0256 - Feral Swine Surveys - SSA - 2021

1 Supporting Statement – Part A

FERAL SWINE SURVEY

OMB No. 0535-0256

The National Agricultural Statistics Service is seeking approval to renew and change a survey that will collect data related to the number of feral swine in the US and the amount and type of damages caused by them. In the previous collection that was conducted in 2019 the primary focus was on the amount of damage that was caused to crops. The target population was all farmers who raised one or more of the following:

1. All selected states except CA:

1. Target Crops - Hay, tree nuts (pecans), melons (cantaloupe, honeydew, or watermelon), sugarcane, sweet potatoes, or cotton.

2. CA only:

1. Target Crops - Hay, tree nuts (almonds), grapes, sod, carrots, lettuce, or strawberries.

The targeted states were Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas.

In 2021, this survey will be conducted in the following 13 States: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, to measure the damage to livestock that is associated with the presence of feral swine. These States were chosen because they had high feral swine densities and a significant presence of cattle (dairy and/or beef), hogs, sheep and/or goats.

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.

On December 20, 2018 the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 was signed into law (PL 115-334). Section 2408 of the new law addresses the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program. Included within this law is the following list of additional duties assigned to the Secretary of Agriculture:

1. study and assess the nature and extent of damage to the pilot areas caused by feral swine;

2. develop methods to eradicate or control feral swine in the pilot areas;

3. develop methods to restore damage caused by feral swine; and

4. provide financial assistance to agricultural producers in pilot areas.

This is a follow-up to the announcement made on April 2, 2014 by the Undersecretary for USDA’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Edward Avalos who announced that the USDA was kicking off a national effort to reduce the devastating damage caused by feral swine. In 2015 the benchmark survey was conducted in 11 States (Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas) to measure the amount of damage, feral hogs caused to crops in these states. The target population within these states consisted of farm operations who had historically produced one or more of the following crops: Corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, peanuts, or sorghum (Texas only).

The results of this benchmark survey showed that in the 11 surveyed States, there were an estimated $190 million in damage to crops for the six target crops. The published findings from this benchmark survey can be found at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261219416301557.

In 2017, this survey was conducted in the following 13 States: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, to measure the damage to livestock that was associated with the presence of feral swine. These States were chosen because they had high feral swine densities and a significant presence of cattle, hogs, sheep and/or goats. The eradication of feral swine remains as a high priority of the Secretary and was originally authorized by the Animal Health Protection Act (Title 7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.) and the 2014 Farmbill.

The 2017 survey shows that in the 13 surveyed States, there was significant damage caused by feral swine. When extrapolated to livestock producers across the 13-state region, APHIS Wildlife Services estimated that damages sum to an annual cost of about $40 million. The findings from this survey can be found at https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3249&context=icwdm_usdanwrc.

In 2019 the survey was conducted in 12 States: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas. The operators in 11 of the States will be selected from operations that recently produced hay/haylage, tree nuts, melons, sugar cane, sweet potatoes, or cotton. In California, operators will be selected from operations that produced hay/haylage, tree nuts, grapes, sod, carrots, lettuce, or strawberries. APHIS Wildlife Services extrapolated crop damage estimates to the state-level in 12 states with reportable damage yielded an estimated crop loss of $272 million/yr. The findings from this survey can be found at https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3308&context=icwdm_usdanwrc.

The Agriculture Improvement Act authorizes $75,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. The funds are to be divided up by the following – 50 percent shall be allocated to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to carry out the pilot program, including the provision of financial assistance to producers for on-farm trapping and technology related to capturing and confining feral swine; and 50 percent shall be allocated to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to carry out the pilot program, including the use of established, and testing of innovative, population reduction methods.

The APHIS, Wildlife Services’ (WS) National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) is the only Federal research organization devoted exclusively to resolving conflicts between people and wildlife through the development of effective, selective, and socially responsible methods, tools, and techniques. As increased urbanization leads to a loss of traditional wildlife habitat, the potential for conflicts between people and wildlife increases. Such conflicts can take many forms, including property and natural resource damage, human health and safety concerns, and disease transmission among wildlife, livestock, and humans.

The high reproductive rate and adaptability of feral swine has resulted in populations that have dramatically increased in size and distribution. This invasive animal now occurs across much of the United States where it causes a range of agricultural and environmental damage through depredation, rooting, and wallowing activities. Furthermore, feral swine compete with native wildlife and livestock for habitats, are carriers of exotic and endemic diseases, and transmit parasites to livestock and humans. Feral swine are considered a major emerging threat to American agriculture (Seward et al. 2004). Recent data show that the proportions of U.S. counties with agricultural production that also have feral swine present are increasing.

Findings from the 2019 Feral Swine Survey, found the following levels of damage to Crop Producers.

General authority for these data collection activities is granted under U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2204. This statute specifies that “The Secretary of Agriculture shall procure and preserve all information concerning agriculture which he can obtain ... by the collection of statistics ... and shall distribute them among agriculturists.”

The eradication of feral swine is authorized by the Animal Health Protection Act (Title 7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.) and the 2014 Farmbill. Individually identifiable data collected under this authority are governed by Section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 2276, which requires USDA to afford strict confidentiality to non-aggregated data provided by respondents. This Notice is submitted in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) and Office of Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320. NASS also complies with OMB Implementation Guidance, “Implementation Guidance for Title V of the E-Government Act, Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (CIPSEA),” Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 115, June 15, 2007, p. 33362.

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.

The purpose of the proposed survey is to develop national and State estimates of the damage feral swine cause to agricultural operations, as well as costs of controls and benefits from feral swine hunting. These estimates will be used by APHIS to determine which areas have the greatest amount of damage and where to focus efforts at dealing with the feral swine problem. Financial costs will be measured because these are easily comparable across different states and commodities.

Given the wide range of damages covered in the survey, and the fact that we are relying on estimates based on human memory, there may be compound problems that are difficult to quantify or to identify a single cause. APHIS representatives and NASS survey methodologists recognize this and took care to design the questionnaire to target only damage and losses directly attributable to feral swine.

The feral swine survey is designed to establish crucial baseline levels of damage to American producers of economically important livestock (cattle, hogs, sheep and/or goats). APHIS seeks to work cooperatively and with the assistance of other agencies at the international, Federal, State, Territorial, Tribal, and local levels, and with the cooperation of private management interests, to provide a system for allocation of project resources, and to identify management methods which may be used to address feral swine damage.

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.

NASS’s Questionnaire Repository System (QRS) was built to enable the creation of comparable paper and web survey instruments for almost any survey. For the 2021 Feral Swine Survey NASS will develop a Computer Assisted Web Interview (CAWI), along with a computer assisted telephone interview (CATI) for data collection from non-respondents to the mail or internet questionnaire.

The 2019 Feral Swine survey, which targeted selected crop operators was not available on the internet. However, the survey was available by mail and by computer assisted telephone interviews of non-respondents.

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.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service cooperates with State Departments of Agriculture and land grant universities to conduct agricultural surveys. These surveys meet both State and federal needs, thus eliminating duplication and minimizing reporting burden on the agriculture industry. There have been some studies attempting to quantify the damage done by feral swine. In 2018 the US Dept. of the Interior conducted a study of the damages caused by Feral Swine to National Wildlife Refuges in the southeastern US. In 2018 the Arkansas Forest Resources Center conducted a survey of landowners in Arkansas. The other feral swine surveys that were conducted were at a state level only. Other than the surveys conducted by NASS in 2019 of selected crop farmers in 12 targeted states, in 2017 of livestock farmers in 13 targeted states, and in 2015 of crop farmers in 11 targeted states, the next most recent national-level estimates of agricultural losses from feral swine are from 2004 and 2005. APHIS needs current data that is comparable across all affected States.

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.

This information collection will not have a significant economic impact on small entities. Of the total estimated sample size of 18,000, approximately 15,270 would be classified as small operators, or approximately 85%.

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.

This Information Collection Request (ICR) is for a one time survey to be conducted in 2021 with the target population being farm operators who raise cattle (beef and/or dairy), hogs, sheep and/or goats on their operation in any of the target states (AL, AR, CA, FL, GA, LA, MO, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, and TX ).

In 2015 NASS conducted the first round of data collection related to damages caused by feral swine. That original survey created a benchmark or baseline to begin measuring the damages caused. The initial survey collected data related to damages to crops, livestock and property (target population was producers of corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, peanuts, or sorghum (Texas only)). In 2017 the second phase was conducted; the survey focused more on damages to livestock and property (target population was producers of cattle, hogs, sheep and/or goats). This third round of data collection, conducted in 2019, focused more on specialty crops (the target population was producers of hay, tree nuts (pecans), melons (cantaloupe, honeydew, or watermelon), sugarcane, sweet potatoes, or cotton, and in CA the focus was on producers of hay, tree nuts (almonds), grapes, sod, carrots, lettuce, or strawberries).

This survey is necessary in order to fulfill the first task of the original mission of the USDA/Feral Swine Damage Management (FSDM) program, which is to study and assess the nature and extent of damage to the pilot areas caused by feral swine.

APHIS in conjunction with State and local governments will use the data collected through these surveys to focus their efforts on reducing or at least restricting the damages caused by feral swine. In the absence of this survey it would be impossible to measure progress and the value of the services provided by FSDM. This survey needs to be repeated as a component of efforts to evaluate the effectiveness of the FSDM programs.

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 special circumstances associated with this information collection.

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.

The Federal Register Notice soliciting comments was published on February 8. 2021 on pages 8578 – 8579. NASS received one public comment from Ms. Jean Public. The comment is attached to this submission.

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.

The National Wildlife Research Center consulted with the following individuals in the development of their survey.

Dale Nolte, Ph.D.

APHIS National Feral Swine Damage Management Program Manager

USDA/APHIS/Wildlife Services

4101 LaPorte Avenue

Fort Collins, Colorado 80521

Telephone: 970-266-6049

E-mail: Dale.L.Nolte@aphis.usda.gov

 

Ryan Miller, Ph. D.

Senior Ecologist

Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health

2150 Centre Avenue, Bldg B 

Fort Collins, CO 80526- 8117

E-Mail: ryan.s.miller@usda.gov

 

Kim Pepin, Ph.D.

Research Biologist

National Wildlife Research Center

USDA-APHIS-WS

4101 La Porte Ave.

Fort Collins, CO 80521

E-mail: Kim.m.Pepin@usda.gov

 

Sophie McKee, Ph.D.

Research Economist

National Wildlife Research Center

USDA-APHIS-WS

4101 La Porte Ave.

Fort Collins, CO 80521

Ph: (970) 266-6155

E-mail: Sophie.McKee@usda.gov

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

There are no payments or gifts to respondents.

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

Questionnaires include a statement that individual reports are confidential. U.S. Code Title 18, Section 1905; U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2276; and Title III of Pub. L. No. 115-435 (CIPSEA) provide for confidentiality of reported information. All employees of NASS and all enumerators hired and supervised under a cooperative agreement with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) must read the regulations and sign a statement of compliance.

Additionally, NASS employees and NASS contractors comply with the OMB implementation guidance document, “Implementation Guidance for Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2018, Title III of Pub. L. No. 115-435, codified in 44 U.S.C. Ch. 35” CIPSEA supports NASS’s pledge of confidentiality to all respondents and facilitates the agency’s efforts to reduce burden by supporting statistical activities of collaborative agencies through designation of NASS agents, subject to the limitations and penalties described in CIPSEA.

The following confidentiality pledge statement will appear on all NASS questionnaires.

The information you provide will be used for statistical purposes only. Your responses will be kept confidential and any person who willfully discloses ANY identifiable information about you or your operation is subject to a jail term, a fine, or both. This survey is conducted in accordance with the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2018, Title III of Pub. L. No. 115-435, codified in 44 U.S.C. Ch. 35 and other applicable Federal laws. For more information on how we protect your information please visit: https://www.nass.usda.gov/confidentiality. Response to this survey is voluntary.

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.

Burden hour calculations are shown below. The minutes-per-response figures come from cognitive interviews. Cost to the public of completing the questionnaire is assumed to be comparable to the hourly rate of those requesting the data. Reporting time of 9,651 hours is multiplied by $36.97 per hour for a total cost to the public of $356,797.47.

NASS uses the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment Statistics (most recently published on March 31, 2021 for the previous May) to estimate an hourly wage for the burden cost. The May 2020 mean wage for bookkeepers was $21.20. The mean wage for farm managers was $36.93. The mean wage for farm supervisors was $25.25. The mean wage of the three is $27.79. To calculate the fully loaded wage rate (includes allowances for Social Security, insurance, etc.) NASS will add 33% for a total of $36.97 per hour.

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

There are no capital/start-up or ongoing operation/maintenance costs associated with this information collection.

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.

The total cost to the Federal Government for the 2021 Feral Swine Survey is approximately $325,000. About $245,000 is for Federal salaries (includes Social Security, taxes, insurance, etc.), $65,000 for telephone and field enumeration by National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) enumerators (includes overhead), and $15,000 for printing, postage, data processing, etc.

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).

The increase in burden and responses is due partly to changing the target population from farm operators who grew selected crops over to farmers that had cattle (dairy and/or beef), hogs, sheep and/or goats on their operation. In addition, burden and responses have been increased to allow for an additional attempt at collecting data by mail before beginning phone follow-up with non-respondents.

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.

Questionnaires will be mailed to respondents in July 2021. Operations that do not respond by mail or internet within a couple of weeks will be attempted again with a second mailing of the questionnaire. Non-respondents will then be attempted by phone or personal enumeration. After data collection is complete, the data will be edited for reasonableness and completeness. The data will then be summarized. The summarized data will be shared with The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Wildlife Services’ (WS) National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC). The data from this survey should be published around June 2022. The data tables and narrative that will be included in the publication will be like the previous publication that targeted livestock operations conducted in 2017, which is attached to this information collection 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 is no request for approval of non-display of the expiration date.

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 exceptions to the certification statement.

April 2021

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