Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Oral History Project: Preserving Research and Cultural Heritage for NOAA's Cooperative Oxford Laboratory, 18549 [E9-9281]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 77 (Thursday, April 23, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 18549]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-9281]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Oral History 
Project: Preserving Research and Cultural Heritage for NOAA's 
Cooperative Oxford Laboratory

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

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.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before June 22, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 7845, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at dHynek@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please direct requests for additional 
information to Theresa L. Goedeke, (301) 713-3020 or 
Theresa.Goedeke@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Cooperative Oxford Laboratory (COL) in Oxford, Maryland was 
established in 1960 and has operated under a cooperative agreement 
between NOAA and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) 
for the last 12 years. Research conducted by COL scientists has 
supported efforts to sustain historic fisheries along the Atlantic 
coast of the United States for nearly 50 years. As COL's 50th 
anniversary approaches, staff at the National Centers of Coastal Ocean 
Science will undertake a cultural history project to document and 
preserve the rich and unique history of the COL, its importance to the 
local seafood industry, and the cultural memory of the ``oyster 
years.'' In addition to collecting historical documents, photographs 
and artifacts, the researchers will conduct 25 to 30 videotaped oral 
history interviews with key members from the local community who have 
historic knowledge of COL and local, coastal resources. This includes 
scientists, resource managers, watermen, business owners, and 
knowledgeable members of the general community. The goal of the oral 
history project is to collect stories about the successes and 
challenges related to preserving the local seafood industry, and to 
document the rich history and local heritage tied to the COL. These 
videotaped oral histories will be archived with local, regional, and 
national organizations. In addition, the researchers will edit clips 
from the interviews to create short documentaries, which will be made 
available to local, regional, and national museums and other entities.

II. Method of Collection

    Researchers will conduct videotaped, unstructured oral history 
interviews.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 30 (for the entire project).
    Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 30 hours.
    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: April 17, 2009.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-9281 Filed 4-22-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-JE-P