This information collection request is not approved. The agency failed to demonstrate that the information collection activity is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency as required by 44 U.S.C. 3508. Furthermore, the ICR does not meet the practical utility requirements of the PRA. As defined in 5 CFR 1320.3(1), "practical utility means the actual, not merely the theoretical or potential, usefulness of information to or for an agency..." The supporting statement identifies four speculative potential end-users of the data but not the practical utility of the data. In addition, the statement does not provide a discussion of Agency uses of the data. EPA's description of the samples (N1=1225, N2=300) does not identify or estimate the likely response rate. Surveys lacking an adequate response rate are not "random" and may not be representative of the population to which the agency expects to generalize results. The supporting statement indicates that the plan is to use RDD methods to develop quota samples -- such methods are generally unrepresentative because researchers have no knowledge about how respondents and nonrespondents differ. Without an adequate response rate, data from this survey cannot be generalizable to the population of interest. Pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2)(v), "OMB will not approve a collection of information--in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of the study."
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Pennsylvania State University in cooperation with the Envionment- al Protection Agency (CA #R-82840701-0) will conduct a survey of stakeholder preferences regarding environmental quality, quality of life, and economic development in Cape May County, New Jersey. The survey will elicit residents' perceptions about their quality of life, how they prioritize risks to their quality of life, and their judgements about trade-offs among alternative actions that would reduce their vulnerability to risks.
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.
Stakeholder Preferences Regarding Envionmental Quality, Quality of Life, and Economic Development in Survey of Cape May County, New Jersey.