[Federal Register: January 4, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 2)]
[Notices]
[Page 326-327]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04ja07-27]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau
The American Community Survey
ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort
to reduce paper work and respondent burden, invites the general public
and other federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on
proposed 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 March 5, 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 Susan Schechter, U.S. Census Bureau, American
Community Survey Office, Washington, DC 20233 via FAX on (301) 763-8070
or via the Internet at susan.schechter.bornter@census.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
Given the rapid demographic changes experienced in recent years and
the strong expectation that such changes will continue and accelerate,
the once-a-decade detailed data collection as part of a decennial
census is no longer acceptable. To meet the needs and expectations of
the country, the Census Bureau developed the American Community Survey.
This survey collects detailed population and housing data every month
and provides tabulations of these data on a yearly basis. In the past,
the long-form data were collected only at the time of each decennial
census. The American Community Survey allowed the Census Bureau to
remove the long form from the plans for the 2010 Census, thus reducing
operational risks, improving accuracy, and providing more relevant
data. After years of development and testing, the American Community
Survey began full implementation in households in January 2005 and in
group quarters (GQs) in January 2006.
The American Community Survey provides more timely information for
critical economic planning by governments and the private sector. In
the current information-based economy, federal, state, tribal, and
local decision makers, as well as private business and non-governmental
organizations, need current, reliable, and comparable socioeconomic
data to chart the future.
[[Page 327]]
In 2006, the American Community Survey began publishing up-to-date
profiles of American communities every year, providing policymakers,
planners, and service providers in the public and private sectors this
information every year--not just every ten years.
The American Community Survey will provide data at the census tract
level by July 2010. These data are needed by federal agencies and
others and provides assurance that long-form type data are available
after the elimination of the long form from the 2010 Census.
The Census Bureau presently plans to resubmit the American
Community Survey to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for
extended clearance with content changes. The current ACS content has
been reviewed by the Census Bureau, in conjunction with Federal agency
stakeholders, to determine potential areas for improved item response
and/or data quality.
In the 2006 ACS Methods Test, the Census Bureau conducted cognitive
testing of questions identified by the Census Bureau and federal agency
stakeholders for changes to improve data quality and/or item response
rates. The question, instruction, and/or response category
modifications to some of the 2005 ACS content were field tested. The
tested questions included: Year structure built, number of rooms and
bedrooms, plumbing and kitchen facilities, telephone availability,
vehicles, heating fuel, food stamp benefit, value of this property,
mortgage components, place of birth, citizenship, year of arrival in
the U.S., school enrollment, educational attainment, residence 1 year
ago, disability, military status, period of military service, work last
week, temporarily absent from a job, looking for work, weeks worked,
industry and occupation. Based on the results of the testing,
modifications to some of these questions will be incorporated into the
2008 ACS data collection instruments.
In addition to testing modifications to 2005 ACS questions, the
2006 ACS Methods Test also included testing three new topics proposed
by Federal agency stakeholders: Health insurance coverage, marital
history, and veteran's service-connected disability. Two final
components of the 2006 ACS Methods Test included testing a sequential
verses grid design to the ACS questionnaire, and testing the inclusion
of a questionnaire instruction booklet in the mailing package. The
results of 2006 ACS testing will be incorporated into the survey
instruments and formally submitted to OMB for review and approval.
II. Method of Collection
The Census Bureau will mail questionnaires to households selected
for the American Community Survey. For households that do not return a
questionnaire, Census Bureau staff will attempt to conduct interviews
via Computer-assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI). We will also conduct
Computer-assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI) for a sub sample of
nonrespondents. A quality control reinterview will be conducted for a
small sample of respondents.
For most types of GQs, Census Bureau field representatives (FRs)
will conduct personal interviews with respondents to complete
questionnaires or, if necessary, leave questionnaires and ask
respondents to complete. Information from GQ contacts will be collected
via CAPI. A GQ contact reinterview will be conducted from a sample of
GQs primarily through CATI. A very small percentage of the GQ
reinterviews will be conducted via CAPI.
The Census Bureau staff will provide Telephone Questionnaire
Assistance (TQA) and if the respondent indicates a desire to complete
the survey by telephone, the TQA interviewer conducts the interview.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0607-0810.
Form Number(s): ACS-1, ACS-1(SP), ACS-1(PR), ACS-1(PR)SP, ACS-
1(GQ), ACS-1(PR)(GQ), GQFQ, ACS CATI (HU), ACS CAPI (HU), ACS RI (HU),
and AGQ RI.
Type of Review: Regular.
Affected Public: Individuals, households, and businesses.
Estimated Number of Respondents: We plan to contact the following
number of respondents each year: 3,000,000 households; 200,000 persons
in group quarters; 20,000 contacts in group quarters; 27,000 households
for reinterview; and 1,500 group quarters contacts for reinterview.
Estimated Time Per Response: Estimates are 38 minutes per
household, 15 minutes per group quarters contact, 25 minutes per
resident in group quarters, and 10 minutes per household or GQ contact
in the reinterview samples.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: The estimate is an annual
average of 1,994,500 burden hours.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: Except for their time, there is no
cost to respondents.
Respondent Obligation: Mandatory.
Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Section 182.
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 collections techniques or other forms of information
technology.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and/or included in the request for the OMB approval of this information
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.
Dated: December 28, 2006.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E6-22560 Filed 1-3-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P