This ICR is approved. The Supporting Statement (p 8) lists two specific purposes for the survey: 1)to individually describe the major urban environmental cncerns in each of the 86 MSAs, in order to provide MSA-specific information for a number of planning purposes and 2) to benchmark citizen environmental concerns regionally and across all 86 MSAs. The Survey design and methodology are sufficient for the first of these purposes. We urge caution, however, in using the results for the second purpose. We note that the sample size of 100 respondents per MSA is only designed to obtain a precision of plus or minus 10 percent (with 95% confidence) for the proportions of respondents providing specific answers to multiple choice questions. Further, asking people how high or low a priority they place on specific issues may lead them to indicate a higher or lower priority than they actually feel, based on what they perceive to be the socially "correct" answer (eg, many people may be reluctant to say they don't place a high priority on certain environmental issues). As the Agency recognizes, the sample size is not adequate to support demographic analyses within MSAs. We are also concerned, however, that the context and significance of local issues may vary sufficiently from one MSA to the next that it will be difficult to interpret any apparent consistencies within demographic groups across MSAs. In short, the survey is sufficient to satisfy the planning and project prioritization needs of the EMPACT program, but not to provide detailed statistical analyses of citizen environmental attitudes. The Supporting Statement mentions that additional pretesting and possible adjustments to the survey instrument will be preformed following OMB approval of this ICR. If this results in any substantive revisions to the survey, they must be approved by OMB. Finally, the Agency should provide OMB with a copy of any report(s) prepared from the survey results.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
02/28/2002
02/28/2002
8,600
0
0
1,720
0
0
0
0
0
The study will identify the primary local environmental issues of greatest interest to citizens within the 86 designated EMPACT cities. This will provide for each of the 86 metropolitan areas information specific to the needs and interests of their citizens, which can then be used by the EMPACT Program and funded EMPACT projects to develop new programs and approaches for providing individuals with the kinds of time-relevant local environmental information they want.
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:
(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;
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.
EPA EMPACT Urban Environmental Issues Study of 86 Cities