Request for Approval

Request for Approval under the “Generic Clearance for the Collection of Routine Customer Feedback” (OMB Control Number: 1090-0011)

T ITLE OF INFORMATION COLLECTION:

Web-based survey with FWS Partners for updating Migratory Bird Program’s Strategic Plan

PURPOSE:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Program (MBP) is updating its long-range (10-year) strategic plan. These very short web-based surveys will be used to supplement information collected from stakeholders (State and Federal agency personnel along with non-profit conservation organizations) about their viewpoints regarding the major issues facing migratory birds and what their organization’s approach to these issues are. The information gained from these web-based surveys will be used to capture and categorize qualitative perspective from each region of emerging issues and challenges, not attempting to establish statistical significance or validity. The key point is this survey focuses on identifying emerging trends, issues, and partnerships for global migratory bird management.

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONDENTS:

Participants in this process will include, but are not limited to Federal and State agency personnel, and non-government agencies (e.g. Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy).

TYPE OF COLLECTION: (Check one)

[ ] Customer Comment Card/Complaint Form [ ] Customer Satisfaction Survey

[ ] Usability Testing (e.g., Website or Software [ ] Small Discussion Group (Listening [] Focus Group Session)

[X] Other: Short emerging trends web-based survey

CERTIFICATION:

I certify the following to be true:

1. The collection is voluntary.

2. The collection is low-burden for respondents and low-cost for the Federal Government.

3. The collection is non-controversial and does not raise issues of concern to other federal agencies.

4. The results are not intended to be disseminated to the public.

5. Information gathered will not be used for the purpose of substantially informing influential policy decisions.

6. The collection is targeted to the solicitation of opinions from respondents who have experience with the program or may have experience with the program in the future.

Name:__Michael J. Johnson_______________________________

To assist review, please provide answers to the following question:

Personally Identifiable Information:

1. Is personally identifiable information (PII) collected? [ ] Yes [ x] No

2. If Yes, will any information that is collected be included in records that are subject to the Privacy Act of 1974? [ ] Yes [ x] No

3. If Yes, has an up-to-date System of Records Notice (SORN) been published? [ ] Yes [X] No

Gifts or Payments:

Is an incentive (e.g., money or reimbursement of expenses, token of appreciation) provided to participants? [ ] Yes [ x] No

BURDEN HOURS

Category of Respondents: Identify who you expect the respondents to be in terms of the following categories: (1) Individuals or Households; (2) Private Sector; (3) State, local, or tribal governments; or (4) Federal Government. Only one type of respondent can be selected per row.

Web-based survey

Category of Respondent	Number of Respondents	Participation Time (Avg)	Burden
Individuals or Households	0	0	0
Private Sector	40	10 - 15 minutes	10 hours
State, local, or tribal governments	140	10 - 15 minutes	35 hours
Federal Government	120	10 - 15 minutes	30 hours
Totals	300 (est.)	10 - 15 minutes	75 hours

FEDERAL COST: The estimated annual cost to the Federal government is not to exceed $2,000

If you are conducting a focus group, survey, or plan to employ statistical methods, please provide answers to the following questions:

The selection of your targeted respondents

1. Do you have a customer list or something similar that defines the universe of potential respondents NO and do you have a sampling plan for selecting from this universe? NO

If the answer is yes, please provide a description of both below (or attach the sampling plan)? If the answer is no, please provide a description of how you plan to identify your potential group of respondents and how you will select them?

Participation will be strictly voluntary; a stakeholder invitee list will be developed in close coordination with each FWS Regional Migratory Bird Program Lead based on prior knowledge, involvement with national migratory bird issues and other factors.

Administration of the Instrument

1. How will you collect the information? (Check all that apply)

[X] Web-based or other forms of Social Media

[ ] Telephone

[ ] In-person

[ ] Mail

[ ] Other, Explain

2. Will interviewers or facilitators be used? [ ] Yes [ X ] No

3. Draft survey Questions that will be asked

Draft Stakeholder Survey (Web-Based)

Which of the following resource issues are most important for the Service emphasize? (Select up to 2)

1. Technological investment in software, systems and methodologies that make the Migratory Bird Program more service friendly, efficient and safe

2. Broaden partnerships to ensure we include commitment from entities that can impact and influence bird sustainability

3. Conserve priority migratory bird populations and their habitats throughout their annual cycle

4. Assess the quality of data needed based on perceptions of risk

5. Manage harvest and take

6. Provide proactive leadership on emerging migratory bird issues

Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements (4-Point scale)

1. Stakeholders generally support the work and goals of the Migratory Bird Program?

2. The Migratory Bird Program is seen as a good partner

3. State and Federal agencies work well together on migratory bird issues in my region

4. The Migratory Bird Program is well integrated into the larger bird community?

5. The Migratory Bird Program is relevant

6. The Migratory Bird program is sufficiently responsive to new or outside knowledge in changing or adjusting our resource management strategies, practices and focus?

What management challenges must your organization answer in the next 5-10 years? (Open-ended)

What are the top two or three most important emerging trends that will effect migratory bird management? (Open-ended)

In your view, what is your single biggest disappointment or lesson learned in migratory bird conservation? (Open-ended)

If our goal is to increase partnerships and cooperation, how should we measure progress and success? (Open-ended)

What is your affiliation?

1. State, Tribal, or Local Government

2. Other federal government employee (specify agency affiliation)

3. Conservation organization

4. Private land owner

5. Hunting organization

6. Company, Industry, Corporation

7. Recreational industry representative

8. Media

9. Other

Please rate the importance the following 11 items in your philosophy about bird conservation.

1=low priority 3=medium priority 5=high priority

1. Addressing natural resource systems as a whole

2. Managing and regulating individual species

3. Monitoring threatened and endangered species

4. Maintenance of genetic diversity

5. Providing maximum harvest opportunities

6. Balancing harvest opportunities with conservation/preservation

7. Preservation/conservation of all native species and habitats

8. Reliance on artificial propagation to expand harvest opportunities

9. Encouraging natural production of native species

10. Controlling species that negatively impact native species

11. Develop detailed status and inventory of all native species

Are there any other thoughts about the future of migratory birds, conservation, resource management, or other trends/issues that you would like to share with the planning team?

In accordance with the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 522a) and the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the information you provide will be used only to help capture and categorize qualitative perspectives about emerging issues and challenges facing the migratory bird management community. It is our policy not to use your name or personal information for any other purpose.

A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it is associated with a currently valid OMB control number. OMB has approved this information collection and assigned OMB control number 1090-0011, which expires August 31, 2018. We estimate that this focus group discussion will last 2 hrs to allow for some discussion about these issues. Your response is voluntary. You may send comments on any aspect of this information collection to: Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mail Stop BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803

Instructions for completing Request for Approval under the “Generic Clearance for the Collection of Routine Customer Feedback”

TITLE OF INFORMATION COLLECTION: Provide the name of the collection that is the subject of the request. (e.g. Comment card for soliciting feedback on xxxx)

PURPOSE: Provide a brief description of the purpose of this collection and how it will be used. If this is part of a larger study or effort, please include this in your explanation.

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONDENTS: Provide a brief description of the targeted group or groups for this collection of information. These groups must have experience with the program.

TYPE OF COLLECTION: Check one box. If you are requesting approval of other instruments under the generic, you must complete a form for each instrument.

CERTIFICATION: Please read the certification carefully. If you incorrectly certify, the collection will be returned as improperly submitted or it will be disapproved.

Personally Identifiable Information: Provide answers to the questions. Note: Agencies should only collect PII to the extent necessary, and they should only retain PII for the period of time that is necessary to achieve a specific objective.

Gifts or Payments: If you answer yes to the question, please describe the incentive and provide a justification for the amount.

BURDEN HOURS:

Category of Respondents: Identify who you expect the respondents to be in terms of the following categories: (1) Individuals or Households; (2) Private Sector; (3) State, local, or tribal governments; or (4) Federal Government. Only one type of respondent can be selected per row.

No. of Respondents: Provide an estimate of the Number of Respondents.

Participation Time: Provide an estimate of the amount of time (in minutes) required for a respondent to participate (e.g. fill out a survey or participate in a focus group)

Burden: Provide the Annual burden hours: Multiply the Number of Respondents and the Participation Time then divide by 60.

FEDERAL COST: Provide an estimate of the annual cost to the Federal government.

If you are conducting a focus group, survey, or plan to employ statistical methods, please provide answers to the following questions:

The selection of your targeted respondents. Please provide a description of how you plan to identify your potential group of respondents and how you will select them. If the answer is yes, to the first question, you may provide the sampling plan in an attachment.

Administration of the Instrument: Identify how the information will be collected. More than one box may be checked. Indicate whether there will be interviewers (e.g. for surveys) or facilitators (e.g., for focus groups) used.

Submit all instruments, instructions, and scripts are submitted with the request.

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