Non-Use Valuation Survey, Klamath Basin; Thirty-Day Notice Requesting Additional Public Comments, 9046-9047 [2011-3506]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• Office of the Secretary

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 16, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9046-9047]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-3506]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary


Non-Use Valuation Survey, Klamath Basin; Thirty-Day Notice 
Requesting Additional Public Comments

AGENCY: U.S. Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Thirty-day notice requesting additional public comments.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Secretary of the Department of 
the Interior announces the revision of an information collection 
``Klamath Non-use Valuation Survey,'' Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) Control No. 1090-0010, and that it is seeking comments on the 
revised information collection. As required by the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork 
and respondent burden, we invite the general public and other Federal 
agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this information 
collection.

ADDRESSES: You may submit your comments directly to the Desk Officer 
for the Department of the Interior (OMB 1090-0010), Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, by electronic mail at OIRA_DOCKET@omb.eop.gov or by fax at 202-395-5806. Please also send a copy 
of your 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 ``Klamath Non use 
valuation 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.

DATES: OMB has 60 days to review this request but may act after 30 
days, therefore you should submit your comments on or before March 18, 
2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Benjamin Simon, Economics Staff 
Director, Office of Policy Analysis, U.S. Department of the Interior 
telephone at 202-208-5978 or by e-mail at Benjamin_Simon@ios.doi.gov. 
To see a copy of the entire ICR submitted to OMB, go to https://www.reginfo.gov (Information Collection Review, Currently Under 
Review).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This Notice supplements the Notices that were published on August 
30, 2010 and September 8, 2010.
    Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR 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 opportunity to comment on information collection and 
recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 1320.8(d)). This notice identifies 
an information collection activity that the Office of the Secretary has 
revised and resubmitted to OMB.
    This Notice is being published in order to provide the public with 
an opportunity to comment on revisions to the Klamath Non-use Valuation 
survey. On August 30, 2010, the Agency published a 30-day notice 
requesting comments and received one general comment on the overall 
design of the project, but no comments on the survey instrument. The 
pilot test was approved by OMB on December 14, 2010. However, the 
Agency received additional comments on the survey instrument subsequent 
to the approval of the information collection by OMB. These comments 
focused on the background material and description of the no action and 
action alternatives. Revisions were made in response to these comments.
    While the revised survey is being tested using cognitive 
interviews, individuals can submit comments to OMB on the revised 
survey at the address above.
    The Klamath River provides habitat for fall and spring run Chinook 
salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), 
steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), green sturgeon (Acipenser 
medirostris), Pacific lamprey (Lampetra tridentate), and Pacific 
eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus). Some of these species are important 
components of non-tribal harvest (e.g., fall Chinook, steelhead), some 
have important subsistence and cultural value to Klamath Basin tribes 
(e.g., salmon, sturgeon, lamprey, eulachon), and some are at low levels 
of abundance or Endangered Species Act-listed (e.g., spring Chinook, 
lamprey, coho, eulachon).
    Studies on the potential removal of four dams on the Klamath River 
owned by PacifiCorp are being conducted as a result of the Klamath 
Hydroelectic Settlement Agreement (KHSA) executed February 18, 2010. 
Under the KHSA, the Secretary of the Interior is to determine by March 
31, 2012, whether the potential removal of these dams will advance 
restoration of the salmonid fisheries of the Klamath Basin and is in

[[Page 9047]]

the public interest, which includes but is not limited to consideration 
of potential impacts on affected local communities and Tribes. The 
determination will be based on a number of factors, including an 
economic analysis. One part of the economic analysis is a non-use 
valuation survey that is designed to determine the potential benefits 
of dam removal that may accrue to members of the U.S. public who value 
such improvements regardless of whether they consume Klamath Basin fish 
or visit the Klamath Basin. Non-use valuation surveys, such as the one 
discussed herein, are routinely included as a part of the economic 
analysis for large-scale water development projects.

II. Data

    Title: Klamath Non-Use Valuation Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 1090-0010.
    Type of Review: Revision of an approved collection.
    Affected Entities: Households.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Frequency of Response: One time.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 10,400 households who will 
receive the survey (3200 respondents and 7,200 non-respondents).
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 3200.
    Estimated Time per Response: The base for this survey is 10,400 
households. The households will be divided into two mailing groups, at 
a 10/90 split. The first wave of mailings will be to 10% of the 
households. Each household will receive a prenotification postcard 
notification, which will take 30 seconds to read, followed by the first 
mailing of the survey. 17% of households are estimated to respond, 
which will take 30 minutes. Non-respondents will take 3 minutes. The 
second mailing will be sent to the remaining 83% of non-respondent 
households. 10% of the households are estimated to respond to the 
second mailing, taking 30 minutes. The second group of non-respondents 
are estimated to spend 3 minutes. The Department will then conduct 
preliminary analysis.
    The second wave of mailings will be to the remaining 90% of the 
households. Each household will receive a prenotification postcard 
notification, which will take 30 seconds to read, followed by the first 
mailing of the survey. 17% of households are estimated to respond, 
which will take 30 minutes. Non-respondents will take 3 minutes. The 
second phase will be sent to the remaining 83% of non-respondent 
households. 10% of the households are estimated to respond to the 
second mailing, taking 30 minutes. The second group of non-respondents 
are estimated to spend 3 minutes.
    The second group of non-respondents will be sent a reminder letter, 
taking 30 seconds. The letter will provide the web address of the 
survey and a toll-free number and email for the respondent to call or 
write to get another copy of the survey. 5% of the households are 
estimated to complete the survey, taking 30 minutes.
    After the reminder mailing, 20% of the nonrespondents will be sent 
a letter by Federal Express or Priority Mail with a letter and a much 
shorter version of the survey, taking approximately 30 seconds to read. 
It is assumed that 65% of the non-respondent households will have a 
phone number. For respondents with telephone numbers, the letter and 
survey will be followed by a phone call from a live operator who will 
either talk to the household or leave a message reiterating the higher 
incentive and offering to mail another copy of the survey if the 
household needs one. DOI expects that 20% of nonrespondents will 
complete the shorter survey after the phone call reminder, taking 10 
minutes. The phone call without the completing the shorter survey is 
estimated to take 5 minutes. For the 35% of households without 
telephone numbers, DOI expects that 10% of nonrespondents will complete 
the survey after receiving the Federal Express letter. DOI estimates 
that 10% of nonrespondants will spend 5 minutes on the shorter survey 
and letter. DOI estimates 90% nonrespondents will spend 3 minutes on 
the survey and letter.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,571 hours.

III. Request for Comments

    On August 30, 2010, we published in the Federal Register a request 
for public comments on this proposed survey. Revisions were 
subsequently made to the survey in response to comments that were 
received. This notice provides the public with an additional 
opportunity to comment on the revised survey. The Department of the 
Interior invites comments on:
    (1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
collection and the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
    (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    (4) 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: February 11, 2011.
Benjamin M. Simon,
Economics Staff Director, Office of Policy Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2011-3506 Filed 2-15-11; 8:45 am]
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