Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request, 59596-59597 [E8-23890]

Download as PDF 59596 Notices Federal Register Vol. 73, No. 197 Thursday, October 9, 2008 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, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES October 6, 2008. The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13. Comments regarding (a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or fax (202) 395–5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, D.C. 20250– 7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720–8958. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to VerDate Aug<31>2005 21:01 Oct 08, 2008 Jkt 217001 the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS National Agricultural Statistics Service AGENCY: Title: Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey. OMB Control Number: 0535–0234. Summary of Collection: The Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey (FRIS) is an integral part of the 2007 Census of Agriculture and is conducted under the authority of the Census of Agriculture Act of 1997 (Pub. L. 105–113). This law requires the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a census of agriculture beginning in 2002 and every fifth year thereafter (prior to that the census was conducted by the Department of Commerce). The 2008 FRIS will be obtaining data describing the irrigation activities of U.S. farm operations. Some of these activities are of national concern, such as the use of chemigation, fertigation and water-conserving practices of irrigators. The 2008 FRIS will also incorporate a second version of the questionnaire that will be directed at horticultural producers. Need and Use of the Information: NASS will collect information from the FRIS on acres irrigated by land use category, acres and yields of irrigated and non-irrigated crops, quantity of water applied and method of application to selected crops, acres irrigated and quantity of water used by source, acres irrigated by type of water distribution systems, and number of irrigation wells and pumps. The primary purpose of FRIS is to provide detailed data on water management practices and water uses in American agriculture, and to on-farm irrigation activities for use in preparing a wide variety of water-related local programs, economic models, legislative initiatives, market analyses, and feasibility studies. The absence of FRIS data would certainly affect irrigation policy decision. Description of Respondents: Farms. Number of Respondents: 35,000. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (one-time). Total Burden Hours: 23,933. Charlene Parker, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. E8–24070 Filed 10–8–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–20–P PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Sunshine Act Notice United States Commission on Civil Rights. ACTION: Notice of meeting. Friday, October 17, 2008; 9:30 a.m. PLACE: U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 624 Ninth Street, NW., Rm. 540, Washington, DC 20425. DATE AND TIME: Meeting Agenda I. Approval of Agenda II. Approval of Minutes • September 12, 2008 Meeting • September 30, 2008 Meeting III. Announcements IV. Staff Director’s Report V. Program Planning • FY 2009 Statutory Report Concept Paper • Proposed Letter to the State Bar of California VI. State Advisory Committee Issues • Arkansas SAC • Minnesota SAC • North Carolina SAC VII. Future Agenda Items VIII. Adjourn CONTACT PERSON FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Lenore Ostrowsky, Acting Chief, Public Affairs Unit (202) 376– 8582. Date: October 7, 2008. David Blackwood, General Counsel. [FR Doc. E8–24198 Filed 10–7–08; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 6335–01–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: U.S. Census Bureau. Title: Field Representative/Decennial Field Staff/Coverage Measurement Exit Questionnaire. Form Number(s): BC–1294, BC– 1294(D), BC–1294(CM). OMB Control Number: 0607–0404. E:\FR\FM\09OCN1.SGM 09OCN1 sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 197 / Thursday, October 9, 2008 / Notices Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection. Burden Hours: 393. Number of Respondents: 2,500. Average Hours Per Response: BC– 1294—7 minutes; BC–1294(D) and BC– 1294(CM)—10 minutes. Needs and Uses: Retention of trained field interviewing staff is a major concern for the Census Bureau because of both the monetary costs associated with employee turnover, as well as the potential impact on data quality. Therefore, in a continuous effort to devise policies and practices aimed at reducing turnover among interviewers, the Census Bureau collects data on the reasons interviewers leave their Census Bureau jobs. The exit questionnaires are the instruments used to collect turnover data from a sample of former current survey interviewers (field representatives) and decennial census interviewers (enumerators and listers). The goal or purpose of the exit questionnaires is to determine the reasons for interviewer turnover and what the Census Bureau might have done, or can do, to influence interviewers not to leave. Thus the exit questionnaires seek reasons interviewers quit, inquires about motivational factors that would have kept interviewers from leaving, attempts to identify training program strengths and weaknesses and their impacts on turnover, and explores the impact of pay, working conditions and supervisory styles on employees’ reasons for quitting. As the environment in which surveys take place, the demographics of our labor force, and the way surveys are conducted continues to change, it is important that we continue to examine the interviewers’ concerns about their job. Information provided by respondents to the exit questionnaire provides insight on the measures the Census Bureau might take to decrease turnover, and is useful in helping us determine if the reasons for interviewer turnover appear to be systemic or localized. The exit questionnaires have been shown to be useful and, therefore, we believe it is important to continue to use them to effect program planning and management. Forms BC–1294 and BC–1294(D) are the instruments we currently use to collect turnover data from a sample of former current survey interviewers and decennial census interviewers, respectively. We are adding the BC– 1294(CM) to this clearance to collect turnover data from Census Coverage Measurement (CCM) listers and interviewers. CCM operations are VerDate Aug<31>2005 21:01 Oct 08, 2008 Jkt 217001 conducted to determine the number of people and housing units missed or counted more than once in the Census of the United States and Puerto Rico. In addition to the new form BC– 1294(CM), we plan to implement changes to the BC–1294 and BC– 1294(D) which reflect Census Bureau policy and procedural changes to current survey and decennial operations since the last request for clearance. For example, on the current survey side, field staff have reported an increased concern for safeguarding Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and Census Bureau confidential data on laptops, which has resulted in the use of multiple passwords and data encryption software. Thus, changes have been made to the BC–1294 to determine if the Census Bureau’s increased security concerns, for the accountable property (laptops) and the increased security requirements pertaining to the restricted data contained on the laptops, are impacting FR turnover. Recent changes in 2010 decennial operations have also made it necessary to revise the BC–1294(D). For example, the 2010 Nonresponse Followup (NRFU) operation that was originally going to involve computer-assisted data collection will revert to being a paperbased operation. That is, a paper instrument or questionnaire will be used to collect respondent data instead of a hand-held computer. Thus we are making changes to the BC–1294(D) to remove questions about the use and impact of automation on the retention of NRFU enumerators. In addition, the proposed revisions to the BC–1294(D) reflect the redesign of the 2010 Address Canvassing operation from what was done in the 2006 Census Test and the lessons learned during the 2008 Dress Rehearsal. The information collected via the three Exit Questionnaires will help the Census Bureau develop plans to reduce turnover in its current survey, decennial and coverage measurement interviewing staff. This, in turn, will allow for better informed decisions regarding the field workforce and implementation of more effective pay plans, selection procedures, interviewer training, and retention strategies for all interviewers. Affected Public: Individuals or households. Frequency: One-time. Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. Legal Authority: Title 5 U.S.C. Section 3101 and Title 13 U.S.C. Section 23. OMB Desk Officer: Brian HarrisKojetin, (202) 395–7314. Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 59597 calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, (202) 482–0266, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at dHynek@doc.gov). Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to Brian Harris-Kojetin, OMB Desk Officer, either by fax (202–395– 7245) or e-mail (bharrisk@omb.eop.gov). Dated: October 3, 2008. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E8–23890 Filed 10–8–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–07–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign–Trade Zones Board [Docket 53–2008] Foreign–Trade Zone 242 Boundary County, Idaho, Application for Subzone, Hoku Materials, Inc. (Polysilicon Manufacturing), Pocatello, Idaho An application has been submitted to the Foreign–Trade Zones (FTZ) Board (the Board) by Boundary County, Idaho, grantee of FTZ 242, requesting special– purpose subzone status with manufacturing authority at the polysilicon manufacturing facility of Hoku Materials, Inc., located in Pocatello, Idaho. The application was submitted pursuant to the Foreign– Trade Zones Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a–81u), and the regulations of the Board (15 CFR part 400). It was formally filed on October 3, 2008. The Hoku facility (approximately 200 employees, 67 acres, 200,000 sq. ft.), currently under construction, is located at One Hoku Way, Pocatello, Idaho. Hoku is proposing to manufacture under zone procedures polysilicon (3,500 metric tons with possible expansion up to 8,000 metric tons) for the solar module market. The applicant is requesting to use two foreign–origin inputs (some 11% of finished product value): silicon (HTSUS 2804.69 duty rate 5.5%) and trichlorosilane (HTSUS 2853.00 duty rate 2.8%) in the manufacturing process. FTZ procedures would exempt Hoku from customs duty payments on foreign materials used in export production (some 95% of plant shipments). On its domestic shipments, Hoku could defer duty until the product is entered for E:\FR\FM\09OCN1.SGM 09OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 197 (Thursday, October 9, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59596-59597]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-23890]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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: U.S. Census Bureau.
    Title: Field Representative/Decennial Field Staff/Coverage 
Measurement Exit Questionnaire.
    Form Number(s): BC-1294, BC-1294(D), BC-1294(CM).
    OMB Control Number: 0607-0404.

[[Page 59597]]

    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Burden Hours: 393.
    Number of Respondents: 2,500.
    Average Hours Per Response: BC-1294--7 minutes; BC-1294(D) and BC-
1294(CM)--10 minutes.
    Needs and Uses: Retention of trained field interviewing staff is a 
major concern for the Census Bureau because of both the monetary costs 
associated with employee turnover, as well as the potential impact on 
data quality. Therefore, in a continuous effort to devise policies and 
practices aimed at reducing turnover among interviewers, the Census 
Bureau collects data on the reasons interviewers leave their Census 
Bureau jobs.
    The exit questionnaires are the instruments used to collect 
turnover data from a sample of former current survey interviewers 
(field representatives) and decennial census interviewers (enumerators 
and listers). The goal or purpose of the exit questionnaires is to 
determine the reasons for interviewer turnover and what the Census 
Bureau might have done, or can do, to influence interviewers not to 
leave. Thus the exit questionnaires seek reasons interviewers quit, 
inquires about motivational factors that would have kept interviewers 
from leaving, attempts to identify training program strengths and 
weaknesses and their impacts on turnover, and explores the impact of 
pay, working conditions and supervisory styles on employees' reasons 
for quitting.
    As the environment in which surveys take place, the demographics of 
our labor force, and the way surveys are conducted continues to change, 
it is important that we continue to examine the interviewers' concerns 
about their job. Information provided by respondents to the exit 
questionnaire provides insight on the measures the Census Bureau might 
take to decrease turnover, and is useful in helping us determine if the 
reasons for interviewer turnover appear to be systemic or localized. 
The exit questionnaires have been shown to be useful and, therefore, we 
believe it is important to continue to use them to effect program 
planning and management.
    Forms BC-1294 and BC-1294(D) are the instruments we currently use 
to collect turnover data from a sample of former current survey 
interviewers and decennial census interviewers, respectively. We are 
adding the BC-1294(CM) to this clearance to collect turnover data from 
Census Coverage Measurement (CCM) listers and interviewers. CCM 
operations are conducted to determine the number of people and housing 
units missed or counted more than once in the Census of the United 
States and Puerto Rico.
    In addition to the new form BC-1294(CM), we plan to implement 
changes to the BC-1294 and BC-1294(D) which reflect Census Bureau 
policy and procedural changes to current survey and decennial 
operations since the last request for clearance. For example, on the 
current survey side, field staff have reported an increased concern for 
safeguarding Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and Census 
Bureau confidential data on laptops, which has resulted in the use of 
multiple passwords and data encryption software. Thus, changes have 
been made to the BC-1294 to determine if the Census Bureau's increased 
security concerns, for the accountable property (laptops) and the 
increased security requirements pertaining to the restricted data 
contained on the laptops, are impacting FR turnover.
    Recent changes in 2010 decennial operations have also made it 
necessary to revise the BC-1294(D). For example, the 2010 Nonresponse 
Followup (NRFU) operation that was originally going to involve 
computer-assisted data collection will revert to being a paper-based 
operation. That is, a paper instrument or questionnaire will be used to 
collect respondent data instead of a hand-held computer. Thus we are 
making changes to the BC-1294(D) to remove questions about the use and 
impact of automation on the retention of NRFU enumerators. In addition, 
the proposed revisions to the BC-1294(D) reflect the redesign of the 
2010 Address Canvassing operation from what was done in the 2006 Census 
Test and the lessons learned during the 2008 Dress Rehearsal.
    The information collected via the three Exit Questionnaires will 
help the Census Bureau develop plans to reduce turnover in its current 
survey, decennial and coverage measurement interviewing staff. This, in 
turn, will allow for better informed decisions regarding the field 
workforce and implementation of more effective pay plans, selection 
procedures, interviewer training, and retention strategies for all 
interviewers.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Frequency: One-time.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 5 U.S.C. Section 3101 and Title 13 U.S.C. 
Section 23.
    OMB Desk Officer: Brian Harris-Kojetin, (202) 395-7314.
    Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained 
by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance 
Officer, (202) 482-0266, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at 
dHynek@doc.gov).
    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice 
to Brian Harris-Kojetin, OMB Desk Officer, either by fax (202-395-7245) 
or e-mail (bharrisk@omb.eop.gov).

    Dated: October 3, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-23890 Filed 10-8-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.