effective production and distribution systems for the agricultural community. *Estimate of Burden:* Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated to average 50 minutes per positive response, 10 minutes per screen-out, and 1 minute per refusal. *Respondents:* Farm and ranch operators. *Estimated Number of Respondents:* 3,160,000. *Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents:* 1,400,000 hours. Copies of this information collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from Ginny McBride, NASS 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, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. 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 17, 2006. Joseph T. Reilly, Associate Administrator. [FR Doc. E6-1876 Filed 2-9-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-20-P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE National Agricultural Statistics Service Notice of Appointment to the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. ACTION: Notification of appointment to the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics. SUMMARY: The Office of the Secretary of Agriculture announces members appointed to the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics, in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Reilly, Executive Director, Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 5041A South Building, Washington, DC 20250-2000. Telephone: 202-720-4333, Fax: 202-720-9013, or e-mail: *jreilly@nass.usda.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The appointment for the twenty-five member committee, which has representation across seven categories which covers a broad range of agricultural disciplines and interests, was signed on November 16, 2005. Appointed members, by their associated category are: Consumer and Information Organizations—John Baugh, West Lafayette, IN; Janice Gengenbach, Smithfield, NE; Kent Schescke, Carmel, IN; Educational Organizations—R. Edmund Gomez, Alcalde, NM; Barry Goodwin, Cary, NC; Ron Plain, Columbia, MO. Farm Services Organizations—Jacklyn Folsom, Cabot, VT; John Hays, Alexandria, VA; Doris Mold, Cumberland, WI; Ranvir Singh, Marysville, CA; John Smylie, Palatine, IL. Government Agencies—Karen Klonsky, Winters, CA. National Farm Organizations—Patricia Berglund, Fargo, ND; Brent Blauch, Mechanicsburg, PA; Peter Daniel, Raleigh, NC; Terry Francl, Crofton, MD. Producer and Marketing Organizations—Gary Adams, Cordova, TN; Carl Brothers, Stuttgart, AR; Roger Cryan, Fairfax, VA; William Lapp, Omaha, NE; Lucy Meyring, Walden, CO; James Robb, Lakewood, CO; Ira Silvergleit, Alexandria, VA. Professional Organizations—Frank Howell, Starkville, MS; A. Gene Nelson, College Station, TX. The duties of the Committee are solely advisory. The Committee will make recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture with regards to the agricultural statistics program of the National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS)and such other matters as it may deem advisable, or which the Secretary of Agriculture, Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, or the Administrator of NASS may request. The Advisory Committee meeting will be held on February 14-15, 2006. All meetings are open to the public. Committee members will be reimbursed for official travel expenses only. Signed at Washington, DC, January 18, 2006. R. Ronald Bosecker, Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service. [FR Doc. E6-1877 Filed 2-9-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-20-P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE National Agricultural Statistics Service Notice of the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics Meeting AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of meeting. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS)announces a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics. DATES: The Committee meeting will be held from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14, 2006, and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15, 2006. There will be an opportunity for public questions and comments at 3:30 p.m. on February 15, 2006. ADDRESSES: The Committee meeting will take place at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel, 1700 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia, 22202. Written comments may be filed before or within a reasonable time after the meeting with the contact person identified herein at: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 5041A, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-2000. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Reilly, Executive Director, Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics, Telephone: 202-720-4333, Fax: 202-720-9013, or e-mail: *jreilly@nass.usda.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics, which consists of 25 members appointed from 7 categories covering a broad range of agricultural disciplines and interests, has scheduled a meeting on February 14-15, 2006. During this time the Advisory Committee will discuss topics including Small and Minority Farm coverage in the 2007 Census of Agriculture, the needs for the 2007 Census of Agriculture follow-on surveys, and Improving Respondent Relations and Reducing Reporting Burden Publications. The Committee meeting is open to the public. The public may file written comments to the USDA Advisory Committee contact person before or within a reasonable time after the meeting. All statements will become a part of the official records of the USDA Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics and will be kept on file for public review in the office of the Executive Director, Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Dated February 2, 2006, at Washington, DC. R. Ronald Bosecker, Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service. [FR Doc. E6-1878 Filed 2-9-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-20-P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Natural Resources Conservation Service Notice of Meeting of the Agricultural Air Quality Task Force AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA. ACTION: Notice of meeting. SUMMARY: The Agricultural Air Quality Task Force (AAQTF) will meet to continue discussions on air quality issues relating to agriculture. DATES: The meeting will convene on Tuesday, February 28, 2006, through Thursday, March 2, 2006. Public comment periods will be held twice on each day, once in the morning, and once in the afternoon. Individuals making oral presentations should register in-person at the venue, and must bring with them 50 copies of material they would like distributed. Written material for AAQTF's consideration prior to the meeting must be received by Dr. Diane E. Gelburd (contact information forthcoming) no later than Thursday, February 23, 2006. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn Select, 8120 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20814; telephone:
(301)652-2000. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions and comments should be directed to Dr. Diane E. Gelburd, Designated Federal Officer. Dr. Gelburd may be contacted at USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 6158-S, Washington, DC 20250; telephone:
(202)720-2587; e-mail: *Diane.Gelburd@wdc.usda.gov* . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of this meeting is given under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2. Additional information concerning AAQTF may be found on the World Wide Web at *http://www.airquality.nrcs.usda.gov/AAQTF/* . *Draft Agenda of the February 28 through March 2, 2006, Meeting of the AAQTF:* A. *Welcome to Bethesda, Maryland.* B. *Discussion of Minutes from Previous Meeting.* C. *Discussion of Documents to be Approved by the End of the Meeting.* D. *Subcommittee Presentations.* 1. Emerging Issues Subcommittee Report. 2. Research Subcommittee Report. 3. Policy Subcommittee Report. 4. Education and Outreach Subcommittee Report. E. *Environmental Protection Agency Update.* F. *Next Meeting, Time and Place.* G. *Public Comments.* (Time will be reserved in the morning and afternoon of each daily session to receive public comments. Individual presentations will be limited to 5 minutes). *Procedural:* This meeting is open to the public. At the discretion of the Chair, members of the public may give oral presentations during the meeting. Those persons wishing to make oral presentations should register in person at the venue. Those wishing to distribute written material at the meeting itself, in conjunction with spoken comments, must bring 50 copies of the material with them. Written material for distribution to AAQTF members prior to the meeting must be received by Dr. Gelburd no later than Thursday February 23, 2006. *Information on Services for Individuals with Disabilities:* For information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities, or to request special assistance at the meeting, please contact Dr. Gelburd. The Department of Agriculture
(USDA)prohibits discrimination in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability. Additionally, discrimination on the basis of political beliefs and marital or family status is also prohibited by statutes enforced by USDA (not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternate means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact the USDA's Target Center at
(202)720-2000 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Signed in Washington, DC on February 3, 2006. Bruce I. Knight, Chief. [FR Doc. 06-1275 Filed 2-9-06; 8:45 am]
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- Pub. L. 104-113
- 5 CFR 1320
- Pub. L. 105-113
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Notices
Notice and request for comments
Pub. L.Pub. L. 104-113
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Pub. L.Pub. L. 105-113
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