Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; 2016-2018 Business R&D and Innovation Surveys, 61183-61184 [2016-21281]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 172 / Tuesday, September 6, 2016 / Notices
gondola (Bashor Gondola, located on
private lands), construction of the
Bashor Children’s Facility and
Restaurant (located on private lands),
removal of the existing Bashor Pavilion
and bathroom facilities, installation of
multiple moving carpet lifts, installation
of a fixed grip chairlift (Rough Rider
lift), removal of the existing Rough
Rider platter lift, construction of a new
skier bypass from Boulevard to the
Rough Rider Learning Center, re-grading
of associated novice and beginner
terrain, and installation of snowmaking
infrastructure.
Proposed improvements within
Bashor Bowl include replacement and
realignment of the outdated Bashor lift
(located on both private and NFS lands),
construction of two new skiways from
the realigned Bashor lift top terminal,
grading at the base of Bashor Bowl,
expansion of the Rabbit Ears Terrain
Park, removal of the Mavericks
Superpipe, construction of a new novice
trail connecting Yoo Hoo to Big Foot,
and reconfiguration of existing
snowmaking infrastructure.
Pony Express
Proposed improvements within the
Pony Express area include:
Enhancements to trail corridors through
vegetation removal, grading, and rock
blasting; increased capacity of the Pony
Express lift by adding carriers to the
existing lift; construction of a ski patrol
and restroom facility near the top
terminal of the Pony Express lift;
installation of winch cat anchors;
construction of a ski-way from the
junction of Lower Middle Rib and Chaps
ski trails to the Storm Peak Express
chairlift; and installation of
snowmaking infrastructure and coverage
to Upper and Lower Middle Rib, the
Crux, Upper and Lower Longhorn,
Lower Pony Express lift line, Upper and
Lower Storm Peak Express Connectors,
BC Ski Way, and Chaps.
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
Pioneer Ridge
Steamboat proposes to expand the
operational boundary by approximately
355 acres to encompass Pioneer Ridge,
construct a new detachable quad chair
lift (Pioneer 2 lift), create 95 acres of
gladed skiing, conduct 40 acres of
hazard tree removal and vegetation
management, install a bridge over
Burgess Creek and construct an
associated collector skiway, and define
multiple gladed trails and egress routes
to connect with existing and proposed
terrain and facilities.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:04 Sep 02, 2016
Jkt 238001
Responsible Official
The Responsible Official is Dennis
Jaeger, Forest Supervisor for the
MBRTB.
Dated: August 10, 2016.
Carolyn Upton,
Acting Forest Supervisor.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
Based on the analysis that will be
documented in the forthcoming EIS, the
Responsible Official will decide
whether or not to implement, in whole
or in part, the Proposed Action or
another alternative that may be
developed by the Forest Service as a
result of scoping. The Responsible
Official will also decide what, if any,
mitigation measures, and monitoring
requirements should be made part of the
decision.
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the
scoping process, which guides the
development of the environmental
impact statement. The Forest Service is
soliciting comments from Federal, State
and local agencies and other individuals
or organizations that may be interested
in or affected by implementation of the
proposed projects. A public open house
for this proposal will be held at the
Steamboat Springs Community Center
located at 1605 Lincoln Avenue,
Steamboat Springs, CO 80427 on August
25 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Representatives from the MBRTB,
Hahns Peak Bears Ears Ranger District,
and SSRC will be present to answer
questions and provide additional project
information.
To be most helpful, comments should
be specific to the project area and
should identify resources or effects that
should be considered by the Forest
Service. Submitting timely, specific
written comments during this scoping
period or any other official comment
period establishes standing for filing
objections under 36 CFR 218 subparts A
and B. Additional information and maps
of this proposal can be found at: https://
www.fs.usda.gov/project/
?project=48246.
It is important that reviewers provide
their comments at such times and in
such manner that they are useful to the
agency’s preparation of the
environmental impact statement.
Therefore, comments should be
provided prior to the close of the
comment period and should clearly
articulate the reviewer’s concerns and
contentions.
Comments received in response to
this solicitation, including names and
addresses of those who comment, will
be part of the public record for this
proposed action. Comments submitted
anonymously will be accepted and
considered.
61183
SUMMARY:
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[FR Doc. 2016–21236 Filed 9–2–16; 8:45 am]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
U.S. Census Bureau
Proposed Information Collection;
Comment Request; 2016–2018
Business R&D and Innovation Surveys
U.S. Census Bureau,
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
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
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
or on-line comments must be submitted
on or before November 7, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments
to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental
Paperwork Clearance Officer,
Department of Commerce, Room 6616,
14th and Constitution Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20230 (or via the
Internet at jjessup@doc.gov).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection
instrument(s) and instructions should
be directed to Michael Flaherty, U.S.
Census Bureau, HQ–6H149, 4600 Silver
Hill Rd., Suitland, MD 20746 (301) 763–
7699 (or via the internet at
michael.j.flaherty@census.gov).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The U.S. Census Bureau, with support
from the National Science Foundation
(NSF), plans to conduct the Business
R&D and Innovation Survey (BRDIS) for
the 2016–2018 survey years. The BRDIS
covers all domestic, non-farm, for-profit
businesses with at least one paid
employee. The BRDIS provides the only
comprehensive data on research and
development costs and detailed
expenses by type and industry.
The Census Bureau has conducted an
R&D survey since 1957 (the Survey of
Industrial Research and Development
(SIRD) from 1957–2007 and BRDIS from
2008–present), collecting primarily
financial information on the systematic
E:\FR\FM\06SEN1.SGM
06SEN1
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
61184
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 172 / Tuesday, September 6, 2016 / Notices
work companies undertake to discover
new knowledge or use existing
knowledge to develop new or improved
goods and services.
Prior to 2016, only companies with a
minimum of five employees were in
scope to the BRDIS. Beginning in 2016,
the BRDIS will increase it’s scope to
include microbusinesses, or firms with
fewer than five employees. Sampled
companies in this target population will
receive a BRDI–M form. Companies
with five or more employees will
receive the standard form (BRDI–1) or if
selected for the screener questionnaire,
the BRDI–1(S) form. Expanding the
coverage of the BRDIS will help
policymakers address issues such as
how small businesses are affected by the
rapid changes in our economy and what
the smallest businesses are doing to be
competitive.
The 2016–2018 BRDIS will continue
to collect the following types of
information:
• R&D expense based on accepted
accounting standards.
• Worldwide R&D of domestic
companies.
• Business segment detail.
• R&D-related capital expenditures.
• Detailed data about the R&D
workforce.
• R&D strategy and data on the
potential impact of R&D on the market.
• R&D directed to application areas of
particular national interest.
• Data measuring innovation,
intellectual property protection
activities and technology transfer.
The BRDI–1 form utilizes a booklet
instrument that facilitates the collection
of information from various contacts
within each company who have the best
understanding of the concepts and
definitions being presented as well as
access to the information necessary to
provide the most accurate response. The
sections of the booklet correspond to
areas within the company and currently
include: A company information section
that includes detailed innovation
questions; a financial section focused on
company R&D expenses; a human
resources section; an R&D strategy and
management section; an IP and
technology transfer section; and a
section focused on R&D that is funded
or paid for by third parties. A web
instrument is also available to
respondents. The web instrument for
the BRDI–1 form incorporates Excel
spreadsheets that are provided to
facilitate the electronic collection of
information from various areas of the
companies. Respondents have the
capability to download the spreadsheets
from the Census Bureau’s Web site. A
consolidator spreadsheet is also
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:04 Sep 02, 2016
Jkt 238001
available to assist companies that need
to gather information from business
units and then compile the information
into one company report.
Domestic and foreign researchers in
academia, business, and government
analyze and cite data from the BRDIS.
Among the federal government users are
the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
and the White House’s Office of Science
and Technology Policy (OSTP). BEA
includes R&D in the system of national
accounts that measures the economic
well-being of the country. BRDIS data
are key inputs into these accounts,
which feed into the calculation of the
U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The
White House, in 2006, issued the
American Competitiveness Initiative to
‘‘increase investments in research and
development, strengthen education, and
encourage entrepreneurship.’’ In
support of this initiative and in
response to legislative mandates, data
on R&D are delivered to OSTP,
primarily in the biennial National
Science Board report Science and
Engineering Indicators. Also, the
National Science Foundation (NSF)
produces a series of publications
containing R&D data including the
National Patterns of R&D Resources
series, the S&E State Profile series, and
the annual Business R&D and
Innovation series. Special reports and
other publications are also prepared.
II. Method of Collection
The Census Bureau will use a
paperless strategy for the standard form
(BRDI–1). Respondents will be mailed a
letter referring them to the Census
Bureau’s Business Help Site where they
can report online. Some companies
selected for the screener form [BRDI–
1(S)] will receive a letter only in initial
mail out, directing them to report
online. Others will receive a paper form
in initial mailout that they can mail
back. The microbusiness form (BRDI–M)
is a mail out/mail back survey form.
Respondents to all form types will have
the option to report electronically. The
due date for the standard form will be
approximately 60 days from receipt. The
due date for all other form types will be
approximately 30 days from receipt.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0607–0912.
Form Number: BRDI–1, BRDI–1(S),
and BRDI–M.
Type of Review: Regular submission.
Affected Public: All domestic, nonfarm, for-profit (public or private)
businesses with at least one paid
employee.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
BRDI–1—(Standard Form) ..........
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
7,000
BRDI–1(S)—(Screener Form) ......
BRDI–M—(Microbusiness Form)
Total ..........................................
38,000
200,000
245,000
Estimated Time per Response:
BRDI–1—(Standard Form) .....
BRDI–1(S)—(Screener Form)
BRDI–M—(Microbusiness
Form).
14.85 hours.
0.59 hours.
0.25 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 176,370.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0.
Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory.
Legal Authority: Title 13, United
States Code, Sections 8(b), 131, and 182,
and Title 42, United States Code,
Sections 1861–76 (National Science
Foundation Act of 1950, as amended).
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: August 31, 2016
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016–21281 Filed 9–2–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–07–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Foreign-Trade Zones Board
[B–30–2016]
Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 125—South
Bend, Indiana; Authorization of
Proposed Production Activity;
LionsHead Specialty Tire & Wheel, LLC
(Wheel Assemblies for Specialty
Applications); Goshen, Indiana
On May 3, 2016, LionsHead Specialty
Tire & Wheel, LLC, submitted a
notification of proposed production
activity to the Foreign-Trade Zones
(FTZ) Board for its facility within FTZ
125—Site 3, in Goshen, Indiana.
E:\FR\FM\06SEN1.SGM
06SEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 172 (Tuesday, September 6, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61183-61184]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-21281]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
U.S. Census Bureau
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; 2016-2018
Business R&D and Innovation Surveys
AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 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 or on-line comments must be
submitted on or before November 7, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet
at jjessup@doc.gov).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions
should be directed to Michael Flaherty, U.S. Census Bureau, HQ-6H149,
4600 Silver Hill Rd., Suitland, MD 20746 (301) 763-7699 (or via the
internet at michael.j.flaherty@census.gov).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The U.S. Census Bureau, with support from the National Science
Foundation (NSF), plans to conduct the Business R&D and Innovation
Survey (BRDIS) for the 2016-2018 survey years. The BRDIS covers all
domestic, non-farm, for-profit businesses with at least one paid
employee. The BRDIS provides the only comprehensive data on research
and development costs and detailed expenses by type and industry.
The Census Bureau has conducted an R&D survey since 1957 (the
Survey of Industrial Research and Development (SIRD) from 1957-2007 and
BRDIS from 2008-present), collecting primarily financial information on
the systematic
[[Page 61184]]
work companies undertake to discover new knowledge or use existing
knowledge to develop new or improved goods and services.
Prior to 2016, only companies with a minimum of five employees were
in scope to the BRDIS. Beginning in 2016, the BRDIS will increase it's
scope to include microbusinesses, or firms with fewer than five
employees. Sampled companies in this target population will receive a
BRDI-M form. Companies with five or more employees will receive the
standard form (BRDI-1) or if selected for the screener questionnaire,
the BRDI-1(S) form. Expanding the coverage of the BRDIS will help
policymakers address issues such as how small businesses are affected
by the rapid changes in our economy and what the smallest businesses
are doing to be competitive.
The 2016-2018 BRDIS will continue to collect the following types of
information:
R&D expense based on accepted accounting standards.
Worldwide R&D of domestic companies.
Business segment detail.
R&D-related capital expenditures.
Detailed data about the R&D workforce.
R&D strategy and data on the potential impact of R&D on
the market.
R&D directed to application areas of particular national
interest.
Data measuring innovation, intellectual property
protection activities and technology transfer.
The BRDI-1 form utilizes a booklet instrument that facilitates the
collection of information from various contacts within each company who
have the best understanding of the concepts and definitions being
presented as well as access to the information necessary to provide the
most accurate response. The sections of the booklet correspond to areas
within the company and currently include: A company information section
that includes detailed innovation questions; a financial section
focused on company R&D expenses; a human resources section; an R&D
strategy and management section; an IP and technology transfer section;
and a section focused on R&D that is funded or paid for by third
parties. A web instrument is also available to respondents. The web
instrument for the BRDI-1 form incorporates Excel spreadsheets that are
provided to facilitate the electronic collection of information from
various areas of the companies. Respondents have the capability to
download the spreadsheets from the Census Bureau's Web site. A
consolidator spreadsheet is also available to assist companies that
need to gather information from business units and then compile the
information into one company report.
Domestic and foreign researchers in academia, business, and
government analyze and cite data from the BRDIS. Among the federal
government users are the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and the
White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). BEA
includes R&D in the system of national accounts that measures the
economic well-being of the country. BRDIS data are key inputs into
these accounts, which feed into the calculation of the U.S. Gross
Domestic Product (GDP). The White House, in 2006, issued the American
Competitiveness Initiative to ``increase investments in research and
development, strengthen education, and encourage entrepreneurship.'' In
support of this initiative and in response to legislative mandates,
data on R&D are delivered to OSTP, primarily in the biennial National
Science Board report Science and Engineering Indicators. Also, the
National Science Foundation (NSF) produces a series of publications
containing R&D data including the National Patterns of R&D Resources
series, the S&E State Profile series, and the annual Business R&D and
Innovation series. Special reports and other publications are also
prepared.
II. Method of Collection
The Census Bureau will use a paperless strategy for the standard
form (BRDI-1). Respondents will be mailed a letter referring them to
the Census Bureau's Business Help Site where they can report online.
Some companies selected for the screener form [BRDI-1(S)] will receive
a letter only in initial mail out, directing them to report online.
Others will receive a paper form in initial mailout that they can mail
back. The microbusiness form (BRDI-M) is a mail out/mail back survey
form. Respondents to all form types will have the option to report
electronically. The due date for the standard form will be
approximately 60 days from receipt. The due date for all other form
types will be approximately 30 days from receipt.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0607-0912.
Form Number: BRDI-1, BRDI-1(S), and BRDI-M.
Type of Review: Regular submission.
Affected Public: All domestic, non-farm, for-profit (public or
private) businesses with at least one paid employee.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
BRDI-1--(Standard Form)...................................... 7,000
BRDI-1(S)--(Screener Form)................................... 38,000
BRDI-M--(Microbusiness Form)................................. 200,000
Total...................................................... 245,000
Estimated Time per Response:
BRDI-1--(Standard Form).................. 14.85 hours.
BRDI-1(S)--(Screener Form)............... 0.59 hours.
BRDI-M--(Microbusiness Form)............. 0.25 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 176,370.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0.
Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 8(b), 131,
and 182, and Title 42, United States Code, Sections 1861-76 (National
Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended).
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: August 31, 2016
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-21281 Filed 9-2-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P