Notice2024-28049
Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection; Study of Human Behavior and Attitudes Linked to Human-Deer Transmission of SARS-CoV-2
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
November 29, 2024
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentAnimal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an approval of a new information collection associated with a study to understand human behavior and attitudes linked to human-deer transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 230 (Friday, November 29, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 230 (Friday, November 29, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 94702-94703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28049]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2024-0052]
Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection;
Study of Human Behavior and Attitudes Linked to Human-Deer Transmission
of SARS-CoV-2
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: New information collection; comment request.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's
intention to request an approval of a new information collection
associated with a study to understand human behavior and attitudes
linked to human-deer transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before
January 28, 2025.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>.
Enter APHIS-2024-0052 in the Search field. Select the Documents tab,
then select the Comment button in the list of documents.
<bullet> Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to
Docket No. APHIS-2024-0052, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD,
APHIS, Station 2C-10.16, 4700 River Road, Unit 25, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.
Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may
be viewed at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> or in our reading room, which is located
in Room 1620 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence
Avenue SW, Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30
p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is
there to help you, please call (202) 799-7039 before coming.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on this human-deer
transmission of SARS-CoV-2 study, contact Dr. Keith Carlisle,
Supervisory Social Scientist/Human Dimensions Unit Leader, National
Wildlife Research Center, WS, APHIS, 4101 La Porte Ave, Fort Collins,
CO 80521; (970) 266-6047; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1d76787469753370337e7c6f71746e71785d686e797c337a726b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6308060a170b4d0e4d0002110f0a100f0623161007024d040c15">[email protected]</span></a>. For more
information on the information collection process, contact Mr. Joseph
Moxey, APHIS' Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator; (301) 851-2533;
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2b4144584e5b43054644534e526b5e584f4a054c445d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="72181d0117021a5c1f1d0a170b32070116135c151d04">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Study of Human Behavior and Attitudes Linked to Human-Deer
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
OMB Control Number: 0579-XXXX.
Type of Request: Approval of a new information collection.
Abstract: Under the Act of March 2, 1931 (7 U.S.C. 8351), the
Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to conduct a program of wildlife
services with respect to injurious animal species and take any action
the Secretary considers necessary in conducting the program.
Additionally, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to conduct
activities to control nuisance mammals and birds (except for urban
rodent control) and those mammals and bird species that are reservoirs
for zoonotic disease. This authority has been delegated to the Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS') Wildlife Services (WS).
Two responsibilities of the Deputy Administrator of WS are to assist
Federal, State, local, and foreign agencies and individuals with regard
to wildlife damage and control and conduct research to develop wildlife
damage management methods (7 CFR 371.6).
There has been spillover and sustained transmission of SARS-CoV-2
(SCV2) among animal populations, and this has raised significant
questions regarding the potential establishment of disease reservoirs
among wildlife species. SCV2 infection has been observed in white-
tailed deer (WTD) populations across much of the United States,
suggesting that deer may serve as a vector and potential reservoir for
the disease. While experts suggest human-to-deer transmission is
likely, the activities or factors that facilitate transmission have yet
to be identified.
Experts suggest that human behaviors likely contribute to the
direct and indirect transmission pathways between humans and WTD.
Previous research highlights direct contact (feeding or touching) or
aerosol transmission (interacting in close proximity) as likely routes
of spillover. However, indirect transmission through fomites (use of
attractants, leaving out feed for wildlife, trash/refuse) or
environmental contamination (waste, septic or wastewater overflow)
cannot be dismissed.
Little research has been done to explore the nuances of human-deer
interactions relevant to SCV2 transmission. Understanding the
perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of community groups relevant to
SCV2 spillover and spillback is a pivotal aspect of managing and
mitigating current and future threats. While previous research has
explored human dimensions aspects related to deer management, it is
often done in the context of rural communities or through the lens of
consumptive use, such as hunting. Further exploration of human-deer
interactions among a larger diversity of stakeholders and within the
specific context of disease management is needed.
For this study, APHIS has established a cooperative agreement with
the University of Minnesota to administer quantitative surveys among
members of the public in five States (Illinois, Minnesota, New York,
Pennsylvania, and Tennessee). The survey will collect data concerning
the values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors associated with humans'
interactions with WTD. This information will provide critical data to
inform future disease surveillance, mitigation strategies, and policies
aimed at curtailing SCV2 transmission between humans and WTD. This
information will be useful for informing future disease surveillance
and management efforts by providing in-depth analysis of the social and
cognitive drivers of human-deer interactions.
The information collection activity associated with this study
consists of a multi-item questionnaire administered to members of the
public with primary residence in the States of Illinois, Minnesota, New
York, Pennsylvania, or Tennessee.
We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve
our use of this information collection activity for 3 years.
The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public
(as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection.
These comments will help us:
(1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for
the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including
whether the information will have practical utility;
(2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the
collection
[[Page 94703]]
of information, including the validity of the methodology and
assumptions used;
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and
(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those
who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated,
electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies; e.g.,
permitting electronic submission of responses.
Estimate of burden: The public burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 0.075 hours per response.
Respondents: Members of the public whose primary residence is in
the States of Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, or
Tennessee.
Estimated annual number of respondents: 60,000.
Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 2.
Estimated annual number of responses: 105,000.
Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 7,868 hours. (Due to
averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of
the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per
response.)
All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of
public record.
Done in Washington, DC, this 22nd day of November 2024.
Michael Watson,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-28049 Filed 11-27-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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