Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request: Socioeconomics of Maritime Heritage Dive Operators in National Marine Sanctuaries and Proposed Sanctuaries, 27695 [2017-12568]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 115 (Friday, June 16, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 27695]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12568]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request: Socioeconomics 
of Maritime Heritage Dive Operators in National Marine Sanctuaries and 
Proposed Sanctuaries

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 August 15, 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 Dr. Danielle Schwarzmann 240-533-0705 
danielle.schwarzmann@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for a new information collection to benefit 
resource managers in sanctuaries and proposed sanctuaries (minimum of 
two sites) that protect marine heritage resources. Maritime heritage 
preserves and protects valuable historical, cultural and archaeological 
resources within coastal, marine and Great Lake environments. Maritime 
heritage resources include prehistoric sites, shipwrecks and naval 
battlefields. The National Ocean Service (NOS) proposes to collect 
information from dive and SCUBA operations to ascertain the operator 
knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards the sanctuary or proposed 
sanctuary and the number of person-days of diving in the sanctuary/
proposed sanctuary and the larger region.
    Up-to-date socioeconomic data is needed to support the conservation 
and management goals of marine heritage resources and to satisfy legal 
mandates under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1431 et 
seq.), Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), Marine Mammal 
Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), National Environmental Policy 
Act (42 U.S.C. 4321), Executive Order 12866 (E.O. 12866), and other 
pertinent statutes.
    ONMS has a data gap in the economic value of maritime heritage 
resources. The information is about person-days and economic value of 
diving on maritime heritage resources (such as shipwrecks) is not 
available to assess the possible economic benefits of maritime heritage 
protection to the local economy, or the potential impact on marine and 
Great Lakes recreation businesses. The type of data targeted for this 
collection; that is, information on person-days of diving, knowledge, 
attitudes and perceptions of dive operations towards maritime heritage 
resources and the sanctuary/proposed sanctuary. Thus, current economic 
information on the importance of dive and SCUBA operations to the local 
tourism industry is required. The primary focus for the survey will be 
to gather data on the non-consumptive, market value of dive operations. 
Specifically, researchers will collect data to determine the 
contribution of dive operations to the economy of marine heritage 
resources in sanctuaries and proposed sanctuaries.

II. Method of Collection

    On-site interviews will be completed. Sanctuary staff or 
representatives will contact each operator to set up an appointment to 
collect the data in person.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-XXXX.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (request for a new information 
collection).
    Affected Public: Maritime heritage diver operators.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 50.
    Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 50.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: Other than burden hours 
there will be no cost to the public.

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: June 13, 2017.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-12568 Filed 6-15-17; 8:45 am]
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