Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Quantitative Assessment of Spatially-Explicit Social Values Relative to Wind Energy Areas: Outer Continental Shelf Offshore North Carolina, 227-228 [2015-33152]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 2 (Tuesday, January 5, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 227-228]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-33152]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Quantitative 
Assessment of Spatially-Explicit Social Values Relative to Wind Energy 
Areas: Outer Continental Shelf Offshore North Carolina

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 March 7, 2016.

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 Theresa L. Goedeke, 240-533-0383 or 
theresa.goedeke@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    Pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf Land Act, the National 
Environmental Policy Act and the Coastal Zone Management Act, this 
request is for a new data collection to benefit the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Bureau of Ocean Energy 
Management (BOEM), and policy-makers on the state and local level in 
North Carolina. BOEM has identified three wind energy areas for 
potential development on the outer continental shelf of North Carolina. 
The National Ocean Service (NOS) proposes to collect data on the 
knowledge, beliefs, social values, and attitudes of North Carolina and 
South Carolina residents relative to marine and coastal landscapes, 
alternative energy production options, and offshore wind energy 
development. Respondents will be sampled from households in eight to 
ten coastal counties.
    The required information will be used to objectively assess the 
level of support and/or opposition for offshore wind energy development 
in the region, as well as identify the relevant issues and concerns 
most salient to residents. The information will be used by BOEM, NOAA, 
and others to improve agency understanding about the beliefs, social 
values, attitudes, and concerns of people potentially affected by 
offshore wind energy development. Such information will be used to 
ascertain the possible sociocultural outcomes of offshore wind energy 
development in the region, such as an enhancement or reduction in 
enjoyment of the coastal landscape/seascape. Additionally, information 
collected will be used to improve communication efforts targeted to 
residents, enabling agencies to more effectively and efficiently direct 
outreach and community inclusion activities.

II. Method of Collection

    The data collection will take place over a three to four month 
period and will be comprised of a questionnaire to be completed by the 
respondent. The data will be collected via a mail-back survey 
instrument.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-XXXX.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (request for a new information 
collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 20 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,333.
    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

[[Page 228]]

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: December 30, 2015.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-33152 Filed 1-4-16; 8:45 am]
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