Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Economic Survey, 6065 [2012-2671]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 7, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 6065]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2671]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Cook Inlet 
Beluga Whale Economic Survey

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.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before April 9, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at JJessup@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Dr. Dan Lew, (530) 752-1746 or Dan.Lew@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The population of Cook Inlet beluga whales found in the Cook Inlet 
of Alaska is one of five distinct population segments in United States 
(U.S.) waters. It was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species 
Act on October 22, 2008 (73 FR 62919). The public benefits associated 
with the results of protection actions on the Cook Inlet beluga whale, 
such as population increases, are primarily the result of the non-
consumptive value people attribute to such protection (e.g., active use 
values associated with being able to view beluga whales and passive use 
values unrelated to direct human use). Little is known about these 
values, yet such information is needed for decision makers to more 
fully understand the trade-offs involved in choosing among potential 
protection alternatives and to complement other information available 
about the costs, benefits, and impacts of protection alternatives.
    The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) plans to conduct a 
survey to collect data for measuring the economic benefits the public 
receives for providing additional protection, beyond current levels, to 
the Cook Inlet beluga whale. These preferences are currently not known, 
but are needed to assist in the evaluation of alternative measures to 
further protect and recover the species' population, such as in the 
evaluation of critical habitat designations. The survey consists of 
conducting a mail-telephone survey of U.S. households to collect data 
that will be used to measure these public preferences and values.
    During 2011, NMFS fielded a pilot version of the survey to a small 
number of U.S. households, primarily to evaluate the survey 
administration procedures prior to sending the survey out to a larger 
and more representative sample. The results of this pretest indicated 
the need to make minor adjustments to the survey administration (e.g., 
timing of mailings and telephone calls), which will be incorporated in 
the data collection to which this notice pertains.

II. Method of Collection

    Data will be collected primarily through a mail survey of a random 
sample of U.S. households with an oversampling of Alaska households. 
Additional data will be collected in telephone interviews with 
individuals who do not respond to the mail survey.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,200.
    Estimated Time per Response: 25 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,750.
    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: February 1, 2012.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-2671 Filed 2-6-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P