[Federal Register: December 26, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 246)]
[Notices]               
[Page 72987]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26de07-36]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

 
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of 
information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35).
    Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
    Title: NOAA Awareness Study.
    OMB Approval Number: None.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Request: Regular submission.
    Burden Hours: 1,192.
    Number of Respondents: 3,096.
    Average Hours Per Response: Focus groups, 2 hours; web-based 
surveys, 20 minutes.
    Needs and Uses: Through the recently signed America COMPETES Act 
(``America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in 
Technology, Education, and Science Act''), NOAA is charged with 
developing and promoting education and outreach activities at all 
levels for the purpose of heightening the public's current 
understanding of issues related to atmospheric science, the Earth's 
environment, and protecting life and property.
    NOAA proposes to collect information to assess the general public's 
understanding and awareness of NOAA programs and services, especially 
as it relates to the collection and dissemination of scientific, 
operational, and climate data. The immediate collection of information 
would allow NOAA to implement a tailored approach to programmatic 
priorities for outreach and communications as effectively as possible. 
This would improve service for NOAA users and provide the public with 
warnings and forecasts that save lives and property and better 
disseminate products/services to aid in emergency preparedness.
    To conduct this evaluation, NOAA has contracted with Harmonics 
International to conduct 3,000 online surveys and 96 two-hour 
interviews in a three phase research project among the following target 
audiences: The American public, key NOAA stakeholders, and other 
organizations with similar missions. These statistically valid research 
methodologies will provide NOAA with a complete and accurate assessment 
of current awareness, perceptions, emotions, and attitudes pertaining 
to NOAA, its programs, services, and operational data dissemination 
methods.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Frequency: One-time only.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    OMB Desk Officer: David Rostker, (202) 395-3897.
    Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained 
by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance 
Officer, (202) 482-0266, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at 
dHynek@doc.gov).

    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice 
to David Rostker, OMB Desk Officer, Fax number (202) 395-7285, or 
David_Rostker@omb.eop.gov.


    Dated: December 18, 2007.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E7-24884 Filed 12-21-07; 8:45 am]

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