In accordance
with 5 CFR 1320 and prior terms of clearance (2009), the
information collection is approved for three years conditional on
the following: 1) a plan to evaluate the extent of nonresponse and
nonresponse bias for probability sample surveys, censuses, and
coverage surveys with an observed response rate of less than 80%
will be received by OMB no later than six months from the date of
this approval; 2) the complete evaluation will be received prior to
the next request for clearance for this docket.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
08/31/2015
36 Months From Approved
08/31/2012
791,340
0
892,000
146,977
0
173,290
0
0
0
Provides state and national acreage,
yield, and production estimates for selected field crops. Weekly
crop progress and condition reports are provided during the growing
season. Production estimates are used in marketing decisions that
affect the nation's food supply. County level production data is
used by insurance companies when calculating farm losses, due to
disasters.
The total burden of 146,977
hours is down 26,313 hours from the current inventory of 173,290
hours. This decrease is due to several factors: by redesigning the
CAPS surveys we were able to decrease the estimated number of
minutes it takes to complete each questionnaire; we were also able
to reduce the overall CAPS sample sizes by 90,000 operations per
year; reductions in frequency and sample sizes were also incurred
on several of the smaller surveys.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.