In accordance
with 5 CFR 1320.13, this information collection is approved for 6
months as an emergency clearance. If the Agency decides to continue
use of the collection past the approved emergency clearance time
period, it must resubmit an ICR to OMB under the normal PRA
clearance process.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
12/31/2018
6 Months From Approved
220
0
0
340
0
0
0
0
0
The U. S. Caribbean and many other
island nations throughout the region suffered catastrophic damage
to communities, infrastructure, farms, and forests during September
2017 hurricane events. To better understand the effects of
Hurricanes Irma and Maria on agriculture, forestry, and rural
communities in the U.S. Caribbean and the internal and external
factors that affected their vulnerabilities or resilience, US
Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Forest Service and Caribbean
Climate Hub (CCH), request permission to conduct focus groups and
in-depth interviews to collect information from farmers, forest
owners, and other agriculture and forestry community members about
their experiences with, preparations for, responses to, and
recovery from these storms. To ensure this research is completed
prior to the fall 2018 hurricane season, this information
collection request is being submitted on an emergency basis.
Results from the proposed research will inform natural disaster and
disturbance prediction, preparedness, response, and recovery
efforts by USDA, Forest Service, and other Federal agencies, as
well as related local government, civil society, private sector,
and community efforts. In the short term, results from this
information collection will be critical in informing ongoing
post-hurricane response and recovery efforts by USDA and its
partners. In the long term, knowledge generated will contribute to
reducing societal costs from disturbance processes, increasing
cost-effective management, mitigation, and adaptation efforts, and
supporting more resilient communities and economies in the U.S.
Caribbean and broader contexts.
In September 2017, two
major hurricanes passed through the Caribbean, causing catastrophic
damage to communities, infrastructure, farms, and forests across
Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and many other island nations
throughout the region. To better understand the effects of
Hurricanes Irma and Maria on agriculture, forestry, and rural
communities in the U.S. Caribbean and the internal and external
factors that affected their vulnerabilities or resilience, US
Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Forest Service and Caribbean
Climate Hub (CCH), request permission to conduct focus groups and
in-depth interviews to collect information from farmers, forest
owners, and other agriculture and forestry community members about
their experiences with, preparations for, responses to, and
recovery from these storms. To ensure this research is completed
prior to the fall 2018 hurricane season, this information
collection request is being submitted on an emergency basis.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
USDA CCH IC Emergency Review - Supp Stmt B.docx
USDA CCH IC Emergency Review - Justification Memo.pdf
In-person Interview Guide