Notice of Proposed New Information Collection for Focus Groups for Non-use Valuation Survey, Klamath Basin, 17428-17430 [2010-7710]
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17428
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 65 / Tuesday, April 6, 2010 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
[FR Doc. 2010–7677 Filed 4–5–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160–01–C
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Accreditation and Approval of Intertek
USA, Inc., as a Commercial Gauger
and Laboratory
Accreditation and Approval of SGS
North America, Inc., as a Commercial
Gauger and Laboratory
AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border
Protection, Department of Homeland
Security.
U.S. Customs and Border
Protection, Department of Homeland
Security.
ACTION: Notice of accreditation and
approval of SGS North America, Inc., as
a commercial gauger and laboratory.
Notice of accreditation and
approval of Intertek USA, Inc., as a
commercial gauger and laboratory.
sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that,
pursuant to 19 CFR 151.12 and 19 CFR
151.13, SGS North America, Inc., 11729
Port Road, Seabrook, TX 77586, has
been approved to gauge and accredited
to test petroleum and petroleum
products for customs purposes, in
accordance with the provisions of 19
CFR 151.12 and 19 CFR 151.13. Anyone
wishing to employ this entity to conduct
laboratory analyses and gauger services
should request and receive written
assurances from the entity that it is
accredited or approved by the U.S.
Customs and Border Protection to
conduct the specific test or gauger
service requested. Alternatively,
inquires regarding the specific test or
gauger service this entity is accredited
or approved to perform may be directed
to the U.S. Customs and Border
Protection by calling (202) 344–1060.
The inquiry may also be sent to
cbp.labhq@dhs.gov. Please reference the
Web site listed below for a complete
listing of CBP approved gaugers and
accredited laboratories.
https://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/
operations_support/labs_scientific_svcs/
commercial_gaugers/
DATES: The accreditation and approval
of SGS North America, Inc., as
commercial gauger and laboratory
became effective on September 16, 2009.
The next triennial inspection date will
be scheduled for September 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Anthony Malana, Laboratories and
Scientific Services, U.S. Customs and
Border Protection, 1300 Pennsylvania
Avenue, NW., Suite 1500N,
Washington, DC 20229, 202–344–1060.
ACTION:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that,
pursuant to 19 CFR 151.12 and 19 CFR
151.13, Intertek USA, Inc., 78 Pleasant
Ave., South Portland, ME 04106, has
been approved to gauge and accredited
to test petroleum and petroleum
products for customs purposes, in
accordance with the provisions of 19
CFR 151.12 and 19 CFR 151.13. Anyone
wishing to employ this entity to conduct
laboratory analyses and gauger services
should request and receive written
assurances from the entity that it is
accredited or approved by the U.S.
Customs and Border Protection to
conduct the specific test or gauger
service requested. Alternatively,
inquires regarding the specific test or
gauger service this entity is accredited
or approved to perform may be directed
to the U.S. Customs and Border
Protection by calling (202) 344–1060.
The inquiry may also be sent to
cbp.labhq@dhs.gov. Please reference the
Web site listed below for a complete
listing of CBP approved gaugers and
accredited laboratories. https://cbp.gov/
xp/cgov/import/operations_support/
labs_scientific_svcs/commercial_
gaugers/.
DATES: The accreditation and approval
of Intertek USA, Inc., as commercial
gauger and laboratory became effective
on August 18, 2009. The next triennial
inspection date will be scheduled for
August 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Anthony Malana, Laboratories and
Scientific Services, U.S. Customs and
Border Protection, 1300 Pennsylvania
Avenue, NW., Suite 1500N,
Washington, DC 20229, 202–344–1060.
Dated: March 26, 2010.
Ira S. Reese,
Executive Director, Laboratories and
Scientific Services.
Dated: March 26, 2010.
Ira S. Reese,
Executive Director, Laboratories and
Scientific Services.
[FR Doc. 2010–7685 Filed 4–5–10; 8:45 am]
[FR Doc. 2010–7686 Filed 4–5–10; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of the Secretary
Notice of Proposed New Information
Collection for Focus Groups for Nonuse Valuation Survey, Klamath Basin
AGENCY: Office of Policy Analysis,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
SUMMARY: In compliance with section
3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of
Conservation, Partnerships &
Management Policy announces that it
has submitted a request for approval of
a new information collection to the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB), and requests public comments
on this submission.
DATES: OMB has up to 60 days to
approve or disapprove the information
collection request, but may respond
after 30 days; therefore, public
comments should be submitted to OMB
by May 6, 2010, in order to be assured
of consideration.
ADDRESSES: Send your written
comments by facsimile 202–395–5806
or e-mail
(OIRA_DOCKET@omb.eop.gov) to the
Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, Office of Management and
Budget, Attention: Department of the
Interior Desk Officer (1090–NEW). Mail
or hand-carry comments to the
Department of the Interior, Office of
Policy Analysis, Attention: Don
Bieniewicz, Mail Stop 3530; 1849 C
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240. If
you wish to e-mail comments, the email address is Donald_
Bieniewicz@ios.doi.gov. Reference
‘‘Focus Groups for Klamath non-use
value survey’’ in your e-mail subject
line. Include your name and return
address in your e-mail message and
mark your message for return receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To
request more information on this
proposed information collection, please
write to Benjamin Simon, Office of
Policy Analysis, Mailstop 3530–MIB,
U.S. Department of the Interior,
Washington, DC 20240 or telephone at
202–208–5978 or by e-mail at
Benjamin_Simon@ios.doi.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) regulations at 5 CFR part 1320,
which implement the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13),
require that interested members of the
public and affected agencies have an
E:\FR\FM\06APN1.SGM
06APN1
sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 65 / Tuesday, April 6, 2010 / Notices
opportunity to comment on information
collection and recordkeeping activities
(see 5 CFR 1320.8(d)).
The U.S. Department of the Interior
(DOI) is requesting approval for a new
information collection related to the use
of focus groups to pretest the Klamath
Nonuse Valuation Survey it is
developing.
The Klamath River Basin provides
essential habitat for several fish species
including Chinook salmon, Coho
salmon, Steelhead trout, Pacific
lamprey, and Shortnose suckers. Some
of these species are important
components of ocean and/or in-river
harvest, while others are rarely
harvested due to fishery regulations,
limited availability, and/or listed status
under the Endangered Species Act
(ESA). In addition to its importance as
fish habitat, the Klamath River and its
tributaries also provides water to
agriculture through the Bureau of
Reclamation’s Klamath Irrigation
Project. Oversubscription of Klamath
water has thwarted recovery of
depressed fish stocks and led to
economic hardship for farming and
fishing communities—prompting
federal disaster relief for farmers in 2001
and for fishermen in 2006.
In February 2010, the U.S.
Government, the States of Oregon and
California, the chairmen of the Klamath,
Yurok and Karuk Tribes, and the utility
company PacifiCorp signed the Klamath
Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA)
and the Klamath Hydroelectric
Settlement Agreement. These
agreements define a set of activities,
including the removal of four dams on
the Klamath River by 2020, which are
designed to restore fisheries and provide
water supply certainty in the Basin. The
Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement
calls for the Secretary to determine
whether dam removal will advance
restoration of the salmonid fisheries of
the Klamath Basin and is in the public
interest. In October 2011 the Secretary
of the Interior is expected to make a
final determination regarding dam
removal and the KBRA, contingent on
results of an economic analysis that will
address benefits, costs and
distributional effects of dam removal.
An interagency economics team
consisting of representatives from DOI
agencies including the Fish and Wildlife
Service and Bureau of Reclamation, and
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) National
Marine Fisheries Service is responsible
for completing the economic analysis
that will inform the Secretarial
determination.
To comply with the National
Environmental Policy Act, an
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Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
must be prepared. One important area of
benefits that needs to be addressed as
part of the EIS is ‘‘nonuse value.’’
Nonuse values accrue to members of the
public who value Klamath Basin
improvements regardless of whether
they ever consume Klamath fish or visit
the Klamath Basin. To measure these
values, DOI has contracted with RTI
International in Research Triangle Park,
NC, to design and implement a nonuse
valuation survey of the U.S. public. A
key aspect of the survey design process
is to use focus groups and cognitive,
one-on-one interviews (the cognitive
interviews will be addressed in a later
ICR). The main objectives of these
information collection activities are to
ensure that the survey questions and
scenarios are presented to respondents
in a way that is accurate, easily
understood and least burdensome,
while at the same time collecting all of
the necessary information for estimating
nonuse values. Because of the
controversy over the agreement in the
Klamath Basin, the survey text needs to
be neutral and present all sides.
II. Method of Collection
DOI has contracted with RTI
International in Research Triangle Park,
NC, to pretest the nonuse valuation
survey by conducting 4 focus groups.
DOI and RTI will use the results of these
information collection activities to
optimize the design of the survey
instrument. The nonuse valuation
survey will apply a stated preference
conjoint analysis approach. In this
approach, respondents are first
presented with a choice context—in this
case, the opportunity to vote on
alternative plans for the future of the
Klamath River Basin. The description of
the choice context requires an
explanation of current (i.e., baseline)
conditions including ecological, water
quality, and water availability
conditions as they currently exist and of
possible actions for improving habitat
for fish and providing a more natural
flow of the river, including dam removal
and ecosystem restoration activities.
Second, the survey describes the main
dimensions (i.e., attributes) over which
the different possible actions will vary,
including the extent and timing of fish
recovery and cost per household. Third,
respondents are presented with a series
of choice tasks where they are asked to
compare and state their preferences for
alternative actions, which vary in the
previously described dimensions. The
focus groups will provide valuable
information to address several key
questions relating to the survey and, in
particular, the conjoint design. First, can
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respondents fully understand and
accept the choice context? If not, how
could the information be expanded,
revised, reformatted, or reorganized to
facilitate understanding of the context
or to make the choice context more
plausible for respondents. Second, what
attributes (i.e., outcomes) of alternative
KBRA actions matter most to
respondents, and how well do these
align with the attributes presented and
varied in the conjoint task questions?
Third, are the attributes of the
alternative actions and the different
levels of these attributes described and
communicated to respondents in the
most meaningful and understandable
way? Fourth, which types and
combinations of visuals—i.e., maps,
graphs, and pictures—are most helpful
to respondents for understanding the
context and choice tasks? Fifth, to what
extent do the answers to the previous
questions depend on how far
respondents live from the Klamath
Basin? How can the survey materials be
presented in a way that is meaningful
for individuals from across the country
who are likely to have very different
levels of familiarity with and interest in
the Klamath region and its river
restoration issues?
Two of the focus groups will be
conducted in or near the Klamath
Basin—one in Southern Oregon (e.g.,
Medford or Klamath Falls) and one in
Northern California (e.g., Yreka or
Redding). The other two focus groups
will be conducted in other parts of the
country—one in Raleigh, NC, and the
other in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN.
Because the survey is intended for the
general population of adults in the U.S.,
the only screening criteria for the focus
groups will be to exclude individuals
younger than 21 years of age. Otherwise,
individuals will be recruited to ensure
that a broad mix of sociodemographic
characteristics are represented,
including sex, age, education, income,
race, and rural/urban residence.
Each focus group will have an
experienced moderator who will use a
moderator guide to conduct the focus
group. Each focus group participant will
complete a focus group participant
worksheet collecting basic demographic
information and a consent form.
III. Data
(1) Title: Non-use Valuation Survey,
Klamath River Dam Removal.
OMB Control Number: 1090–NEW.
Type of Review: Information
Collection: New.
Affected Entities: Individuals or
households
Estimated Annual Number of
Respondents: 141.
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 65 / Tuesday, April 6, 2010 / Notices
Frequency of Response: Focus groups
will be one-time collections
(2) Annual reporting and
recordkeeping burden:
Estimated Number of Responses
Annually: 141.
Estimated Burden per Response: 47
minutes.
Total Annual Reporting: 110 hours.
(3) Description of the need and use of
the information: DOI will use the results
of these information collection activities
(the focus groups) to optimize the
design of the survey instrument.
As required under 5 CFR 1320.8(d), a
Federal Register notice soliciting
comments on the collection of
information was published on June 9,
2009 (74 FR 27340). No comments were
received. This notice provides the
public with an additional 30 days in
which to comment on the proposed
information collection activity.
sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES
IV. Request for Comments
The Department of the Interior invites
comments on:
(a) 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;
(b) The accuracy of the agency’s
estimate of the burden of the collection
and the validity of the methodology and
assumptions used;
(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 those
who are to respond, including through
the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.
Burden means the total time, effort, or
financial resources expended by persons
to generate, maintain, retain, disclose or
provide information to or for a Federal
agency.
An agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, a collection of information
unless it displays a currently valid
Office of Management and Budget
control number.
Dated: March 31, 2010.
Benjamin Simon,
Acting Economics Staff Director, Office of
Policy Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2010–7710 Filed 4–5–10; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R8–R–2010–N026; 80230–1265–0000–
S3]
Hopper Mountain, Bitter Creek, and
Blue Ridge National Wildlife Refuges,
Kern, San Luis Obispo, Tulare, and
Ventura Counties, CA
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a
comprehensive conservation plan and
environmental assessment; request for
comments.
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), intend to
prepare a comprehensive conservation
plan (CCP) and environmental
assessment (EA) for the Hopper
Mountain, Bitter Creek, and Blue Ridge
National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs)
located in Kern, San Luis Obispo,
Tulare, and Ventura counties of
California. We provide this notice in
compliance with our CCP policy to
advise other Federal, State, and local
agencies; Tribes; and the public of our
intentions, and to obtain suggestions
and information on the scope of issues
to consider in the planning process.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please
send your written comments by May 21,
2010.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or
requests for more information by any of
the following methods.
E-mail: fw8plancomments@fws.gov.
Include ‘‘Hopper CCP’’ in the subject
line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Sandy Osborn, (916) 414–
6497.
U.S. Mail: Pacific Southwest Region,
Refuge Planning, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 2800 Cottage Way, W–1832,
Sacramento, CA 95825.
In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off
comments at the Hopper Mountain
NWR Complex Headquarters in Ventura,
California, during regular business
hours; please call (805) 644–5185 for
directions.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sandy Osborn, Planning Team Leader,
at (916) 414–6503 or Marc Weitzel,
Project Leader, at (805) 644–5185 or
fw8plancomments@fws.gov. Further
information may also be found at https://
www.fws.gov/cno/refuges/planning/
ccp.cfm.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our
process for developing a CCP for Hopper
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Mountain, Bitter Creek, and Blue Ridge
NWRs in Kern, San Luis Obispo, Tulare,
and Ventura Counties, California. This
notice complies with our CCP policy to
(1) advise other Federal and State
agencies, Tribes, and the public of our
intention to conduct detailed planning
on this refuge and (2) obtain suggestions
and information on the scope of issues
to consider in the environmental
document and during development of
the CCP.
Background
The CCP Process
The National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C.
668dd–668ee) (Administration Act), as
amended by the National Wildlife
Refuge System Improvement Act of
1997, requires us to develop a CCP for
each national wildlife refuge. The
purpose for developing a CCP is to
provide refuge managers with a 15-year
plan for achieving refuge purposes and
contributing toward the mission of the
National Wildlife Refuge System,
consistent with sound principles of fish
and wildlife management, conservation,
legal mandates, and our policies. In
addition to outlining broad management
direction on conserving wildlife and
their habitats, CCPs identify wildlifedependent recreational opportunities
available to the public, including
opportunities for hunting, fishing,
wildlife observation and photography,
and environmental education and
interpretation where compatible with
refuge purposes. We will review and
update the CCP at least every 15 years
in accordance with the Administration
Act.
Each unit of the National Wildlife
Refuge System was established for
specific purposes. We use these
purposes as the foundation for
developing and prioritizing the
management goals and objectives for
each refuge within the National Wildlife
Refuge System, and to determine how
the public can use each refuge. The
planning process is a way for us and the
public to evaluate management goals,
objectives, and strategies that will
ensure the best possible approach to
wildlife, plant, and habitat
conservation, while providing for
wildlife-dependent recreation
opportunities that are compatible with
each refuge’s establishing purposes and
the mission of the National Wildlife
Refuge System.
Our CCP process provides
opportunities for participation by
Tribal, State, and local governments;
agencies; organizations; and the public.
We will be contacting identified
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 65 (Tuesday, April 6, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17428-17430]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-7710]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of the Secretary
Notice of Proposed New Information Collection for Focus Groups
for Non-use Valuation Survey, Klamath Basin
AGENCY: Office of Policy Analysis, Interior.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In compliance with section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Conservation, Partnerships &
Management Policy announces that it has submitted a request for
approval of a new information collection to the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB), and requests public comments on this submission.
DATES: OMB has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove the information
collection request, but may respond after 30 days; therefore, public
comments should be submitted to OMB by May 6, 2010, in order to be
assured of consideration.
ADDRESSES: Send your written comments by facsimile 202-395-5806 or e-
mail (OIRA_DOCKET@omb.eop.gov) to the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Attention:
Department of the Interior Desk Officer (1090-NEW). Mail or hand-carry
comments to the Department of the Interior, Office of Policy Analysis,
Attention: Don Bieniewicz, Mail Stop 3530; 1849 C Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20240. If you wish to e-mail comments, the e-mail
address is Donald_Bieniewicz@ios.doi.gov. Reference ``Focus Groups for
Klamath non-use value survey'' in your e-mail subject line. Include
your name and return address in your e-mail message and mark your
message for return receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request more information on this
proposed information collection, please write to Benjamin Simon, Office
of Policy Analysis, Mailstop 3530-MIB, U.S. Department of the Interior,
Washington, DC 20240 or telephone at 202-208-5978 or by e-mail at
Benjamin_Simon@ios.doi.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR part
1320, which implement the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-
13), require that interested members of the public and affected
agencies have an
[[Page 17429]]
opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping
activities (see 5 CFR 1320.8(d)).
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) is requesting approval
for a new information collection related to the use of focus groups to
pretest the Klamath Nonuse Valuation Survey it is developing.
The Klamath River Basin provides essential habitat for several fish
species including Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, Steelhead trout, Pacific
lamprey, and Shortnose suckers. Some of these species are important
components of ocean and/or in-river harvest, while others are rarely
harvested due to fishery regulations, limited availability, and/or
listed status under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In addition to
its importance as fish habitat, the Klamath River and its tributaries
also provides water to agriculture through the Bureau of Reclamation's
Klamath Irrigation Project. Oversubscription of Klamath water has
thwarted recovery of depressed fish stocks and led to economic hardship
for farming and fishing communities--prompting federal disaster relief
for farmers in 2001 and for fishermen in 2006.
In February 2010, the U.S. Government, the States of Oregon and
California, the chairmen of the Klamath, Yurok and Karuk Tribes, and
the utility company PacifiCorp signed the Klamath Basin Restoration
Agreement (KBRA) and the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement.
These agreements define a set of activities, including the removal of
four dams on the Klamath River by 2020, which are designed to restore
fisheries and provide water supply certainty in the Basin. The
Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement calls for the Secretary to determine
whether dam removal will advance restoration of the salmonid fisheries
of the Klamath Basin and is in the public interest. In October 2011 the
Secretary of the Interior is expected to make a final determination
regarding dam removal and the KBRA, contingent on results of an
economic analysis that will address benefits, costs and distributional
effects of dam removal. An interagency economics team consisting of
representatives from DOI agencies including the Fish and Wildlife
Service and Bureau of Reclamation, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service is responsible
for completing the economic analysis that will inform the Secretarial
determination.
To comply with the National Environmental Policy Act, an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) must be prepared. One important
area of benefits that needs to be addressed as part of the EIS is
``nonuse value.'' Nonuse values accrue to members of the public who
value Klamath Basin improvements regardless of whether they ever
consume Klamath fish or visit the Klamath Basin. To measure these
values, DOI has contracted with RTI International in Research Triangle
Park, NC, to design and implement a nonuse valuation survey of the U.S.
public. A key aspect of the survey design process is to use focus
groups and cognitive, one-on-one interviews (the cognitive interviews
will be addressed in a later ICR). The main objectives of these
information collection activities are to ensure that the survey
questions and scenarios are presented to respondents in a way that is
accurate, easily understood and least burdensome, while at the same
time collecting all of the necessary information for estimating nonuse
values. Because of the controversy over the agreement in the Klamath
Basin, the survey text needs to be neutral and present all sides.
II. Method of Collection
DOI has contracted with RTI International in Research Triangle
Park, NC, to pretest the nonuse valuation survey by conducting 4 focus
groups. DOI and RTI will use the results of these information
collection activities to optimize the design of the survey instrument.
The nonuse valuation survey will apply a stated preference conjoint
analysis approach. In this approach, respondents are first presented
with a choice context--in this case, the opportunity to vote on
alternative plans for the future of the Klamath River Basin. The
description of the choice context requires an explanation of current
(i.e., baseline) conditions including ecological, water quality, and
water availability conditions as they currently exist and of possible
actions for improving habitat for fish and providing a more natural
flow of the river, including dam removal and ecosystem restoration
activities. Second, the survey describes the main dimensions (i.e.,
attributes) over which the different possible actions will vary,
including the extent and timing of fish recovery and cost per
household. Third, respondents are presented with a series of choice
tasks where they are asked to compare and state their preferences for
alternative actions, which vary in the previously described dimensions.
The focus groups will provide valuable information to address several
key questions relating to the survey and, in particular, the conjoint
design. First, can respondents fully understand and accept the choice
context? If not, how could the information be expanded, revised,
reformatted, or reorganized to facilitate understanding of the context
or to make the choice context more plausible for respondents. Second,
what attributes (i.e., outcomes) of alternative KBRA actions matter
most to respondents, and how well do these align with the attributes
presented and varied in the conjoint task questions? Third, are the
attributes of the alternative actions and the different levels of these
attributes described and communicated to respondents in the most
meaningful and understandable way? Fourth, which types and combinations
of visuals--i.e., maps, graphs, and pictures--are most helpful to
respondents for understanding the context and choice tasks? Fifth, to
what extent do the answers to the previous questions depend on how far
respondents live from the Klamath Basin? How can the survey materials
be presented in a way that is meaningful for individuals from across
the country who are likely to have very different levels of familiarity
with and interest in the Klamath region and its river restoration
issues?
Two of the focus groups will be conducted in or near the Klamath
Basin--one in Southern Oregon (e.g., Medford or Klamath Falls) and one
in Northern California (e.g., Yreka or Redding). The other two focus
groups will be conducted in other parts of the country--one in Raleigh,
NC, and the other in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. Because the survey is
intended for the general population of adults in the U.S., the only
screening criteria for the focus groups will be to exclude individuals
younger than 21 years of age. Otherwise, individuals will be recruited
to ensure that a broad mix of sociodemographic characteristics are
represented, including sex, age, education, income, race, and rural/
urban residence.
Each focus group will have an experienced moderator who will use a
moderator guide to conduct the focus group. Each focus group
participant will complete a focus group participant worksheet
collecting basic demographic information and a consent form.
III. Data
(1) Title: Non-use Valuation Survey, Klamath River Dam Removal.
OMB Control Number: 1090-NEW.
Type of Review: Information Collection: New.
Affected Entities: Individuals or households
Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 141.
[[Page 17430]]
Frequency of Response: Focus groups will be one-time collections
(2) Annual reporting and recordkeeping burden:
Estimated Number of Responses Annually: 141.
Estimated Burden per Response: 47 minutes.
Total Annual Reporting: 110 hours.
(3) Description of the need and use of the information: DOI will
use the results of these information collection activities (the focus
groups) to optimize the design of the survey instrument.
As required under 5 CFR 1320.8(d), a Federal Register notice
soliciting comments on the collection of information was published on
June 9, 2009 (74 FR 27340). No comments were received. This notice
provides the public with an additional 30 days in which to comment on
the proposed information collection activity.
IV. Request for Comments
The Department of the Interior invites comments on:
(a) 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;
(b) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the
collection and the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
(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
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources
expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, disclose or provide
information to or for a Federal agency.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid Office of Management and Budget control number.
Dated: March 31, 2010.
Benjamin Simon,
Acting Economics Staff Director, Office of Policy Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2010-7710 Filed 4-5-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-RK-P
