1651-0108 Supporting Statement May 2016

Supporting Statement

Canadian Border Boat Landing Permit (CBP Form I-68)

1651-0108

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 Canadian Border Boat Landing Permit, CBP Form I-68, allows participants entering the United States along the northern border by small pleasure boats weighing less than 5 tons to telephonically report their arrival without having to appear in person for an inspection by a CBP officer. United States citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents of the United States, Canadian citizens, and Landed Residents of Canada who are nationals of the Visa Waiver Program countries listed in 8 CFR 217.2(a) are eligible to participate.

The information collected on CBP Form I-68 allows people who enter the United States from Canada by small pleasure boats to be inspected in person only once during the boating season, rather than each time they make an entry. This information collection is provided for by 8 CFR 235.1(g) and Section 235 of Immigration and Nationality Act. CBP Form I-68 is accessible at http://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/CBP%20Form%20I-68_0.pdf.

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 information provided is used to perform an initial vetting of the applicant; to help establish identity, alienage and admissibility of the applicant; and to provide a guideline for any questions that might be necessary when the applicant is interviewed by the CBP officer prior to adjudicating the I-68.

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.

CBP is examining methods to automate this collection, but there are data repository issues and other problems that have yet to be resolved before automation of the I-68 can be implemented. Form I-68 is available at http://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/CBP%20Form%20I-68_0.pdf

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.

This information collection does not have an impact on small businesses or other small entities.

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

This collection of information enables people to visit the immediate shore area for the duration of the boating season without having to travel to the nearest CBP office for inspection.

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 August 10, 2015 (Volume 80, Page 47937) on which no comments were received, and a 30-day FRN published on November 13, 2015 (Volume 80, Page 70243) 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 was published on April 21, 2006, (FR 71, Page 20708) and a PIA for this system dated April 20, 2006 will be included in this ICR.

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
I-68	11,288	68,000	1	68,000	10 minutes (.166 hours)

Public Cost

The estimated annual public cost of the burden is $1,598,104.72.

The estimated cost to the respondents is ($510,104.72. This is based on the estimated burden hours (11,288) multiplied by (x) the average hourly wage rate for all-purpose sea travelers ($45.19). CBP calculated this wage rate by adjusting the U.S. Department of Transportation’s recommended hourly values of travel time savings for intercity, all-purpose travel by air and high-speed rail ($44.30 in 2013 dollars), which CBP assumes best represents intercity, all-purpose travel by sea, to 2015 dollars using DOT’s recommended annual growth rate of 1.0 percent.¹

In addition, respondents pay $1,088,000 in fees as a result of a $16 filing fee. This is calculated by the number of responses (68,000) multiplied (x) the filing fee ($16) = $1,088,000.

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

There are no record keeping, 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 the review of these documents is $1,124,856. This is based on the number of responses that must be reviewed (68,000) multiplied by (x) the time burden to review and process each response (.3 hours) = 20,400 hours multiplied by (x) the average hourly loaded rate for a CBP Officer ($55.14)² = $1,124,856.

The Government costs are mostly offset by the $16 fee per form. The 68,000 respondents multiplied by the $16 filing fee = $1,088,000. Therefore, the filing fee revenue covers 97 percent of the Government’s costs ($1,088,000 / $1,124,856). The uncompensated portion of the costs to CBP is $36,856.

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

There has been no increase or decrease in the estimated annual burden hours previously reported for this information collection. There are no changes to this collection of information.

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.

1 Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Transportation Policy. The Value of Travel Time Savings: Departmental Guidance for Conducting Economic Evaluations Revision 2 (2015 Update), “Table 4 (Revision 2-corrected): Recommended Hourly Values of Travel Time Savings for Intercity, All-Purpose Travel by Air and High-Speed Rail.” April 29, 2015. Available at http://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/Revised%20Departmental%20Guidance%20on%20Valuation%20of%20Travel%20Time%20in%20Economic%20Analysis.pdf. Accessed June 15, 2015.

2 CBP bases this wage on the salary and benefits of the national average of CBP Officer positions, which is equal to a GS-12, Step 4. Source: Email correspondence with CBP’s Office of Administration on June 25, 2015.