Dam Owner Supporting Statement 02-11-11 Part B

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
DAM OWNER SURVEY TO SUPPORT MANAGEMENT OF GULF OF MAINE
DISTINCT POPULATION SEGMENT OF ATLANTIC SALMON
OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-XXXX

B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS
1. Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any
sampling or other respondent selection method to be used. Data on the number of entities
(e.g. establishments, State and local governmental units, households, or persons) in the
universe and the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form. The tabulation
must also include expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection has
been conducted before, provide the actual response rate achieved.
The universe or respondents for this information collection comprises the known population of
owners of Maine dams that are not federally licensed with the FERC, and which are located
within Penobscot, Downeast, and Merrymeeting Bay SHRUs identified for the endangered
Atlantic salmon. The population includes 290 entities, categorized as follows:
Entity Type
Private or Individual
Corporation, Company, Business
Municipal
Associations and Clubs
Water Districts
Water Companies
State Agencies
Federal
Sanitary District
Ownership Unknown
Total

Number of
Entities
87
62
61
28
12
9
6
3
1
21
290

This information collection has not been conducted before. A response rate of 75% is
anticipated, based on the fact that surveys and interviews are based on a topic of interest to the
dam owners.
2. Describe the procedures for the collection, including: the statistical methodology for
stratification and sample selection; the estimation procedure; the degree of accuracy
needed for the purpose described in the justification; any unusual problems requiring
specialized sampling procedures; and any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data
collection cycles to reduce burden.
No statistical methodology has been applied to stratify the sample. This will be a census survey.

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3. Describe the methods used to maximize response rates and to deal with nonresponse.
The accuracy and reliability of the information collected must be shown to be adequate for
the intended uses. For collections based on sampling, a special justification must be
provided if they will not yield "reliable" data that can be generalized to the universe
studied.
The intent of this survey is to identify owners of non-federal dams in Maine that are within the
Atlantic salmon SHRUs, and identify those who are willing to discuss fish passage. To improve
response rates for this information collection, respondents will be sent an introductory letter via
first class mail approximately two weeks prior to initiating the survey. The letters will be on
NOAA letterhead and signed by the NOAA team leader. The survey will be implemented via
telephone. Contact will be attempted at various times during the day and various days of the
week, including during the evening and on weekends for owners identified as “private”. Up to
three callbacks will be made for each owner. Entities owning in excess of two dams will be
offered an opportunity to meet with NOAA staff to collect the information face to face, rather
than via telephone survey.
4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken. Tests are encouraged as
effective means to refine collections, but if ten or more test respondents are involved OMB
must give prior approval.
Draft versions of the survey were circulated to NOAA staff with relevant content knowledge of
items listed on the survey instrument for their review and comment. Additionally, draft
questionnaires were administered to five representatives from NOAA and Kleinschmidt to test
question wording and the format of categorical responses. Reviewers were asked to offer
feedback on the length, clarity of questions, and content, as well as to provide comments on any
other aspects of the survey that would clarify question intent.
5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on the statistical
aspects of the design, and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other
person(s) who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.
No statistical sampling methods will be used in this information collection.
Kleinschmidt Associates will conduct the survey and collect and analyze all responses, on behalf
of NOAA.
Marty Phillips
Kleinschmidt Associates
141 Main Street
P.O. Box 650
Pittsfield, ME 04967
Telephone: (207) 487-3328
Facsimile: (207) 487-3124

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Tara Trinko
NOAA Fisheries Service
Maine Field Station
17 Godfrey Dr. Suite 1
Orono, ME 04461
Telephone: (207) 866-4238
Facsimile: (207) 866-7342
Dan Kircheis
NOAA Fisheries Service
Maine Field Station
17 Godfrey Dr. Suite 1
Orono, ME 04461
Telephone: (207) 866-7320
Facsimile: (207) 866-7342

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