Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Economic Value of Non-Consumptive Recreation Use From Those Accessing the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary via For Hire Operation Boats, 11976-11977 [2015-05019]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 43 (Thursday, March 5, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11976-11977]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-05019]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Economic Value 
of Non-Consumptive Recreation Use From Those Accessing the Monterey Bay 
National Marine Sanctuary via For Hire Operation Boats

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
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 May 4, 2015.

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. Vernon R. (Bob) Leeworthy, (301) 713-7261 or 
Bob.Leeworthy@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for a new information collection.
    NOAA is mentoring student interns from the Monterey Institute for 
International Studies to estimate the market and non-market economic 
values associated with non-consumptive recreation uses (e.g., whale 
watching, other wildlife observation, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, beach 
activities, surfing, wind-surfing, kite boarding, paddle boarding, 
etc.) in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) for those 
accessing the MBNMS via ``for hire'' operation boats.
    We will conduct surveys of the for hire operations that take people 
out for non-consumptive recreation, to obtain total use by type of 
activity and the spatial use by type of activity. Information will also 
be obtained on costs-and-earnings of the operations, knowledge, 
attitudes and perceptions of sanctuary management strategies and 
regulations, and demographic information on owner/captains and crews. 
Surveys will also be conducted of the passengers aboard the for hire 
operation boats to obtain their market and non-market economic use 
values for non-consumptive recreation use and how those value change 
with changes in natural resource attribute conditions and user 
characteristics. Additional information will be obtained on importance-
satisfaction ratings of key natural resource attributes, facilities and 
services, knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of management strategies 
and regulations, and demographic profiles of passengers.

II. Method of Collection

    For the for hire operations, a team of students will go to the 
operations offices and collect the information. For the passengers, 
surveys will be conducted at the docks after the completion of their 
trips. The on-site survey will obtain information on demographic 
profiles, annual number of trips in the MBNMS for non-consumptive 
recreation, and their non-market economic use value. Self-addressed, 
postage paid mail back questionnaires will be used for importance-
satisfaction ratings, knowledge, attitudes and perceptions, and trip 
expenditures.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-xxxx.

[[Page 11977]]

    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (request for a new information 
collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations; 
individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,050.
    Estimated Time per Response: 2 hours per for hire operation, 20 
minutes per on-site interview of passengers, 20 minutes per importance-
satisfaction/knowledge, attitudes and perceptions mail back, and 20 
minutes for the expenditure mail back.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 733.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.

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: March 2, 2015.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-05019 Filed 3-4-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-NK-P