Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 219 / Tuesday, November 13, 2018 / Notices 56293 imagery, such as a road, railroad track, Vincent Osier at the Geographic As use of census block, block group, major above-ground transmission line or Standards, Criteria, and Quality Branch, and census tract data increased among pipeline, river, stream, shoreline, fence, Geography Division, U.S. Census data users, the Census Bureau expanded sharply defined mountain ridge, or cliff. Bureau, via email at geo.psap.list@ these programs to cover additional A nonstandard visible feature is a census.gov or by telephone at 301–763– geographic areas while redefining the feature that may not be clearly defined 3056. population threshold criteria to more on the ground (such as a ridge), may be SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: adequately suit data users’ needs. The seasonal (such as an intermittent 1990 Census was the first in which stream), or may be relatively Background census blocks and block groups were impermanent (such as a fence). The Block groups are statistical geographic defined throughout the entirety of the Census Bureau generally requests subdivisions of a census tract defined United States, Puerto Rico, and the verification that nonstandard features for the tabulation and presentation of Island Areas. For the 2000 Census, as used as boundaries for the PSAP data from the decennial census and with census tracts, the Census Bureau geographic areas pose no problem in selected other statistical programs. increased the number of geographic their location during field work. Block groups also will be used to areas whose boundaries could be used Zona urbana—In Puerto Rico, the tabulate and publish estimates from the as block group boundaries, and allowed settled area functioning as the seat of American Community Survey (ACS) 1 tribal governments of federally government for a municipio. A zona after 2020 and potentially data from recognized American Indian tribes with urbana cannot cross a municipio other Bureau of the Census (Census a reservation and/or off-reservation trust boundary. Bureau) censuses and surveys. lands to delineate tribal block groups without regard to state and/or county Dated: October 30, 2018. The Census Bureau is publishing this notice in the Federal Register to boundaries, provided the tribe had a Ron S. Jarmin, 1990 Census population of at least Deputy Director, Performing the Non- announce final criteria for defining block groups for the 2020 Census. In 1,000. Exclusive Functions and Duties of the For the 2010 Census, the Census addition to providing final criteria for Director, Bureau of the Census. Bureau adopted changes to block group block groups, this notice also contains a [FR Doc. 2018–24571 Filed 11–9–18; 8:45 am] criteria that recognized their utility as a summary of comments received in BILLING CODE 3510–07–P framework of small geographic areas response to proposed criteria published and established tribal block groups as a in the Federal Register on February 15, geographic framework for presenting DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 2018 (83 FR 6937), as well as the Census and analyzing statistical and other data Bureau’s response to those comments. Bureau of the Census for a variety of communities, settlement After publication of this final criteria in patterns, and landscapes. The Census [Docket Number 180926886–8886–01] the Federal Register, the Census Bureau Bureau augmented its minimum and will offer designated governments or maximum population threshold with Block Groups for the 2020 Census— organizations an opportunity to review housing unit thresholds for use in Final Criteria and, if necessary, suggest updates to the defining block groups for seasonal boundaries and attributes of the block communities that have no or low AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, groups in their geographic area under Commerce. population on census day (April 1). In the Participant Statistical Areas Program addition, the Census Bureau formalized ACTION: Notice of final criteria and (PSAP). In addition to block groups, the criteria for block groups defined for program implementation. program also encompasses the review employment centers, airports, parks, and update of census tracts, census SUMMARY: Block groups are statistical large water bodies, and other special designated places, and census county geographic subdivisions of a census land uses that had been permitted in divisions. The Census Bureau published tract defined for the tabulation and previous decades, but never specified a notice, explaining PSAP process and presentation of data from the decennial within the criteria. The Census Bureau participation, in the Federal Register on census and selected other statistical also established tribal block groups as a November 28, 2017 (82 FR 56208). programs. Block groups also will be geographic framework defined within used to tabulate and publish estimates I. History of Block Groups federally recognized American Indian from the American Community Survey reservations and off-reservation trust The Census Bureau first delineated lands that is fully separate from the (ACS) after 2020 and potentially data block groups as statistical geographic from other Bureau of the Census standard block groups defined within divisions of census tracts for the 1970 counties. (Census Bureau) censuses and surveys. Census, comprising contiguous The Census Bureau is publishing this combinations of census blocks for data II. Summary of Comments Received in notice in the Federal Register to presentation purposes. At that time, Response to the Proposed Criteria announce final criteria for defining census block groups only existed in block groups for the 2020 Census The Federal Register notice published urbanized areas in which census blocks on February 15, 2018 (83 FR 6937) Participant Statistical Areas Program were defined. Block groups were (PSAP). In addition to block groups, the requested comment on the proposed defined without regard to political and block group criteria for the 2020 Census. program also encompasses the review administrative boundaries, with an and update of census tracts, census The proposed criteria were unchanged average population of 1,000, and to be from the final criteria adopted for the designated places, and census county approximately equal in area. divisions. 2010 Census. The Census Bureau received DATES: This notice’s final criteria will be 1 The ACS is conducted in the United States and comments from 16 individuals on one applicable on December 13, 2018. in Puerto Rico. In Puerto Rico the survey is called or more topics related to (1) use of non- FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: the Puerto Rico Community Survey. For ease of discussion, throughout this document the term ACS visible political boundaries when Requests for additional information on is used to represent the surveys conducted in the defining block groups, (2) use of this program should be directed to United States and in Puerto Rico. employment data to define block groups VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:34 Nov 09, 2018 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\13NON1.SGM 13NON1 amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 56294 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 219 / Tuesday, November 13, 2018 / Notices encompassing areas with substantial concentrations and not employment minimize potential disclosures of amounts of commercial, industrial, or concentrations. Changes to the special sensitive information, a block group other non-residential activity for the use block group criteria could achieve should contain either at least 600 people purpose of transportation planning, and the result desired by commenters or at least 240 housing units at (3) defining block groups to align with proposing employment thresholds and minimum, and 3,000 people or 1,200 former census tract boundaries when could also provide greater flexibility housing units at maximum. The housing census tracts are merged. Commenters when defining block groups. unit criterion is used to accommodate represented state and local government Based on consideration of the areas that are occupied seasonally and agencies, regional planning comments received on this topic and may otherwise show a discrepancy organizations and councils of further discussion with stakeholders in between decennial and ACS figures. 2 governments, state data centers, and the transportation community, the For the ACS, block groups are not non-governmental organizations. Census Bureau will change its criteria designed to be used individually, rather Comments received by the Census for defining special use block groups to they provide a smaller geographic area Bureau are summarized below, as well no longer specify minimum land area than census tracts that allow data users as the Census Bureau’s response to these requirements. Special use block groups to combine them to create larger comments. should be comparable in land area size geographic areas that may be more 1. Using Non-Visible Minor Civil to surrounding block groups so as to meaningful for their specific use. Division Boundaries in Michigan as assure data reliability and quality when 4. The Census Bureau also recognizes Block Group Boundaries reporting on workplace-related data and that there are significant geographic to avoid data disclosure issues. The areas that are characterized by unique The Census Bureau received three Census Bureau also recommends that, comments from individuals in Michigan populations (e.g., prisons or when defining special use block groups universities) or not characterized