The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is requesting approval for a new information collection in order to conduct focus groups and one-on-one interviews to develop and test the Elwha River Dam Removal and Floodplain Restoration Ecosystem Service Valuation Survey it is developing.
NOAA has received funding from the Estuary Restoration Act of 2000 (Title I, P.L. 106-457) to expand research on ecosystem services valuation. Part of NOAA's role under this Act is to develop metrics to determine the economic value and impact of restoration. The proposed Elwha River Dam Removal and Floodplain Restoration Ecosystem Service Valuation Pilot Project (the "Pilot Project") will be NOAA's first effort to develop these metrics.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.