[Federal Register: November 22, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 225)]
[Notices]
[Page 67543-67545]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22no06-40]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau
Generic Clearance for Master Address File (MAF) and Topologically
Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (TIGER) Update
Activities
ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.
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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 take this opportunity 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: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 22,
2007.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet
at DHynek@doc.gov).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions
should be directed to Dennis Randolph, U.S. Census Bureau, 5H024,
Washington, DC 20233, 301-763-9701 (or via the Internet at
Dennis.E.Randolph@census.gov).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The Census Bureau presently operates a generic clearance covering
activities involving respondent burden associated with updating our
Master Address File (MAF) and Topologically Integrated Geographic
Encoding and Referencing (TIGER) system. (The MAF is the Census
Bureau's address database and TIGER is the geographic database.) We now
propose to extend that generic clearance to cover update activities we
will undertake during the next three fiscal years. Under the terms of
the generic clearance, we plan to submit a request for OMB approval
that will describe all planned activities for the entire period; we
will not submit a clearance package for each updating activity. We will
send a letter to OMB at least two weeks before the planned start of
each activity that gives more exact details, examples of forms, and
final estimates of respondent burden. We also will file a year-end
summary
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with OMB after the close of each fiscal year giving results of each
activity conducted. This generic clearance enables OMB to review our
overall strategy for MAF and TIGER updating in advance, instead of
reviewing each activity in isolation shortly before the planned start.
The Census Bureau used the MAF for mailing and delivering
questionnaires to households during Census 2000. The MAF is also used
as a sampling frame for our demographic current surveys. In the past,
the Census Bureau built a new address list for each decennial census.
The MAF we built for Census 2000 is meant to be kept current, thereby,
eliminating the need to build a completely new address list for future
censuses and surveys. The TIGER is a geographic system that maps the
entire country in Census Blocks with applicable address range or living
quarter location information. Linking MAF and TIGER allows us to assign
each address to the appropriate Census Block, produce maps as needed
and publish results at the appropriate level of geographic detail. The
following are descriptions of activities we plan to conduct under the
clearance for the next three fiscal years.
1. Demographic Area Address Listing (DAAL)
The Demographic Area Address Listing (DAAL) program encompasses the
geographic area updates for the Community Address Updating System
(CAUS) and the area and group quarters frame listings for many ongoing
demographic surveys (the Current Population Survey, the Consumer
Expenditures Survey, etc.). The CAUS program was designed to address
quality concerns relating to areas with high concentrations of noncity-
style addresses, and to provide a rural counterpart to the update of
city-style addresses the MAF will receive from the U.S. Postal
Services's Delivery Sequence File. The ongoing demographic surveys, as
part of the 2000 Sample Redesign Program, plan to use the MAF as one of
several sources of addresses from which to select their samples. In
addition to the area and group quarters frame listings, the demographic
surveys will also list blocks via the DAAL program for their Frame
Assessment for Current Household Surveys (FACHS) evaluations. The DAAL
program is a cooperative effort across many divisions at the Census
Bureau; it includes automated listing software, systems, and procedures
that will allow us to conduct listing operations in a dependent manner
based on information contained in the MAF.
The DAAL operations will be conducted on an ongoing basis in
potentially any county across the country. Field Representatives (FRs)
will canvass selected Census tabulation blocks to improve the address
list in areas where substantial address changes have occurred that have
not been added to the MAF through regular update operations, and/or in
blocks in the area or group quarters frame sample for the demographic
surveys. FRs will update existing address information, and when
necessary, contact individuals, to collect accurate location and
mailing address information. In general, contact will occur only when
the FR is adding to the address list, and the individual's address is
not posted or visible to the FR. If the occupants of these households
are not at home, the FR may attempt to contact a neighbor to determine
the best time to find the occupants at home and/or to obtain the
correct address information.
DAAL is an ongoing operation. Listing assignments are distributed
quarterly with the work conducted throughout the time period. We expect
that DAAL listings will be conducted throughout the entire time period
of the extension.
2. Dress Rehearsal Address Canvassing
An Address Canvassing operation will take place as part of the 2008
Census Dress Rehearsal. The operation will take place between May 7,
2007 and June 26, 2007. The operation will be a standard address
canvassing operation where census listers will canvass specified blocks
and conduct brief interviews to verify or update address information
against address information on the Census Bureau's address lists and
maps. Listers will enter an address status for every address based on
what they found out during the visit. Listers will also visit addresses
not listed on our address lists and add them. They will record address
information and address statuses on the address lists that reside on
the hand held computer (HHC). Sites for the 2008 Census Dress Rehearsal
will be San Joaquin County, California and Fayetteville and Eastern
North Carolina.
3. Decennial Address Canvassing
An Address Canvassing operation will take place as part of the 2010
Decennial Census. The operation will take place between 13 April 2009
and May 2009. The operation will be a standard address canvassing
operation where census listers will canvass specified blocks and
conduct brief interviews to verify or update address information
against address information on the Census Bureau's address lists and
maps. Listers will enter an address status for every address based on
what they found out during the visit. Listers will also visit addresses
not listed on our address lists and add them. They will record address
information and address statuses on the address lists that reside on
the hand held computer (HHC). Sites for the 2010 Decennial Census will
be nation wide.
4. Dress Rehearsal Update/Leave
The U.S. Census Bureau will conduct the Update/Leave operation,
March 3, 2008 through April 7, 2008 in the 2008 Census Dress Rehearsal
sites of San Joaquin County, California and Fayetteville and Eastern
North Carolina. Update/Leave is a field operation for the 2008 Census
Dress Rehearsal. The results of this test will enable the Census Bureau
to identify, refine, and improve our address collection procedures for
a more cost-effective and accurate decennial census.
Update/Leave requires Listers to update the Census Bureau's address
list and maps, and to leave a census questionnaire at each housing
unit. Listers verify and update the addresses on the address list and
their locations on census maps to ensure that they are as current,
complete and accurate as possible. Listers will use Form DX-105A (U/L),
Update/Leave Address Listing Pages to verify, and update addresses
currently in the Census Bureau's Update/Leave universe. Listers will
enter an action code for every address based on what they found out.
Listers will visit addresses not already listed and add them to our
address list. To add addresses, Listers will use Form DX-105B (U/L),
Update/Leave Add Pages.
If the occupants of these living quarters are not at home the
Listers will leave a questionnaire at the household in a plastic bag,
then attempt to contact neighbors in order to obtain the correct
address information. If the Lister is unable to contact anyone about an
address, they will use their own judgment, and information from
surrounding addresses to enter the address information. Quality Control
(QC) for Update/Leave consist of an initial observation, a dependent
quality control check in the field and an office review of completed
work.
5. Decennial Update/Leave
The U.S. Census Bureau will conduct the Update/Leave operation in
the 2010 Decennial Census. Update/Leave requires Listers to update the
Census Bureau's address list and maps, and to leave a census
questionnaire at each housing unit. Listers verify and update the
addresses on the address list and
[[Page 67545]]
their locations on census maps to ensure that they are as current,
complete and accurate as possible. Listers will use Form DX-105A (U/L),
Update/Leave Address Listing Pages to verify, and update addresses
currently in the Census Bureau's Update/Leave universe. Listers will
enter an action code for every address based on what they found out.
Listers will visit addresses not already listed and add them to our
address list. To add addresses, Listers will use Form DX-105B (U/L),
Update/Leave Add Pages.
If the occupants of these living quarters are not at home the
Listers will leave a questionnaire at the household in a plastic bag,
then attempt to contact neighbors in order to obtain the correct
address information. If the Lister is unable to contact anyone about an
address, they will use their own judgment, and information from
surrounding addresses to enter the address information. Quality Control
(QC) for Update/Leave consist of an initial observation, a dependent
quality control check in the field and an office review of completed
work.
6. Dress Rehearsal Group Quarters Validation (GQV)
The U.S. Census Bureau will conduct the Group Quarters Validation
Operation from 17 September-24 October 2007 at the 2008 Census Dress
Rehearsal sites of San Joaquin County, California and Fayetteville and
Eastern North Carolina. The GQV operation, which supports the Census
Bureau's strategic goal of developing methodologies for compiling a
complete and accurate MAF for the 2010 Census, is designed to verify
and classify addresses identified as other living quarters during the
2006 Address Canvassing operation. The addresses will be classified as
Group Quarters (GQ), Housing Unit (HU), or ``not a living quarters''.
If the address is a GQ, the lister will label it with the correct type
code, (e.g. as a college residence hall or skilled nursing unit).
Listers will use the DX-351 GQV Questionnaire to list address
information and type codes for each GQ in their workload. GQV creates
the universe for a follow-up operation known as Group Quarters
Enumeration (GQE), in which we count the residents of identified GQs.
7. Decennial Group Quarters Validation
The U.S. Census Bureau will conduct the Group Quarters Validation
Operation as part of the 2010 Decennial Census. The operation will take
place between Sept 11, 2009-October 22, 2009. The GQV operation
verifies and classifies addresses identified as other living quarters
during the Decennial Address Canvassing operation. The addresses will
be classified as Group Quarters (GQ), Housing Unit (HU), or ``not a
living quarters''. If the address is a GQ, the lister will label it
with the correct type code, (e.g. as a college residence hall or
skilled nursing unit). Listers will use the DX-351 GQV Questionnaire to
list address information and type codes for each GQ in their workload.
GQV creates the universe for a follow-up operation known as Group
Quarters Enumeration (GQE), in which we count the residents of
identified GQs.
The list above is not exhaustive of all activities which may be
performed under this generic clearance. We will follow the approved
procedure when submitting any additional activities not specifically
listed here.
II. Method of Collection
The primary method of data collection for most operations/
evaluations will be personal interview by Census Listers, Verifiers or
Enumerators using the operation/evaluation's listing form or
questionnaire. A hand held computer and GPS software will be used as
part of Address Canvassing to update address lists and maps. In some
cases, the interview could be by telephone callback if no one was home
on the initial visit.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0607-0809.
Form Number: Some form numbers for activities have not yet been
assigned.
Type of Review: Regular submission.
Affected Public: Individuals or households.
Estimated Number of Respondents: FY07-849,900, FY08-40,000, FY09-
144,300,00.
Estimated Time Per Response: Varies by operation.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: FY07-14,315, FY08-2,000, FY09-
2,651,000.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: The only cost to respondents is that
of their time to respond.
Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 141 and
193.
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: November 16, 2006.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E6-19709 Filed 11-21-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P