[Federal Register: December 4, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 233)]
[Notices]               
[Page 72148]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04de02-33]                         




[[Page 72148]]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE


National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


[I.D. 112702E]


 
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Coral Reefs - 
Economic Valuation Study


AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).


ACTION: Notice.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


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 3, 
2003.


ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at dHynek@doc.gov).


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Dr. Vernon R. Leeworthy, NOS/Special Projects, 1305 East 
West Highway, SSMC 4, 9th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (or via the 
Internet at Bob.Leeworthy@noaa.gov).


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:


I. Abstract


    The purpose of this data collection is to provide information on 
the value of Hawaii's coral reef habitats to specific segments of the 
U.S. population. The study will measure total economic values for 
Hawaii's coral reefs. This effort is designed to provide defensible 
information for both resource managers and damage assessments on the 
value of coral reef habitats and alternative management actions. The 
project is designed as a phased three-year effort to ensure effective 
use of all the available information. This effort will involve 
development of extensive knowledge about how reef habitats are 
perceived, implication of alternative management actions, designing 
original survey instruments, interviewing of a large number of 
respondents (1500-2000), conducting formal statistical analysis of the 
data, and developing a decision support system for use by resource 
managers. For total economic value, a nationally-oriented survey will 
be conducted using stated preferences methods.


II. Method of Collection


    Up to 48 one-on-one cognitive interviews will be conducted. In 
addition, one pretest of the full survey instrument will be tested for 
a response of up to 150 usable observations. The final survey 
instrument will be administered to a sample of up to 2000 people.


III. Data


    OMB Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,198.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 2 hours for an interview; 30 minutes 
for a pretest; and 30 minutes for a final survey.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,369.
    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: November 27, 2002.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-30752 Filed 12-3-02; 8:45 am]