OMB_Part B_WRST 12-5-2011

Supporting Statement B

Community Harvest Assessments for Alaskan National Parks, Preserves

OMB Control Number 1024- NEW

Terms of Clearance: None

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 government units, households, or persons) in the universe covered by the collection and in the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form for the universe as a whole and for each of the strata in the proposed sample. Indicate expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection had been conducted previously, include the actual response rate achieved during the last collection.

The respondent universe for this collection is adults (heads of households) living in designated resident zone communities for Gates of the Arctic National Park (Wiseman, Bettles, Evansville, Hughes, Kobuk, Ashungnak, Ambler, Anatuvuk, Nuisqsut – Table 1 ), and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park (McCarthy, Chitina, Gakona, Tazlina, Kenny Lake, Glennallen, and Yakutat – Table 2)

Fieldwork will be spread out over a three-year period, with the survey occurring only once in a given community during that period. All respondents will be rural residents who are eligible to subsistence hunt and fish in the relevant park.

Based upon our knowledge of a similar survey conducted by the State of Alaska, we anticipate a response rate of at least 90%. Because the individuals in the sample will have agreed to participate in the survey, we anticipate response rates at or above levels needed to obtain statistically viable results.

Table 1. Gates of the Arctic National Park Communities

GAAR Community	Respondent Universe (2010 Census)	Target Contact Goal Per Year	Expected Number of Responses Per Year
Wiseman	5	5	5
Bettles	9	9	8
Evansville	12	12	11
Hughes	31	31	28
Kobuk	36	36	32
Ashungnak	62	62	56
Ambler	75	75	68
Anatuvuk	99	99	89
Nuisqsut	114	101	91
Total	443	430	388
Annual Total		143	129

Table 2. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Communities

WRST Communities	Respondent Universe (2010 Census)	Contact Goal	Expected Number of Responses Per Year
McCarthy	24	24	22
Chitina	52	52	47
Gakona	86	86	77
Tazlina	111	80	72
Kenny Lake	145	94	85
Glennallen	203	113	102
Yakutat	270	128	115
Total	891	577	520
Annual Total		193	173

2. Describe the procedures for the collection of information including:

* Statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection,

* Estimation procedure,

* Degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification,

* Unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures, and

* Any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data collection cycles to reduce burden.

We will not conduct a random sample of households in communities of less than 100 households) where sampling is not needed. All households that live in the community at least 9 months a year and consider the community their primary residence will be contacted and asked to participate.

For larger communities (100 households or more) a random sample of households will be surveyed. In order to draw a sample in larger communities, all permanently occupied houses in the community will be mapped, numbered and randomly sampled using a list of randomly generated numbers.

Researchers will contact each household by phone using the local phone book or in smaller communities it will not be uncommon to go house-to –house making to make in person contacts (when telephone contact is not an option). We will explain the project and ask heads of households if they would be willing to participate in the survey. We expect that the initial contact will take about 10 minutes. In those communities and neighborhoods where the goal is to survey all households everyone will be asked to participate in the non-response survey. For those who continue to decline we will thank them for their time and proceed to the next household on the list. For communities that are sampled, all will be asked to participate in the non-response survey and those households that continue to decline we will thank them for their time and proceed to the next household on the randomized list.

If respondents agree to participate, researchers will schedule a time to conduct an in-person facilitated survey with the head of the household. The surveys will be administered by local staff who will receive extensive training on surveying techniques. The staff will make personal contact and work directly with the respondent to complete the survey. If the respondent is unclear about the meaning of the questions the staff will be available to provide on-the-spot clarification. Based on past experience, using this same technique, surveys conducted by the State of Alaska took an average of 60 minutes to complete.

Unusual problems are not anticipated and periodic data collection in order to reduce burden will not occur.

3. Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-response. The accuracy and reliability of information collected must be shown to be adequate for intended uses. For collections based on sampling, a special justification must be provided for any collection that will not yield "reliable" data that can be generalized to the universe studied.

Several methods will be used to maximize response rates. For those communities with federally recognized tribal governments, the research team will contact the tribal council and ask for its support for the project. The councils’ recognition of the importance of this research in protecting the community’s subsistence activities will be a key factor in mitigating non-response. Another strategy for increasing participation rates is to conduct the survey during the winter and early spring, when local residents tend to be less busy with subsistence activities than other times of year. Finally, we will hire local research assistants in each community to help make introductions, scheduling interviews, and completing the survey.

A non-respondent bias check will be conducted. During the initial contact, all potential respondents will be asked the following three questions taken directly from the survey:

1. How many people lived in your household in the study period,

2. How many years have you (the head of household) lived in this community, and

3. Between January and December (insert study period), did members of your household use or try to harvest salmon.

Data will be analyzed by comparing the responses of those who participate with those of households who decline to participate to identify potential nonresponse bias. Results of the non-response analysis will be interpreted and discussed in the report.

4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken. Testing is encouraged as an effective means of refining collections of information to minimize burden and improve utility. Tests must be approved if they call for answers to identical questions from 10 or more respondents. A proposed test or set of tests may be submitted for approval separately or in combination with the main collection of information.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), Division of Subsistence, has conducted similar survey efforts since the 1980s to document subsistence harvests. The instrument to be used in WRST and GAAR is modeled closely after the one used in a similar ADF&G survey in Emmonak, Alaska in 2009 and in Alaska’s Copper Basin in 2010 and 2011. It is also similar to two earlier cooperative projects between the NPS and ADF&G. The survey instrument used in Buckland was approved by OMB in 2003 (OMB Control Number 1024-0224 - NPS 04-003) and the instrument used in Kiana was approved in 2007 (OMB Control Number 1024-0224 - NPS 07-009). The Buckland instrument was developed collaboratively, with input from ADF&G, the University of Alaska’s Institute of Social and Economic Research, and the National Park Service. The collaboration drew upon years of collective experience conducting similar surveys in rural Alaska Native villages, as well as expertise in economics and anthropology.

5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on 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.

Individuals consulted on statistical aspects of the design

• James Fall ADF&G Subsistence Program Manager include (907-267-2359),

• Davin Holen ADF&G Subsistence Program Manager(907-267-2807),

• Dave Koster ADF&G Subsistence Division Research Analyst IV (907-267-2371), and

• Donald Callaway (retired), NPS Alaska Region Senior Cultural Anthropologist.

The Subsistence Division of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game will be the lead agency in collecting and analyzing the data.

• Robbin LaVine is the Subsistence Division staff member responsible for WRST project oversight, data collection and project logistics (907-267-2362).

• Caroline Brown is the Subsistence Division staff member responsible for GAAR project oversight, data collection and project logistics (907-459-7319).

NPS Agency Representatives

• Barbara Cellarius, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve Cultural Anthropologist will serve as the agency technical representative on the project for WRST and will also be involved in analyzing the information (907-822-7236).

• Marcy Okada, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve Subsistence Program Manager will serve as the agency representative on the GAAR project (907-455-0639).

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