Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Assessing Institutional Designs for Managing Water Supply To Support Salmon Recovery in Washington State, 28680-28681 [E7-9767]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 98 (Tuesday, May 22, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28680-28681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-9767]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Assessing 
Institutional Designs for Managing Water Supply To Support Salmon 
Recovery in Washington State

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 23, 2007.

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 Karma Norman, 206-302-2418 or Karma.Norman@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Northwest Fisheries Science Center is responsible for research 
to support recovery planning for Pacific salmon listed under the 
Endangered Species Act. Fisheries scientists have identified a number 
of critical habitat features necessary for the recovery of Pacific 
salmon in Washington State. One of the most important of these habitat 
elements is ensuring sufficient flows of freshwater for fish passage, 
spawning, and rearing.
    Washington State, in consultation with federal, local, and tribal 
government partners, has begun establishing in-stream flow rules for a 
number of watersheds in the state. The new measures that ensure 
sufficient freshwater flows for salmon have begun implementation across 
Water Resource Inventory Areas (WRIAs). However, little is understood 
about the institutional arrangements (laws, policies, and 
organizational structures) needed to successfully implement the habitat 
management activities necessary for salmon recovery.
    Thus far, research on this topic has focused primarily on watershed 
planning, rather than on organizational structures or the 
implementation on water supply rules, controls and agreements. This 
study will complement these inquiries by examining the institutional 
design of programs to support salmon recovery. The results from this 
study will highlight the institutional features that are associated 
with the effective implementation of water supply control measures. 
This data will be used to develop a preliminary set of indicators that 
may help predict the likely success of efforts to implement water 
supply controls across Washington State.

II. Method of Collection

    Secondary sources will be used to collect the information, such as 
literature reviews, planning documents,

[[Page 28681]]

Internet sources, and U.S. Census data. Internet surveys and in-person 
interviews with key informants, as determined by initial secondary data 
and analysis, will be utilized to obtain information from original 
sources to develop the broadest scope of information possible.

III. Data

    OMB Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; not-for-profit 
institutions; State or Local government, Federal government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 496 (8 individuals for each of the 
62 WRIAs in the state of Washington).
    Estimated Time per Response: 20 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 165.
    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: May 16, 2007.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E7-9767 Filed 5-21-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P