Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Coral Reefs Economic Valuation Study, 2620 [05-847]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 10 (Friday, January 14, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 2620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-847]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 011105G]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Coral Reefs 
Economic Valuation Study

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before March 15, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at dHynek@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Vernon R. Leeworthy, NOS/Special Projects, 1305 East-
West Highway, SSMC 4, 9th Floor, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910; or via 
e-mail at Bob.Leeworthy@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The purpose of this data collection is to provide information on 
the value of Hawaii's coral reef habitats to specific segments of the 
U.S. population. The study will measure total economic values for 
Hawaii's coral reefs. This effort is designed to provide defensible 
information for both resource managers and damage assessments on the 
value of coral reef habitats and alternative management actions. The 
project is designed as a phased three-year effort to ensure effective 
use of all the available information. It will involve the development 
of extensive knowledge about how reef habitats are perceived, 
implication of alternative management actions, designing original 
survey instruments, interviewing of a large number of respondents via 
an electronically downloadable and submittable pretest (200) and survey 
(2000), conducting formal statistical analysis of the data, and 
developing a decision support system for resource managers to use. For 
total economic value, a nationally oriented survey will be conducted 
using stated preferences methods.

II. Method of Collection

    Data collection will be done in two phases. First, a large-scale 
pretest of the full survey instrument will be tested for a response of 
up to 200 usable observations. The pretest data will then be analyzed 
and the questionnaire revised, as needed. In the second phase, the 
final survey instrument will be administered to a sample of up to 2000 
people. Both the pretest and final surveys are planned as taking an 
average of 30 minutes per completed interview.

III. Data

    OMB Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,200.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes for a pretest, and 30 
minutes for a final survey.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,100.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: January 7, 2005.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-847 Filed 1-13-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-JE-S