Supporting Statement 1651-0137 2015

Supporting Statement

Small Vessel Reporting System (SVRS)

1651-0137

A. Justification

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.

The Small Vessel Reporting System (SVRS) is a program that allows certain participants using small pleasure boats to report their arrival telephonically instead of having to appear in person for inspection by a CBP officer each time they enter the United States. In some cases, a participant may also be asked to report to CBP for an in person inspection upon arrival. Participants may be U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens, and permanent residents of Canada who are nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries listed in 8 CFR 217.2(a). In addition, participants of one or more Trusted Traveler programs and current Canadian Border Boater Landing Permit (CBP Form I-68) holders may participate in SVRS.

In order to register for the SVRS pilot program, participants enter data via the SVRS website, which collects information such as biographical information and vessel information. Participants will go through the in person CBP inspection process during SVRS registration, and in some cases, upon arrival in the United States.

For each voyage, SVRS participants will be required to submit a float plan about their voyage via the SVRS website in advance of arrival in the United States. The float plan includes vessel information, a listing of all persons on board, estimated dates and times of departure and return, and information on the locations to be visited on the trip. Participants in SVRS can create a float plan for an individual voyage or a template for a float plan that can be used multiple times.

SVRS is authorized by 8 USC 1225, 8 CFR 235.1, 19 USC 1433, and 19 CFR 4.2. The SVRS website is accessible at: https://svrs.cbp.dhs.gov/.

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.

The SVRS application information will be used to determine whether an applicant is eligible to participate in the program. Information collected from SVRS participants, both from the initial application and from the float plan, will be used to determine if an additional in-person inspection is necessary. Information collected through the SVRS program allows certain persons who enter the United States by small craft to be inspected only once during the initial application process, rather than each time they enter.

Float plan information includes information on the voyage and those on board. This is used to perform a risk analysis of the vessel/persons prior to arrival instead of at the time of arrival.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

SVRS is a web-based system. The website is: https://svrs.cbp.dhs.gov. Both the initial application and the float plan will be generated and submitted via the website through responding to a series of questions. The report of arrival for SVRS participants will generally be done by telephone.

There is also a website that provides additional information for pleasure boats at http://www.cbp.gov/travel/pleasure-boats-private-flyers. This website describes pleasure boat requirements by location and provides a list of CBP telephone numbers to call to report vessel arrivals.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.

This information is not duplicated in any other place or any other form.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.

A small number of small chartered vessels that are enrolled in the I-68 program may voluntarily choose to join SVRS. These vessels may qualify as small businesses. These participants will not need to undergo an in-person interview to enroll in SVRS since they already had an in person interview to enroll in the I-68 program. In collecting information, CBP will abide by all applicable laws, including the Trade Secrets Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1905. Additionally, if an SVRS participant who is a small business owner or employee wishes to take potential or current clients out on his or her pleasure boat, the SVRS participant may request that the passenger list be treated as confidential commercial information pursuant to the Trade Secrets Act.

6. Describe consequences to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently.

This collection of information allows certain persons entering the United States by small boats to telephonically report their arrival without having to appear in person for an inspection by a CBP Officer. Under current regulations, CBP may not conduct the inspections described above less frequently. The existence of a PRA burden in this context is a necessary consequence of an automated, web-based system.

7. Explain any special circumstances.

This information is collected in a manner consistent with the guidelines of 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2).

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

Public comments were solicited through a 60-day FRN published on December 23, 2014 (Volume 79, Page 77020), on which no comments were received, and a 30-day FRN published on March 20, 2015, (Volume 80, Page 15023), on which no comments have been received.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

There is no offer of a monetary or material value for this information collection.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

A SORN for the Global Enrollment System, which was published on January 16, 2013 (FR 78, Page 3441), has been included in this ICR. A PIA for the Global Enrollment System, dated January 10, 2013, will also be included.

A small number of small chartered vessels that are enrolled in the I-68 program may voluntarily choose to join SVRS. These vessels may qualify as small businesses. These participants will not need to undergo an in-person interview to enroll in SVRS since they already had an in person interview to enroll in the I-68 program. In collecting information, CBP will abide by all applicable laws, including the Trade Secrets Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1905. Additionally, if an SVRS participant who is a small business owner or employee wishes to take potential or current clients out on his or her pleasure boat, the SVRS participant may request that the passenger list be treated as confidential commercial information pursuant to the Trade Secrets Act.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

There are no questions of a sensitive nature.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information.

INFORMATION COLLECTION	TOTAL ANNUAL BURDEN HOURS	NO. OF RESPONDENTS	NO. OF RESPONSES PER RESPONDENT	TOTAL RESPONSES	TIME PER RESPONSE
SVRS Application	1,877	7,509	1	7,509	15 minutes (0.25 hours)
Float Plan	457	2,589	1	2,589	10.6 minutes (0.177 hours)
Total	2,334	10,098		10,098

The table above reflects updated estimates based on the most recent numbers of respondents.  Specific changes are:

• The number of respondents for the SVRS application decreased by 1,429 from 8,938 to 7,509;

• The number of respondents for the float plan increased by 337 from 2,252 to 2,589; and

• The burden hours of this collection were revised to reflect changes in the number of respondents.

Public Cost

The estimated annual cost to respondents is $106,384. This is based on the number of burden hours (2,334) multiplied by (x) the estimated average hourly wage rate of respondents ($45.58) = $106,384

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information.

There are no recordkeeping, capital, start-up, or maintenance costs associated with this information collection.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal Government. Also provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.

The estimated annual cost to the Federal Government associated with this collection is $52,137. This is based on the estimated number of total responses (10,098) multiplied by (x) the time expended per response (5 minutes, or 0.083 hours) = 842 hours multiplied by (x) the average hourly rate ($61.92) = $52,137.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 12 or 13.

The estimated number of respondents was updated based on the current number of applications. The burden hours were recalculated accordingly. Specific changes are detailed in Item #12 of this Statement. There are no changes to the information collected.

16. For collection of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation, and publication.

This information collection will not be published for statistical purposes.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date, explain the reasons that displaying the expiration date would be inappropriate.

CBP will display the expiration date for OMB approval of this information collection.

18. “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions.”

CBP does not request an exception to the certification of this information collection.

B. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods

No statistical methods were employed.