ARMS Chem Use - Supplementary Supporting Statements AB - Substantive Change Request

Supplemental Supporting Statement

ARMS II and Fruit Chemical Use Survey

Substantive Change

OMB No. 0535-0218

This substantive change is being submitted as a supplemental supporting statement to the Agricultural Resource Management Phase 1 & 2 and Chemical Use Surveys (ARMS).

The updated combined supplemental supporting statements A and B have been uploaded to ROCIS, accessible under the section titled “View Supporting Statement and Other Documents.”

A. JUSTIFICATION

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.

NASS is proposing a substantive change to the ARMS 1 & 2 and Chemical Use Survey IC (0535-0218) to incorporate updates to the ARMS 2 Cotton Questionnaire and the Fruit Chemical Use questionnaire.

The ARMS 2 Potato questionnaire will remain unchanged.

The change documents for the ARMS 2 and Fruit Chemical Use questionnaires have been uploaded to ROCIS under “View Supporting Statement and Other Documents.”

Additionally, the updated ARMS 2 and Fruit Chemical Use questionnaires can now be accessed on ROCIS under “View Information Collection (IC) List.”

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.

There are no changes from the original approval for this substantive change request.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

There are no changes from the original approval for this substantive change request.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.

There are no changes from the original approval for this substantive change request.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities (Item 5 of OMB Form 83-I), describe any methods used to minimize burden.

There are no changes from the original approval for this substantive change request.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

There are no changes from the original approval for this substantive change request.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with the general information guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5.

There are no changes from the original approval for this substantive change request.

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8. Provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8 (d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments.

There are no changes from the original approval for this substantive change request.

Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and record-keeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.

There are no changes from the original approval for this substantive change request.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents.

There are no changes from the original approval for this substantive change request.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

There are no changes from the original approval for this substantive change request.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature.

There are no questions of a sensitive nature.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens in Item 13 of OMB Form 83-I. Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories.

There are no changes from the original approval for this substantive change request.

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to respondents or record-keepers resulting from the collection of information.

There are no changes from the original approval for this substantive change request.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government; provide a description of the method used to estimate cost which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses, and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.

There are no changes from the original approval for this substantive change request.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or 14 of the OMB Form 83-I (reasons for changes in burden).

There are no changes from the original approval for this substantive change request.

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

There are no changes from the original approval for this substantive change request.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

There are no changes from the original approval for this substantive change request.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19, “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions” of OMB Form 83-I.

There are no changes from the original approval for this substantive change request.

Supplemental Supporting Statement – Part B

ARMS II and Fruit Chemical Use Survey

Substantive Change

OMB No. 0535-0218

COLLECTION 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 has been conducted previously, include the actual response rate achieved during the last collection.

There are no changes from the original approval for this substantive change request.

2. Describe the procedures for the collection of information.

• 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

There are no changes from the original approval for this substantive change request.

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.

There are no changes from the original approval for this substantive change request.

4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken.

There are no changes from the original approval for this substantive change request.

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.

There are no changes from the original approval for this substantive change request.

May, 2025