The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) created the Coral Reef Conservation Program
to safeguard and ensure the welfare of the coral reef ecosystems
along the coastlines of America's States and Territories. The
administration of this program has potential economic and cultural
impacts on the lives of nearby residents. In accordance with its
mission goals, NOAA has designed a survey to help assess the
impacts of the Coral Reef Conservation Program. NOAA has developed
a jurisdictional survey instrument to be implemented in the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) in 2016-17. For
the jurisdictional population, we intend to select a random sample
of individuals over the age of eighteen, stratified geographically
as described in Table 6 below. The random sample will be obtained
from the selected survey firm using standard sample selection
tools. These strata have been designed to account for the differing
sizes of the populations in the areas close to coral reefs. The
estimates for CNMI have been revised from 360 responses and 150
hours, to 700 responses and 292 hours. However, this year's burden
estimate (Guam = 296 hrs + CNMI=720 (Total-1016 hrs) is less than
the 1,321 annualized total burden estimate in the 2015 extension.
Thus, there will be no overall burden increase for
2016-17.
There are no program changes.
There have been minor adjustments to sample sizes. There are net
reductions to annualized estimates, of 185 respondents and
responses, and 37 hours.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.