Supporting Statement A for 
Paperwork Reduction Act Submission

National Survey of Fishing, 
Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (FHWAR)
OMB Control Number 1018-0088

Terms of Clearance.  None. 

1.	Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.  

The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, we) has overall Federal responsibility for managing the Nation's fish and wildlife resources and for providing technical and financial assistance to the States for carrying out their fish and wildlife programs.  

To assist in carrying out our responsibilities, we have sponsored national surveys of fishing and hunting at 5-year intervals since 1955.  Authorities for carrying out the Survey are:

•	Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (P-R Act) (16 U.S.C. 669 et seq.), as amended; 
•	Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (D-J Act) (16 U.S.C. 777 et seq.), as amended; 
•	Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742d-f). 
•	Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-408)

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-408) authorizes multistate conservation grant programs, which fund projects such as the National Survey of  Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (FHWAR) that benefit a majority of the States. 

Under the P-R and D-J Acts, we provide approximately $1 billion in grants annually to States for projects that support wildlife and sport fish management and restoration and improve boating access.  Fish and wildlife projects include acquisition and improvement of aquatic resources, fishing access, fish stocking, and the acquisition and improvement of wildlife management areas, facilities, and access.  We also provide grant funds for aquatic education, hunter education, and the development and operation of archery and shooting range facilities. 

The 2016 FHWAR will result in a comprehensive database of fish and wildlife-related recreation activities and expenditures.  It will provide comparable statistics not available from other sources.

The survey information helps us effectively administer fish and wildlife restoration grant programs, and helps states develop project proposals and conservation programs.  Data are used to evaluate the status and trends of recreational uses as well as the values and benefits of fish and wildlife resources.  The data provide essential information on present recreation demands and serve as a basis for projecting future demands. 

The FHWAR information is needed to prepare resource management and development plans and environmental documents required for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).  The data also are used to calculate economic values of fish and wildlife recreation resources. Those values serve as a basis for assessing damages to fish and wildlife resources from adverse instances such as oil spills and hazardous waste dumps.

2.	Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used.  

The content and methods of the 2016 FHWAR screener and detailed questionnaires are similar to those of previous surveys.  All questions in the 2016 FHWAR screener and detailed questionnaires have been fielded in a previous version of the survey.  A few questions (indicated on instrument) were changed slightly or the answer categories were modified slightly. In addition, the entire screener questionnaire is now designed to collect data in topic order rather than person order.  In an effort to reduce survey costs, the Census Bureau will invite sampled households to complete a pre-screener web questionnaire. This web pre-screener questionnaire will determine eligibility for the survey and collect a phone number for the household. The Census Bureau will not contact ineligible households again for this survey.  When eligible households provide a phone number in the pre-screener questionnaire, the Census Bureau will contact the household by phone for their screener and detailed questionnaire data.  The Census Bureau will contact eligible houses that do not provide a phone number via personal visit for the next wave of interviewing.  Households that do not respond to the first pre-screener web invitation will receive additional invitations to complete the web questionnaire as well as a paper version of the pre-screener questionnaire.

The FHWAR will generate information identified as priority data needed by the Service, State agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and other major survey users.  General categories of information collected include the number of participants in different types of fish and wildlife activities, the extent of their participation (days and trips), and related trip and equipment expenditures.  The 2016 FHWAR questions and methodology will be similar to those used in the 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, and 2011 surveys, so the information collected will be comparable.

Although the Service is the primary Federal user of FHWAR information, other Federal agencies also use it.  Fish and wildlife agencies use the information to make management and policy decisions.  Land managing and water development agencies use the data on participation rates, species sought, and types of resources used to formulate policies, programs, and plans related to recreational fish and wildlife uses. Federal regulatory, permitting and environmental agencies rely on the economic data for estimating damages to fish and wildlife resources, and for determining the benefits and costs of projects affecting natural resources.  Data are used in evaluating alternative plans and their environmental impacts. 

Non-Federal users of the FHWAR data include States, conservation organizations, researchers, and trade and manufacturing associations.  These users also participate in identifying priorities for data collection.  Their needs for the data largely reflect those of Federal agencies.  The value of the FHWAR database for natural resource economics was confirmed by Drs. Richard C. Bishop and David E. Ervin.  They asked 3,000 professionals working in the natural resource and environmental field to identify their most "used" and "very important" data sources.  The FHWAR was identified as one of the most important data sources for their work.  

Questions on …	Provide information about …	Which is used to …	
Demographic characteristics (e.g., age, sex, race, income)	Factors influencing participation and demand	Evaluate programs and estimate future participation.	
Fish and wildlife-associated activities on private and public lands, and land leasing and ownership data	Extent that privately owned and leased lands meet demands for fish and wildlife resources and the amount of expenditures for those activities	Estimate trends in needs for public resources and to formulate acquisition and development plans.	
Trip and equipment expenditure	Economic impacts of wildlife-related recreation activities on national and State economies	Estimate the economic significance of alternative fish and wildlife resource acquisition, development, and management programs.	
Types of activities (e.g., flyfishing, ice fishing, primitive firearm or bow hunting)	Identify trends in fishing and hunting, impacts on resources, and recreation demand	Plan and manage resources and develop educational programs.	
Participation in shooting sports and archery activities 	Extent of participation in these activities	Estimate the needs for public resources and to formulate acquisition and development plans and projects.	
License and tag information	Expenditures for fishing and hunting	Plan ways to serve those who use the resources.	
Participation in wildlife-watching activities	Recreation use patterns	Develop and evaluate game and nongame policies, programs, and resources.	

The data collection will follow Information Quality Guidelines to ensure reliability of the data collected and reported. The Census Bureau will use similar methods designed and used for the previous FHWAR Surveys to ensure comparability of data.  It will collect and process the 2016 Survey data using similar quality assurance procedures.  The Census Bureau will conduct the Survey using an internet questionnaire for the pre-screener and computer-assisted interview (CAI) technology for the screener and detailed questionnaires.  The web and CAI survey instruments will contain edits on many variables and consistency checks on critical items to maximize quality of the data without unduly affecting the flow of the interview.  The CAI instrument also will have a record of data collected in previous interviews to help prevent activities or items being reported a second time.  The instrument will allow for backward data correction and will contain logic to ensure that the proper interview path is maintained.

3.	Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology; e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection.  Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden [and specifically how this collection meets GPEA requirements.].

The Census Bureau collects and records all screener and detailed verbal responses through telephone or in-person interviews using computer-assisted interviewing (CAI) technology.  A self-administered web questionnaire is utilized for the pre-screener questionnaire.  The pre-screener questionnaire collects a minimal amount of data and is designed as a cost effective approach to determining eligibility for further participation in the survey.  The use of CAI and web technology has streamlined the interviewing process and improved accuracy by eliminating the need for interviewers and respondents to make decisions about correct branching and skip patterns during the interview.  Where appropriate, we will use screening questions in the instrument to determine eligibility for the administration of more detailed questions to each respondent.  Edit checks alert interviewers or respondents to irreconcilable data during the interview so that the correct data can be obtained and verified.

4.	Describe efforts to identify duplication.

There is no other comparable source of national data on recreational fish and wildlife uses that we can adapt to carry out trend analysis needed to develop projects to meet current and future needs, and to carry out management responsibilities.  The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) provides limited coverage of saltwater fishing, but does not cover freshwater fishing, hunting, or nonconsumptive activities.  NMFS coverage of the coastal States varies from year to year.  In recent years, the NMFS survey has not included all of the States on the West and Gulf coasts.  Since the NMFS survey does not provide comparable saltwater participation, there is no unnecessary duplication of efforts between the two surveys.  Other surveys that gather similar information use different methodologies that are not comparable with the methods used by the Census Bureau, therefore, trend information would not be available.

5.	If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe the methods used to minimize burden.

This information collection does not involve small businesses or other small entities.

6.	Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection were not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

If the FHWAR were not conducted in 2016, the Service would experience difficulty in effectively carrying out responsibilities to meet statutory, administrative, and other obligations.  There would not be uniform national data to use in identifying priorities for fish and wildlife programs, to evaluate the effectiveness of those programs, and to identify and plan for special needs and new initiatives.  The FHWAR's uniformly collected and comparable data are not available elsewhere. Without it, the Service would have to acquire the data at greater expense and delay or use outdated and inconsistent data where available.  

The 5-year frequency of data collection is appropriate for current and projected management and administrative purposes.   FHWAR users have indicated they need the data updated at least every 5 years.  If the Service collected the data at greater intervals than every 5 years, the value of the information collected would be reduced.  

7.	Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner:
	*	requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;
	*	requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;
	*	requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;
	*	requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records, for more than three years;
	*	in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;
	*	requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;
	*	that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or
	*	requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law..

There are no circumstances that require us to collect the information in a manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.

8.	If applicable, provide the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB.  Summarize public comments received in response to that notice (or in response to a PRA statement) and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments.  

Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.  

On February 18, 2015, we published in the Federal Register (80 FR 8681) a notice of our intent to request that OMB reinstate and approve this information collection. In that notice, we solicited comments for 60 days, ending on April 20, 2015.  We received two comments, both from the same individual. This individual was concerned that the survey estimates are presented as aggregations of wildlife watching, hunting, and fishing data, suggesting this biases the results toward hunting and fishing and away from wildlife watching.  Census draws scientifically-designed separate samples of wildlife watchers and sportspersons.  These samples are interviewed independently, and estimates of each activity are tabulated separately in the Survey reports. 
  
In addition to soliciting comments through the Federal Register, we discussed survey content and methods with representatives of the States fish and wildlife agencies. We had extensive consultations with the Census Bureau (Census) and with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), including its national survey workgroup, regarding the survey content, methodology, and cost.  They were asked their opinions about the importance and use of the data and the estimated burden of the information collection.  They believe the information is of great importance and the estimated burden for this information collection is reasonable considering the sample size number and type of questions.  The following were the main contacts from Census and AFWA:  
 
Ronald Regan
Executive Director
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
202-624-7890	Carolyn Pickering, 
Survey Director 
U.S. Census Bureau
301-763-3873	

We also contacted economists, researchers, and consultants who have extensive knowledge and use the survey data in their wildlife-related recreation research and services.  These individuals included:
  
Andrew J. Loftus
Loftus Consulting 
410-295-5997	Robert Byrne 
Bob Byrne Consulting 
540-937-2139	
Robert Southwick
Southwick Associates 
904-277-9765
	Jerry Leonard, Economist
NOAA Fisheries, NW Fisheries Science Center
Fishery Resource Analysis & Monitoring Div.
206-302-1742	
Steve Sheriff
Technical Advisor
National Survey Technical Workgroup
573-449-1881

Comments and suggestions from individuals and organizations varied and reflected the interests of those particular users of the Survey.   As much as possible, comments were incorporated in the final data collection plan and questionnaires.

9.	Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

We do not provide any payment or gifts to respondents.

10.	Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

The Census Bureau will collect data in compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974 and OMB Circular A-130.  A letter mailed to respondents prior to interviewing includes the information required by the Privacy Act of 1974, explains the voluntary nature of the survey, and states the estimated time required for participating in the survey.  In cases where the letter was not received, a statement containing this information will be read to the respondent before the interview begins.  All information given by respondents to Census Bureau employees is held in strict confidence under Title 13, United States Code, Section 9.  Each Census Bureau employee has taken an oath to that effect and is subject to a jail penalty or substantial fine if he or she discloses any information.  Information is maintained in a secure system of records:  Census-3, Individual and Household Statistical Surveys and Special Studies Records, published in the Federal Register on November 1, 2002 (67 FR 66608).   

11.	Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private.  

We do not ask questions of a sensitive nature.

12.	Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information.  

We are estimating 29,179 responses (12,850 household, 16,329 participant) totaling 6,355 annual burden hours for the 2016 FHWAR.  The total value of the burden hours is $210,922 (rounded).

The pre-screener operation will obtain telephone numbers; basic demographic characteristics of residents of the selected address; potential household participation in angling, hunting, wildlife watching activities; and participation in target shooting and archery activities.  We will use this data to follow-up with a more in-depth screening interview of households where participation or planned participation in fishing, hunting, target shooting, archery, or wildlife-watching activities was reported.  

In wave 1 of the fishing and hunting survey, the Census Bureau will interview all sportspersons who participated in fishing/hunting in 2016.  Those people who have not participated so far in 2016, but MAY participate in fishing/hunting in 2016, are eligible for the wave 2 and wave 3 interviews.   

In wave 1 of the wildlife watching survey, the Census Bureau will subsample wildlife watchers who participated in wildlife watching activities in 2016.  Those people who participated, but were not subsampled for wave 1 AND those who had not participated at the time of the screener interview, but MAY participate in wildlife watching in 2016, are eligible for the wave 2 and wave 3 interviews.   

Approximately 2 to 22 percent of the cases where an interview was completed will be preselected for reinterview.  Another Census Bureau representative will contact the respondent to conduct a reinterview using an evaluation questionnaire.  The reinterview responses are analyzed as a quality control measure. The reinterview can include verification of the household roster or verification that certain categories of questions were asked or verification of the outcome of the case.

Methodology Used To Determine Estimated Respondent Burden

Household Responses

Pre-screener calculations

The Pre-screener questionnaire estimates are calculated by taking the initial sample size of 23,000 households and applying an estimated ineligible household rate of 0.12% resulting in approximately 20,240 eligible households.  Of the eligible households, an assumed response rate of 30% was applied resulting in approximately 6,072 completed interviews.  An estimated response time of 5 minutes per completed interview results in 506 total burden hours for the Pre-screener questionnaire. The result of multiplying the 506 total burden hours by the most recent hourly wage for all workers, $33.19, is $16,794.14.  

Screener calculations

The Screener questionnaire estimates are calculated by taking the screener initial sample size, which is capped at 8,000 households, and applying an estimated ineligible household rate of 0.075% resulting in approximately 7,400 eligible households.  Of the eligible households, an assumed response rate of 90% was applied resulting in approximately 6,660 completed interviews.  An estimated response time of 7 minutes per completed interview results in 777 total burden hours for the Screener questionnaire. The result of multiplying the 777 total burden hours by the most recent hourly wage for all workers, $33.19, is $25,788.63.

Screener Questionnaire Reinterview calculations

The Screener Questionnaire Reinterview estimates are calculated by estimating approximately 1.77% of the completed screeners, 6,660, will be reinterviewed for quality control resulting in approximately 118 Screener Questionnaire Reinterviews.  An estimated response time of 5 minutes per completed interview results in 10 total burden hours for the Screener Questionnaire Reinterview. The result of multiplying the 10 total burden hours by the most recent hourly wage for all workers, $33.19, is $331.90.

Participant Responses.

Fishing and Hunting – 1st Interview calculation

The Fishing and Hunting 1st Interview estimates are calculated by taking an initial starting sample size of 1,937 persons, which is the estimated number of persons in a household who completed the screener questionnaire and participated in fishing or hunting activities in 2016 and applying an estimated ineligible household rate of 0.0165% resulting in approximately 1,905 eligible persons.  Of the eligible persons, an assumed response rate of 79% was applied resulting in approximately 1,505 completed interviews.  An estimated response time of 11 minutes per completed interview results in 276 total burden hours for the Fishing and Hunting 1st Interview. The result of multiplying the 276 total burden hours by the most recent hourly wage for all workers, $33.19, is $9,160.44.

Fishing and Hunting – 2d Interview calculation

The Fishing and Hunting 2d Interview estimates are calculated by taking an initial starting sample size of 3,407 persons, which is the estimated number of persons in a household who completed the screener questionnaire and reported possibly participating in fishing or hunting activities in 2016, and applying an estimated ineligible household rate of 0.0167% resulting in approximately 3,350 eligible persons.  Of the eligible persons, an assumed response rate of 77% was applied resulting in approximately 2,580 completed interviews.  An estimated response time of 15 minutes per completed interview results in 645 total burden hours for the Fishing and Hunting 2d Interview. The result of multiplying the 645 total burden hours by the most recent hourly wage for all workers, $33.19, is $21,407.55.

Fishing and Hunting – 3d Interview calculations

The Fishing and Hunting 3d Interview estimates are calculated by taking an initial starting sample size of 5,168 persons, which is the estimated number of persons in a household who completed the screener questionnaire and reported possibly participating in fishing or hunting activities in 2016 or a subsample of those who did not respond to the Fishing and Hunting 1st  or 2d Interviews, and applying an estimated ineligible household rate of 0.0170% resulting in approximately 5,080 eligible persons.  Of the eligible persons, an assumed response rate of 77% was applied resulting in approximately 3,912 completed interviews.  An estimated response time of 35 minutes per completed interview results in 2,282 total burden hours for the Fishing and Hunting 3d Interview. The result of multiplying the 2,282 total burden hours by the most recent hourly wage for all workers, $33.19, is $75,739.58.

Fishing and Hunting – Reinterview calculations

The Fishing and Hunting Reinterview estimates are calculated by estimating approximately 21.523% of the completed 3d interviews, 3,912, will be reinterviewed for quality control resulting in approximately 842 Fishing and Hunting Questionnaire Reinterviews.  An estimated response time of 5 minutes per completed interview results in 74 total burden hours for the Fishing and Hunting Reinterview. The result of multiplying the 74 total burden hours by the most recent hourly wage for all workers, $33.19, is $2,456.06.

Wildlife Watching – 1st Interview calculations

The Wildlife Watching 1st Interview estimates are calculated by taking an initial starting sample size of 1,610 persons, which is a subsample of the estimated number of persons in a household who completed the screener questionnaire and participated in wildlife watching activities in 2016, and applying an estimated ineligible household rate of 0.0155% resulting in approximately 1,585 eligible persons.  Of the eligible persons, an assumed response rate of 79% was applied resulting in approximately 1,252 completed interviews.  An estimated response time of 11 minutes per completed interview results in 230 total burden hours for the Wildlife Watching 1st Interview. The result of multiplying the 230 total burden hours by the most recent hourly wage for all workers, $33.19, is $7,633.70.

Wildlife Watching – 2d Interview calculations

The Wildlife Watching 2d Interview estimates are calculated by taking an initial starting sample size of 2,832 persons, which is the estimated number of persons in a household who completed the screener questionnaire and reported participating in wildlife watching activities in 2016 but were not subsampled in the 1st interview and those who reported possibly participating in wildlife watching activities in 2016, and applying an estimated ineligible household rate of 0.016% resulting in approximately 2,787 eligible persons.  Of the eligible persons, an assumed response rate of 77% was applied resulting in approximately 2,146 completed interviews.  An estimated response time of 11 minutes per completed interview results in 393 total burden hours for the Wildlife Watching 2d Interview. The result of multiplying the 393 total burden hours by the most recent hourly wage for all workers, $33.19, is $13,043.67.

Wildlife Watching – 3d Interview calculations

The Wildlife Watching 3d Interview estimates are calculated by taking an initial starting sample size of 4,299 persons, which is the estimated number of persons in a household who completed the screener questionnaire and reported participating in wildlife watching activities in 2016 but were not subsampled in the 1st interview and those who reported possibly participating in wildlife watching activities in 2016, and applying an estimated ineligible household rate of 0.0160% resulting in approximately 4,230 eligible persons.  Of the eligible persons, an assumed response rate of 78.014% was applied resulting in approximately 3,300 completed interviews.  An estimated response time of 20 minutes per completed interview results in 1,100 total burden hours for the Wildlife Watching 3d Interview. The result of multiplying the 1,100 total burden hours by the most recent hourly wage for all workers, $33.19, is $36,509.00.

Wildlife Watching – Reinterview calculations

The Wildlife Watching Reinterview estimates are calculated by estimating approximately 22.484% of the completed 3d interviews, 3,300, will be reinterviewed for quality control resulting in approximately 742 Wildlife Watching Reinterviews.  An estimated response time of 5 minutes per completed interview results in 62 total burden hours for the Wildlife Watching Reinterview. The result of multiplying the 62 total burden hours by the most recent hourly wage for all workers, $33.19, is $2,057.78
.

	ESTIMATED NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLD RESPONSES	AVERAGE TIME PER HOUSEHOLD (MINUTES)	ESTIMATED NUMBER OF PARTICIPANT RESPONSES	AVERAGE RESPONDENT TIME (MINUTES)	TOTAL BURDEN (HOURS)	$ VALUE OF RESPONDENT BURDEN HOURS ($33.19/hr)	
Pre-Screener	6,072
	5	--------	---------	506
	$16,794.14	
Screener	6,660	7	--------	--------	777	$25,788.63	
Screen Reinterview	118	5	--------	---------	10	$331.90	
Fishing and Hunting	 	 	 	 	 		
1st Interview	--------	---------	1,505	11	276	$9,160.44	
2d Interview	--------	---------	2,580	15	645	$21,407.55	
3rd Interview	--------	---------	3,912	35	2,282	$75,739.58	
Reinterview	--------	---------	892	5	74	$2,456.06	
Wildlife Watching:	 	 	 	 	 		
1st Interview	--------	---------	1,252	11	230	$7,633.70	
2dInterview	--------	---------	2,146	11	393	$13,043.67	
3rd Interview	--------	---------	3,300	20	1,100	$36,509.00	
Reinterview	--------	---------	742	5	62	$2,057.78	
TOTAL	12,850		16,329		6,355	$210,922.45	
						
We estimate that the total dollar value of the burden hours will be $210,922 (rounded).  We used the BLS news release USDL-15-1576, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation–June 2015, to obtain the individual/household average hourly wage and calculate benefits.  According to table 1, the hourly wage for all workers is $33.19, which includes $10.47 in benefits.  We used this information to calculate the value of respondent burden hours.

13.	Provide an estimate of the total annual [nonhour] cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information.  

There are no nonhour burden costs.

14.	Provide estimates of annualized costs to the Federal Government.  

The total estimated cost to the Federal Government for the 2016 FHWAR Survey is approximately $9.3 million, which includes $6.5 million for Census Bureau costs and $2.8 million for Fish and Wildlife Service costs.  The annualized cost is approximately $1,843,941.

The total Census Bureau cost is approximately $6,455,896.  The Census Bureau’s cost estimate for data collection is $2,528,407, which is based on sample size; length of questionnaire; administration; overhead; sample person locating, telephone interviewing; personal interviewing, and reinterview.  The Census Bureau’s personnel costs are estimated at $2,972,489.  Professional staff are responsible for project management; sample design; instrument development and testing; printing and mailing of materials; training interviewing staff; data quality control; weighting and estimating sampling error; file preparation and delivery; and preparation of documentation and final reports.  The following table provides Census Bureau estimated costs:

CENSUS BUREAU EXPENSES	2015	2016	2017	2018	2014 Startup Costs	TOTAL COST	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Professional Personnel	$565,806	$773,930	$918,208	$365,212	$349,333	$2,972,489	
Projected Travel and Other Expenses	 	 	 	 	 	 	
     Travel	 $5,000	$10,000	$5,000	 	$6,500	$26,500	
     Collection Control Systems	$245,000	$310,000	$100,000		$243,500	$898,500	
     Data Collection		$1,685,613	$842,794			$2,528,407	
Other Expenses:	 	 	 	 	 	 	
     Reports	 	 	$25,000	$5,000	 	30,000	
TOTAL COST	$815,806	$2,779,543	$1,891,002	$370,212	$599,333	$6,455,896	

The FWS total estimated cost is $2,763,810. The FWS staff salaries and benefits are estimated at $ 2,491,914 based on salaries and benefits of three FTEs. The staff includes three economists:  A GS-14 who is the national survey branch chief and team leader, a GS-13 economist, and a GS-12/13 economist. Actual obligations are reported for 2014. For personnel expenses, we used the Office of Personnel Management Salary Table 2015-DCB to determine the wages and multiplied the wages by 1.5 to account for benefits. 

The estimated operational costs are $271,896. Operational costs include computer equipment and software, printing a report, administrative and clerical support, and overhead.  The following table provides FWS estimated costs:  
FWS  EXPENSES	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	TOTAL COST	
Professional Personnel	409,462	500,956	522,624	527,166	531,706	2,491,914	
Travel	       115	                                   1,200	      1,236	       1,273	                    1,311	             5,135       	
Supplies & Equipment:
  Computers, printers,
  software, etc.  	              841	5,541	3,441	1,341	               1,341	12,505	
Report: National 
  Overview  		 		3,000		3,000	
Administrative Costs          	 41,042	50,770	52,730	53,278	53,436	251,256	
TOTAL COST	451,460	558,467	580,031	586,058	 587,794	2,763,810	

15.	Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments in hour or cost burden.

This is a reinstatement of a previously approved collection.  Therefore, we are reporting 29,179 responses and 6,355 burden hours as a program change.   

16.	For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication.  

The Fish and Wildlife Service and the Census Bureau will collaborate in preparing reports with the 2016 Survey results. These reports will have formats and tables similar to those of the 2011 Survey.  The Service will produce and print the national overview report.  The Census Bureau will produce the final national report in printable PDF format. The reports will be accessible from the Census Bureau and the Service Web sites.  Web site addresses will be in news releases announcing release of the reports.

The time schedule for the information collection and publication of reports is:

Data Collection	January 2016 to February 2017	
Computer Processing	June 2016 to August 2017	
Preliminary Tabulations released to FWS                        	April 1, 2017	
Release of Public Use CD-ROM by FWS                    	October 31, 2017	
Release of Preliminary Overview and Final National Report           	July 2017 and October 31, 2017	

The 2016 FHWAR will produce an updated preliminary overview and a final national report on fishing, hunting, and wildlife-associated recreation statistics.  We will release preliminary estimates in July 2017, and final tabulations October 2017. The final tabulations will be similar to those produced in 2011 with some modifications due to streamlining and meeting current data needs of the users.  We have attached draft report tables in ROCIS as a supplementary document.  These tables show where modifications from the 2011 tables will be made for the 2016 final reports.  The national report will be available in PDF format only.  The PDFs will be accessible from both the Census Bureau’s and Fish and Wildlife Service’s websites. 

17.	If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

We will display the OMB control number and expiration date on appropriate materials.

18.  Explain each exception to the certification statement.

There are no exceptions to the certification statement.