0596-0010 2016_SuptStmt-B

The 2016 Supporting Statement B for OMB 0596-0010

Forest Industries and Logging Operations Data Collection Systems

Note: Due to proposed changes to this Information Collection, with this submission the name of the collection associated with OMB control number 0596-0010 is being changed from Forest Industries Data Collection System to Forest Industries and Logging Operations Data Collection Systems.

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods

1. Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any sam­pling or other respondent selection method to be used. Data on the number of entities (e.g., establishments, State and local government units, households, or persons) in the universe covered by the collection and in the corre­sponding sample are to be provided in tabular form for the uni­verse as a whole and for each of the strata in the proposed sample. Indicate expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection had been conducted previously, include the actual response rate achieved during the last collection.

Mill Survey: Data is collected from all known primary wood-using mills that use harvested wood in log or chip form, such as sawlogs, veneer logs, pulpwood, and pulp chips, to manufacture products such as lumber, paper, and biomass energy. All known pulpwood processors in the United States, and Canadian mills that process wood material from the United States, are canvassed annually. All other known primary wood products industries (other than pulpwood processors) are canvassed every 2-5 years, depending on the State.

A total of 5,203 primary wood-using mills were canvassed during the 2017 – 2019 time period covered by this Information Collection Request (Table 1). All known primary wood-using mills are contacted and/or accounted for during this survey. For respondents that are still in operation but cannot be contacted or decline to participate, historical information from previous mill responses, or other ancillary information (i.e. State district foresters knowledge of the mill’s operation) is used. If a respondent is deemed to be out of business, it is removed from future canvasses.

Table 1.—Number of primary wood-using mills by type of mill and data collection year

		Data collection year				Response Rate(1)
Survey type	Total	2017	2018	2019		2011
Pulp and Composite Wood Panel Producers	549	187	169	193		96%
Other Primary Wood Products Industries	4,654	986	1,869	1,800		76%
Total	5,203	1,173	2,038	1,993

1. Pulp and Composite response rate is based on pulp mills surveyed across the Nation. The response for other primary wood products is based on survey of Southern mills, 2011.

Loggers Survey: The loggers’ survey will be conducted on active logging sites visited as part of ongoing Harvest Utilization Studies, which are carried out periodically across the nation to collect information on fell tree utilization. Based on previous experience with access to logging sites we anticipate a response rate 85% or higher.

Table 2. Number of logging establishments and expected annual number of sites visited by region

Region	Logging Establishments	Operations per year
South	3,858	195-260
North	2,339	170-180
West	1,910	30-35
Total	8,107	395-475

2. Describe the procedures for the collection of information including:

• Statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection,

• Estimation procedure,

• Degree of accuracy needed for the pur­pose described in the justification,

• Unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures, and

• Any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data collection cycles to reduce burden.

Mill Survey: All known primary wood-using mills are contacted by phone, mail, e-mail, or personal mill visits. No stratification, sampling, or estimation procedures are currently used.

Only the composite wood panel mills (54 mills) in the Northern Region, and pulp mills across all regions (139 mills) are canvassed on an annual cycle. All other mills are canvassed on a 2-5 year cycle, with the Southern Region canvassing every 2 years, and Northern and Western regions canvassing every 5 years.

Loggers Survey: Logging sites are selected assuming an infinite or uncountable population, as the population of sites depends on a state’s logger capacity but also on weather and market conditions at a given time. This makes the size of the population varying and unknown. A state’s sample size is determined using the utilization ratios’ sample error tables developed by Zarnoch et al. (2004).

Sites are selected independently from a stratified population to allocate sites to all significant primary products including saw logs, veneer logs, pulpwood, composite panels, poles and pilings, posts, firewood, and other miscellaneous as applicable. Stratification is accomplished using information from a state’s most current primary mill survey, which provides the species group and product type breakdown.

3. Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-response. The accuracy and reliability of information collected must be shown to be adequate for intended uses. For collections based on sam­pling, a special justification must be provid­ed for any collection that will not yield "reli­able" data that can be generalized to the universe studied.

Mill Survey: Respondents are provided several formats to provided information, using mail, phone, e-mail, or personal visits. These same methods are used for multiple follow up attempts to contact respondents. For respondents that are still in operation but cannot be contacted or decline to participate, historical information from previous mill response is used. If a respondent is deemed to be out of business, it is removed from the canvass.

Loggers Survey: Loggers that allow entry to the site for fell tree data collection will be asked to participate on the survey. If a logger doesn’t allow access to the site, then a replacement site is selected if available. If the logger allows entry to the site but declines to participate on the survey, then the record will be noted as non-response. To maximize response, survey questions will be asked and recorded on-site. No follow-up is needed.

4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken. Testing is encouraged as an effective means of refining collections of information to minimize burden and improve utility. Tests must be approved if they call for answers to identical questions from 10 or more respondents. A proposed test or set of tests may be submitted for approval separate­ly or in combination with the main collection of information.

No tests of procedures or methods are planned for either survey.

5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on statistical aspects of the design and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other person(s) who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.

Mill Survey: Stratification, sampling, or estimation will not be utilized. Data is gathered by USFS Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) personnel and representatives, University of Montana-Missoula Bureau of Business and Economic Research personnel, and State agencies. All analysis is done by the agency in the Northern and Southern regions and by the University of Montana-Missoula Bureau of Business and Economic Research in the Western region.

Loggers Survey: Sampling is based on method developed by Zarnoch et al. (2004). Data will be gathered FIA personnel or FIA representatives, University of Montana-Missoula Bureau of Business and Economic Research personnel, and collaborators from State agencies. All analysis will be done by the agency.

References

Zarnoch, Stanley J.; Bentley, James W.; Johnson, Tony G. 2004. Determining Sample Size for Tree Utilization Surveys. Res. Paper SRS-34. Ashville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Southern Research Station. 11p.

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