Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection; Study of Human Behavior and Attitudes Linked to Human-Deer Transmission of SARS-CoV-2, 94702-94703 [2024-28049]
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94702
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 230 / Friday, November 29, 2024 / Notices
other forms of information technology
collection methods.
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, November 5,
2024.
Joseph J. Prusacki,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2024–28065 Filed 11–27–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–20–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
[Docket No. APHIS–2024–0052]
Notice of Request for Approval of an
Information Collection; Study of
Human Behavior and Attitudes Linked
to Human-Deer Transmission of
SARS–CoV–2
Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: New information collection;
comment request.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice announces the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service’s intention to
request an approval of a new
information collection associated with a
study to understand human behavior
and attitudes linked to human-deer
transmission of SARS–CoV–2.
DATES: We will consider all comments
that we receive on or before January 28,
2025.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
by either of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
www.regulations.gov. Enter APHIS–
2024–0052 in the Search field. Select
the Documents tab, then select the
Comment button in the list of
documents.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:
Send your comment to Docket No.
APHIS–2024–0052, Regulatory Analysis
and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station
2C–10.16, 4700 River Road, Unit 25,
Riverdale, MD 20737–1238.
Supporting documents and any
comments we receive on this docket
may be viewed at regulations.gov or in
our reading room, which is located in
Room 1620 of the USDA South
Building, 14th Street and Independence
Avenue SW, Washington, DC. Normal
reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
holidays. To be sure someone is there to
help you, please call (202) 799–7039
before coming.
khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
21:22 Nov 27, 2024
Jkt 265001
For
information on this human-deer
transmission of SARS–CoV–2 study,
contact Dr. Keith Carlisle, Supervisory
Social Scientist/Human Dimensions
Unit Leader, National Wildlife Research
Center, WS, APHIS, 4101 La Porte Ave,
Fort Collins, CO 80521; (970) 266–6047;
email: keith.m.carlisle@usda.gov. For
more information on the information
collection process, contact Mr. Joseph
Moxey, APHIS’ Paperwork Reduction
Act Coordinator; (301) 851–2533; email
joseph.moxey@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Study of Human Behavior and
Attitudes Linked to Human-Deer
Transmission of SARS–CoV–2.
OMB Control Number: 0579–XXXX.
Type of Request: Approval of a new
information collection.
Abstract: Under the Act of March 2,
1931 (7 U.S.C. 8351), the Secretary of
Agriculture is authorized to conduct a
program of wildlife services with
respect to injurious animal species and
take any action the Secretary considers
necessary in conducting the program.
Additionally, the Secretary of
Agriculture is authorized to conduct
activities to control nuisance mammals
and birds (except for urban rodent
control) and those mammals and bird
species that are reservoirs for zoonotic
disease. This authority has been
delegated to the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS’)
Wildlife Services (WS). Two
responsibilities of the Deputy
Administrator of WS are to assist
Federal, State, local, and foreign
agencies and individuals with regard to
wildlife damage and control and
conduct research to develop wildlife
damage management methods (7 CFR
371.6).
There has been spillover and
sustained transmission of SARS–CoV–2
(SCV2) among animal populations, and
this has raised significant questions
regarding the potential establishment of
disease reservoirs among wildlife
species. SCV2 infection has been
observed in white-tailed deer (WTD)
populations across much of the United
States, suggesting that deer may serve as
a vector and potential reservoir for the
disease. While experts suggest humanto-deer transmission is likely, the
activities or factors that facilitate
transmission have yet to be identified.
Experts suggest that human behaviors
likely contribute to the direct and
indirect transmission pathways between
humans and WTD. Previous research
highlights direct contact (feeding or
touching) or aerosol transmission
(interacting in close proximity) as likely
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
routes of spillover. However, indirect
transmission through fomites (use of
attractants, leaving out feed for wildlife,
trash/refuse) or environmental
contamination (waste, septic or
wastewater overflow) cannot be
dismissed.
Little research has been done to
explore the nuances of human-deer
interactions relevant to SCV2
transmission. Understanding the
perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of
community groups relevant to SCV2
spillover and spillback is a pivotal
aspect of managing and mitigating
current and future threats. While
previous research has explored human
dimensions aspects related to deer
management, it is often done in the
context of rural communities or through
the lens of consumptive use, such as
hunting. Further exploration of humandeer interactions among a larger
diversity of stakeholders and within the
specific context of disease management
is needed.
For this study, APHIS has established
a cooperative agreement with the
University of Minnesota to administer
quantitative surveys among members of
the public in five States (Illinois,
Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania,
and Tennessee). The survey will collect
data concerning the values, beliefs,
attitudes, and behaviors associated with
humans’ interactions with WTD. This
information will provide critical data to
inform future disease surveillance,
mitigation strategies, and policies aimed
at curtailing SCV2 transmission between
humans and WTD. This information
will be useful for informing future
disease surveillance and management
efforts by providing in-depth analysis of
the social and cognitive drivers of
human-deer interactions.
The information collection activity
associated with this study consists of a
multi-item questionnaire administered
to members of the public with primary
residence in the States of Illinois,
Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, or
Tennessee.
We are asking the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) to
approve our use of this information
collection activity for 3 years.
The purpose of this notice is to solicit
comments from the public (as well as
affected agencies) concerning our
information collection. These comments
will help us:
(1) Evaluate 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;
(2) Evaluate the accuracy of our
estimate of the burden of the collection
E:\FR\FM\29NON1.SGM
29NON1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 230 / Friday, November 29, 2024 / Notices
of information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and
(4) Minimize the burden of the
collection of information on those who
are to respond, through use, as
appropriate, of automated, electronic,
mechanical, and other collection
technologies; e.g., permitting electronic
submission of responses.
Estimate of burden: The public
burden for this collection of information
is estimated to average 0.075 hours per
response.
Respondents: Members of the public
whose primary residence is in the States
of Illinois, Minnesota, New York,
Pennsylvania, or Tennessee.
Estimated annual number of
respondents: 60,000.
Estimated annual number of
responses per respondent: 2.
Estimated annual number of
responses: 105,000.
Estimated total annual burden on
respondents: 7,868 hours. (Due to
averaging, the total annual burden hours
may not equal the product of the annual
number of responses multiplied by the
reporting burden per response.)
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.
Done in Washington, DC, this 22nd day of
November 2024.
Michael Watson,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–28049 Filed 11–27–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Information Collection; National Visitor
Use Monitoring
Forest Service, Agriculture
(USDA).
ACTION: Notice; request for comment.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Forest Service (Forest Service or
Agency) is requesting public comment
on reapproval and proposed revisions of
an approved information collection
request (ICR), 0596–0110, National
Visitor Use Monitoring.
DATES: Comments on reapproval and the
proposed revisions of the ICR must be
received in writing by January 28, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to
Dr. Sarah Cline, Mail Stop 1125, Forest
khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
21:22 Nov 27, 2024
Jkt 265001
Service, USDA, P.O. Box 96090,
Washington, DC 20090–6090.
Comments also may be submitted via
email to sarah.cline@usda.gov.
Comments submitted in response to this
notice will be available to the public
through relevant websites and upon
request. Therefore, do not include
confidential information, such as
sensitive personal information or
proprietary information. An email
address associated with a comment will
be included with the comment when it
is made publicly available online.
The public may inspect the
supporting statements for the ICR and
comments received at 201 14th Street
SW, Washington, DC 20250, Suite 2nd
Floor Southwest, on business days
between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Visitors
are encouraged to call ahead at 202–
205–0444 to facilitate entry into the
building. The public may request an
electronic copy of the supporting
statements and comments via return
email. Requests should be emailed to
sarah.cline@usda.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Sarah Cline, Recreation, Heritage, and
Volunteer Resources staff, at 202–734–
9686 or sarah.cline@usda.gov.
Individuals who use
telecommunications devices for the deaf
and hard of hearing may call 711 to
reach the Telecommunications Relay
Service, 24 hours a day, every day of the
year, including holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: National Visitor Use
Monitoring.
OMB Number: 0596–0110.
Expiration Date of Approval: February
28, 2025.
Type of Request: Reapproval and
proposed revisions of an approved ICR.
Abstract: The Government
Performance and Results Act of 1993
requires that Federal agencies establish
measurable goals and monitor their
success at meeting those goals. Two of
the items the Forest Service must
measure are (1) the number of visits that
occur on National Forest System lands
for recreation and other purposes; and
(2) the views and satisfaction levels of
recreation visitors to National Forest
System lands regarding the recreational
services, facilities, and settings they
experience. The Agency receives
requests for this kind of information
from a variety of organizations,
including Congressional staffs,
newspapers, magazines, and recreation
trade organizations.
The data from this ICR provide vital
information for strategic planning
efforts, decisions regarding allocation of
resources, and revisions of Forest
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
94703
Service land management plans. The
data provide managers with reliable
estimates of the number of visitors
recreating in an Agency administrative
unit, recreational activities conducted
by those visitors, visitor satisfaction,
and visitor needs, trends, and desires.
The information obtained from the ICR
helps identify recreation markets, as
well as the contributions made to local
economies by visitors’ spending on
recreational activities on National Forest
System lands. The information is
collected over a five-year to align with
Agency land management planning and
other data collection and reporting.
At developed recreation sites or
access points, Agency personnel or
contractors conduct interviews with
visitors as they complete their visit.
Interviewers ask about the purpose and
length of the visit, the origin of the trip,
the composition of the visitor’s party,
and the visitor’s annual visitation rates,
activities during the visit, trip-related
spending patterns, use of recreational
facilities, and satisfaction with Agency
services and facilities. Primary analysis
of the information collected is
performed by staff in the Agency’s
Washington Office and by scientists in
one or more of the Agency’s research
stations. The Forest Service is proposing
to revise the list of survey questions to
reflect recently updated Office of
Management and Budget guidance on
questions related to race, ethnicity, and
gender identity. The Agency is also
proposing to add questions about
veteran and retirement status and
special uses. The Forest Service is also
proposing to provide a full Spanish
translation of the survey.
Estimated Annual Burden per
Response: 10 minutes.
Type of Respondents: Visitors to
National Forest System lands.
Estimated Annual Number of
Respondents: 45,000.
Estimated Annual Number of
Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 5,870 hours.
Comment is invited on (1) whether
the collection of information is
necessary for the stated purposes and
the proper performance of the functions
of the Agency, including whether the
information will have practical or
scientific utility; (2) the accuracy of the
Agency’s estimate of the burden of the
collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and
assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (4)
ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on
respondents, including the use of
E:\FR\FM\29NON1.SGM
29NON1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 230 (Friday, November 29, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 94702-94703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28049]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2024-0052]
Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection;
Study of Human Behavior and Attitudes Linked to Human-Deer Transmission
of SARS-CoV-2
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: New information collection; comment request.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's
intention to request an approval of a new information collection
associated with a study to understand human behavior and attitudes
linked to human-deer transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before
January 28, 2025.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov.
Enter APHIS-2024-0052 in the Search field. Select the Documents tab,
then select the Comment button in the list of documents.
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to
Docket No. APHIS-2024-0052, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD,
APHIS, Station 2C-10.16, 4700 River Road, Unit 25, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.
Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may
be viewed at regulations.gov or in our reading room, which is located
in Room 1620 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence
Avenue SW, Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30
p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is
there to help you, please call (202) 799-7039 before coming.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on this human-deer
transmission of SARS-CoV-2 study, contact Dr. Keith Carlisle,
Supervisory Social Scientist/Human Dimensions Unit Leader, National
Wildlife Research Center, WS, APHIS, 4101 La Porte Ave, Fort Collins,
CO 80521; (970) 266-6047; email: [email protected]. For more
information on the information collection process, contact Mr. Joseph
Moxey, APHIS' Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator; (301) 851-2533;
email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Study of Human Behavior and Attitudes Linked to Human-Deer
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
OMB Control Number: 0579-XXXX.
Type of Request: Approval of a new information collection.
Abstract: Under the Act of March 2, 1931 (7 U.S.C. 8351), the
Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to conduct a program of wildlife
services with respect to injurious animal species and take any action
the Secretary considers necessary in conducting the program.
Additionally, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to conduct
activities to control nuisance mammals and birds (except for urban
rodent control) and those mammals and bird species that are reservoirs
for zoonotic disease. This authority has been delegated to the Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS') Wildlife Services (WS).
Two responsibilities of the Deputy Administrator of WS are to assist
Federal, State, local, and foreign agencies and individuals with regard
to wildlife damage and control and conduct research to develop wildlife
damage management methods (7 CFR 371.6).
There has been spillover and sustained transmission of SARS-CoV-2
(SCV2) among animal populations, and this has raised significant
questions regarding the potential establishment of disease reservoirs
among wildlife species. SCV2 infection has been observed in white-
tailed deer (WTD) populations across much of the United States,
suggesting that deer may serve as a vector and potential reservoir for
the disease. While experts suggest human-to-deer transmission is
likely, the activities or factors that facilitate transmission have yet
to be identified.
Experts suggest that human behaviors likely contribute to the
direct and indirect transmission pathways between humans and WTD.
Previous research highlights direct contact (feeding or touching) or
aerosol transmission (interacting in close proximity) as likely routes
of spillover. However, indirect transmission through fomites (use of
attractants, leaving out feed for wildlife, trash/refuse) or
environmental contamination (waste, septic or wastewater overflow)
cannot be dismissed.
Little research has been done to explore the nuances of human-deer
interactions relevant to SCV2 transmission. Understanding the
perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of community groups relevant to
SCV2 spillover and spillback is a pivotal aspect of managing and
mitigating current and future threats. While previous research has
explored human dimensions aspects related to deer management, it is
often done in the context of rural communities or through the lens of
consumptive use, such as hunting. Further exploration of human-deer
interactions among a larger diversity of stakeholders and within the
specific context of disease management is needed.
For this study, APHIS has established a cooperative agreement with
the University of Minnesota to administer quantitative surveys among
members of the public in five States (Illinois, Minnesota, New York,
Pennsylvania, and Tennessee). The survey will collect data concerning
the values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors associated with humans'
interactions with WTD. This information will provide critical data to
inform future disease surveillance, mitigation strategies, and policies
aimed at curtailing SCV2 transmission between humans and WTD. This
information will be useful for informing future disease surveillance
and management efforts by providing in-depth analysis of the social and
cognitive drivers of human-deer interactions.
The information collection activity associated with this study
consists of a multi-item questionnaire administered to members of the
public with primary residence in the States of Illinois, Minnesota, New
York, Pennsylvania, or Tennessee.
We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve
our use of this information collection activity for 3 years.
The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public
(as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection.
These comments will help us:
(1) Evaluate 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;
(2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the
collection
[[Page 94703]]
of information, including the validity of the methodology and
assumptions used;
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and
(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those
who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated,
electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies; e.g.,
permitting electronic submission of responses.
Estimate of burden: The public burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 0.075 hours per response.
Respondents: Members of the public whose primary residence is in
the States of Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, or
Tennessee.
Estimated annual number of respondents: 60,000.
Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 2.
Estimated annual number of responses: 105,000.
Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 7,868 hours. (Due to
averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of
the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per
response.)
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.
Done in Washington, DC, this 22nd day of November 2024.
Michael Watson,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-28049 Filed 11-27-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
