Economic Value of Wildlife Viewing Operations in SBNMS

OMB Control No: 0648-0760	ICR Reference No: 201802-0648-001
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Economic Value of Wildlife Viewing Operations in SBNMS
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 05/10/2018
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 02/05/2018
Terms of Clearance: OMB will approve a one-time collection of information. The associated control number will be valid for one year from the date of approval. OMB notes that NOAA hopes to conduct a census of regional businesses engaged in wildlife viewing but also that this survey is voluntary and that some respondents may be reluctant to divulge sensitive business information. The collection request indicates that respondent data will be collected and maintained by a third party contractor, but the contract has not been finalized. OMB needs to see the terms of the contract regarding unauthorized data disclosure before data can be collected. OMB also notes the following text in supporting statement A: “The data may potentially be used for conduct of socioeconomic impact analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Impact Review) and an Initial and Final Regulatory Flexibility Analyses (impacts on small businesses).” Given that this data may be cited for management and/or policy purposes, and given that the agency has not made provisions for addressing issues that may arise if they do not obtain data of sufficient quality, OMB includes the following term of clearance. The sponsor agency (NOAA) cannot use this data to inform management or policy if they do not obtain data of sufficient quality (e.g., at least a 75% cumulative response rate using the appropriate AAPOR definition of response rate when not conducting a nonresponse bias follow-up study). NOAA must report back to OMB on metrics of data quality (e.g., cumulative response rate, item non-response rates, etc.) to ensure that data are of sufficient quality to support analysis of policy of management decisions.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	05/31/2019	36 Months From Approved
Responses	30	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	53	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: SBNMS is currently in the process of updating the 2010 Management Plan, and has identified a lack of baseline socioeconomic information on ocean recreation businesses. The information is not available to assess the possible economic benefits of marine wildlife protection to the local economy, or the potential impact on ocean recreation businesses. The type of data targeted for this collection; that is, information person-days, trips has not been updated since 2008 and there are no source so information that detail operators’ perceptions and attitudes towards the industry and sanctuary. Thus, current information on the importance of marine wildlife to the local tourism industry and operators is required. The primary focus for the survey will be to gather data on the non-consumptive, person-days of marine wildlife viewing and operators’ perceptions and attitudes. Specifically, researchers will collect data to help determine the contribution of marine wildlife watching operations to the economy in the Stellwagen Bank region. The number of person-days of wildlife viewing is necessary to estimate the economic value that the industry makes to the region.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 1431 et sea Name of Law: National Marine Sanctuaries Act    US Code: 16 USC 1531 et seq Name of Law: Endangered Species Act    US Code: 42 USC 4321 et seq Name of Law: National Environmental Policy Act    US Code: 16 USC 1361 et seq Name of Law: Marine Mammal Protection Act

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	82 FR 28048	06/20/2017
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	83 FR 5061	02/05/2018
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title Form No. Form Name Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuariy Wildlife Viewing Operation Survey NA SBNMS Wildlife Viewing Survey

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	30	0	0	30	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	53	0	0	53	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is a new survey.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $55,000

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

Agency Contact: Danielle Schwarzmann 410 017-0706

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(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;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
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.
Certification Date: 02/05/2018

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