Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Commodity Flow Survey, 23539-23540 [2011-10053]

Agencies

• Census Bureau
• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 81 (Wednesday, April 27, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23539-23540]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-10053]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Commodity Flow 
Survey

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before June 27, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at dHynek@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Cynthia Hollingsworth, Bureau of the Census, Room 
8K047, Washington, DC 20233, (301) 763-3655 (or via the Internet at 
cynthia.davis.hollingsworth@census.gov).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The Commodity Flow Survey, a component of the Economic Census, is 
the only comprehensive source of multi-modal, system-wide data on the 
volume and pattern of goods movement in the United States. These data 
are used by government analysts and policy makers at the Federal, State 
and local levels to estimate the future demand for transportation 
services and facilities; assess the adequacy of our current 
transportation infrastructure to accommodate the future demand; and to 
evaluate the economic, social and environmental impacts of 
transportation flows. The data also are used extensively by academics, 
researchers, economic planning organizations, and the business 
community.
    The Commodity Flow Survey is co-sponsored by the Bureau of 
Transportation Statistics, Research and Innovative Technology 
Administration, Department of Transportation. The survey provides data 
on the movement of commodities in the United States from their origin 
to destination. The survey produces summary statistics on value, tons, 
ton-miles and average miles by commodity, industry, and mode of 
transportation. The Census Bureau will publish these shipment 
characteristics for the nation, census regions and divisions, states, 
and CFS defined geographical areas.
    Primary strategies for reducing respondent burden in the Commodity 
Flow Survey include: Employing a stratified random sample of business 
establishments, requesting data on a limited sample of shipment records 
from each establishment, accepting estimates of shipping activity, and 
providing the opportunity for establishments to report electronically.

II. Method of Collection

    The Commodity Flow Survey will be sent to a sample of business 
establishments in mining, manufacturing, wholesale, and select retail 
and services industries. The survey also will cover auxiliary 
establishments (i.e., warehouses and managing offices) of multi-
establishment companies. Each selected establishment will receive four 
questionnaires, one during each calendar quarter of 2012. On each 
questionnaire, an establishment will be asked to report data for 
approximately 20-30 shipments for a predefined reporting week. 
Respondents may report via paper questionnaire or via secure electronic 
reporting.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0932.
    Form Number: CFS 1000 (2012), CFS 2000 (2012).
    Type of Review: Regular submission.

[[Page 23540]]

    Affected Public: Business and other for-profit, small businesses or 
organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 100,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 2 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 800,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $20,800,000.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. 131.

IV. Request for 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 shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(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 respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: April 21, 2011.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-10053 Filed 4-26-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P