[Federal Register: December 20, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 243)] [Notices] [Page 71114] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr20de99-54] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 121599A] South Florida Artificial and Natural Reefs-Economic Valuation Study; Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request AGENCY: National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 18, 2000. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC 20230 (or via Internet at LEngelme@doc.gov). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Dr. Vernon R. Leeworthy, NOS/Special Projects Office, 1305 East West Highway, SSMC 4, 9th Floor, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 (301-713-3000, ext. 138) or via Internet at Bob.Leeworthy@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The purpose of this data collection is to provide local, state and federal agencies in charge of managing the artificial and natural reefs of the coasts of southeast Florida (Palm Beach, Broward, Dade and Monroe Counties) with information on both the market economic impact (e.g., sales/output, income and employment) and non-market economic value (consumer's surplus) associated with reef use. Separate surveys of residents of each county, visitors (non-residents of each county) and recreational for-hire operations will be conducted to estimate the amount of use (measured in person-days) on both artificial and natural reefs, spending in the local economies while undertaking the activities on the reefs, and information that will support estimation of non- market economic-use values using travel-cost- demand models and discrete-choice-contingent valuation methods. Three surveys are planned: A. Survey of Local Resident Reef Users: Telephone surveys of 500 boating resident households per county for each of the four counties in the study area will be conducted (Palm Beach, Broward, Dade and Monroe Counties). A computer-aided telephone instrument (CATI) will be used. Samples will be drawn from the State of Florida's boat registration files. B. Survey of Non Resident Reef Users: Non-residents are defined as people who are not permanent residents of the county where interviewed. Interviewing will be done on-site from a stratified sample of non residents in each of the counties. There will be two separate sampled populations: 1) General Visitors and 2) Boating Visitors. Samples will be stratified by two seasons (e.g., summer and winter) and for boating visitors by activity and mode of boating. Activities include diving and fishing and boat modes include charter, party and own (household) boats. C. Survey of Recreational for Hire Operations: From previous studies, it was determined that non-resident charter and party boat users did not always know whether they were fishing on artificial or natural reefs. Charter and party operators do know and can provide estimates of the amount of use on both artificial and natural reefs. A survey of charter and party boat fishing and diving operations will be used to gather information on the amount of use on artificial and natural reef use by charter and party boat visitors. II. Method of Collection The information will be collected by telephone surveys and personal interviews. III. Data OMB Number: None Form Number: None Type of Review: Regular submission Affected public: Individuals, business or other for-profit Estimated Number of Respondents: 9,600 Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes for interviews of reef users, 1 hour for surveys of recreational for-hire operations. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,700 Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 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: December 10, 1999. Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 99-32922 Filed 12-17-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-JE