[Federal Register: March 3, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 42)]
[Notices]               
[Page 9995-9996]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03mr04-35]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

 
Submission For OMB Review; Comment Request

    DOC has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 
clearance the following proposal for collection of information under 
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35).
    Agency: U.S. Census Bureau.
    Title: Construction Progress Reporting Surveys.
    Form Number(s): C-700, Private Construction Projects; C-700(SL), 
State and Local Governments Projects; C-700(R), Multi-Family 
Residential Projects.
    Agency Approval Number: 0607-0153.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Burden: 58,500 hours.
    Number of Respondents: 19,500.
    Avg. Hours Per Response: 15 minutes.
    Needs and Uses: The U.S. Census Bureau conducts the Construction 
Progress Reporting Surveys (CPRS) to collect information on the dollar 
value of construction put in place by private companies, individuals, 
private multifamily residential buildings, and State and local 
governments. Due to the significant growth in construction activity 
during the past few years, and to facilitate the publication of 
construction spending data in more detail by new types of construction, 
we are increasing the number of respondents/projects sampled.
    The C-700 is used to collect data on industrial and manufacturing 
plants, office buildings, retail buildings, service establishments, 
religious buildings, schools, universities, hospitals, clinics, and 
miscellaneous buildings. The C-700(SL) is used to collect data on 
public schools, courthouses, prisons, hospitals, civic centers, 
highways, bridges, sewer systems, and water systems. The C-700(R) is 
used to collect data on residential buildings and apartment projects 
with two or more housing units.
    Data are collected on a sample basis from state and local agency 
officials, owners of private nonresidential

[[Page 9996]]

projects, and owners of private multifamily residential building 
projects. Total projected cost estimates are requested the first month 
and monthly progress reports are requested until the project is 
completed.
    The Census Bureau uses the information collected on these forms to 
publish estimates of the monthly value of construction put in place: 
(1) For nonresidential projects owned by private companies or 
individuals; (2) for projects owned by state and local agencies; and 
(3) for multifamily residential building projects owned by private 
companies or individuals. Statistics from CPRS become part of the 
monthly ``Value of Construction Put in Place'' series that is used 
extensively by the Federal Government in making policy decisions and 
become part of the gross domestic product (GDP). Construction now 
accounts for more than eight percent of GDP.
    Published statistics are used by all levels of government to 
evaluate economic policy, to measure progress toward national goals, to 
make policy decisions, and to formulate legislation. For example, the 
Bureau of Economic Analysis uses the data to develop national accounts. 
The Federal Reserve Board and the Department of the Treasury use the 
value of construction put in place data to forecast GDP. The private 
sector uses the statistics for market analysis and other research such 
as estimating the demand for building materials and to schedule 
production distribution and sales efforts.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-
profit; State, local or tribal government; Not-for-profit institutions.
    Frequency: Monthly.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C., section 182.
    OMB Desk Officer: Susan Schechter, (202) 395-5103.
    Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained 
by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance 
Officer, (202) 482-0266, Department of Commerce, room 6625, 14th and 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at 
dhynek@doc.gov).

    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice 
to Susan Schechter, OMB Desk Officer either by fax (202-395-7245) or 
email (susan_schechter@omb.eop.gov).

    Dated: February 27, 2004.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-4709 Filed 3-2-04; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-07-P