In response to the America COMPETES
(America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence
in Technology, Education, and Science) Act, Public Law 110-69, the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will collect
information to effectively assess the general publics
understanding and awareness of NOAA and its programs, especially as
it relates to the collection and dissemination of scientific,
operational, and life-saving data. NOAAs mission includes: 1)
understanding and predicting changes in the Earths environment; 2)
being an international leader in changing the way integrated
environmental observations and information are captured, managed,
stored, shared, and used to benefit the world; and 3) protecting
life and property. NOAA will consider the findings in tailoring its
outreach activities and use the findings as basis from which to
design metrics for measuring the utilization by various publics of
tax-funded data products.
This is a new program which
includes three surveys and eight focus groups, involving a total of
3096 respondents, a total hourly burden of 1,192 hours, and no
costs to the public.
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.