Notice of Intent To Extend and Revise a Currently Approved Information Collection

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service

Notice of Intent To Extend and Revise 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. No. 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 for and revision to a currently approved

information collection, the Stocks Report.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 23, 1999 be

assured to 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: Stocks Report.

OMB Number: 0535-0007.

Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 1999.

Type of Request: Intent to extend and revise 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 Stock Report Surveys provide

estimates of off-farm stocks of grains rice, potatoes peanuts, hops,

and dry beans. Off-farm stocks are combined with on-farm stocks to

estimate stocks in all positions. Stocks statistics are used by the

U.S. Department of Agriculture to help administer programs, by State

agencies to develop research and promote the marketing of the products

and by producers to find their best market opportunity. The Stocks

Report has approval from OMB for a 3-year period. NASS intends to

request that the survey be approved for another 3 years. 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.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this collection of

information is estimated to average 18 minutes per response.

Respondents: Farms and businesses.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 13,250.

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, including 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 Avenue SW, Room 4162 South Building, Washington, D.C.

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, D.C., January 27, 1999.

Rich Allen,

Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.

[FR Doc. 99-3741 Filed 2-16-99; 8:45 am]

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