Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Non-Economic Valuation of Subsistence Salmon in Alaska., 21985 [2017-09521]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 90 (Thursday, May 11, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 21985]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-09521]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Non-Economic 
Valuation of Subsistence Salmon in Alaska.

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 July 10, 2017.

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 pracomments@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Ruth Kelty, (301) 825-3940 or ruth.kelty@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for a new information collection. The National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Ocean Service 
(NOS) and National Marine Fisheries Service's (NMFS) Alaska Fisheries 
Science Center propose to collect data on non-economic values related 
to subsistence salmon fishing and use in Alaska. Data is needed to 
support Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) and resource 
restoration analysis and activities. NRDA is a legal process to 
determine the type and amount of restoration needed to compensate the 
public for harm to natural resources and their human uses that occur as 
a result of an oil spill or other hazardous substance release. Through 
the NRDA process, NOAA and co-trustees identify the extent of natural 
resource injuries and the amount and type of restoration required to 
restore those resources to baseline conditions.
    For this study, researchers have developed a survey instrument to 
quantify non-economic values, including (1) the value subsistence 
fishing adds to an individual or community's way of life, (2) the value 
of subsistence resources in cultural or religious practices, roles, 
language, knowledge and skill transfer, and (3) the value of the 
subsistence resources harvested. Alaska, with an abundance of natural 
and energy resources that are co-located with subsistence harvesting 
grounds, is a logical place for NOAA to develop assessment tools. This 
pilot project tests a set of survey questions for their ability to 
provide NOAA with adequate information to assess non-economic values of 
subsistence resource harvest that might be damaged by a hazardous 
substance release event. We focus on Alaska's subsistence salmon 
fishery because of its size, geographic range, and significance to 
multiple types of communities, families and individual commercial, 
recreational, and subsistence fishermen. We further focus on 
subsistence use of salmon because of its importance to rural residents 
and Alaska Natives who rely on natural resources for food, shelter, 
clothing, and the maintenance of cultural traditions, and other aspects 
of Alaskan Native life. The data collection is expected to take place 
between Summer 2017 and Spring 2018.

II. Method of Collection

    Members of the research team will administer a questionnaire in 
person in an interview-style setting with each respondent.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-xxxx.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (request for a new information 
collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 600.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 45 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 450.
    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.

Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-09521 Filed 5-10-17; 8:45 am]
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